“My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.”
Chocolate tasted of heaven, there was nothing more apparent than this one truth, as Juliet Aswell savored the sweet and bitter on her tongue. Plucking another strawberry from the dish she dipped it into the melting pot, licking her lips as the juice seeped over. The DeLacy house, for whom she worked, was stocked brim with delights; tokens of gratitude for the family’s patronage. Robert DeLacy was a fair tempered man, red cheeked and plump, who reveled in the bizarre and rare to come by. His home in the country, if you could call a small castle such, held treasure troves of exotic priceless wonders collecting dust behind gilded locks. It was once said that taking a tour of the DeLacy manor was like taking a trip to the darkest unmapped corners of the globe for only a small price.
“Get your finger out of that bowl before I whip you.” hissed the plump cook, looking more surly then Juliet cared for. She stepped away hiding the bit she had snuck behind her back.
“ I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist. I can’t remember the last time I tasted something so wonderful.” She might have bit her tongue had the cook not held such a look of contempt in her eye. “It’s only human to be susceptible to temptation, Marceline, even the bishop says so.” she said with mischievous innocence that she wore like a veil.
“ That’s the master’s property you’re taking, it’s not for the likes of you.” She warned brandishing her spoon like a crop, just waiting to catch Juliet within arms reach. It was no idle threat, her backend had the lasting marks to prove it.
“ His lordship doesn’t begrudge me these small pleasures. He thinks of me like another daughter, you know.” Her eyes remained fixed on the spoon as she rocked on her heels in search of a more worthy excuse.
“His lordship has a blind eye for sweet things, but he doesn’t forget when
payment is due. You wait and see. He’ll come collect from you.” Marceline looked grave, but Juliet dismissed her with a roll of the eye. Lord DeLacy had never been anything more than a charming uncle figure, full of wonderful stories and treats.
Her eyes stopped a tart that looked particularly delicious, but a loud crack startled her from her longing.
“I catch you in here again and I’ll do more then tan your hide. Now off with you, the mistress needs attending.”
Juliet turned about, longing to give all the delicious treats a try. However, she knew better than to push her luck, so she strolled out of the kitchen with her last stolen strawberry tucked between her teeth.
The house was in a tither over an approaching celebration. Sir De Lacy’s youngest child was coming of age and it was to be the event of the season. Yet among the fuss and noise of preparation, the birthday girl was nowhere to be seen.
Plucking a flower from a delicate arrangement, Juliet dodged her way through the busy house out into the garden where she knew Josseline to be hiding. Tucked away in a quiet corner out of sight, she sat, clutching a worn bit of paper between her fingers.
“Careful, you’re likely to get wrinkles looking so glum.” Juliet grinned holding the flower out for her to take. Startled Josseline accepted the flower and slowly spun it in her free hand.
“ Do you ever do anything besides cause trouble? It’s a wonder how you manage to parade around with such an innocent look, yet leave so much disaster in your wake.”
“I must have been born lucky” she said sitting across with her ankles stretched out.
“I’m sure luck is not the word I'd use.” Jossline smiled “Where have you been? I’ve been waiting over an hour for you.”
She tried to look cross but the afternoon sun played a strange trick of the light against her features, making her all the more beautiful. At any given time most would say that the two girls could have been twins, often mistaking one for the other during quick glances or rushed moments. However, seeing her now with the colors of late afternoon painting over her doll like complexion it was becoming increasingly apparent just how far they had come.
Josseline was carelessly beautiful, as if a star had fallen straight out of the sky and landed gracefully in the garden, prettier than any rose. Juliet’s own looks were far from average but her skin held the fickle promise of youth. Despite this she never once envied Josseline. Perhaps it came from knowing one's place in the world.
“I think you ought to be thanking me. I risked my life testing the pudding for poison earlier. If that's not devotion I don't know what is.”
“Well unless you have a condition that doesn't allow for too much sugar I can confidently say that you are safe for now.” Josseline’s expression broke first and the pair burst out into a fit of laughter.
“Good, I’m pleased that one storm has passed. Now if only you could do something about my more immediate problem.” She sighed.
“ You’re not speaking of Edmund are you, because we’ve been over this at least a dozen times. He’s a wart on the backside of a toad and not worth your affection“ Juliet scoffed.
For a moment she caught a glimpse of a rather salty looking gardener whom she did not recognize. It wasn’t his poor man’s grin that caught her attention, it was the way he watched them so intensely through the bushes. It was unsettling.
“Yes, so you’ve said at least a dozen times, but that doesn’t change the way my heart feels.” Josseline said taking her hand, distracting her from the curious old man.
“The heart lies, often. It’s up to us, reasonable women, to use the brain God gave us to tell the difference.” Juliet snapped pulling her hand away.
When Josseline didn’t speak she amended her tone with a touch more softness.
“Alright then, what does dear Edmond have to say.” Juliet asked as she reached for the letter but it remained tightly clutched in Josseline’s fingers.
“Only that he looks forward to my party and that he has business to discuss with father.” her cheeks flushed. Juliet felt a dry burning sense of spite rise in the back of her throat, though she held tight to her composure. Business with Lord DeLacy could have meant a thousand different things, but there was only one that mattered to her.
“Do you think he means to ask for your hand?” Juliet asked stoically keeping her eye firmly fixed on the strange old man trimming the bushes.
“ I don’t know. I suppose it could be about his trading venture to The Gulf of Guinea this November, but why mention it? When a man says he must speak to your father on business, what more could he mean? I don't know what to think anymore.”
The old gardener, sensing her gaze, looked up from his trimmings and waved. There was an unease about the way he smiled that forced Juliet to her feet.
“Well if that is how it is to be then we must have you looking your best, come now. Up. The whole house is in a state and as mistress it’s your responsibility to make sure everything is in order.” She extended her hand with a small reassuring smile.
Edmund was not a man whom she would have chosen for Josseline; he was aloof, arrogant, and his head remained planted firmly up his own rear. Still it was not her opinion that mattered and that bothered Juliet to no end.
Josseline’s room was small in comparison to many other rooms in the grand house, but Juliet had always found it cosy. The exotic decorations brought from the orient gave it a mystical feel, like magic. Silks lined the windows and soft pelts covered the floor. As a child she had always been safe here, avoiding chores, or hiding from the other servants.
“Shall we find something for you to wear?” Juliet asked throwing wide the wardrobe as her friend sat mournfully against the bed. She had decided long ago that marriage was not for her. There was too much fuss involved with maintaining a husband and the thought of childbirth mortified her.
“I’ve already decided on the green. Father says it’s his favorite.”
“I didn’t realize it was your father’s birthday. No, I think the blue suits you far better.” Juliet held the dress out for her to try.
“You only say that because it’s your favorite.” she bite back a smile.
“--And because you always look so darling in it. Now put it on.” Juliet insisted, tugging her hand until she stood.
“No, I think not.” She pushed the dress back toward her. “You should be the one to wear it. It brings out the color in your eyes. Turn round, I’ll unlace you.”
“Very funny, you know I can’t. What would the other staff say if they saw me running about in this? Not to mention what a strange girl I’ll seem to the guests. Serving them appetizers while pretending to make conversation.”
“Good thing you won't be pretending. Now turn.” Josseline nudged her shoulder and spun her around. “It’s my party and I will have you in attendance. ”
“Hush and I don’t want another word about it.”
Josseline’s delicate fingers began to unlace the stitched back of Juliet’s clothes, letting them fall to the floor. Together they worked to slide the beautiful dress on.
“Stand straight.” she ordered yanking the corset tight.
“How do you bare it. It feels as though my inside are about to be squeezed out through my eyes.” Juliet gasped gripping the mirror for support.
“Trust me, what I wouldn’t give for a day in your clothes.” Juliet’s spine tingled as Josseline’s fingers made quick work once more of the stitching. “There.”
She pulled the bun and bonnet from Juliet’s hair allowing it to tumbled to her shoulders. Together they looked in the mirror at a strange young woman who longed to exist.
“I can’t wear this.” Juliet whispered tracing the lace at her breast. Her friend’s chin rested fondly on her shoulder.
“ If not this then what will you be wearing when my brother arrives, nothing?” It was Josseline's turn to look impish.
Isaac De Lacy was the elder child of Robert and something of a disappointment in his father’s eyes. He lacked a keen eye for business and the rigor for adventure; things that made a true DeLacy according to his lordship. Isaac was the sort of boy who indulged in the beauty all around and that was what made him extraordinarily exceptional in Juliet’s eyes.
“Isaac is coming? You never said—“ she murmured.
“Father only just told me today. It’s exciting isn’t it? We’ll all be together again.” Josseline beamed.
A storm of nervous excitement brewed through the house as guests began to arrive. Servants scurried around taking coats and directing them to the main parlor. Among the guests Juliet stood out as foreign, while unrecognizable to the servants. Weaving her way through the throng of people her thoughts spun in anxious circles until she was dizzy from the noise, so dizzy in fact that she walked directly into his lordship.
“--Distracted again are we. I dare say, I’m not surprised with how much fuss is going into this party.” DeLacy said. He was a notorious busybody, fawning over gossip; particularly the bits about himself, however this evening he was more distracted than usual, as though he too could not keep his mind on the party.
“--Hired an additional five hands for the evening just to keep up.” He mused, the usual jolliness gone from his cheeks. “I must confess I was a bit turned around myself. I thought you were my daughter for a moment in that dress. Have you seen my Josseline ? I needed a word.”
“No sir, I was just looking for her myself. Should I pass the message along?” she asked trying not to pick at the lace of her dress. It was so dreadfully itchy.
“No, no. It’s quite alright. I’ve got business to attend to, don’t let me keep you.” He excused himself and teetered away.
Juliet meandered on, seeking out more strawberries but, instead she found herself awkwardly standing in the parlor as guests danced by. Careful to skirt around the floor she made her way to a distant corner avoiding eye contact with anyone looking to start a conversation as she went. Anxious, she looked around for any sign of her friend.
“I hate parties. Scouring the kitchen sink with Marceline would have been more fun”, she thought bitterly.
“You seem to be looking for someone, perhaps I could help?” To Juliet’s surprise Isaac stood smiling back at her. He was short in stature, barely taller than her, thin with mousey brown hair that always held flecks of paint speckled around the top. His eyes were warm and his heart was kind, but it had been years since they had last spoken and he seemed more weary than she remembered.
“You look rather sullen standing in your lone corner” he teased. “How about a dance?”
Juliet looked around at the other ladies prancing about like show ponies or else squawking to one another about their proposal prospects.
“That’s quite alright, thanks,” She said “ And I’m not sullen, I’ve just got a lot on my mind” “What could possibly weigh so heavily?” he asked.
“Well for starters I’d like to know how many birds she could fit in that hair should she try. I’ve been trying to work it out for the better part of the night. It must be at least twelve.” she quipped. Her cheeks flushed when Isaac looked taken back. It was unbecoming of a young women to have such a sharp tongue, yet she persisted despite the trouble it brought down on her. Thankfully Isaac began to laugh and they slipped into an ease with one another. It wasn’t old times, but the fondness was there. Juliet could feel his eyes on her in a way that set her nerves on edge. Isaac was no prince, but he was the sort of young man who any woman could enjoy happily ever after with. Any women, except Juliet.
“ Your father seems to be in a peculiar mood this afternoon,” She changed the subject away from her own misgivings about the party.
“Did he? I hadn’t notice. I try to avoid him nearly as much as possible these days.”
“That Bad? What brought you back? I hope you’re not giving up on painting, you’re too good.” She frowned. Isaac’s eye for beauty was no secret among the court, in fact it was highly desired. Though DeLacy did not approve he nurtured his son’s gift through lesson and travel. Isaac stepped in closer as if to tell a secret.
“Art is not something that you can just give up. It’s like air or water. Unfortunately you can’t live on air or water alone. Father has offered me a fair compromise that suits both of our desires and I mean to take him up on it.”
“If it suits you so well then why do you sound so disappointed.” She noted the way his shoulders fell and the brass of his button fade. He was certainly more weary than she remembered.
“I’m to be a cartographer for John’s Company, which is an excellent opportunity if father weren’t so--” Isaac paused as Juliet gaze wandered.
Jossline emerged arm and arm with a man who’s face looked permanently snobbish.
“--my sister seems to have contracted a rather an unfortunately growth. Shame, she was so pretty.” Juliet gave him a sharp nudge, but grinned just the same.
“We call it Edmund” she waved “Don't worry you'll get use to the smell”
“Juliet, I must ask you something.” he whispered, but Juliet’s payed him no attention.
The gardener who had spied upon them earlier stood in the exact spot where Josseline had been just a moment before. He spoke anxiously to another man dressed in company colors, who held angry sneer stretched across his sea worn face. For a moment Juliet thought the company man might strike the elderly gardener, but instead the two went their separate ways as if they had never met.
“I’m sorry, what were you saying Isaac?” She said turning back to find him pink faced.
“I see you two have wasted no time catching up.” Josseline threw her arms around her brother’s neck and greeted him with a peck on the cheek.
“There’s not much to tell, but I see you have much to share” Isaac held out his hand for Edmund to take. “Isaac DeLacy”
“Edmond Ashley, Lieutenant of the HMS Dreadnought” he said.
Juliet tried to hide a snicker.
“Aren’t you the help?” Edmond asked without bothering to look directly at her. It seemed the sleeve of his coat was more interesting.
“Darling, this is my dear friend--” Edmond held up his hand.
“My love, as much as I adore your sense of charity, putting a pig in a dress doesn’t make it any less a pig.” He held out an empty champagne glass. “Leave the civilized conversation to the civilized people and fetch us more to drink.”
Juliet took the glass as her cheeks grew rosie. Josseline nor Isaac spoke, they merely looked away in shame, for this was the way of the world and she had been foolish enough to believe she could ever be count their equal.
Anger fueled by humiliation coiled in the pit of her stomach as she fumed from the parlor. Hot bitter tears stung her eyes as she searched for a place far from onlookers, but the house was full to the brim with guests coming and going. A few guest loitered over an exceptionally dull portrait down an unusually quiet corridor. It took only the sound of a smashed flute to drive them away leaving Juliet blissfully alone in her silence. Hate slithered into the narrow hallway wrapping tightly around her lungs. If Josseline had never insisted she attend the party-- no, had she never fallen for Edmund Ashley this would have never happened.
“Be reasonable Barlow.” pleaded Robert DeLacy. The door to the study was shut firm, but she could hear Barlow’s growl as if it were right in her own ear. She approached the door, her curiosity momentarily distracting her from the ache in her chest.
“Reasonable? No, I think we’ve been more than reasonable. A man of business such as you ought to know better then to squelch on an arrangement. I will have my pay and I will have it now.”
“ I told you. It’s not here, but if you give me a bit more time--” There was a loud crash and a faint whimper. Forgetting her pride, Juliet turned to seek help, but blocking her way was the toothless gardener; pistol in hand, grinning he nudged her forward toward the study.
“ Capt’n don't like games, Bob.” yelled the gardener as he entered, giddy with excitement.
“I assure you I don't know what your talking about and in my home you will address me as Sir DeLacy” he croaked despite his face pressed down aginst his desk.
“I don't address no one by sir but the capt’n, now hand over what was promised and we’ll be on our way.” The company man called Balow released his lordship and cocked his pistol.
“Now there won't be any need of that Barlow. We’re dealin with a gentleman type and gentleman types always see reason. You just gotta find the right parts to poke, see.”
From his waist coat the gardener pulled a dirk and in one sharp motion sliced a thin line across Juliet's collar. She yelped clutching at where he had cut her. Blood dripped along her dress but the wound was superficial, she had worse scrapped knees as a child. She could see in Delacy’s eye that for a moment he had believed she was Josseline.
“Please, not my daughter” he said.
“She’s innocent. You’ll get what you’re owed. All you have to do is let her walk out of here.” His eyes did not waver from her face. Juliet stealed herself. The message was clear; remain silent. “There are at least a dozen of the Queen’s naval officers in attendance tonight---”
“No, No. That aint how this works Bob. Ye don’t get to make new terms once the deal’s been struck. See, ye made a promise and ye goin’ keep that promise, if you ever want to see ye girl again.” He gave another flick and a second red line crossed the first, creating a brilliant red “x” against her pale skin.
Robert’s face grew cold as he glared at the men who stood before him.
“You will not take my daughter.” he warned.
“ We might not have the numbers, but we’ve got enough explosives to level this place.” Barlow grunted as the old gardener practically danced with excitement. DeLacy sat down, losing all his wind.
“Okay bob, this how it’s go’n be. Me and him are go’n walk out of here nice like, with the lady. You bring what’s owed us to Nassau by september and you get the girl back no worse for wear.” Pipped the Gardener. Juliet shook her head.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Oh I think you are love, now walk or my mate will blow your brains against that lovely wall.” He gave her a nudge back toward the door.
“Please don’t fear my darling” called Sir De Lacy as Juliet was escorted out of the room. “I will send every ship I have. This will all be over soon, I swear it. Stay strong and give nothing away.” were his last words.
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