Tis The Season for Secrets (Village of Yule #2)

9. Juliet

“ A re we going to talk about the man’s shirt I saw in the laundry basket the other day?” Margot whispered as their stylists worked on them side by side.

Despite it being one of the busiest days of the year, the salon still maintained a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. Every inch, decorated with white marble and gold-trimmed mirrors, screamed expense.

“It’s Will’s. The guy from the night when I collected the manuscript from Hugo.” Juliet tried to sound like she wasn’t still thinking about him. The flashbacks of his lips on hers, and the weight of his hands on her hips, were never far from her mind.

“You kept his shirt? How romantic.” The manicurist glared at Margot as she snatched her hands out from the heat lamp to clap. “Are you going to see him again?”

“I don’t think so. I was going to return the shirt to him, but I’ve no way to contact him. It’s expensive, so I wasn’t going to throw it out.” Juliet wished she had his number, so she could have at least thanked him for helping her get her dream promotion. But she figured that if he’d wanted her to have it, he could have given it to her in the lobby.

“You could donate it?” Margot suggested as her stylist sprayed her icy locks, slicked into a low bun and decorated with white pearls, with an alarming amount of hairspray.

Maybe Margot was right and she should get rid of the reminder. After all, they’d agreed on one night, and she needed to stop thinking about him. But it felt wrong donating what wasn’t hers, and what if their paths crossed again?

“I will, when I get the chance,” Juliet lied, focusing on the bald stylist clipping back her soft waves with emerald-winged clips. A few wispy bits were left out to frame her heart-shaped face.

Thankfully, they couldn’t really speak once the make-up artists started. Juliet nearly fell asleep in the chair. When she opened her eyes, she admired the blushed cheeks and dark brown eyeshadow that highlighted her features without masking them.

“Your eyes look incredible,” she told Margot, whose dark, smoky eye gave her a vampiric yet sultry look with her sleek hair.

“Still, I’d kill for your lips. The red is perfect on you,” Margot returned as they pulled themselves from the comfy leather chairs. They said their goodbyes, and Juliet made sure to add a generous tip to the bill.

“I need another coffee if I’m going to last the night.” Margot shivered outside the salon. Luckily it hadn’t started snowing again, but she was grateful for the litre of hairspray, because the wind had picked up.

“You read my mind.” Juliet took her arm, and they huddled together to keep warm.

Both appreciated the large coffees once they got to their chilly apartment.

“Victor should be here to pick us up at seven,” Juliet said, carefully slipping her green dress over her hair and make-up.

“I’ll be ready. I haven’t seen him since he brought you back from the estate last year—” Margot cut herself off. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to talk about it.” She fidgeted with the crystal straps that did little to support her chest.

“It’s fine, you don’t have to tiptoe around it.” Juliet shrugged off the memory and put on the gold necklace with the small bell she’d found in the chest. She didn’t like talking about the Frost estate, even though Margot knew about her cottage – how her grandfather and stepmother had kept Juliet out of sight and out of the main house when she turned fourteen. Her dad had agreed, needing to keep his wife and father happy, when it was suggested Juliet had better not live in the main house – that it was too upsetting to have her in Gillian’s home, except for at parties and during the holidays, when appearances had to be maintained and Gillian could show her friends how generous she was to accept her husband’s pre-marital child.

Even if she had never felt wanted at home, Victor, the groundskeeper and driver, had always been like the dad she’d never had. He’d taught her to drive, and taken her to the emergency room when she’d broken her arm when she’d failed at her first and last attempt at skateboarding.

Pushing aside the memories, Juliet searched for her silvery heels. They weren’t in the wardrobe; lifting up the blanket at the end of her bed, she found them resting against the chest she’d been procrastinating about opening again. She grabbed her heels, but couldn’t resist her curiosity. Margot was still getting ready in her room, so she had a moment to spare.

The letter she’d shoved inside still sat on top, and this time Nana Rose’s handwriting hit her like an emotional freight train. She forced herself to swallow her grief so her tears wouldn’t ruin her makeup.

Dear Juliet

My darling granddaughter, I’m sorry I couldn’t give this to you in person and explain its contents. This chest was entrusted to me by your mother, to be passed on to you only after the passing of your grandfather. I’m afraid that in keeping my promise to your mother, I’ve had to keep you in the dark. There are many elements of our family’s past and your own story that have been kept from you, for both your own safety and that of others. However, the time has come for you to learn the truth.

Having watched you grow into such a thoughtful, kind and honest woman that I’m proud to call my granddaughter, I feel you should be allowed to make your own decision and find where you truly belong. I hope you can forgive me– us – for what we’ve kept from you over the years. Please keep your mind and your heart open, and I promise you’ll find the home you’ve always deserved. One I’m afraid that we failed to give you.

I wish now that I could go back in time and protect you, but you have to understand that your father’s relationship with your mother put us in an impossible position. Your grandfather and I did what we thought would protect our family. Our family history is rife with secrets that will seem impossible for you to understand at first. I wanted to spare you any undue longing for a home we could not give you. I’ve been in contact with your mother, Eloise, and I promised her that I would get this chest to you when the time was right. It is of the utmost importance that you keep this chest and its contents to yourself. I know I’m asking too much and you’ll want to confront your father for answers, but please have patience. Your mom will reach out when the time is right. The last thing I ask of you is to give her a chance to explain.

All my love,

Nana Rose

Taking a deep breath, Juliet resisted the urge to crumple up the letter, to forget all she’d just read and move on from her past. What she didn’t know couldn’t hurt her.

She settled on the edge of the bed, reminding herself to breathe as she absorbed her nana’s words. She loved her grandmother, but what had she– what had her family – been hiding from her that could be so terrible as to wait until death to expose it? Her grandfather was dead, so she couldn’t confront him for answers, and she doubted her dad would tell her what the hell this letter meant.

She read over the last part again. Your mom will reach out when the time is right. The last thing I ask of you is to give her a chance to explain.

Reach out? It’d been days since she’d received the chest. There’d been no calls or emails, letters – nothing. She’s been talking to my mom since when? She’d always been led to believe that her mom wanted no contact with her, that she was a mistake to be forgotten. Did Mom know how I was being treated over the years? How I was never welcome and raised by the driver and chef? Did she know all this and never come for me? Her grief quickly morphed into rage.

“I buzzed Victor up. You almost ready?” Margot popped her head around her door. Luckily, her friend was too busy stuffing hard candy into her tiny satin clutch to notice Juliet’s solemn expression. Watching her friend trying to squeeze her phone into the already stuffed clutch made Juliet chuckle, softening the ache in her heart. She would’ve suggested less candy, but Margot never went anywhere without it, always saying she couldn’t offend anyone if her mouth was full.

She thought of the gala, and in spite of Margot’s presence a cold sweat took over her body. Strapping on her heels with shaky hands as Margot headed down the hallway, she reminded herself that in a few hours she’d be home and safe. It was too late to cancel now, and despite what her nana had requested, she had to ask her dad if he’d known his mother was talking to Juliet’s mom. If he and his deceased mother had concocted this cruel plan to dangle the woman Juliet had never met before her to bring her back into the family fold…

She heard Margot greeting Victor as she shoved the chest back under her bed. Forcing her best smile, she prepared herself for the night ahead.

“Victor! Prompt as always.” She beamed, kissing her father’s driver’s cheek.

“Ms Juliet, beautiful as always.” He spun her round, ever the gentle giant. His grey beard was longer than when she’d last seen him. However, he still wore the grey suit and white shirt he’d worn for as long as she could remember. “Ms Margot, you look wonderful also,” he said politely. “Though I wasn’t aware I was bringing both of you tonight?”

“I’ve a little surprise and a favour to ask,” Juliet wheedled, playing with the waves that framed her face.

“I’m listening.” His dark eyes narrowed, and his weathered wrinkles deepened.

Juliet glanced at Margot, who looked incredibly nervous. “Margot is invited, so I thought we’d ride together.”

“I don’t know.” Victor always knew when she was up to something. “I didn’t receive any notice, and I don’t want a repeat of last year…” He had escorted Juliet to the Frost estate last year after the scandal with the prince, and it was Victor who’d brought hot cocoa and an icepack for her cheek to her cottage after Gillian had slapped her – with her rings on – for embarrassing the family. Juliet guessed he was erring on the side of caution to protect her.

“We can always take a cab,” she suggested, knowing he wouldn’t let that happen. “Please, Vic! Don’t make me go alone. Margot will keep me in check.”

Her voice got a little pitchy at the last part. It was more likely that Margot would have to keep her in check when she confronted her father about her nana’s letter.

“You left this to the last minute, so I can’t argue.” Victor checked his watch. “Ms Roth, I’d be delighted to offer you my services.” It wasn’t the first time he’d met Margot; he’d helped them move out of their college dorm and into their current apartment almost five years ago.

“Thank you. I promise our girl will be on her best behaviour,” Margot said with a smile.

“I can only hope the other guests will do the same,” Victor said, eying Juliet sympathetically. He knew how the other guests thought she was an easy target because of how she’d come to be a Frost.

Then again, if I confront my dad about private matters at the biggest event of the year, I might not be a Frost for much longer.