Juliet surveyed her reflection in the mirror. She was wearing a crisp, blue gown but her face was sunken and sallow which contrasted starkly with her blood-shot eyes, a result from days of crying.

She was due to attend a dinner hosted by Baron Cumbrust but her heart ached so much that the emotional pain was almost unbearable.

Mrs Rosewood refused to let her miss this function because it would be a complete insult to Baron Cumbrust, the Queen's favourite.

The door opened and Sophie entered to help her. "Lady Juliet, are you fine?" the maid asked worriedly as she did the back buttons of the dress.

"I'm fine," Juliet said hesitantly, trying to keep herself from bursting into tears.

"Do you need me to accompany you, m'lady?" Sophie asked with concern etched on her face.

"You should stay here with Mrs Rosewood and Titania." Juliet gave her a sad smile. "Titania's pretty upset that she hadn't been invited."

"Don't worry m'lady, Lord Edmund will wake up soon," Sophie said and brushed Juliet's hair. "He must be foolish to believe that you are consorting with Lord Jasper."

"I hope so," Juliet sighed.

*************

Baron Cumbrust's house was opulent and lavish. No wonder the Queen wanted to stay here. There was the smell of old money everywhere and despite her sad mood, Juliet couldn't help but feel a little awed by the decor.

"Lady Juliet," Baron Cumbrust exclaimed, took her hand and kissed it.

She withdrew her hand back with a cringe. "Baron Cumbrust," she said a little stiffly. She didn't have the patience or mood to deal with a lecherous old man.

"Welcome, welcome to my humble home," he said jovially.

"How humble," Juliet muttered under her breath and stepped into the room. A few nobleborns were lingering in small groups and she spotted Jasper who was tied up with another duke.

He smiled at her and she gave him a nod. Suddenly, she stopped cold.

Edmund was right there in the corner, staring at her openly. He was alone and his smothering green eyes immediately sought her out the moment she stepped into the room.

He took a step forward and looked as if he was about to start towards her. Panicking, Juliet headed to the only other alone person in the room, Lady Ariane.

"Lady Ariane," she said quickly and she noticed that Edmund had stopped and was still staring at her. Ignoring him, she continued. "How wonderful it is for you to invite all of us here."

Lady Ariane gave her a sad smile. "'Tis not my idea. It's Lady Serafina who's hosting the dinner. I'm afraid that I don't have much say in these matters."

Juliet felt a wave of sympathy for her. It wasn't easy to live with the Russian heiress. "If I may ask you one question, Lady Ariane," she paused. "Why did you decide to become Baron Cumbrust's...woman."

A flicker of sadness passed over Lady Ariane's beautiful, polished face. "If it were any other person asking this, I would have surely keep silent but you've been kind to me," she said softly. "I did it because of the money. At the whorehouse, there was always the possibility that I might be thrown onto the streets when I was deemed useless."

"Is it not the same with Baron Cumbrust?"

Lady Ariane shook her head, her face softening.

"In a way, yes. But now I only have to serve one man and I get to enjoy this luxury," she added with a smile. "I didn't have this much freedom when I was at the whorehouse and to be able to stand next to the nobleborns of society, I feel happy. Call it superficial, Lady Juliet, but if you've spent your entire life pleasing and bedding men, you would welcome any sort of respite."

"I'm sorry." Juliet bit her lips.

"Don't be." Lady Ariane smiled. She was truly beautiful in a classic British way. With her porcelain skin and slim figure, she was easily a match for the proud, exotic Russian Lady Serafina. It was easy to see why Baron Cumbrust was attracted to her.

Suddenly, they were interrupted by the dinner bell. Juliet headed to the dinner table, stubbornly ignoring a particular person.

She quickly took a seat between Lady Ariane and Jasper, just so she wouldn't have to sit next to Edmund.

Jasper gave her a curious look as he flickered a gaze between Edmund and her.

It was a mistake because Edmund took the seat opposite her which meant that she had to face his glowering gaze for the rest of the night.

Steadily ignoring him, she concentrated on dinner, not looking up from her plate at all.

"What's going on?" Jasper murmured when the dessert platter arrived.

"Pardon me?" Juliet asked innocently.

"I know you well," Jasper muttered. "What's going on between Lord Edmund and you?"

"Nothing's going on," she whispered back.

Suddenly, she jerked up. Someone was brushing his leg against hers in a very intimate way. When she looked up, she saw Edmund smirking at her.

Insolent man. You dare to flirt with me after calling me a mistress? Juliet withdrew back her legs but there was still a fierce, painful longing in her heart.

 At this moment, Lady Serafina stood up. She held up her wine glass and smirked. "I would like to give a toast to our newly engaged couple, Lord Edmund and Lady Juliet."

Edmund calmly stood up and took his wine glass. Holding it up, he drank it and said smoothly, "We thank you for your generosity, Lady Serafina."

Lady Serafina smiled coolly and her eyes was trained on Juliet.

Juliet, realising that everyone was staring at her, stood up a little clumsily and held up her wine cup. "I thank you for your graciousness, Lady Serafina."

"It's my duty." The Russian beauty's smile grew wider. "Of course, we've always speculated who the brooding Edmund Aughust would get engaged to and there have been bets placed of course." Lady Serafina giggled. "But of course, no one expected him to marry a mousy country mouse."

Juliet's face paled a little slightly but she said stiffly, "Indeed."

Everyone was silent and all eyes were upon them.

"Serafina..." Baron Cumbrust seemed a little uncomfortable.

"Well, everyone here knows that Juliet was the least popular debutante," Lady Serafina continued obliviously. "Certainly no one expected her to marry a brooding, dashing lord."

Juliet opened her mouth to speak but was silenced when Edmund's voice boomed. "Enough."

"Sorry, m'lord, have I touched a nerve? Pardon me," Lady Serafina said innocently.

"Lady Serafina, if I may be polite enough to say this," Edmund continued, his voice steely and cold. "Juliet possess immense humility and graciousness which someone like you can never have. Certainly, looks aren't enough to disguise an ugly soul."

Lady Serafina gasped and Juliet noticed Jasper chuckling under his breath.

Juliet turned her ahead and saw Edmund staring at her. He continued, "She's someone who's loyal to her friends and she doesn't deserve to be seen in a negative light by others. I myself have committed that mistake and I wish to seek forgiveness."

She looked away and sat back down on her seat. Despite the slight thrill his words gave her, she steeled herself to not be easily swayed. This was the same man who accused her of sleeping with Jasper, her best friend.

How could she believe a man who doubted her?

There was a little awkward pause before everyone started chattering again. Lady Serafina shot her a death glare but Juliet stared blankly ahead.

After the dinner, she stood alone in the corner as everyone mingled in their chatter. She didn't see where Edmund was and she stepped out into the gardens.

It was a beautiful night and the moon shone brightly. Baron Cumbrust's garden was even larger than Edmund's but there was no warmth in it.

Juliet walked towards a pond. The crystal-clear water sparkled brightly and she allowed herself a moment for silence.

At this moment, she heard footsteps behind her and thinking that it was another guest, she turned around.

Without any warning, she felt herself being pushed and thrown forward into the water.

"Help! Help!" Juliet screamed. She couldn't swim and she heard the footsteps fading away.

"Help please!"

But there was no one. Everyone was back in the mansion. Water rushed into her lungs and she felt herself drifting away and away.