The next day, Juliet appeared in the living room in her elegant blue velvet gown. With a silver embroidered corset,  this was indeed the loveliest dress she had owned. It was sleeveless and her appearance was accompanied by a pair of silk elbow-length gloves. For the first time, she felt that she could be as pretty as Titania and invite some courting as well.

There was just one problem. The dress' front was cut low into an empire-cut neckline, leaving little of her upper torso up to imagination. She supposed this was a flattering fashion but she could have preferred something conservative.

No doubt the evil Madame Ethel had tried to save her precious silk material by leaving her exposed as much as possible.

As soon as she appeared in the living room, Mrs Rosewood gasped. "Where did you get the dress? Did you pinch it from my wardrobe?" she demanded angrily.

Juliet shook her head. "Mother, this was a present by Lord Aughust."

"Edmund Aughust?" Mrs Rosewood retorted disbelievingly. Her beady eyes swept down her gown before narrowing in suspicion. "Why would he give you such an expensive gift?"

"I'm unaware of his true intentions," Juliet whispered. It was true. She didn't know what game Edmund Aughust was playing at.

"Where's that sister of yours?" Mrs Rosewood snapped.

"She's unwell today, Mother," Juliet echoed. Of course she couldn't tell her step-mother the truth.

"Does she think her looks are enough to secure Sir Bernard's affections?" Mrs Rosewood snapped, fanning herself in frustration. "Such a foolish girl. This is an important engagement. Doesn't she understand that her presence is essential?"

Juliet merely nodded. This evening, they were due to attend a play held at the Scotts' Theatre Company, owned by Baron Crumbust, a renowned womanizer and powerful member of the court.

"Prepare the carriage," Mrs Rosewood ordered. "We need to be fashionably punctual for our engagement."

********

As the horse carriage pulled up to a humongous, imposing brick-red building, Juliet stared at the brass plaque outside which read, "Scotts' Theatre Company- For the Royals and the Commoners."

She snorted. It was common knowledge that the commoners had no use for entertainment. They were too pre-occupied with their own livelihoods. Only the nobles who had inherited old money could afford to waste so much money on it.

As Mrs Rosewood and her stepped into the building, they were instantly greeted by Baron Cumbrust alongside with two ladies by his side.

"Welcome, welcome, my ladies." He gave a low, throaty laugh as he peered interestedly at Juliet. "And who's this lovely lady?"

"This is my step-daughter, Lady Juliet," Mrs Rosewood greeted pleasantly.

Usually, Juliet would step up and shake the host's hand as a gesture of goodwill but something about Baron Cumbrust's manner made her stop.  He was staring at her with lust-filled eyes as his eyes strayed to her neckline every now and then.

"Such an enchanting lady," he said huskily as he licked his lips before holding out his hand.

Juliet stared at it for a moment and Mrs Rosewood prodded her from behind. "Shake it, you idiotic girl," she hissed. "Don't make me lose my face of all days."

With no other choice, she dutifully stepped towards him and shook his hand as quickly as possible. However, as soon as she tried to extract her hand, his grip on her tightened.

"You've such soft skin," he whispered and he ran his thumb up and down her hand, stroking it gently.

"Sorry sir...." she stuttered and tried to move her hand away but to no avail.

"Leonard," one of the females at his side snapped in an impatient voice.

Sighing, Baron Cumbrust released her hand and darted the woman a glare. "Couldn't you have kept quiet for a second? I was entertaining the guest."

Juliet swivelled her head to survey the woman who had spoken. Her hair was silky blonde and her rouge red lips were plump and soft. The woman's face was angular and smooth. Wearing  a diamond choker and a low-cut russet dress, she turned back to glare at Juliet.

"Serafina, do be quiet," Baron Cumbrust muttered.

The moment she heard the woman's name, Juliet's interest flared. Everyone in her social circle had heard of Lady Serafina before. She was a Russian beauty and the daughter of a wealthy Russian baron.

Before the old Russian baron died, he had entrusted the heiress to Baron Cumbrust who took the opportunity to increase his wealth by securing the advantageous marriage.

Besides being known for her looks and wealth, Serafina Cumbrust was also known for her outrageous temper. Even Baron Cumbrust was scared of offending her because she owned many of his properties and holdings.

"Pardon me, Lady Serafina." Juliet bobbed a curtsy. "I'm nothing but a naive young girl."

As Lady Serafina kept on staring at her coldly, the other younger woman standing by Baron Cumbrust's side spoke, "Dearest older sister, shall we be on our way?"

"Keep quiet, Ariane," Lady Serafina snapped.

Juliet glanced at Lady Ariane with interest. Like Serafina Cumbrust, Lady Ariane was renowned but for the wrong reasons. Though she was startling in her appearance with her lovely high cheekbones and sharp chin, she was not born of a noble lineage.

In fact, she was a famed whore whom Baron Cumbrust had acquired recently so that she could serve him as a mistress.

Juliet felt pity for her. Being a mistress, Lady Ariane was constantly toyed by Baron Cumbrust while being bullied by Lady Serafina. It was surely hardship to face everyone's prying eyes while knowing that everyone was gossiping about you.

"Let's all go in," Baron Cumbrust boomed. "The rest of the guests are waiting."

As Juliet stepped into the dark theatre, she noticed that the play had started. Mumbling apologetically, she started to shuffle towards a seat next to Mrs Rosewood when suddenly, someone grabbed her arm.

She turned around to find Jasper smiling at her. Unable to resist feeling pleased to see him, she smiled back.

"Sit with me," he lowered his voice. "I don't like how Baron Cumbrust keeps looking at you like a piece of meat."

Juliet nodded and followed him, eager to escape from the creepy Baron Cumbrust's prying eyes. She murmured thanks to her best friend as she stumbled clumsily in the dark before finally reaching her  seat.

"You look lovely in your new gown," Jasper murmured from beside her.

"Thanks." Juliet almost blushed with embarrassment. Her eyes flickered to the other gentleman sitting on  the left side of her and she gasped.

"Lord Aughust," she half-hissed accusingly.

Edmund Aughust swivelled her head and he nodded. "Good evening, Juliet," he said quietly before turning his attention back to the play.

Juliet didn't know whether to cry or laugh. Surely this was fate tempting her. The troubling thing was, she couldn't fathom why she was so bothered by his presence.

As much as she was distracted, she still managed to watch the play which was dramatic yet compelling at the same time.

It was about a young girl who had fallen in love with her childhood mate but lost contact with him after he moved away. A decade later, he moved back and they got engaged before the girl eventually stabbed herself in midst of depression.

It was a tragedy, nonetheless, but a sad and moving one. Juliet tried to discreetly use her embroidered handkerchief to dab her tears.

"Are you okay?" Jasper whispered. "I think you're taking this too harshly."

"Maybe I am." Juliet turned back to the play but she couldn't resist sneaking a glance at Edmund Aughust.

Unlike Jasper who looked bored, Edmund Aughust was staring at the play intently. For some strange reason, he wore a tired, weary expression, as if the play had saddened him deeply.

Sensing her gaze on him, his eyes swivelled to her and he cocked his head. "Is there a problem?"

"Nothing," she muttered. "Just wondering why you're so interested in the play."

"Why wouldn't anyone be touched by the play?" He stared straight ahead at the dramatic set and the actors fluttering around the stage.

"Some might think that such a story does not exist in real life." Juliet gestured to the stage.

Which gentleman would stay in love with a woman for such a long time? In this society of arranged marriages and affairs, this was unheard of.

"Oh really?" Edmund Aughust turned back to stare at her intently. "You don't believe in true love, do you?"

"You're a man," Juliet whispered back harshly. "You can afford to be philosophical about love but I'm a woman. I know my own place and that's to be a wife to some gentleman who's hopefully kind. That's all I ask for."

"Even if you don't love the man?" Edmund Aughust retorted, raising his voice.

Jasper turned to look at them and Juliet smiled at him reassuringly. Once he turned his attention back to the stage, she narrowed her eyes. "Pardon me, my lord, but which gentleman would love a woman so much that he always remembered her for a decade?"

"Me." Edmund Aughust's eyes burnt fiercely with emotion.

Juliet stared at him. Was he finally losing his head? Why, it was indeed shocking to hear that Edmund Aughust believed in the foolish notion of "true love". What was perhaps more astonishing was hearing him confess that he was like the male lead.

Impossible. Edmund Aughust didn't seem like the foolhardy sort that would love a woman for such a long time.

Suddenly, she understood what he was implying. He loved a woman, someone, certainly not her, and he was trying to let her down gently like any other respectable gentleman. Of course, Edmund Aughust must have fallen in love with another fair maiden and he was kind enough to try and tell Juliet.

What a foolish girl she was! Hankering after a man whose heart had been captured by someone else.

"I understand what you mean." Juliet nodded, trying hard to keep her voice from wobbling.

"You do?" He sounded surprised. "Juliet, I'm glad th-"

"Please, m'lord, you've been kind enough," Juliet said softly. "Now, if you will pardon me."

She got up and rushed towards the exit.