Lady Revealed by Jane Charles Page A

under any circumstances,” she said.
    “We have family in England?” Hélène asked.
    Her mother’s eyes grew hard. “Some families are better kept at a distance, and even better if they don’t know you exist.”
    The sisters shared a confused and concerned look.
    “They will ruin our lives in ways you could never imagine.” With that she turned on her heel and exited the room.
    Juliette would have pursued the questioning about the family further but her mother was deeply disturbed. If they frightened maman so much then Juliette would heed her words, as would her sisters.
    It still begged the question why would her mother return to England if she wasn’t going to become reacquainted with her former friends? Juliette knew better than to request answers because maman refused to ever discuss her life in England. She and her sisters did the best they could to dismiss their mother’s concerns and set out to find work to make the new circumstances of their lives more pleasant. Unfortunately, the Season had already begun and Juliette feared that all the troupes had been set. Regardless, Juliette knocked on the doors, hoping there was a place for her.
    At least her sisters had other skills. Genviève had an eye for detail and it was her flower arranging talent that landed her the position in the home in Mayfair as a maid. While waiting for the interview and eyeing the mismatched arrangements throughout the room, Genviève, set to forming more cohesive groupings. The mistress of the house, Lady Throndyke, came upon her and as Genviève began to apologize the woman hired her without requesting references. Now here sister was being consulted on decorating the once garish rooms.
    Juliette and Hélène had not been so lucky, but at least Hélène could sew beautiful stitches and was spending her time visiting local modistes in hopes of finding employment. Juliette could only dance. If she couldn’t find work at a theatre, perhaps she would see if there was a school of dance in London. She had done quite well with the few students she had in Milan.
    Nobody came to the door and Juliette knocked again, louder and hard enough to almost bruise her knuckles. Certainly someone was inside. A manager at least.
    After several moments Juliette finally turned from the door and made her way down the alley and to the front of the theater. Hopefully one of the main doors was unlocked and she could find someone within to direct her to the person in charge. As she reached for the handle, the door was yanked open and a tall man stepped out. With a startled gasp Juliette stumbled back and looked up. Her breath hitched. A lock of sandy hair fell onto the gentleman’s forehead and he brushed it away.
    He held the door open and stood back so she could enter. Juliette could not make her feet move. Viscount Acker had yet to look at her. What would his reaction be?
    He lifted his head and shock registered in his features. “Juliette?”
    “Viscount Acker,” she returned.
    “Where did you come from?” A smile spread across his face. “What are you doing here?”
    “I was wondering if auditions were being held or if the company and troupe are already set for the Season.” She would treat him as she would anyone else, without familiarity no matter how much she longed to feel his arms about her again. He had wanted her as his mistress and she must remember that. She was just as certain his heart had not ached as hers after they parted.
    Acker let the door close behind him. The sun glinted off his hair and it now appeared blonder than it had in Milan. Was he spending more time out of doors?
    “I don’t know,” he finally answered.
    Surely he knew something about the theatres in London. Why else would he be exiting Drury Lane in the middle of the afternoon? Was he coming from visiting a mistress? “I understand that there are not many ballets being held this season.” One could always find a good ballet in Paris or Italy, but apparently the