The Haunting Of Keller Estates

Chapter 9

By
Brynn Morgan

Copyright © 2024 by – Brynn Morgan – All Rights Reserved.
It is not legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited.

Juliette
Before

Juliette was an absolute vision of ethereal beauty as she turned and looked at herself in the large full-length mirror in the bedroom. All the furniture had been moved out to create space for the wedding party, which was quite large. Juliette had chosen seven bridesmaids, Betty, for her Maid of Honor and had chosen her other high school friend, Lily, as her Matron of Honor. Juliette's ball gown was a satin confection created by Edith Montrose; a fashion designer based out of Atlanta. It was chaste and virginal with a high lace neck and long sleeves that were made of delicate Chantilly lace as well, covering her hands halfway and showing a glimpse of Juliette's elegant nails. The bodice of the gown was satin and lace, and the skirt of the gown was pure white satin as well. There were at least seventy pearl buttons that adorned the back of the dress. The necklace Jackson had presented her with was around her throat, and the diamonds sparkled brilliantly.

The housekeepers oohed and gushed over her and told her that she looked like a royal princess as they straightened her heavy satin skirts and played with her veil softly by puffing it up with their hands. Her pale blond hair was in a graceful updo, and she had a small tiara that was lent to her by Davia that she had worn on her wedding to Charles Keller. The veil was a marvelous creation. Juliette had chosen the most delicate sheer tulle that was almost translucent in quality. It was majestic and trailed behind the cathedral train of her gown. Tiny rosebuds adorned the edges of the veil, making the bride look as if she had stepped out of the pages of a fairytale. On her legs, she wore fine white stockings, and her shoes were low white satin heels with tiny bows on the back.

"You look sad, Miss," Lettie said with concern as she looked at Juliette through the long-beveled glass mirror. Juliette turned and looked down at Lettie. She was taller than the girl by quite a few inches.

"It is bittersweet for me; I think," Juliette said and placed her hands on her tiny waist. "No longer will I be a single girl but a married woman?" It's hard to believe that this day is here," she confided.

Juliette was saying her vows for two hours, yet all she could think about was her words with Betty. Juliette's extremely harsh words to her best friend haunted her. She recalled the angry tears in Betty's dark eyes.
Had Jackson touched Betty inappropriately? Had he put those marks on her? It had looked like, when she stared through the window, that Betty was allowing it. But was she? Juliette shuddered to think that Jackson was forcing Betty. How could a man do that to a woman? More importantly, how could Jackson do that to a woman? And to her friend?

Juliette smiled at Lettie in a small way, walked over to the window and pulled the curtain back slowly, peering out. She looked down the pathway with a sense of helplessness.Betty should have been there by now. She was Juliette's maid of honor, but there was no sign of her. Why did this have to happen now? She and Betty had never had a harsh word between them. Juliette prayed that Betty would show up. That she would step up to the plate and take on her responsibility. But you know when something is not going to happen. You feel that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, and you just know. You just know. Juliette sighed disappointingly. Betty was not showing up to her wedding. She just knew it.

***

It was decided that Evelyn, Jackson's fourteen-year-old sister, whom Juliette had never met, would be her maid of honor in Betty's place. Davia, Jackson's mother, had made the spontaneous decision.
Juliette did not mind Davia. She was gracious and lovely with Jackson's black hair and deep blue eyes. Her alabaster skin was flawless, and she spoke softly in hushed tones as if afraid that she would wake someone up. She called Juliette her daughter and was thrilled when she saw how beautiful Juliette was. She treated her to lunch one day in town after the engagement had been announced and gifted her with the diaries.