The carriage ride was silent. I suppose my parents were tired along with everyone else. I feel like I haven’t slept in properly in days. I looked at my reflection in the glass and there were dark circles under my eyes. They looked like black and purple bruises, I sighed deeply and looked up at the sky the stars were all gone replaced by heavy dark clouds. When we arrived we walked straight up to the house, not wanting to be caught in the rain. We were greeted at the door by the butler and lead to the sitting room where john sat talking to Emma, he smiled at us when we walked in. “hello thank you for accepting my invitation to dinner” “it was kind of you to invite us” said my papa shaking john’s hand. “well I had to do something, we are not having dinner just yet, there are still a few more guests yet to arrive.” I shook his hand smiling. John had the most wonderful smile. It made his face glow and it lit up the room. I went and sat down next to Emma on the couch. She had a book in her lap and was reading it, so I decided not to bother her. There was the sound of footsteps in the hall and the butler entered “the Williams family sir” then Michael and his father walked in. Michael had once had a mother but she died many years ago. When Michael was still a boy. They never talk about it.
Michael’s father did the same pleasantries as my father had done. Michael walked over to the end of the room only to give me a passing nod. When he sat down he sighed and just stared into space. I got up and moved towards him and sat down in the opposite seat facing him. “are you yes you’ve looked upset ever since I saw you this very afternoon” I mused. He looked at me but didn’t bother to reply. “are you really that upset about your maid gone missing?” I inquired. He quickly shushed me glancing towards his father. “listen Juliet” he said whispering so quietly that I had to strain my hearing just to make out what he as saying. “I can’t talk here, if you want to know what is bothering me. Then make a excuse to go get some fresh air and ask me to accompany you.” Then he leaned back saying nothing more on the matter. I cleared my throat and stood up “I’m not feeling well I need some fresh air” I turned towards Michael “will you accompany me Mr. Williams?” he nodded and stood up and walked with me outside.
When we got outside a chill ran up my spine and I shivered. I pulled the shawl up around my shoulders at this point Michael had started to pace back and forth. “so what may I ask are you so upset about.” I asked after I minute of silence. “ I know you said a new Michael but I didn’t think that it would be this drastic.” He sighed and looked at me. “do you remember at the ball when I said I was now with someone who made me want to change for the better?” I recalled that part of the conversation, I nodded slowly. “well my maid is missing” he said. I was confused what did the two subjects have in common then I realized what he was saying. My mouth fell open. “Michael do you mean to tell me that the maiden you seeing is your maid?” he nodded at me slowly looking down at his feet. My shock disappeared at once. I may have lost my maid and one of my good friends. But Michael lost the one he loved and as clear as the light of day he was a wreck with worry. I tried to reach out and touch his shoulder, however he moved away before I could. Not wanting to be touched. “I…don’t know what to say, I’m sorry….” He waved his hand as if to stop me, I was quiet instantly. He gave me a hard look “I don’t want your pity Juliet, I don’t want people to feel sorry for me. I’m just angry. Very angry and the hard part is they aren’t going to look hard for her. Because she is a maid, and I can’t tell anybody about the two of us.” He kicked a rock on the ground. It looked like a big rock and should’ve hurt, but if it did he didn’t show any sign of it. “I don’t know what you want me to say Michael” he shook his head and sighed heavily. “I know you don’t and how could you.” He sat down on the step and put his hands on his face. Then the door opened and john stepped out. Michael straightened up and put his finger to his lip, as if to tell me not to say anything about what we were talking about. “are you two alright?. You’ve both been out here for some time.” Michael stood up to answer. However before he could a carriage drove up the pathway on the door the name Halford was written in golden letters “ah here are our final guests”. When the carriage stopped and Gabriel stepped out with his family. Gabriel’s eyes almost immediately rested on me. This time I didn’t turn away from him. His parents went up to john shook his hand and started to walk indoors. John paused and turned towards us “are you coming indoors?” “just a minute.” He nodded turned and went inside. Gabriel turned and walked towards us. “hello Gabriel how are you doing?” said Michael smiling up at him. Gabriel had a look of confusion on his face. I couldn’t help but start laughing at it, he looked at me and smiled. I suppose he was forgiven. I walked towards him and gave him a quick hug. Then walked towards Michael, “come on then I’m famished.” Then we walked towards the house.
