A Witch in Time

her, Elise continued. She did her best, trying to recall what she knew, hoping that the authors she read did enough historical research. One particular author she read was a real professor of history, so she tried to remember those books. Julianna absorbed as much as she could and was greatly relieved to learn that the ‘marriage mart’ wasn’t some barbaric ritual where they lined up ladies on an auction block and had men purchase them. It did, however, involve a lot of balls and receiving offers of marriage.
“When you think about it, it’s probably simpler these days.” Julianna’s lips pursed together. “No dating apps, no texting, no going to bars, dealing with assholes who hit on you and then ghost you because they’re too neurotic or cowardly to actually make any commitment. I mean, if marriage was your goal, then just get it over with, right? And you can just get to know someone after the wedding.”
“Would you want to get married first before really knowing your groom?” Elise thought that part was barbaric. She knew enough that these days, divorce was difficult to obtain and often left a woman without prospects.
“Hell no. I mean,” she stretched her legs out in front of her, “I don’t want to get married at all.”
“You don’t?”
“Ugh, I’m a modern woman. I prefer to keep things casual.” She grimaced. “I don’t like the way guys can be so clingy either. I have my job, my apartment, my life, and I’m fine with that. I don’t need a man to come in and mess it all up. You don’t have a boyfriend either, right? So, you must know how freeing it is.”
“Yeah,” she said with a weak chuckle. In many ways, Elise admired Julianna because she actually wanted to be alone.
A knock on the door made them both freeze. “Come in,” Elise called.
The door swung open and Eleanor strode inside. “Oh, you’re together, excellent.” She clapped her hands together, then stepped aside as two young women strode in. “I’ve had some gowns readied for you both so you can have something to wear for dinner. Melinda and Jane”—she gestured to the women—“shall help you dress.”
“You’re too kind, my lady,” Elise said.
“We can dress ourselves,” Julianna added. “No need to bother.”
“Nonsense,” Eleanor insisted. “I’ve taken them in so they can train as ladies’ maids. You’ll be helping them get some practice.” Her face softened. “Please, this is the least I can do for what you’ve done. I don’t even know what I would do …” Her voice choked as her eyes became shiny with tears. She turned to Elise. “You saved my boy. Let me do this for you.”
A flush of embarrassment crept up Elise’s cheeks. “Anyone would have done it, my lady.”
“I don’t believe that.” Eleanor took a deep breath. “You were at the right time and the right place for a reason.”
“My lady—”
“And stop with this ‘my lady’ nonsense.” Eleanor placed a hand on each of their shoulders. “I should like it if we become friends. Please, call me Eleanor.”
Julianna nodded. “Then you should call us by our first names as well.”
“Splendid.” She signaled at the two maids. “Have the baths sent up for our guests. And make sure we at least have the morning gowns ready for breakfast tomorrow.”
“You’re too generous,” Elise said.
“I have so many unused gowns from when my own season was cut short. Believe me, I’d rather they be worn then left rotting in the closet since they’re more suitable for debutantes rather than married countesses. I would have liked to have finished the season but …” Her eyes sparkled and a smile tugged at her lips. “But when I saw Jeremy at my coming out ball … well, I instantly knew he was my True Mate, and that was that.”
“You what?” Julianna and Elise said at the same time, their mouths opened in what was probably an unladylike manner.
Eleanor tittered. “Yes, it’s a quirk in my family. We almost always instantly know our True Mate when we see them. Well, most of us anyway.” She shrugged. “I’ll leave you ladies to get ready. Dinner is served at seven o’clock, but we have drinks in the library at half past six.” With a quick wave, she left the room.
“A bath sounds fuck—” Julianna covered her mouth when she realized the two maids were still in there, albeit silent and stony-faced. “It sounds heavenly.” She turned to one of the maids. “Er, which one of you will be helping me?”
“Me, miss,” the blonde with the pixie-like face said. “I’m Jane.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Julianna.” She stuck her hand out at the maid, who gave her a horrified look and then glanced nervously at her companion. “Er, right.” She muttered something under her breath. “All right, Jane, I’m in your hands. Let’s go.”
“Melinda, right?” Elise asked the other maid after Jane and Julianna left.
“Yes, miss.” She bobbed her head up and down, her dark curls bouncing around her cherubic cheeks. “If you excuse me, miss, I’ll have Florence bring the tub up and get the bath ready.” She curtsied and scurried out of the room.
The bath was as heavenly as Julianna said, and though she felt bad about all the labor that went into providing her with one—that is, the maids bringing up the buckets of water and supplies, plus the cleanup after—Elise felt a hundred times better afterwards.
Plus, while she felt weird having another person wait on her and help her dress, she had to admit it was necessary, seeing as it was so difficult to get all those layers of clothing on. Melinda had to do up all the tiny buttons on the back of her evening gown, a task she probably would have done poorly.
But Melinda was not just great at helping her get dressed, she was amazing at styling hair as well. She was somehow able to tame Elise’s locks into a sophisticated updo. When she thanked the maid, she had blushed. “Yer hair’s already so