But Henrietta continued speaking, denying Gretchen the opportunity to lash out.

“Ethan and Juliet met at his father's manor. Juliet's guardians were tenants on Ethan's family manor. A visit to the manor was enough for Juliet to capture young Ethan's heart and convince him to marry her.” Henrietta sighed, seemingly troubled by her own words.

Jacob walked into the parlor with a tray containing two tea cups and a steaming tea pot. He placed it on the table that sat between the two women before excusing himself from the room. Gretchen's gaze moved from the retreating butler to Henrietta who was now pouring herself a cup.

Raising the cup to her lips, Henrietta took a long sip of the steaming liquid. Gretchen couldn't care less for tea in that moment, her interest fixed on the story Henrietta had been telling.

“Of course the baron wouldn't have any of it especially because Juliet was from the lowest class.” Henrietta placed the tea cup back on the saucer and leaned into the sofa. “Ethan's parents were against the marriage and their refusal put a serious strain on their relationship. Ethan didn't care, going ahead to marry Juliet against the wishes of his parents. The last I heard, his father was furious enough to break ties with him.”

As she listened to the words of Henrietta, she couldn't help but feel sorry for Ethan; his love for Juliet had cost him everything, but it hadn't been enough for Juliet —it hadn't stopped her from running off.

“But the baron wasn't furious enough to disinherit Ethan. When the baron and baroness went on a trip to Africa, they died at sea, leaving Ethan everything they owned.” Henrietta reached for her tea cup and drank of its content, a smug look on her face.

She sat, pondering on Henrietta's tale and the purpose for it. She didn't wish to sit, listening to Henrietta and her disconcerting tale. As a matter of fact, she suddenly desired to go back to her duty of tending to Ellie, but something told her that Henrietta hadn't simply shown up to inform her of Ethan's love for his fleeing wife. She imagined Henrietta had planned the visit, choosing a time she knew Ethan would be away from the manor, just so she could sit with Gretchen.

Sitting still, she hoped to find out the true purpose for Henrietta's visit.

“I have known Ethan since I was thirteen,” Henrietta placed the tea cup down before raising her gaze back to Gretchen. “I have loved him since I was fourteen.”

The frown Gretchen had been trying to keep hidden was now creasing her face as she listened to Henrietta.

“But I know that no matter what, I shall never be able to contend with Juliet. A man willing to walk away from his entire family —a man willing to walk away from his inheritance—for a woman, ” Henrietta leaned forward on the sofa, her arms coming to rest on her lap, “shall walk away from anybody else once that same woman walks in through those doors again. Juliet might be absent, but she shall always own Ethan.”