The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when she roused herself. So much had happened in the last few days and the Nurse wasn't as young as she once had been. Today would be busy as well, but after today she could rest.
With a sigh, Juliet's Nurse heaved her tired body out of bed and hobbled over to her small washstand. Leaning over the basin, she splashed the slightly stale water over her face. She could wash again in fresh water after Juliet was bathed and dressed in her bridal gown, but it was folly to wash properly before then.
In truth, she was surprised that young Juliet had gone along with the wedding plans with so little fuss. She had advised the girl thus, and she still believed that it was the wisest course, but that didn't stop the little thread of doubt. Was she putting Juliet's soul at risk with this advice? But then, what good is protecting the soul if the child faced only misery either way? At least with County Paris she would live in comfort and may come to realize how fragile young romance really was. The Nurse harbored serious doubts about the strength of Romeo's love and feared that, even had Juliet stayed true to him, he would have betrayed her.
Squaring her shoulders and smoothing her sleep-wrinkled skirt, the Nurse set out to wake her young charge for the last time. She may not be able to protect Juliet's heart, but should could send her to her new husband in all the splendor that Lord Capulet's daughter deserved.