Juliette felt a warm, gentle sensation rush though her every time she could be near Miss Minchin. The older woman's maturity and knowledge of the world gave her a sense of safety. Yes, she used to be a headmistress, after all. She always wondered how the lady could get her current position of a chimney sweep, yet never dared to ask from fear she might offend her. Dear Miss Minchin, she wouldn't wish to lose her company – not in the world. When the chores were done, they would sit together with a cup of tea and Juliette would tell about her violin lessons. Then there would be precious moments of accidental touches and soft smiles exchanged, and Juliette would feel almost shaking. Once all the servants were out she would fling her arms around her dear chimney sweep and flood her with kisses on her cheeks, eyes, and lips, no matter how absurd it seemed. That's how she felt about her, and she wasn't the sort to keep such intense emotions hidden. She wanted to give her all in the world she could, and make her life as pleasant as it deserved to be.
"Would you like a cup of tea?" Juliette asked.
Miss Minchin went on with packing her things away, not even daring to imagine accepting the offer. Juliette pursed her lips together slightly as her brother and his friend left the room, and tried again when the older woman looked at her briefly.
"Miss, would you like a cup of tea?"
"Me?" Miss Minchin asked in utter surprise and disbelief.
"Why yes, you must be exhausted after all your work." Juliette smiled, walking over to the coffee table.
Miss Minchin was startled and fidgeted with her sweep uneasily.
"I – I really shouldn't. I wouldn't like to take up any of your time." she began.
"Please. Come, have a seat." Juliette insisted, so that Miss Minchin had no choice, but to accept the invitation out of politeness. Her stomach tensed from her experience with other families – what kind of a trick will this one be? Of course, how could this young lady be different from all the others? Even though her smile seemed kind and honest.
"I'm afraid I'll ruin your sofa if I sit down, miss." she said.
Yet Juliette's attitude remained the same.
"Oh, don't worry about that. My brother is even more of a bohemian than I am, so I'm sure he wouldn't mind a bit of coal on the fabric. Please, sit down." she chirphed, patting the empty space next to herself. Miss Minchin sat down, feeling a tiny bit more at ease now.
"What kind of tea do you prefer? Black tea? Green tea? White?" Juliette asked, searching for the bowl with the tea leaves.
"Black, please." the older woman replied, watching her still in disbelief as fresh, fizzy hot water was poured into her cup.
"Lemon, sugar, honey?" Juliette asked, leaning closer as though she was talking to one of her close friends.
"Honey, and a bit of lemon, please." Miss Minchin replied.
Juliette handed her the cup, and the chimney sweep took it gently, taking a cautious first sip. The liquid warmed her body, easing her senses further. Juliette smiled again as Miss Minchin showed her first, thankful smile.
"What's your name?" she asked, fixing her emerald gaze on the older woman.
"I'm Maria Minchin, miss." she said while her tone still sounded as if she was prohibited from talking to Juliette.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Juliette Pryce, and I hope our chimney isn't much of a trouble for you." she said as she took a sip of her own cup of green tea. "How come it's not Peter here this time?" she asked, pronouncing the name the French way.
"Oh, well, I got a little behind with my work and Peter decided I should take his turn too at your place." Minchin was somewhat reluctant to admit a mistake – she could never stand them.
"Well, without this mistake I wouldn't have had the chance to meet you." Juliette grinned.
The teacups were soon empty, and Miss Minchin really couldn't stay any longer.
"Thank you for the tea." she said now with a gentle tone.
"Thank you for the talk, Miss Minchin. Goodbye." Juliette beamed before she closed the door.
In the evening, Miss Minchin couldn't stop thining about her new acquaintance…