Secrets of Scarlett Hall Box Set: A Clean & Sweet Regency Historical Romance Collection

by Jennifer Monroe

  “I must confess something I overheard nearly a year ago,” she said with a small smile. “Now, I was caught eavesdropping and therefore sworn to secrecy, but I believe our pact is stronger than my oath to them.”

  “To whom?” Annabel asked. “What did you swear to keep secret?”

  Juliet shifted her body so she could look directly at her cousin. “Your parents and my mother, of course. I was on my way to the drawing room from the garden when I heard voices in Father’s office. I overhead your parents voicing their concern for your beauty.”

  “My beauty?” Annabel asked with a gasp. “They do not believe I have any?” She had a panic to her voice, and Juliet reached over and grabbed her hand.

  “Not at all,” she said with a laugh. “In fact, quite the opposite. You see, there are women such as myself and you who are so beautiful, they cause parents to worry. If your parents were to allow you to go with them on their travels, they are afraid a gentleman would take you away from them. So, in their great wisdom, which I understand quite well, they decided to leave you with us.”

  Annabel smiled. “Is this true?”

  Juliet nodded, but she could not say the words.

  “So, I am beautiful and not a burden on them?”

  Juliet sighed. “Of course you are beautiful. I must admit, and it pains me to say so, but I oftentimes am envious of your beauty. Look at the lovely color of hair with which you have been blessed! And your mind and heart are so appealing, I am surprised you are not already married.”

  The smile Annabel wore was well worth the story, for all of her sadness disappeared, replaced by a joy that made her face brighten. “Thank you. And I believe your hair is beautiful, as well.”

  “It is ‘the color of the night sky’,” Juliet said, quoting her father. “A gift only I received, much to the dismay of my sisters.”

  The carriage came to a stop, and Juliet could not wait to exit the vehicle. It had been over a month since she had been to Rumsbury, and she had no doubt many passersby would stop to inquire as to how she injured her foot.

  The door opened, and Annabel helped Juliet alight from the carriage. When Juliet had the crutches placed under her arm, she glanced around expectantly but was disappointed at the number of people out and about. Granted, it was a chilly day, and many people would have left for London for the season, but that did not say there would be so few doing some sort of business in the village.

  “Wait here,” she said to the driver. “We will only be a few hours.”

  The driver bowed as Juliet repositioned her crutches. Then, she and Annabel began the slow amble down the footpath, which had already been cleared of the bit of snow and was as dry as if it had never snowed at all—much to Juliet’s relief.

  They stopped and looked through the window of the butcher’s shop. A man in a white apron, as wide as he was tall, sliced at a piece of flesh.

  “Did you know the man had eleven children?” Juliet asked. Annabel shook her head in reply. “They all went missing. Every single one of them. Although,” she glanced around them and lowered her voice, “I heard he killed them.”

  Annabel’s eyes widened. The butcher turned toward them, the knife raised above him. Annabel let out a shriek so loud that Juliet was overcome with laughter.

  “Come,” Juliet said. “Let us leave before he decides to kill us!”

  “You are incorrigible,” Annabel said, although she also laughed. “I can never determine when you are telling the truth or when you are lying at times.”

  The dress shop was ten shops ahead, but Juliet enjoyed stopping and peering into every shop along the way. The stopped in front of one that had been empty for several years. It had no signage, and the facade was an odd gray, as if it had not been painted in several decades, which more than likely it had not. In the one large window was a display of women’s shoes—some with numerous buttons, others simple slippers, as well as the finest riding boots Juliet had ever seen.

  “This is the new cobbler’s about which I spoke,” Annabel said. “Shall we go in?”

  “Oh, yes,” Juliet replied.

  Annabel held the door as Juliet managed the single step through the door. She glanced around, but no shopkeeper was in sight. Along one wall sat two benches upon which clients could sit to try on shoes and be measured for others. Along the opposite wall were several shelves with more samples of the wares. A simple unpainted wood counter was at the end of the short room, a white door behind it.

  “Ah, good morning!” a man said as he came through the white door. He was close to forty with dark hair and eyes and a kind smile. However, for a shopkeeper, his clothes were of poorer quality than most, covered with patches and tattered hems. “My name is Robert Mullens, and I am your faithful cobbler here to serve you.” He bent to give them a bow but then pretended to lose his balance, his arms flailing at his sides as he wobbled from one leg to the other.

  Juliet and Annabel giggled as the man straightened himself with a wide grin, as if entertaining them gave him as much enjoyment as it gave them.

  “Forgive me,” he said. “It is not every day ladies such as yourselves enter my shop. I am overcome with honor at your presence.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Mullens,” Juliet said. She was unsure why, but she immediately liked the man. “My cousin, Annabel, mentioned your shop to me. I believe you have a fine selection of shoes. I am particularly interested in a new pair of riding boots.”

  “You’re correct, Miss,” the man replied as he walked over to a shelf. “My wares are of the finest craftsmanship.” He looked down at her foot. “Oh, begging your pardon, but may I ask what happened?”

  “It was a highwayman,” Juliet replied. “I chased him into the stables and thought I had him cornered in the loft. I climbed up the ladder only to find he had escaped, and from there, I am afraid I fell.”

  The man shook his head in apparent sympathy. “My shop is now inhabited by women of great bravery,” he said in a diffident tone. “I presume you are brave as well?” he asked Annabel, who simply nodded. “Very well, then. Please have a look at my wares. I am able to craft any shoe you would like. And because of your bravery, I will spend extra time to be certain they are perfect.”

  “You are kind,” Annabel said. “Thank you, Mr. Mullens.”

  The man clicked his tongue. “Please, call me Robert. All my friends do.”

  Juliet glanced at Annabel, who was looking at her. Only close friends and family called each other by their Christian name, but the man seemed kind enough. And he did insinuate that they were friends.

  “I am Annabel Lambert,” her cousin said before turning toward Juliet. “This is my cousin, Miss Juliet Lambert.”

  The man’s eyes went wide for a moment, but then he was all smiles and bowing once again. “You are the daughter of Lady Eleanor Lambert of Scarlett Hall, I presume?”

  “You are correct,” Juliet replied with a wide grin. “I assume you have heard of me?” She was not surprised, really; most people knew of her.

  The man replied with a nod but remained staring at her for several moments before replying. “I am new to Rumsbury, but I have heard much of Lady Lambert and her daughters, all women of great renowned beauty and minds.” He looked at Annabel. “And their cousin, of course. I am humbled to be in your presence.”

  Juliet’s spirits had been lifted higher than she had expected when she left the house this morning. “Please, there is no need to compliment us on our minds and beauty. It is a burden we both share.”

  Annabel nodded her agreement but did not respond.

  “Well, then,” Robert said. “Why do you not have a seat on the bench while I collect a few samples of shoes I believe will interest you. I will only be gone a moment.”

  Juliet smiled and moved to the benches, relieved to be able to sit once again.

  Annabel sat beside her and leaned in closer. “I do not believe that man’s words were appropriate.”

  “What do you mean?” Juliet asked. She enjoyed what
he had to say immensely, so she could not understand what concerns her cousin would have. Well, she was a young girl still, after all.

  “Speaking of our beauty?” her cousin asked. “No gentleman speaks to us so openly, not one we have just met, anyway. I do not think him civil.”

  Juliet glanced at the white door. “My dear, he is merely a cobbler, a common man. Do you not recall what I told you in the carriage of our beauty, or more so yours?”

  “Yes, but…”

  “Did you not hear the man’s words?” Juliet interrupted. “Words of your beauty have already reached him. If he wishes to gaze upon us, although it makes him appear a fool, then we should allow him to do so.”

  Annabel pursed her lips. “I suppose there is no harm in it. His words were not crass, after all.”

  “That is what I meant. As long as we conduct ourselves as ladies, we have nothing to fear.”

  “You are right,” Annabel replied, although she still appeared dubious. “Forgive me for worrying, as I tend to do.”

  Juliet gave her cousin a smile. “Do not worry. If the man behaves as a beast, I shall protect you.” She raised one of the crutches and jabbed it in the air like a sword to punctuate her words, which made Annabel giggle.

  “You are the brave one,” Annabel said and then giggled again.

  When Robert emerged from the other room, he carried a single riding boot in his hand. “Miss Juliet,” he said, coming to stand before them, “this is the latest fashion from Paris, and I have not made a pair for anyone yet. May I humbly ask your thoughts?”

  “Yes, of course,” Juliet replied, elated he thought her opinion would be so valuable. The boot was impressive, made of soft brown leather that changed from light to darker tones top to bottom. “I wish to be the first to own them,” she said firmly, although she would be unable to wear them for some time. Plus, she did very little riding as it was. Regardless, she would be the envy of the other women of the ton. “You will be willing to bill my mother, will you not?”

  “I am afraid I cannot charge you,” Robert said.

  “Whyever not?”

  Robert laughed. “What I mean is, may I ask a favor?”

  Juliet nodded. What could this man wish from her?

  “As I said before, ladies such as yourself have not yet graced my shop. If I were to make a pair of these boots for you, at no charge, of course, would you be kind enough to tell the women who admire them where you purchased them?”

  Juliet could not believe her good fortune. Although she had always looked down on the common people, this man was far wiser than any she had ever met. Not only did he recognize her status and beauty, he somehow knew how others looked to her in admiration.

  “I believe we have an agreement,” Juliet replied. “Although, with the many parties and other events I must attend, I may require more shoes.”

  She thought the man would laugh at her suggestion, but instead he smiled. “It would be an honor,” he replied.

  Juliet glanced at Annabel, and for a moment she felt bad that the man had not offered her the same. However, it would be rude to ask him to do so. Furthermore, the girl would never be able to handle the attention she would gain from their peers; not in the same way Juliet could.

  “Allow me to measure your foot,” Robert said.

  Juliet could not help but smile. When she turned to Annabel, she was pleased to see that her cousin was smiling as well. It was smiles such as these to which Juliet looked forward.

  Chapter Seven

  Juliet stood beside Annabel in the drive of Scarlett Hall, the afternoon sun melting away any remnants of snow that remained. Although Juliet had returned home with her spirits lifted at the prospect of new riding boots, the sight of the stables brought a sorrow to her heart. She had not ventured inside them to see Daniel since Lord Parsons had called the previous week. It was as if her agreement to accompany the man on an outing had brought about a bout of guilt and somehow broke a sacred bond between her and Daniel.

  “Did you wish to go to the stables?” Annabel asked, a package of brown wax paper containing the new gloves they had purchased in her hands.

  “I was thinking of Penelope,” Juliet lied. “Come, I would like to check on her.”

  Annabel glanced at the front door of the house. “Your mother will not mind? I thought she warned you about going there.”

  “Alone, yes,” Juliet replied with a jut to her chin. “However, you are with me, so there is no need to worry. Besides, the woman is probably locked away in her office again, so there is little chance she will learn of it.”

  “Why does she do that?” Annabel asked. “I remember her always being happy and spending time with us. What has changed?”

  “It is the worry Hannah causes her at the moment, I am certain,” Juliet replied. “Before that,” she shrugged, “I am uncertain, but I suspect it had to do with Isabel. My sisters have always caused her great heartache. However, it does not matter, for all she cares about now is that I entertain Lord Parsons.”

  “You speak as if you have no interest in the man,” her cousin said as they reached the door to the stables. “I thought you liked him.”

  Juliet snorted. “He is a fool, a man consumed with brandy and arrogance. I only agreed to his invitation to please Mother.” When Annabel pursed her lips, Juliet spoke before the girl could ask another question. “Let us see what the stable boy is doing.”

  Annabel opened the door and they entered the stables. Juliet searched for Daniel, but when she could not see him, she led Annabel further down the corridor. More than likely he was in the back at the worktables.

  When they rounded the corner, Juliet felt a sense of pleasure when, indeed, Daniel sat at his table, this time with a book in his hands. Then she frowned as he spoke, his voice loud.

  “‘J. This is a J.’”

  Juliet took a moment to look the man over. Why did he not buy himself a new coat? The one he wore was as tattered as that of a street urchin.

  “‘This is a…” He slammed the book shut. “I can’t do this. I’ll never learn.”

  “You are reading?” Juliet asked.

  Daniel jumped from the stool, his eyes wide with alarm. “Miss Juliet. Miss Annabel. I did not hear you come in.”

  Juliet smiled, her heart warming at seeing his face. “We are quiet when we walk, a trait we were taught by a scoundrel from Scotland.”

  Daniel smiled and clasped his hands in front of him, but he said nothing.

  “Were you reading?”

  “I…” He glanced at the book he had thrown on the table and then looked back at them. “I don’t know how to read. I mean, I know some letters, and I’m trying to learn, but it’s hard to remember what I learned when I was young.”

  “That is a noble effort,” Juliet said. “Although, I do not believe it will be of much good to you, especially one of your position.”

  Daniel reddened further and looked down at the floor as he nodded.

  Juliet studied the man. How was it that she, the most beautiful woman of the ton, could stand before him, yet he spent the majority of their time together looking down at the floor? Granted, he did speak to her when she asked a question, and she caught him sneaking glances at him when he thought she was not watching. However, it made little sense that he was not awestruck enough by her beauty to be unable to keep his eyes off her. Never had he ever even commented on such an important aspect of who she was.

  Well, she would get him to admit that which she wished to hear! She took a step toward him, her crutches making a light thump. “I have good news to share. The new cobbler in the village? When we introduced ourselves to him, he nearly fainted from shock for having ladies of beauty in his presence. Did that not happen, Annabel?”

  “It most certainly did,” her cousin replied with a proud nod.

  “That’s nice to hear,” Daniel said.

  “Indeed,” Juliet replied. “However, that is not all. The latest fashion in riding boots has arrived from Paris, and he
is not only making a pair for me so I am the first to own them, but he says he cannot charge me, for my beauty is that great.”

  “I’m happy for you,” Daniel said, although he did not appear all that happy. “I should return to work; my break is over.”

  As he turned his back to her and reached for a tool on the table, Juliet felt a bolt of anger course through her. Why did the man not smile at her as he once had? Her last few attempts at getting him to do so had failed, and it annoyed her greatly.

  She gave him a derisive sniff. “You must buy a new coat. Yours is far too worn and makes you look dreadful.”

  As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them and even more so upon seeing the man turn and face her. His eyes were filled with pain as he brushed at the tattered material.

  “You’re right,” he said. “Lord Parsons told me the same. I suppose I should heed his advice, and yours, and buy one when I have enough money.”

  Guilt coursed through Juliet. Why did she say such things? “I am sorry,” she said, taking another step toward him. “I did not mean to speak to you in such a horrible manner. Please, forgive me.”

  “No, you’re only saying what’s true,” he replied. “And Lord Parsons is a man of stature. I should be thankful he thought enough of me to point it out.”

  Annabel moved closer to one of the work benches and began fiddling with some of the tools, but Juliet barely took notice.

  “Your coat will do,” Juliet said, lowering her voice so only he could hear her. “May I ask something.”

  The man frowned. “You can ask me anything, Miss Juliet.”

  Juliet’s heart beat against her chest, and she felt lightheaded. “These men, they tell me I am beautiful, but I am curious as to what you believe.”

  When he looked back up at her, he had an earnestness she had rarely seen in him. “Those men are right, Miss Juliet. I’ve told you before, and my answer remains the same.”