“What plans?”
Juliet opened the stable doors and glanced over her shoulder. “We are to be married one day and leave this home full of jealousy and lies.”
Chapter Eighteen
More people made their way down the footpaths than a month earlier as Juliet stood outside the cobbler’s shop, the warmish air more than likely calling people from their homes. It had been nearly a week since Juliet had overheard the cobbler and her mother speaking, and thus far she had made no mention of it to her mother. However, the growing curiosity as to the relationship had her wanting to make inquiries, and she had the perfect excuse to explain her sudden appearance at his shop.
“Now remember,” Juliet said. “You will remain a shadow partner, and you cannot ever speak of our business with Robert to anyone.”
“I understand,” Annabel whispered. “Thank you for allowing me to do this.”
Juliet smiled. “If I am to make my own wealth, I will not allow my cousin and best friend to go without.”
Annabel smiled, and the two women headed inside the shop. Robert, as usual, stood rubbing his chin as he leaned against the back counter as if deep in thought.
When he saw them, he straightened and said, “What joy it is to have two fine ladies in my shop.” He bowed and Juliet and Annabel giggled. “Tell me, what brings you here today?”
Juliet nodded to Annabel, who reached into reticule and produced several notes. “Juliet informed me of your need for investors,” she said. “I would like to be involved, if I may.”
Robert smiled and came to stand before her. “Juliet is a woman I trust. And if she trusts you, who am I to deny you this opportunity?” He took the notes and put them into his coat pocket. “Do you know business like Juliet?”
Annabel shook her head. “I do not,” she replied. “I have watched my father work in his business ledgers at times, but he never allowed me to help.”
“Such a shame,” Robert said shaking his head. “Very well, you may help with mine. I can teach you when I return from Oxford.”
“Oxford?” Juliet asked in surprise. “What will you be doing there?”
Robert looked past them both and then grinned. “Word has come to me of new business opportunities.” He leaned in and lowered his voice conspiratorially. “If what I hear is true, I will take your investments and open another shop in that grand city.”
Juliet and Annabel both gasped.
“That is wonderful!” Annabel said. “You are so kind to allow us this opportunity.”
For a moment, Robert smiled at Juliet’s cousin. Did his eyes spend too much time on her? Then she recalled his interest in her mother. No, if her mother caught his eye, he did not have time for the likes of Annabel.
“It is your kindness that I must applaud,” he said with a grin. “Investing in the business will be greatly rewarded.” He returned to the counter and leaned against it once more. “Juliet will be the woman others look to for the latest fashion in shoes.” Then he turned to Annabel. “And you, my dear, will be the one who make sure the ledgers are complete and everyone is paid fairly.”
Annabel gasped. “I cannot do that!” she insisted, but her smile belied her denial. “This is all so exciting!”
“These are exciting times,” Robert agreed. “And you will be at the forefront of it all. However, I must make one request.” He walked over and took each of their hands in his. “When the wealth comes to us, do not leave for Paris or somewhere more exotic with all that money you will earn!”
This brought on a bout of laughter, and Annabel turned to Juliet. “I must speak to a friend of mine.” Juliet had asked her to say this in order to make an excuse to leave Juliet alone with Robert. “Thank you again for allowing me to partake in this wonderful opportunity.”
“No,” he said as he kissed her knuckles. “Thank you.”
Once Annabel was gone, Juliet turned to Robert. “I must ask a question, if you please. And I would like an honest answer.”
The smile faded. “And what do you wish to ask?”
“Tuesday last, I overheard you speaking to my mother.”
The man pursed his lips. “And what did you hear?”
She started at the sternness of his voice, but she had to know the truth. “That you have wanted her. Then, I assume you kissed her. I realize it is none of my business, and I left immediately thereafter, but I wish to know if it is true.”
“Forgive me,” he said. “I grew angry, for I feared you would be upset with me.”
“I am not upset; I am simply confused. How long have you been seeing my mother?”
Robert sighed. “One moment, please,” he said before reaching under the counter and pulling out a bottle of brandy and two glasses. “Such a story deserves a drink.”
“Only a little,” Juliet said, and the man nodded as he poured a small measure into one of the glasses.
He handed her the glass and poured his own. “I told you your mother is jealous of you. And although you agreed, you did not believe me, did you?”
“I admit that I did not, at least entirely,” Juliet replied, her cheeks heating.
Robert shrugged. “It is understandable. I am but a mere shopkeeper and your mother is a lady. However, she is envious of you, your cousin…of everyone, in fact, if I am to be honest.”
“I still cannot believe it,” Juliet replied with a shake to her head. “However, if you are courting, why should she be jealous of me? That makes no sense.”
“I do not know, but I do desire to be near her, and she feels the same. It is why I go to your home on Tuesdays. As to her jealousy over you, it has subsided, at least concerning our friendship.”
“What else could there be?” Juliet asked. “Have you told her of my investments?”
He gave her a smile. “No, I would never do such a thing. She is jealous of you because you are young, beautiful, and wise. I am trying my best to get her to appreciate that she is also a beautiful woman and to not allow her jealousy to consume her.”
“You are kind to show her that. She has not been herself for some time now, and I do not wish to see her driven to madness.”
“You do not care that I call on her?”
“No,” Juliet said, her eyes misted with tears. “I believe it is fine. And do not worry; I shall say nothing of this matter or our conversation today.”
Although the man had explained, she still did not understand. How could her mother still be jealous of Juliet and yet wish to be with a cobbler? Yet, it did explain a few things, such as why her mother had withdrawn and why the woman insisted Juliet and Annabel keep away from Robert.
“I take it you have not asked your mother about me?”
Juliet shook her head.
“You were wise to come to me first in this matter.”
“I am glad I did,” Juliet said with a smile. “Although it pains me to say so, my mother is a hypocrite. She feared I had feelings for Daniel, all the while having an interest in you.”
Robert placed a hand on her arm. “Your mother is a good woman who is overcome by many issues. You mustn’t be angry with her; try to be patient.”
Juliet nodded. “I will be patient. Thank you.”
“We will keep this between us,” Robert said with a friendly smile. “And if she mentions anything about me, I would like you to inform me at once.”
Juliet frowned. “I do not see why she would.”
“We know of her jealousy, and her hiding away. She is improving, but she may regress and lash out again. You must come to me no matter what she says or does. I may be the only person able to help her.”
His steady gaze eased her mind. “I will, I promise. Thank you again.” She hugged the man, thankful for his friendship and kind words. She might not have known him long, but she felt as if they had known one another for years. Then her thoughts returned to her mother, and fear gripped her. “You do not believe Mother is going mad, do you?”
“Not at all,” Robert replied dismissively. “Now, I
must prepare for my journey to Oxford, but I will return in three weeks.”
Juliet nodded as he returned the glasses and the decanter to their place behind the counter.
“Remember, Juliet,” he said as she turned to leave, “I can only help you if you help me. Do you trust me?”
Juliet gave him a wide smile. “I do trust you,” she said. “More than anyone else. Is there anything else?”
He pursed his lips. “As a matter of fact, there is one more thing,” he replied. “Find more money and more investors. Oxford is just the beginning! Dover will soon follow. At this rate, within a year, we will have dozens of shops. And then, you can help provide for you and Daniel.”
Juliet beamed, and the sadness over her mother vanished. “Annabel and I know many women who would love the opportunity to be a part of such a proposal. However, I will not ask those who are fools. I will only contact those I trust.”
“I have no concerns about you,” Robert said with that smile that always made her feel as if she were the most important person in his life. “You are wise, and I trust you with everything.”
“And I trust you,” Juliet replied firmly. “I shall talk to you upon your return.”
As she stepped out of the shop, she took a long deep breath. Her mother had grown so envious that she had resorted to seeing a cobbler of all people. Although at first it had made Juliet angry, she now laughed. If her mother was happy with a common man, informing her about Daniel would only be that much easier.
***
It had been five days since Juliet had spoken to Robert, and although she had promised not to mention their discussion to her mother, Juliet could not stop the thoughts of her mother’s secret from nagging at the back of her mind. It was that nagging that had prompted the conversation she and Annabel were currently having in the drawing room.
“My only thought is that your mother did not inform you about the cobbler because of his station,” Annabel whispered as she sat beside Juliet on the couch. “The shame it would bring her would be great. She is too well-respected to have anyone in the ton learn of it.” She sighed. “If word got out, it would ruin not only her name, but that of your sisters and brother.”
Juliet shook her head. “Daniel says the same about the situation, as well; although, he does not know Robert personally, I get the feeling he does not like him.”
“Could he be jealous of him?” Annabel asked. “I have heard that men can be very possessive of their women.”
Juliet could not help but giggle, but Annabel frowned. “I am sorry,” Juliet said. “It was the way you said ‘their women’, as if I am some sort of prize.”
“If he cares for you, then you are,” Annabel said.
It was a good point, and Juliet thought about the lesson the night before. Daniel had been working ever so hard and was now able to write several simple words such as ‘cat’ and ‘dog’.
“You are thinking about him again,” Annabel snickered. “I know when you are.”
“You know no such thing,” Juliet replied in admonishment. “To think you know my thoughts!” She laughed. “Oh, all right, I was. How did you know?”
“It is the faraway look as if you are in a dream. It is the same look Isabel gives His Grace.”
Juliet considered this for a moment. “You are right,” she said in astonishment. “Where has the year gone? We were children and now we are women bound to marry and lead new lives.”
“It will be my birthday soon,” Annabel said. “Eighteen.” She sighed. “I recall when you were but nine and I eight. Do you remember when we were children and you told me that you found an old map of Scarlett Hall and that the walls were filled with gold?”
Juliet nodded, her cheeks burning. It was one of the many stories she told as a child. Now, as she looked back on it, she realized her stories never stopped.
“Your father was so angry when we made a hole in the wall!”
Juliet laughed. “He was!” She gave a heavy sigh. “I do miss him. He worked so hard to provide the life we have lived.”
“He did,” Annabel said.
The door opened, and Juliet’s mother entered the room. For a woman sneaking kisses, she did not smile much.
“I told you I would be leaving for London in a few days, did I not?” her mother asked.
Juliet and Annabel nodded.
“Your chaperon will arrive tomorrow evening. I expect you to treat her with dignity and respect.”
“Yes, Mother,” Juliet replied, although the idea of having what was essentially a governess in the guise of a chaperon irritated her.
“The lessons with Daniel will stop while I am away. You may resume them upon my return.”
Juliet had to fight down the anger that rose in her. This hypocrisy had no end! It was not as if Annabel did not attend the lessons—or so her mother believed. Rather than voicing her annoyance, she bit her tongue.
“Annabel, your mother sent a letter, as well. Your parents are returning from their trip and shall be here in a fortnight to collect you.”
“Thank you,” Annabel said, although the sadness in her tone was unmistakable.
Juliet reached over and took her hand. “Will she be able to return again soon?”
“I know nothing of their plans,” her mother replied. “However, you know you are always welcome here anytime you wish.”
“I do, thank you.” Annabel rose and embraced Juliet’s mother. “I have always felt as if this were more my home than my own.”
Juliet’s heart hurt seeing her cousin in such pain. In truth, her parents sickened Juliet. They might be her uncle and aunt, but the manner in which they treated Annabel was disgraceful. Yet, if the next few years were anything like the previous, Annabel would return within the month.
Although glad Annabel found comfort in her mother’s arms, Juliet could not help but feel a bit of envy, for her mother had her eyes closed, and Juliet wished it was she being held and loved rather than Annabel.
That was just silly! Her mother loved her, and she had no right to be jealous over her cousin, a girl who received little or no love from her own parents.
When the embrace broke, her mother looked at Annabel. “Soon, it will be your birthday, the most special of them all. I may bring you something from London in celebration, even if it is in the fall.”
“Thank you,” Annabel said with a weak smile. “But I do not deserve it.”
Her mother looked first at Annabel and then at Juliet. “You are both good girls,” she said, and Juliet felt relief in being included. “I am proud of you both.”
Juliet’s heart went out to the woman, and as her mother turned to leave, she rose from the couch.
“Mother,” she said.
Her mother stopped and turned around. “Yes?”
Juliet wished to tell her mother that it was fine about Robert. That she, Juliet, had been selfish in times past. However, that no longer mattered. What did matter was that, although she was angry at the woman, she was still her mother. “I love you.”
“And I love you,” she said. “Both of you.”
After her mother left, Juliet took both of Annabel’s hands in hers. “And I love you, Cousin.”
Annabel threw her arms around Juliet. “As do I.”
“Now,” Juliet said, taking Annabel’s hand once again, “Mother is to leave us for a week with a chaperon, which means…” She allowed the words to hang in the air.
“We must behave as the ladies we are?” Annabel asked.
Juliet laughed. “Of course not! It means we must plan a grand adventure!”
This made Annabel laugh as well. “And what do you have in mind?”
“A campfire and brandy,” Juliet replied. “Would you like that?”
Annabel nodded so quickly, Juliet worried the girl’s head would fly off.
“Good. Then we must begin planning right away!”
Juliet had no idea where their adventure would take them, but she knew it would be better than staying in
side the house with a chaperon doing the terribly boring activities she was certain the chaperon would insist upon. Embroidery? Not if she could help it!
Chapter Nineteen
Sitting beside Annabel in the drawing room, Juliet understood she had to give her best impression to the chaperon, who was due to arrive soon. They sat rigid of posture with hands neatly folded in their laps as if practicing good behavior beforehand.
“I do hope she is not cruel,” Annabel whispered. “Caroline told me of a chaperon she had who made her do the servants’ work.”
Juliet snorted and rolled her eyes. “My dear, Caroline is nothing short of a bald-faced liar. Do not worry; this woman will not control what we do, and certainly not to that extent.”
Annabel looked down at the floor. “She also told me that I am rather plain,” she whispered with a sad sigh. “And that my parents wish to leave me behind because of the embarrassment they would otherwise be forced to endure because of it.” A tear rolled down her cheek, and anger rose in Juliet.
“When did she say this?” she demanded, ready to rush over to the other girl’s house and gouge out her eyes.
“Oh, it was some time ago,” Annabel said wiping at her eye. “I know I should not listen to her, but a woman with so many friends does make one think.”
Juliet leaned over and hugged her cousin. “I did not want to do this, but I am afraid I must.”
“What?” Annabel asked, her innocent eyes wide.
“I have told you not to listen to that girl, have I not?” Annabel nodded. “And I have told you how beautiful you are, yet you continue to not believe me. You leave me no more choice. I am sorry.”
Annabel’s eyes went wide. “I do not understand,” she said, her voice filled with worry.
“Tonight, I shall write to every eligible man of the ton and inform them that the highest bidder shall have your hand in marriage.”
Annabel made an attempt at gasping, but her giggles won out over it.
“When you see the amount of wealth I acquire as they fight over you,” Juliet continued, “perhaps then you will finally believe me.”
Secrets of Scarlett Hall Box Set: A Clean & Sweet Regency Historical Romance Collection Page 62