Ballad of the Innocents

by Monroe, Jennifer

  He released her but realized his mistake all too late when she gave him another resounding slap across the face. It was well worth it as far as he was concerned.

  “Never be so familiar with me again,” she said and then pointed toward the door. “Now, leave my house.”

  Touching his burning cheek, Hugh gave her a glower. “Strike me again, and I will strike back.” Then he smiled at her. “I shall see you at my home soon.”

  He turned and walked toward the door, a string of curses following in his wake, making his desire grow. What a tongue she had on her! He looked forward to breaking her, and break her he would.

  “I would rather die than to be with you!” Ignoring her, he stepped out into the rain, but she continued her onslaught. “Do you hear me, you madman? I would rather die.”

  He made no comment as he mounted his horse. He had been shamed, so if anyone were to die, it would be the man who was at fault. The stable boy had been warned to stay away from Juliet, but now that man - that boy! - would pay the ultimate price for his laxness.

  His life.

  Chapter Three

  Lady Eleanor Lambert forced her hand to remain in her lap as she sat in the hard chair across from Mr. Francis Hervey, warden of Conway Prison. What she wanted to do was place a handkerchief over her nose to lessen the stench that permeated the room despite the fact the man’s office was on the opposite side of the building from where the prisoners were kept.

  Mr. Hervey’s eyes were close together, small and beady, and he had deep lines across his forehead showing that he likely smiled little. Of course, if she were in his position, she doubted she would smile often herself.

  “You must understand, my lady,” Mr. Hervey said, his fingers strumming the desktop in an irritating rhythm, “what you request is…well, it is a crime in itself.”

  Eleanor nodded that she indeed did understand, but she would not be deterred. “You must understand, Mr. Hervey, that the man has brought great distress to my household. If I could have just a few moments alone with him, that is all I ask.” She smiled. Few men ignored a lady’s smile. “Please, sir. It would mean so much to me, and I promise to not spend more time here than I require.”

  The man glanced around as if someone might overhear and then leaned forward. “And you’ll never speak a word to anyone?”

  “Not a single word,” she replied.

  “Come with me, then.” He rose and led her through a long corridor and down a narrow staircase. “We’ve had a few…problems with Mr. Mullins in the last few days, so he’s kept locked away by himself in some of the lower cells.”

  “Problems?” Eleanor asked. “May I ask what sort of problems?”

  The man stopped, and Eleanor could feel the dampness in the walls. “Fighting, trickery mostly. And theft.”

  So, they do not chain their prisoners here. Pity. She felt not a drop of guilt at the thought.

  As to what Mr. Hervey described concerning Robert Mullins, it did not surprise Eleanor in the least.

  “An unnecessary burden upon you and your men, I am sure,” she said, adding as much sympathy as she could. “I never knew such horrible acts were done here. I had thought all prisons used chains to keep their prisoners under control.”

  The warden frowned. “I remember when we did, my lady,” he said. “It’s those bleeding-heart types who’ve put a stop to it. If I had my way, they’d all be chained like the animals they are.” He eyed Eleanor for a moment. “This is no place for a lady. I hope you appreciate me allowing you to speak to this man.”

  Eleanor nodded, reached into her reticule, and produced two five-pound notes. “For your permission. I do appreciate it more than you can imagine.”

  Mr. Hervey took the money, licking his lips as if she were giving a hungry man a loaf of bread, and shoved it into a coat pocket.

  They began the steep descent until they reached a heavy door, which the warden unlocked with one of the many keys hanging from a large ring at his waist.

  “Wait here.”

  Beyond the door, Mr. Hervey went up to a man she presumed was a guard and spoke to him in hushed tones.

  Eleanor’s thoughts turned to the coming confrontation with Robert. What had the man told Josiah concerning Juliet? More than he should have, she already knew, but what had Josiah kept to himself? Well, she would learn of it soon enough.

  The warden returned. “Follow me.”

  They walked down a dark corridor filled with heavy doors much like the one they had just entered. The air was filled with a heavy haze from the oil-soaked torches placed in regular intervals along the way.

  This time, Eleanor did not keep herself from covering her nose with her handkerchief; the smell was overpowering! Unwashed bodies and urine permeated the air. She had to fight down bile at the stench.

  Coming to a stop at one of the doors, Mr. Hervey flipped through his keys, chose one, and used it to unlock the door. The room behind it was so small that it held no more than a pallet of straw along one wall that appeared to have never been replaced since the prison opened and a bucket in a far corner.

  A figure rose from the pallet, squinting against the light of the candle Mr. Hervey carried, which he placed on a stool Eleanor had not noticed behind her. Robert Mullins, former gardener of Scarlett Hall and father to Juliet, was much thinner than Eleanor remembered.

  The warden placed a second stool inside the door, but Eleanor ignored it as she turned to the man. “Thank you, Mr. Hervey. I will be fine alone.”

  Mr. Hervey gave her a skeptical look and shrugged. “Just give a shout when you’re done.” He turned to Robert with a snarl. “Old Dodger’s just outside, so you’d best be proper with the lady, you hear?” With that, the man turned and walked out.

  Eleanor gave an involuntary shudder when the door clanged shut behind her and the keys rattled as he locked it.

  Robert crossed his legs and barked a weak laugh. “What’re you doing here?”

  “I have come to speak to you concerning Juliet,” she replied, keeping her hands at her sides. She would not allow this man to believe she was uncomfortable here, though she wished she had not eaten breakfast this morning. “I understand you spoke with my brother Josiah.”

  “I did. He came calling, unlike others. It’s been a while since I last saw him, though.”

  Eleanor chose her words carefully; she did not want to bring about this man’s ire, not when he had information she needed. “What did you tell him?”

  The man laughed and shook his head. “I told him everything,” he replied. “That Juliet’s my daughter, how I was framed and sent here to this pit of hell. I told him how, as I sat in this place day after day, I wanted only one thing - to hurt the two of you.”

  “She is your daughter,” Eleanor said. “Your flesh and blood, yet you would see harm come to her?”

  Robert’s scowl deepened. “Indeed, I would. That’s why I also told him how you tricked your husband into believing that Juliet was his child when in fact she was borne to your lady’s maid. I told him about her desire to leave with that stable boy and his dream to move to the North. When we were pretending to be a family, she spoke often of wanting to live there with him.”

  Eleanor grasped her skirts in her fists. This man was eviler than she ever considered. She had no worries that Josiah would disclose that Juliet was Robert’s daughter, for Robert himself had made such a declaration with no one believing a word of it. However, the fact Robert had revealed where to find Juliet and Daniel angered her.

  Robert either took no notice of her rising ire or he ignored it. “I then told him of Lord Parsons and how he had wanted her.”

  This made Eleanor’s stomach clenched. If Josiah went to the viscount and revealed where Juliet had gone… She shook her head; she did not want to consider what the man would do with that information.

  Doing what she could to keep her voice even, Eleanor said, “I presume that Josiah paid you well for this information. What did it cost him?”

  �
��Not a farthing,” Robert replied with an evil grin. “All you had to do was welcome me into your home, but you chose to ignore me. I may not know how just yet what your brother has planned, or Lord Parsons for that matter, but I find satisfaction knowing Juliet will suffer - as will you.”

  “I suppose one day, when you are released, you will continue to seek your vengeance on me and your own daughter?”

  “Now you understand,” Robert said. “In eight more years, I’ll be free of this place, and then I’ll dedicate my life to making both of your lives miserable.” The echoes of his laughter rang in Eleanor’s ears.

  “Goodbye, Robert.” She turned to the tiny window in the door. “I am ready.”

  The door opened to Mr. Hervey once more - Eleanor had expected the man named Dodger - and once she was back in the corridor, she covered her mouth and nose once again with the handkerchief. What she had learned was worse than she had expected! Reaching into her reticule, she handed the warden several more notes.

  “Is this enough?”

  The man’s eyes widened and he grabbed the money from her hand as if she meant to tease him and take it away. “It’s plenty,” he said greedily.

  “You fool!” Robert shouted through the tiny window of the door to his cell. “You paid him all that money just to speak to me?”

  Eleanor shook her head. “No. I paid him that amount so I never have to speak to you again.”

  For a moment, the man’s eyes widened in fear, and this time it was her turn to laugh.

  Mr. Hervey flicked a thumb toward the cell door, and several guards entered the tiny room. As Mr. Hervey escorted Eleanor away, she could hear Robert’s cries behind her.

  “Your problems are solved, my lady,” the warden said with a chuckle. “There’ll be no more bother from him.”

  When they reached the exit of the prison, Eleanor turned to thank the mousy-looking man. He answered with a sweeping bow, more than likely due to the amount of money she had given him rather than any respect he may have had for her.

  Stepping outside the gates, Eleanor kept her head high as she approached the waiting carriage. Forbes opened the door and handed her in.

  “Has your problem been remedied?” he asked.

  Eleanor nodded. “Forever, although a new one has arisen. Lord Parsons.”

  “So, this is merely a shadow of what is to come?” Forbes asked. “I do not care if the man is titled or not; I will not allow harm to come to Mrs. Haskins.”

  Eleanor placed a hand on that of Forbes. “I know, but if what I fear is true, I must deal with him myself.”

  And deal with him she would. One way or another.

  Chapter Four

  For days, Juliet traveled by horseback, stopping only at night to sleep or to rest the horse along the way. Mud from the rain dried, leaving a dusty road in its wake to cover her tear-stained cheeks.

  How could everything change so quickly? One moment they were laughing and frolicking, but that had been taken away in the blink of an eye. Well, she would not stop until she and Daniel were reunited once more!

  Although her eyes were as heavy as her heart this late afternoon, Juliet pushed forward. Exhaustion soaked her body as much as the rain had that first day, and her legs were growing numb from the constant riding.

  She had forgone the sidesaddle and used Daniel’s to ride astride. At least she had worn the only dress she owned with a split skirt for riding. And to think she had considered it so unnecessary she nearly used the material to cover the throw pillows for the sofa!

  Somehow, she found strength to push through for that final hour before sunset. She drew back the reins to bring the horse to a stop. The poor beast was snorting and frothing by this time, but she would see he had a bag of oats and a good rub-down once she arrived at the stables.

  Scarlett Hall stood as she remembered, its jutting parapets and grand towers as regal as it had been for generations.

  Many struggled to decide if it was an estate or a castle or perhaps something in between, but Juliet was well aware of the many secrets contained within. Tales of heartbreak and betrayal, but love above all else.

  Not until she saw her childhood home did Juliet realize how much she had missed it. Yet, it was not the building that gave her longing but rather the memories it held and the people who were there still. It was the very ground upon which she walked as a child and later where she fell in love with Daniel.

  She patted the horse on the neck. “Just a little bit further,” she whispered. “I promise you will be well-rewarded for your hard work.” With a heel to the horse’s flanks, she urged the animal forward at a walk, although she wanted to send him flying up the drive.

  The front of the great house was covered in ivy, and the drive circled a large fountain. To the right were large gates flanked by hedges that led to the stables, and through them rode Juliet. As the stables drew near, she sighed.

  How often had she sneaked from the house in order to speak to Daniel? Within those walls, she had taught Daniel to read. And that was where he taught her that life - and love - was more than what money could buy.

  She had not the strength to ride to the stables and then walk back to the house, so she tied the reins of her mount to a low-hanging branch of a tree, removed her pack she had brought with her, and grasped it in her arms.

  With heavy steps, she made her way to the portico. However, her body was far weaker than she had thought, for she stumbled. Thankfully, the bag broke her fall.

  “Miss Juliet!”

  As she moved to rise, she looked up to see Forbes rushing toward her.

  “I am afraid I am quite a sight,” she said with a weak laugh as she allowed him to help her stand once more. She then embraced the man who had been a part of her family for as long as she could remember.

  “Allow me.” He took the pack from her.

  “Thank you,” Juliet said, placing her hand through his offered arm. “Is Mother here?”

  “She is inside,” the butler replied.

  No sooner had they arrived at the portico than her mother appeared at the door. With a gasp, she hurried to Juliet and pulled her into her arms.

  “Oh, my sweet Juliet,” her mother whispered. “What has happened? Why are you here? I never received word you were arriving or I would have been waiting for you.”

  Tears began to cascade down Juliet’s cheeks. “It is Daniel. He was taken away by the magistrates four nights ago. Lord Parsons was there, as well.” She grasped her mother by the arm. “Mother, he has charged Daniel with assault!”

  Her mother gave a sad shake to her head. “I feared as much.”

  “You knew?” Juliet asked, taking a step back in surprise.

  “I knew that Lord Parsons was involved in some sinister plan, but it is more complicated than that. Come. There is much to discuss.”

  As they stepped into the foyer, Juliet stopped, recalling the day she left Scarlett Hall. Forbes and her mother had been waiting to see her off, and now, like a well-written tragedy, both were here to welcome her back.

  Her mother turned to the butler. “See that a tray is prepared and bring a bottle of wine. I think we will need it. We will be in the drawing room.”

  Forbes dipped his head in acknowledgment and hurried to do her bidding.

  Juliet followed her mother to the drawing room, which looked exactly how she remembered it with its furniture covered in gold fabric and tapestries of beautiful garden settings. Her mother had not changed a thing.

  She sat on the sofa and her mother took the place beside her, taking Juliet’s hand in hers. For several moments, her mother seemed to study her, but Juliet had little patience remaining.

  “Mother, tell me what you know and then I will share with you what took place at my home.”

  Her mother sighed. “It appears that someone has spoken to Mr. Mullins concerning your whereabouts.”

  “Who?” Juliet asked, her chest tightening at the mention of the man who was her real father. No, he had been nothing m
ore than the man who sired her. Charles Lambert had been her true father!

  “Josiah Parker. My brother.”

  “Your brother?” Juliet asked in shock. “I did not know you had a brother. You mean to say that I have an uncle about whom I know nothing?”

  Her mother squeezed Juliet’s hand. “I am afraid there are many things you do not know about me, but in due time you will learn all you need to know. Right now, what is important is that my brother is out for vengeance against me and our family.”

  Juliet listened with horror as her mother explained about a letter sent to her and the threats it contained. It was no wonder the woman had never mentioned this man, for he was as evil as Lord Parsons!

  Forbes entered the room carrying a tray filled with cold meats, bread, and cheese as well as a bottle of wine, poured them each a glass, and left the room once more.

  “You must know something very important,” her mother said once the door clicked closed. “I visited Mr. Mullins in prison. He admitted to revealing everything. I asked him to consider the fact that you are his daughter, but he was adamant that he had no regrets for what he has done.”

  Tears stung Juliet’s eyes. “Then he will continue to harm us despite his incarceration.” Anger flared inside her. How dare he try to ruin her life again! “This is all my fault,” she said through clenched teeth as she rose from the sofa and began to pace in front of the fireplace. “If I had not allowed him to trick me into trusting him, if I had not done what I did to see him thrown into prison, none of this would be happening to us now!”

  Her mother rose and placed a hand on her arm. “This is not your fault,” she said in that firm tone that brooked no argument. “The man used you, just as he has so many others. If it were not for you, he would have cheated many more women out of their money. Now, come. Sit back down.”

  With a sigh, Juliet returned to her seat. “I cannot help but feel some blame for what we are enduring, no matter what you say. But what is past is past. My concern is for the future. What other troubles can this man bring down upon us?”