Ballad of the Innocents

by Monroe, Jennifer

  She gave a light laugh. “You know me too well to believe I would give in so easily to your demands.”

  He frowned. “Then why are you here?” Good, he was suspicious. This was going quite nicely.

  Giving a dramatic sigh, she said, “It is Mother. I went to her for advice and instead of words of comfort, I was met with words of rebuke.” She pushed her lower lip out in a pout.

  “Rebuke?” he asked. “Did your mother not give you her blessing when you ran off with that stable boy.”

  Another dramatic sigh. She should have gone to London to perform on the stage! “Alas, no. The night we left, I feigned illness, which, of course, she believed. But that does not matter now. What does matter is that she has remained angry with me for running away as I did. She had made it clear she did not want me to marry Daniel, but I defied her, nonetheless.”

  Lord Parson’s eyes bore into hers and she knew that any misstep could ruin her well-designed plans.

  “Concerning you, her words were simple. You are the man she wants me to marry. Therefore, if I wish to save Daniel’s life - and earn back her favor - I must accept your proposal of marriage.”

  “Let us walk,” Lord Parsons said. He gave little indication of what he thought of her words. “Am I to believe that you want this marriage, then?”

  Juliet shook her head. “It is not that I want it but rather that I wish to save one man’s life and earn back my mother’s favor. If marriage to you is what it takes, then I must resign myself to it.”

  From the corner of her eye, she caught the grin that crossed the man’s face. Good, her plan was working! She had not lied; saving Daniel’s life was of the utmost importance. Adding her mother into the mix only strengthened her argument, even if it was untrue.

  “Then I will begin the necessary preparations,” Lord Parsons said after a while. “Is it concerning to you that I will be seeing to everything?”

  Juliet came to a stop and faced the viscount. “I expected nothing less,” she said with a smile. “I would not be here if I had.”

  He ran the back of his hand over her cheek, and she had to keep herself from flinching. “I have waited for this day for so long,” he said. Juliet’s stomach roiled, but she forced a pleased smile. “Yet, I cannot help but wonder if you are being completely honest with me.”

  Of course the man would need reassurance! Especially after their last meeting. Pressing a hand to her breast in mock offense, she said, “Oh, but I am. I have no reason to lie. I understand quite well what I must do.”

  “Then this should not upset you,” he asked, and before she could blink, he pressed his lips to hers.

  Her body wanted to tense and push him away, for she did not want this man to kiss her, but she forced herself to relax. She closed her eyes, placed her hands on his arms, and pretended this was Daniel.

  When the kiss broke, his smile broadened. “That fragrance you are wearing is quite alluring,” he said as he ran a hand up her arm and placed it on her shoulder. “And you did not fight off my kiss.”

  “As I told you, I understand our…arrangement. There is no point in fighting the inevitable. Soon, I will be your bride and Daniel will be set free. That is so, is it not?”

  “I promised to see that he is shown great mercy,” the viscount said. “And I will honor our agreement in the same way I do with those I make in business.”

  Juliet wanted to celebrate, to dance and sing! Daniel would be released! He would be freed! This could not have gone any better! All she had to do was wait at the prison gates with their meager belongings and they would be gone.

  “I do have one stipulation, however.”

  Her heart jumped into her throat. “What would that be?” she asked, doing her best to keep her tone even.

  “Our marriage must come first.”

  Juliet’s mouth went dry. “First?” she managed to say. “Surely you must understand that my divorce will take some time to be finalized.”

  Lord Parsons laughed. “Do you think I do not know this?” he asked. “I have already begun the preparations.” He offered his arm once more. “Come. I have a gift I would like to give you.”

  Juliet took his arm, her mind racing. What preparations had he already begun? When he made mention of it before, she had thought he meant preparations for the wedding. Now, she was not so sure.

  Regardless, she would have to wait until she returned to Scarlett Hall to consider this new problem.

  She gave him a smile. “A gift?” she asked. “What sort of gift?”

  “An early wedding present. You will receive yours today and we shall discuss mine.”

  It took everything inside her to maintain her smile. This was no game. There was only one thing this man would want from her, and she would see he never received it. Yet, like the situation in which she found herself, she feared she was powerless to stop it.

  ***

  No expense was spared in the décor of the office at Caprice Hill Estates. A finely woven rug covered the floor, darkly stained oak furniture filled the room, and matching bookcases lined the walls. To Juliet, it was as dark and foreboding as the man to whom it belonged.

  She stood with her hands clasped before her as Lord Parsons walked around the desk and opened one of the drawers.

  “I must admit that I lied,” he said as he rummaged through the items inside the drawer. “I have more than one gift for you today.”

  Although what she wished to do was to run outside to Forbes and the waiting carriage to return to Scarlett Hall, doing so would get her nowhere. Therefore, she returned his smile with one of her own.

  “That is very thoughtful of you,” she said.

  He rummaged a moment longer and then said, “A-ha! Here we are.” Placing a set of documents on the desk, he then removed a small parcel. “Your first gift.” He walked behind her and removed her wrap.

  “My lord?” she asked with a gasp.

  He gave a low chuckle. “How many times have I told you how beautiful you are and that you deserve the finest things in life?” His breath was hot on her ear. “Do you remember?”

  Juliet swallowed back bile. “I do.”

  There was a time when she dreamed of having such things, but Daniel had shown her what truly was valuable. She fought back panic as the viscount’s fingers brushed her neck as he pulled back her hair. He unclasped the ruby necklace and replaced it with another, the pendant holding the largest sapphire Juliet had ever seen.

  He placed her mother’s necklace in her hand. “The blue is better suited,” he said. “And it is a perfect match for your gown.” He looked her up and down. “This is the first of many pieces you will receive once we are married. I also have several rings that belonged to my mother; they will be yours, as well.” Juliet closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip to keep from flinching as he adjusted the pendant so it sat between her breasts. “There now. Let me look at you. Turn around.”

  She did as he bade, praying he would not kiss her again. As he ogled her, for that was the only word that came to mind to describe how he looked at her, she forced a smile. Now it was time for the next step in her plan.

  Taking the pendant in her fingers, she looked down at it. “I had thought…” She gave a heavy sigh. “I had thought that such items no longer mattered to me. I cannot explain it, but wearing this, and knowing it belongs to me…why, I find myself admiring it greatly. This is the life I was meant to lead; to have beautiful things.”

  “And what of the ruby you were wearing?” he asked.

  “Oh, that belongs to Mother,” Juliet said with a wave of her hand. “She insisted that I wear it, but it will not be left to me when she is gone. But this!” She gave the sapphire another admiring glance. “I have never owned anything so exquisite!”

  Lord Parsons laughed. “I have always understood what you desired,” he said. “And for a time, you did. Now, do you realize that what you had with the stable boy cannot last?”

  The mentioning of Daniel caused her heart to clench. T
here he was suffering in prison while she feigned interest in the very man who put him there!

  Her eyes must have betrayed her thoughts, for Lord Parsons narrowed his eyes at her.

  “Mother said I was to listen to you,” she said in an attempt to ease his worries. “Although I fought it, I now see that she was right.” She grinned and placed a hand on his arm. “I do hope you will allow me to purchase as many dresses and gowns that I want.” She batted her eyelashes at him, as well.

  “Of course you will,” he said, taking her hand in his. “Anything you desire will be yours. Now, for your second gift.” He led her around the desk and motioned toward the documents he had placed there earlier. “All the necessary paperwork for a divorce. I had them drawn up after our last meeting, and they are ready to be filed with the courts. All they lack is your signature.”

  Juliet stared at the quill he offered her before taking it in her hand. Then she studied the page to which she was meant to sign her name. There was no turning back now, and she prayed Daniel would understand. She was doing this all for him.

  Placing her name on the document, she returned the quill to its holder and took a step back. “You see? I have done what you asked. I hope you will now speak to the magistrate so we will not have to discuss this matter again.”

  Before he could respond, a knock came to the door. “Ah, there is someone I would like you to meet.”

  Juliet frowned at Lord Parsons as he called for the person at the door to enter. Her frown deepened. Although she had never met the man, she immediately knew who he was. He was tall with dark hair, and Juliet recognized the resemblance to her mother.

  “I assume you are my uncle Josiah,” she said.

  “And you must be Juliet,” Uncle Josiah said. “At last I have met the woman about whom I have heard so much.” He glanced down at the document she had signed. “So, tell me, why have you agreed to this?”

  A thousand thoughts entered Juliet’s mind, but one rose above the rest. Her uncle was there for a reason, she was certain, and the fact he was still dealing with Lord Parsons did not bode well for her. She had to learn what they had planned.

  “I-I do not know what you mean,” she said, grasping Lord Parsons by the arm as if fear had taken hold of her.

  Lord Parsons looked first at Juliet and then her uncle. “You are frightening the girl with your questions,” he said. “She has agreed because she knows there is no other choice.”

  “Thank you,” Juliet whispered.

  Uncle Josiah snorted. “You are a fool! I would not trust her. My sister taught all her daughters to use trickery. This one is no different.”

  Lord Parsons laughed. “Worry about what you will,” he said, “but do not push your concerns onto me. Now, if you will excuse us, I have a few more matters to discuss with my fiancée. I will meet you in the sitting room once I have finished.”

  Her uncle turned on his heel and stormed from the room, slamming the door behind him.

  Juliet seized the opportunity and turned to Lord Parsons. “I…thank you again for protecting me. I did not like his tone, nor his glare of anger. I admit that he frightens me. Mother said he is quite powerful. Oh, do not misunderstand me. I know you possess great power, but I believe his is greater.”

  “He is nowhere as powerful as I,” Lord Parsons said, clear anger in his tone. “Never say such a thing!”

  Juliet widened her eyes in feigned startlement. “My apologies. I will not say it again.”

  “Now, we have much to do,” he said, his smile returning. “I will see these documents delivered myself and then speak to the vicar about performing the ceremony. I should not be gone for more than a day.”

  “Of course,” Juliet said, pulling her wrap closer. “Then, I will see you the day after tomorrow.” She walked to the door, a difficult task, for she wanted to run.

  “Are you not forgetting something?”

  Juliet swallowed hard and prayed he did not wish for another kiss. “I do not believe so.” She gave him a playful smile. “I have my lovely necklace.” She turned the pendant in her fingers for emphasis and batted her eyelashes. “Unless you wish to give me one of those rings you mentioned now.”

  Lord Parsons barked a laugh. “Now, that is the Juliet I so fondly remember.” He walked over to her. “Unfortunately, I must wait to give you more jewelry.”

  She gave him her best pout. “Then what did I forget?”

  “Why, my gift, of course,” he replied. “You do plan to present me with a gift, do you not?”

  Juliet gave a tiny laugh, hoping her nervousness did not echo in it. “Yes, whatever you wish,” she said, bracing herself for his request. “What is it you desire?”

  “I would like to announce our engagement next week.”

  “I see no reason to wait,” Juliet replied. “Reverend Creassey can see to the reading of the banns, and…”

  “To the stable boy. We will go together to see him.”

  Mustering all of her strength, Juliet forced a smile to keep the tears from welling. “If that is what you desire, I will do it,” she said, although having her heart torn from her chest would have hurt less.

  ***

  Juliet was surprised when the carriage came to a stop in front of Scarlett Hall. She did not even remember the return ride, for her head felt as if it she suffered from a cold. Her surroundings had a haziness about them as she alighted from the carriage, as if she was in a dream of some sort. Or rather a nightmare.

  She stood staring toward the stables for several moments before Forbes touched her arm and said, “Would you like me to have tea brought to the sitting room, Mrs. Haskins, to warm you?”

  “Yes, please,” she replied, although her voice sounded as if it came from a mouth other than her own.

  Once inside, as she sat sipping her tea, she considered her future ahead. It was her dream to be united with her husband, that Lord Parsons would do as he promised. She had no doubt Daniel would be found guilty; who would believe the word of a stable hand? She would never be given the opportunity to speak on his behalf; the word of a woman held little value, even if she was a member of the ton. How frustrating this all was!

  If only her sisters could find a way to aid Daniel. Yet, if that, too, failed, she would have no other choice than to marry the horrible Lord Parsons. The mere thought of such a union sent a shiver down her spine. To share the bed with such a man was repugnant to say the least!

  She rose, went to the window, and looked up at the cloud-filled sky. Please, Lord, bring this nightmare to an end and see my husband returned to me!

  Behind her, the door opened, and Juliet turned to see her mother enter.

  “Your sisters have returned from Rumsbury,” her mother said as she joined Juliet beside the window. “They were asking after you but wished to clean up after their dusty journey.

  Juliet sighed. “I need time to think before I speak with them. I believe I may take a stroll before the storm comes in.” Her mother slipped an arm around her waist, and Juliet placed her head on the woman’s shoulder. “Mother? Is there any length a woman should not go in order to help her husband?”

  “I am afraid there is no simple answer,” her mother replied. “I assume you speak of your call to Lord Parsons?”

  “He has made a request of a wedding gift,” Juliet said. “A rather odd request. No, not odd but rather mean-spirited. He has requested that we speak with Daniel to inform him of our engagement.” She shook her head. “If I am to see this through, I must feign agreement and pray Daniel will understand that I am only accepting the man’s offer of marriage as a pretense. But I worry he will not.”

  “Regardless of whether or not he realizes it is all a charade, the news will no doubt devastate him.”

  With an aching heart, Juliet looked at her mother. “I do not know what else to do! I am at the mercy of Lord Parsons.” She pursed her lips into a scowl. “But in the end, the man will pay for what he has done.”

  Her mother placed her hands on Ju
liet’s shoulders and narrowed her eyes. “You are playing a very dangerous game. I worry that, in the end, you and Daniel will both be hurt more than you can imagine.”

  Juliet nodded, for she had already reached this conclusion despite the fact she had done her best to push it aside.

  “I will tell you this,” her mother said. “The love you and Daniel share is sacred, and you must do whatever you believe is right.”

  “Even if it means that I must marry Lord Parsons in order to save his life?”

  Her mother brushed back a strand of hair that had fallen over Juliet’s cheek. “If that is what you decide, then yes. I, nor your sisters, have the answer to your question, for only you know what is in your heart. I trust you will find a way, and whatever decision you make will be the right one.”

  “I met Uncle Josiah,” Juliet said. “He has been staying at Caprice Hill Estates.”

  Her mother’s demeanor became serious. “Beware of him,” she said. “His anger toward me is unmeasurable. I hate to think that those two are using you to scheme against me.”

  “Whatever they plan,” Juliet said with a firm nod, “I will learn of it.” She watched as the sun made an attempt to peek through the clouds. “I remember as a child believing that Scarlett Hall could protect me from all the evil in the world. In my mind, a house as grand as this, one that was the envy of all, had magical capabilities. Is that mad?”

  Her mother chuckled. “I once believed the same, but I soon came to realize that the estate houses not only people but their secrets, as well. The walls, like us, are strong. They will not fall, and neither will we.”

  Juliet turned once more to her mother, determination filling her. “I swear that Uncle Josiah and Lord Parsons will both pay for what they have done to our family. Whatever you might hear, do not believe it, for I have told Lord Parsons you approve of us marrying. That is just one step of many I must take.”

  “You are frightening me,” her mother said. “What do you plan to do?”

  Smiling, Juliet turned once more to the gardens. “I will turn one against the other and then step back to watch them destroy each other.”