Ballad of the Innocents

by Monroe, Jennifer

  Juliet smiled. “I will not, Mother,” she said, a sense of renewed purpose coming over her.

  A footman jumped down from the driver’s seat and placed a step on the ground before opening the door. Lord Parsons alighted, a wide arrogant smile on his lips. Juliet wished she could slap his face!

  “Lady Lambert,” he said with a deep bow. “Always a pleasure.”

  Her mother acknowledged his greeting with a simple nod. “Lord Parsons, I am pleased that we now meet in far better circumstances. I believe Juliet understands the error of her ways, and more importantly that a man such as yourself is gracious to forgive her as you have.”

  Juliet wanted to jump for joy! She always knew her mother was a formidable woman, but this was far better than she could have expected. Especially when the grin the viscount wore widened.

  “I must agree that Juliet has indeed seen that her deeds were far from acceptable,” he replied. “I must thank you for informing me of them. As to forgiveness…” His words trailed off, but he gave Juliet a knowing look. “Let us just say that her actions today will decide if I forgive her or not.” He laughed. “I nearly forgot. When we return later, I will present your lovely daughter with another gift, but I would also like you to see it. Do you mind if I join you for a drink this afternoon? It is terrible of me to invite myself, I know, but I do so want to see your reaction as much as that of Juliet.”

  “You are welcome anytime,” her mother replied. “Why do you not stay for dinner?”

  “Alas, I cannot,” Lord Parsons replied. “But I believe a bottle of wine to share with the gift is in order.” He glanced at his pocket watch. “But listen to me prattle on! We must be on our way, for we have so much to do today.”

  He offered Juliet his arm, and Juliet took it, forcing as much enthusiasm as she could muster. Her mother gave her a smile, but Juliet recognized that it was as fake as the one she, herself, wore. Inside, the woman was seething with as much anger as she.

  As long as the viscount took no notice, that was what mattered most.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The carriage ride to Rumsbury was as mundane as Lord Parsons, who spent the entire journey speaking of himself. Juliet did her best to appear interested in his discourse, although her thoughts were on Daniel and how he would react to the news they were to share.

  As the vehicle pulled up in front of the jail, she said a silent prayer that her husband would understand that this was all a ruse.

  Inside the jail walls, however, it took every ounce of strength to not fall to pieces. Even if Daniel realized what she was about to tell him was a sham, once he saw her in the company of Lord Parsons, he would be devastated. Yet, if she turned and ran, he would surely die.

  “Have you changed your mind?” Lord Parsons asked with a lift to the corner of his mouth. “Perhaps you have been deceiving me after all.”

  Juliet laughed. “Nonsense,” she replied, taking a handkerchief from her reticule and placing it over her nose. “It is the terrible odor of this place that gives me pause. It is making me feel ill.”

  A smirk crossed the man’s face, but he made no further comment as the guard unlocked the cell door and pulled it open. The viscount allowed Juliet to enter first, and with three of them in the tiny cell, Juliet worried she would faint.

  How absolutely appropriate, she thought as she realized she now was wedged between the two men.

  When Daniel first noticed her, his eyes lit up and he jumped from his straw pallet. Then his eyes fell on Lord Parsons, and his smile dropped as pain crossed his features.

  “What are you doing here?” her husband demanded. “And with him?”

  Juliet wanted to tell him how much she loved him. That everything she did was for his benefit. To reveal her intentions so he would understand. Yet, she could not do that, not in Lord Parsons’ presence. Instead, she had no choice but to continue with her plan and hope her prayers would be answered.

  “After much consideration, and counsel from my mother, I have come to an agreement with Lord Parsons.”

  Daniel lowered his head, but she recognized his ire. It was rare, but when he became angry, reasoning with him was futile. Plus, she could not do so without revealing her plans to the viscount. This was proving more difficult than she had thought!

  “I told you before,” her husband said, “I’ll die before I see you with him!” He looked up at her once more. “Please, I beg of you. Do not marry him.”

  For a single moment, Juliet considered honoring his wishes, to simply turn and tell Lord Parsons she wanted nothing more than to obey her husband. Yet, the mere thought of Daniel losing his life because of her cowardice kept her from doing so.

  “Lord Parsons has been very kind to me,” she said. “He has agreed to speak to the magistrate to ask for leniency so your life will be saved.”

  The tiny room fell silent, the only sound a distant cry from another cell. Lord Parsons placed a hand on the small of her back. Juliet had to fight the urge to move away.

  “I believe Juliet has expressed her desires and has made quite clear her intentions,” the viscount said. “Is that not so, my dear? Is it not true that you wish to marry me and wear the jewelry I have purchased for you?” He lifted the sapphire pendant from the swell of her breasts and allowed it to drop once more. “Well, Juliet?”

  Juliet stared up at Lord Parsons. “I do wish to marry you,” she said, refusing to look into the grief-stricken eyes of the man she loved. “And to wear the many precious gifts you purchase for me.”

  Lord Parsons laughed. “You see, boy?” he jibed. “You will never be able to provide the things that a woman such as she desires. That is the reason she signed the documents requesting the desolation of your marriage.”

  “Juliet,” Daniel said, a pleading in his voice that tore at Juliet’s soul, “think about what you’re doing! If my life is spared, you’ll be forced to live with this man for the rest of your life. Surely you don’t want that!”

  “I do not wish to spend the day listening to you grovel,” Lord Parsons said. “Juliet, I am growing bored with this conversation. What do you wish to do?”

  With no option, her following words were more difficult to utter, for if she gave Lord Parsons any reason to doubt her intentions, all would have been for naught.

  “Things have changed, Daniel,” she said, forcing herself to look him in the eye. “Lord Parsons speaks the truth concerning my wishes. He can provide me with a life you never could. Please, do not beg any longer; it is unbecoming of you.”

  Lord Parsons chuckled, and once more Juliet felt the urge to strike him. But the words Daniel spoke next nearly made her collapse where she stood.

  “Then I wish you the best. May you find what you need in life. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to provide it.”

  The look of defeat he wore made Juliet want to take him into her arms, to soothe him. Yet she could not, and it tore at her soul. She could not tell him the truth, not yet, but she could leave him with a single clue as to her true intentions. She only prayed he would understand it.

  “I am glad you understand the situation,” she said. She placed a hand on Lord Parson’s arm as if ready to leave and then stopped. “Oh, I nearly forgot. Your sister Hope sent a letter to Scarlett Hall. What would you like me to tell her?”

  Daniel had no sister, but upon hope is what they had built their relationship. She prayed he would grasp onto its meaning.

  He frowned for a moment and then said, “Just tell her that, one day, I will see her again.”

  “Enough of this idiocy,” Lord Parsons growled. “We must leave.” He placed an arm around Juliet’s back. “And do not worry about Juliet, stable boy. She will be safe…in my bed.”

  His malevolent laugh filled the tiny room, and Juliet had to grasp her skirts. She had nearly struck him that time! One glance at Daniel told her that he wanted to do the same.

  Before her husband could act on that thought, however, Lord Parsons ushered her from the cell. With each step,
her anger grew, and when they emerged from the jail, Lord Parsons stopped and turned toward her.

  “You did everything I asked of you,” he said with a smile. “Now for your surprise. I believe it will leave you speechless.”

  Juliet allowed him to walk her to the carriage, and her thoughts turned to the next steps in her plan. There was still so much to do, and she had little time to do it all, but like Daniel’s fictitious sister, she still had hope.

  ***

  In times past, Juliet had played many roles in order to get what she wanted. The innocent maiden gained her favor with many gentlemen, and the teller of tales saw her achieve a variety of outcomes. There was no part she could not perform as far as she was concerned. Yet, she loathed her current ruse - pretending to reject Daniel while feigning interest in Lord Parsons.

  After leaving the jail, they journeyed out of the village and headed into the country. So forlorn was Juliet that she wished for nothing more than to return to Scarlett Hall and be able to see off the man who rode beside her. The sooner she was out of his presence, the better!

  Unfortunately, Lord parsons had other ideas, and he had the carriage brought to a stop beside a path that led through a copse of trees, a picnic basket and blanket she had not noticed before in his arms.

  She followed behind him as fear began to well up inside her. Fear of what intentions he had for this unscheduled stop, especially after what she had been forced to endure, and fear that they were in a place far too secluded for anyone to hear her cry for help.

  “Here we are,” the viscount said with a satisfied smile as the trees opened up to a predominate place above a deep valley. “This is the perfect place for us to sit and enjoy the view.”

  Juliet forced a smile. “It is lovely,” she said. “Do you own this property?”

  “I do,” the man replied as he spread a blanket on the ground. “Although it is only bare land now, I have made plans to build on it in the near future.”

  Walking over to the blanket, Juliet went to sit, but Lord Parsons grabbed her arm.

  “Must I remind you that you are no longer living as a peasant? Remember, you are a lady.” He bowed to her and held out his hand. “Allow me to assist you.”

  Juliet placed her hand in his. “Thank you,” she said sweetly. “I do forget at times.”

  He joined her on the blanket. “This field is much like us,” he said. “The soil is fresh and unblemished, but soon I will build upon it. That is the reason I brought you here today.”

  He opened the basket and produced a bottle of wine and two glasses.

  “Do you speak of our future?” Juliet asked.

  “Of course,” he replied as he poured the wine. “A future of which we must speak, and one for which you must prepare.”

  Juliet accepted the wine. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “To our future,” her companion said as he raised his glass in a toast.

  Juliet gave a perfunctory raise of her glass and took a sip of the wine, but it was bitter on her tongue. It was more than likely not the wine itself but rather the company that was so distasteful, but she would make no mention of it.

  “This is a lovely surprise,” she said as she looked out over the lovely valley. If only it were Daniel beside her, she could enjoy it even more. “A perfect location to drink fine wine and be alone with a gentleman.”

  “The true surprise is yet to come,” he said. “What I would like to discuss now is our children.”

  Juliet was glad she had not taken a sip of her wine at that exact moment, for she doubted she could have stopped herself from spitting it out. “Our children?”

  “Well, I do need an heir,” he said as if it should have been the first thought that came to her mind. “That will be part of your duty to me, an obligation that you will fulfill.”

  Swallowing back bile, she replied, “Yes, of course. Every wife is well aware of this…duty.”

  “And once we are married, I wish to speak to your mother’s advisers about conducting business with the estate. I am sure you will be able to help me in this matter.”

  “Mother can tend to be wary of those making inquiries into her business ventures,” Juliet replied. She shook her head in dismay. “I can present the idea to her, but I fear she may not wish to consider your offer.”

  “Your mother will have no choice,” Lord Parsons said. “With what I know about your true parents, and what your uncle knows about her, she will be unable to refuse.”

  Inside, rage tore through Juliet. How dare this man blackmail her mother! Outside, she offered him a smile. “Indeed. Well, enough about boring business.” She gave him a pout. “I want to discuss what I will gain from this arrangement. I will want a weekly allowance, of course. After all, if I am to aid you in this endeavor, surely I should receive compensation for it.”

  Lord Parsons took her hand. “My sweet Juliet, your mind is as quick as your tongue.” He removed the white glove and allowed it to drop onto the blanket. “But never speak to me again as if you were my equal.” Then he kissed her knuckles. “And yes, I will provide you with a small allowance, but only because you will be my wife and not as any perceived payment for any work you have completed. An allowance is one thing, for it is given because I choose to do so, but my wife will not receive an income of any sort.”

  She smiled. “Thank you. That is all I wanted. And what of my uncle?”

  Lord Parsons released her hand and scowled. Had she introduced the question too soon? “What of him?” he demanded. “And why do you insist on speaking of him so often?”

  “I fear the man is much too powerful and will try to use you,” she said. “If he is not already doing so. I would hate to see him best you in whatever scheme the two of you have developed.”

  “No man can best me!” Lord Parsons said, his voice filled with venom. “Your stable boy learned that lesson, and it nearly cost him his life.” He leaned forward. “It certainly cost him the woman he loved.”

  With his eyes locked on hers, Juliet had to fight to maintain her gaze. “You forget that I learned a lesson, as well,” she said in those beloved dulcet tones. “That you know me better than I know myself. It is why I sit here with you rather than remain living in squalor.”

  The viscount leaned back, his eyes bright with confidence. “Yes, I suppose so. As to Parker, I would not concern yourself with him. I plan to continue to use him to get to his business associates. Once I have a firm foothold, I will send him away.”

  Juliet took a slow breath to calm her pounding heart, for her next words would be vitally important. “Although I do not doubt you will do exactly what you say, I have seen firsthand the man’s ways. Do you believe he will simply leave with his tail between his legs?” Judging by the man’s shocked look, he had not. “Perhaps you should devise a means of disposing of him.”

  Lord Parsons glared at her. “Do not dictate to me what you believe I should or should not do!” he snapped. “I am in control of what happens in my future, not you.”

  Juliet forced color into her cheeks. “My apologies if I stepped out of line.” She smiled and propelled the conversation in a different direction. If the man knew how easily he could be manipulated, he would have placed a firmer hold on her! “On our journey into the village, you mentioned that you will be away for two days?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “I had an idea and wanted your opinion on it. Allow me to speak to my uncle, to learn about his future plans. After all, it was he who approached you first. He may be attempting to trick you for his own gain. I have heard that he has been known for skullduggery. Since I am his niece, he may confide in me.”

  Lord Parsons tapped his chin as if in thought. “That is not a bad idea. I cannot see why you should not approach him and learn what you can.” He reached into the basket. “Before we leave, I have another gift.”

  Juliet gave him a surprised look as she pulled the glove onto her hand. “But this has been so wonderful!” she said. “I cannot imagine wha
t more you could have for me.” In her hand he placed a parchment tied with a ribbon. “What is this?”

  “A contract,” the viscount replied. “One that you will sign promising to marry me. Although I have given you my word to do what I can for Daniel and his current predicament, I cannot guarantee the outcome. I would not want you to have second thoughts once your stable boy’s fate is determined - if it does not go as you expect.”

  Her breath caught in her throat as she pretended to study the document. “I will look it over and sign it tonight and then give it to you upon your return,” she said.

  “No,” Lord Parsons said in a clipped tone. “You will sign it today, as will your mother. After all, there is a stipulation for her, as well, one to which I am sure she will readily agree.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  A sense of power surged through Hugh as the carriage carrying him and Juliet made its way to Scarlett Hall. Two years it had taken him to exact his vengeance on those who had crossed him, and now his life had been returned to him.

  He reveled in the display of loyalty Juliet showed him when they spoke to Daniel. It was not that he had not trusted her but rather that he had his doubts about her sincerity. After her actions at the prison today, all doubts disappeared, replaced with nothing more than pure joy.

  Her enjoyment of his gift at the picnic had also pleased him, for it had been his final test of her alignment. The fact she had accepted the contract without hesitation told him everything he needed to know. She was finally his.

  In all honesty, he had expected the girl to change her mind, to somehow wiggle her way out of their agreement. Yet, she had proven herself to him. And to herself. She was never meant for the simple life that stable boy had offered her, he had always known this, and now he was pleased she had come to realize it herself.