Ballad of the Innocents

by Monroe, Jennifer

  With each step, Juliet’s heart pounded faster, both with excitement and worry, for what they planned to do. It was daring and brave, but it was also foolish. If they were caught, they would be hanging beside Daniel at the gallows. Yet, there was nothing she would not do to save her husband, and it appeared her sisters felt the same.

  “Once we have gained entrance,” Reverend Creassey whispered, “pull up your kerchiefs and say nothing. Not a single word. I will do all the talking. Is that clear?”

  All four women nodded their acknowledgment and climbed the stairs that led to the doors of the jail. The man who greeted them - if greeted could be the term used for a man who stared down at them as if they were nothing more than vermin - was a large man with muscles larger than other men’s thighs and a deep scar that ran from one ear to the tip of his chin.

  “Reverend,” the man said in a grating voice, “I wasn’t expecting you here today. What brings you to my humble abode?”

  The reverend and the guard cackled at the joke. “We are here on the Lord’s work, Ethan,” Reverend Creassey replied. “These women brought a few bits for the prisoners as I give words of hope for their dark souls.”

  The guard opened Juliet’s basket and peered inside. She prayed the man would not dig through the ‘bits’ as Reverend Creassey had put it, for their plan would be ruined.

  He glanced into the hood. “Why’s this one wearing a cloth over her face?”

  “They all are,” the reverend said. “And the reason is twofold. For one, we would not want men who have been denied the arms of a woman to be overcome with lust and attack one of them, now would we?”

  The guard’s eyes opened wide. “No, we wouldn’t want that at all,” he said.

  “And they also must be protected from the vileness of simply being in the presence of these criminals. These women should be protected from the evil that possesses the poor creatures. They want only to do God’s work, but whatever demons these men carry should not be allowed to pounce on God’s followers.”

  Ethan gave him a doubtful look but then said, “I’m not s’posed to let anyone in unless they’ve prior approval.” He removed a scone from the basket. “But for a price, I’d turn my head.”

  Reverend Creassey snorted. “And I am supposed to advise women to return to their husbands, but I may turn my head from time to time. Now, will you allow us to do our work?”

  “There’s no need to threaten me,” Ethan replied. “I was just explainin’ the favor I’ll grant you. The prisoners’re in the common room ‘bout this time. I’ll take you there.” He motioned to another guard to take his place and then led them down the long corridor that led to the jail itself.

  When they arrived at the far door, the guard turned and said, “Now, give ‘em no more than one each and then you’ll have to leave.”

  “The Lord’s work cannot be rushed,” Reverend Creassey admonished. “We will take the time needed to perform our task without duress.” The guard mumbled words Juliet could not hear, and the reverend said, “I will speak to Master Filmore if the need arises, do not worry.”

  This seemed to appease the guard, for he nodded and opened the heavy door, the hinges grinding as if they were opened rarely.

  When they passed through the door, they entered a large open room with a dozen or so tables. Three to four men clearly in need of a bath and a shave sat at each table, faint light streaming through the two small windows the only light in the room.

  “Five minutes,” Ethan said.

  Juliet squinted, and once her eyes adjusted to the low light, she searched the faces of the prisoners until she found the one she wanted. Daniel sat alone in a corner table staring at the wall.

  “How can they live like this?” Annabel whispered, her voice muffled behind the cloth.

  “Be glad you are not in one of the prisons to which many of these men will be sent,” Reverend Creassey replied in a low voice Juliet could barely hear. “Those men are chained to the walls in rooms without windows and never see the light of day until the day of their release. And only if they survive.”

  Juliet shivered at the thought but pushed it away. Her only concern now was Daniel.

  “Come along, ladies,” the reverend said. “You heard the man; we must be quick. Let us hope the day of judgment is not as cruel as he.”

  Juliet glanced at Annabel and gave a single nod. The youngest of the four sisters walked over to a lone guard who stood watch on the wall opposite where Daniel sat. Her task was to engage the man in conversation to keep him occupied so Juliet could approach Daniel unnoticed.

  She stopped at the nearest table, placed four scones upon it, and murmured, “Peace be with you,” before moving on to the next group of men. As soon as the scones touched the table, the men grabbed for them and stuffed them into their mouths. Not one gave her a single word of thanks.

  Juliet gave a quick glance back toward the door where Ethan watched with eagle eyes every move the sisters made. The next minutes would be precious, for Juliet would have only one chance to see Daniel freed.

  As she neared the table where Daniel sat, Reverend Creassey joined her. With a quick nod to him, Juliet said. “A bit of bread or dried fruit for you?” Then she said in an urgent whisper, “Daniel!”

  His head snapped around and his eyes widened at the sight of her, but she placed a finger over the cloth where her lips were. He took her warning and lowered his gaze.

  She reached into the basket and pushed aside the remaining food. It was time to execute the next step in their plan, and if everything continued as smoothly as it had thus far, they would soon be out of here. Together.

  “Be ready,” she said. “We are leaving.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Faint rays of sun managed to break through the dirt-encrusted windows, allowing just enough light for Daniel to see the individual stones that made up the wall. How he wished he had the strength to break through that wall and escape into the arms of the woman he loved. Yet, he had to allow her to live her life without him, for he would soon be dead.

  Once, he had been a simple stable hand, employed at Scarlett Hall. There he met Juliet, the vivacious girl prone to exaggerated tales and dramatic talks of her life.

  She was so beautiful, so strong, and he could not imagine life without her. She would not agree with him, but his sentencing had been merciful because he could not live knowing she would be in the arms of another.

  A chasm had existed between them at one time, caused by the families to whom they had been borne. She had been expected to marry a man of title and wealth and he to wed a common woman, yet Juliet believed one could build a bridge to join them together. And she had been right.

  Until it came crashing down around them at the hands of Lord Parsons.

  She had also convinced him that they had hope, but that, too, had been taken from him. Tomorrow, he was to hang from the gallows with no hope of salvation from that fate.

  His heart hurt - not for his life but for that of Juliet. He prayed that she would find happiness after his death, and if a dying man had a wish to be granted, that would be his. She was not the type of woman who could be alone, nor should she be forced to be.

  Behind him, several prisoners murmured, and the scent of baked goods made his stomach rumble, but he did not want to eat. Why feed his body when it would only be thrown into a hole tomorrow? Let those who still had a chance to live feed their bodies. He hoped the outcomes of their trials were better than his.

  “A bit of bread or dried fruit for you?”

  He ignored the woman’s voice. Let her move on to another who was more worthy.

  “Daniel!”

  He turned to find Reverend Creassey standing beside a woman hidden beneath a plain gray cloak. When he looked closer, he frowned. Was that Juliet?

  She pulled down the cloth that covered the lower portion of her face, and his heart froze. It was she! Why would his lovely wife be in a place such as this?

  He went to ask, but she pu
lled the cover into place once more and placed a finger to her lips. She reached into the basket hanging from her arm, moved aside the food within, and turned it so he could see inside.

  There lay a wig of chestnut-colored hair and a gray cloth of some sort beneath it. When he glanced up to give her a questioning look, she was looking over her shoulder. Another woman was speaking to one of the guards. Was she weeping? Two more women, also carrying baskets, were giving out food, as well.

  “Be ready,” she whispered. “We are leaving.”

  The significance of what they meant to do came to him as she placed a scone in his hand. He nodded and placed the bread on his knee as he glanced to the side. The woman speaking to the guard giggled. Annabel? Then that meant the other two women were Isabel and Hannah!

  “Juliet,” he whispered. “You can’t…”

  “Hush!” she said.

  Then Annabel raised her voice and shouted, “I cannot carry money while these poor men suffer! May mercy be granted to all of you this day!”

  She threw her hands in the air and dozens of coins flew toward the high ceiling and showered onto the dirt floor. Men leaped from their seats and rushed to gather the coins, falling over one another, pushing each other this way and that in order to collect as many coins as they could.

  “Now, Daniel!” Juliet hissed. “The guards will not be busy long!” Dumping the contents from the basket on the table, she shoved the wig onto his head. “Stand up.”

  He did as she asked and the reverend placed a cloak over his shoulders and pulled the hood up over his head. It matched the cloaks the others wore. Then Juliet wrapped a skirt around his waist and fastened it with a button.

  “Put this over your face,” she said, handing him a large square of cloth.

  “Calm down, you animals!” the main guard shouted, lifting his stick into the air and bringing it down on the head of a prisoner. “Get back! I want order!”

  The other guard also shouted commands, but the prisoners ignored them even as they were struck across the back with a club.

  “Bend over so you do not appear so tall,” the reverend said. “Give them no reason to look at you.” Daniel nodded and did as the man asked. “Ladies!” Reverend Creassey cried. “This is a den of thieves! We must leave at once or our souls will be tainted!”

  Soon Daniel and the women were ushered toward the door. Daniel wished his heartbeat would slow so he could breathe properly!

  “Creassey!” one of the guards shouted. “You’ll be cursin’ the day you were born! See if I help you again!”

  The reverend chuckled and pushed Daniel and the women forward. Daniel kept his head low, holding Juliet’s basket in front of him as if to protect himself.

  “What’s going on in here?”

  Daniel’s chest constricted. He recognized the voice of the warden without looking at him.

  “Reverend?”

  “Those men are nothing more than animals,” Reverend Creassey said. “I thought you kept a tighter rein on the goings-on here.”

  “I will need to see…”

  The reverence slapped the guard’s hand away as he reached for Daniel’s hood. “These women, God-fearing females are willing to show mercy to the likes of those men, and what does it get them? Men fighting over them. It’s shameful, I tell you, just shameful. Do you wish everyone to learn that you refused to allow them to leave? Perhaps it should be you who explains to their husbands later why you would force them to remain in a place where they could potentially be harmed. Or maybe you are saying that my word is not good enough? I, a man of God!”

  Daniel had seen that same look whenever any reverend gave a sermon on the Book of Revelation and everlasting torment.

  The warden’s eyes widened. “No, Father, of course not. My apologies.”

  Air returned to Daniel’s lungs as they were ushered down a long corridor and out the front door.

  “I suggest we not return here again, ladies,” Reverend Creassey said as they passed through the front door and into the open air in front of the jail. “I am sorry you were forced to witness such behavior. But do not give up hope; you will find a safer way to do God’s work.” He shook his head as if one of them had made a comment. “No, no, you must not return, even with me to accompany you. If you wish to help these poor souls, I suggest you give me your baskets, and I will see them distributed myself. I am already not looking forward to explaining to your husbands how I allowed you to be put in such a situation as it is.”

  Once they were past the courthouse, Daniel made to glance over his shoulder, but the reverend hissed at him. “Do not look back. Remember what happened to Lot’s wife! You may not turn into a pillar of salt, but you will likely be caught! Now, quickly, into the carriage! The rest of you, go!”

  Three of the cloaked women hurried to an alleyway, but Daniel had little time to wonder where they were going before he was being pushed into the carriage.

  It was not until the door to the carriage closed that Daniel took a deep breath and gave a heavy sigh. “Juliet!” he said, pulling his wife into his arms. “Tell me this is not a dream!”

  Tears streamed down her face as she smiled at him. “Yes, my handsome man, it is. But it always has been.”

  ***

  Juliet barely noticed the jostling of the carriage as she relished being in her husband’s arms once again. They had shared a single kiss and now she sat with her head upon his chest and his arm around her shoulders, Reverend Creassey sitting on the bench across from them.

  “I don’t know where to begin,” Daniel said. “How did you come up with such a daring plan? And your sisters, they’re all ladies! I can’t imagine them doing something so bold.”

  Juliet looked up at him. “It began with a promise I made to you,” she said. “To love you and never be without you. And a promise my sisters and I made beneath the tree in the garden.” She explained how they developed their plan of escape, finishing with what Lord Parsons and her uncle had done to cause problems for them.

  Daniel shook his head when she was done. “I can’t believe your own uncle would want to see you hurt,” he said. “He’s as evil as Lord Parsons.” He pursed his lips. “I’m sorry. I know he’s your family, but…”

  “No, you are right,” Juliet replied. “But they will receive their just rewards soon enough and then we will never have to utter their names again.”

  “Where will we go?” he asked. “They’ll be searching for me, and Scarlett Hall will be the first place they look.”

  “We have that all planned out,” she said. “You will be in hiding. The estate is much too large to be searched everywhere, and there is an empty cottage where you will hide. Plus, you must remember that no one has any idea we have ever been married.” She chuckled. “And we can thank Lord Parsons for that, if we are to thank him for any of this. Once the last step in our plan is completed, Reverend Creassey will deliver documents to see us safely away. Once we have what we need, you and I will escape to France.”

  Daniel pulled away and looked down at her. “France? I don’t speak French.”

  Juliet giggled. “Do not worry. You will not have to. Everything else has been handled. All will be fine, you will see.” She embraced him once again.

  “And your sisters? Where did they go?”

  She gave him a mischievous grin. “My sisters? Why, they left yesterday for Marlborough to return to their homes. That was the plan all along. They only came to see me after my long absence, after all.”

  “And I knew you lied about those bruises on your arms,” Daniel said. “One day he will pay for hurting you!”

  “I understand why you are angry at him, and I feel the same, but he has failed in his attempt to divide us. Let us not fill our hearts with hate and anger any longer.”

  The carriage slowed. “You’re right,” he said. “I still can’t believe I’m free. I thought I would be dead tomorrow.”

  “Well, you are safe now,” Juliet said, bracing herself as the carriage came to a
stop. “And before the end of the week, we will be on a ship bound for France.”

  The carriage door opened, and Juliet allowed Daniel to hand her down. No servants would be about, as they always received a free day every Tuesday for as long as Juliet could remember, so there was no need to worry that someone would spot Daniel.

  “I will have the documents ready by tomorrow,” Reverend Creassey said. “I will present them to you at the wedding.”

  “Thank you,” Juliet said, ignoring Daniel’s frown. “I do appreciate what you have done.”

  The reverend snorted. “Trust me, I did it for the money not out of and sense of kindness.” Yet, he smiled despite the sour tone. “If you ever return to England and are in need of assistance, be sure to call on me. You will always be one of my flock.”

  Juliet offered the reverend a smile and nodded, although she would never come within a hundred miles of the man if she could help it.

  Reverend Creassey returned to the carriage, and soon it was heading down the drive once more.

  “What did he mean by a wedding?” Daniel asked.

  Drawing in a deep breath, Juliet took her husband by the hand. “If we leave for France, we can never return. As long as Lord Parsons and my uncle Josiah breathe, we can never find true peace. Our lives would only be spent worrying that they will find us.”

  “Of course,” he replied. “But what does that have to do with our wedding? And what’re we going to do?”

  Juliet sighed. “It is not our wedding of which he speaks. But I have a plan…”

  She explained everything, and when she was done, he gave a low whistle. “After what I witnessed today,” he said, a wide grin on his face, “I don’t doubt it’ll happen as you planned. But I can’t help but be worried. You’re placing yourself in too much danger. Maybe I should help.”

  “No, you cannot help,” Juliet said firmly. “We must keep you hidden for now.”