Vows of Honor: Secrets of Scarlett Hall Book 6

by Jennifer Monroe

  Aunt Eleanor rose from her seat and walked around the desk. “Some are so consumed with what sins others have committed that they forget to look at themselves. Sometimes their own sins plague them so much that they point out those of others to justify their own anger. If everyone is looking at the person you are accusing, they are not looking at you. Or so people such as she believe.”

  Amelia could not help but sigh. What her aunt said made sense but that did not mean she liked it any better.

  “I do come bearing good news, however,” her mother said, smiling. “I tended Mother in her last days, and in her ramblings, she let slip a bit of truth concerning the heir apparent to Chatterly Estate, but she made little sense.”

  Amelia frowned. “I assume it is Josiah,” she said. “The man will now control what was already his.” How her mother could have thought this good news was beyond her. Her grandmother had always made it clear the estate would go to Josiah upon her death. Well, he could have it as far as she was concerned!

  She was surprised, however, when her mother shook her head. “From what Mother said, he is not the heir to the estate, but I know little more than that.”

  Amelia widened her eyes. “How very strange,” she murmured. “Does this mean that there is an heir out there who should have control of the estate?” She imagined some long-lost uncle or cousin moving into her childhood home. She should have cared nothing for the estate, but she found the thought of someone unknown moving into that grand house almost unbearable.

  “You know as much as I,” her mother said. “I am certain we will learn more later, but you have nothing about which to concern yourself.”

  “I have a few tasks to complete,” her aunt said. “No, Emmeline and Amelia, you may remain here. I will not be needing my study for several hours.” And with that, she left Amelia alone with her mother.

  “I am so proud of you, Mother,” Amelia said.

  Her mother laughed. “Why ever for?”

  “You never gave up on Grandmother, and now your life, like mine will become all the better for it.”

  Her mother pulled her into a tight embrace, and Amelia realized just how much she had missed this woman.

  “Now,” her mother said as she released Amelia, “I want to hear all about this Christopher. Tell me everything about him and how you met. Was it at a ball?”

  Amelia laughed. “No. In fact, I was staying at a hotel in Stratford, and another gentleman refused to stop bothering me.”

  ***

  Not only had Amelia shared how she had first met Christopher but also how she came to fall in love with him. In fact, every night after dinner, the two women, at times joined by Aunt Eleanor, spent hours talking in the drawing room. Some nights, although not often enough, Christopher called over and joined them.

  Soon, the cold days of winter gave way to spring. The weather warmed and flowers filled the surrounding fields. Today was a special day, for later, Amelia was to go into the village with her mother and aunt to select a wedding dress.

  At the moment, she sat beside her mother in the drawing room, Aunt Eleanor in a chair across from them, as they listened attentively to one Mr. Frederick Dowding, a solicitor from Stratford who had called not fifteen minutes ago.

  “When your father died he was well aware of the fact that he had not fathered your brother,” Mr. Dowding said in a nasally tone as he straightened his coat for the tenth time in as many minutes. Speaking of her grandmother’s infidelity was distasteful and she imagined it brought the man a great amount of discomfort. “He dismissed the butler, which infuriated your mother, but she had little say in the matter.” He reddened significantly. “I cannot explain how this next point was not known to you sooner, but you, Lady Lambert, were meant to be the heir apparent. It is not uncommon, sadly, to have such information buried, especially when a person with power takes control before the law is able to see to it.”

  He shook his head, and Amelia could sense his shame. As well he should be ashamed! It had been the responsibility of his office to have her grandfather’s wishes fulfilled.

  No, she could not be angry with a man who had been duped by the likes of her grandmother. She knew all too well the power the woman had held for so many years.

  “To my point,” he continued after clearing his throat. “Over the last few months, I have completed all the necessary paperwork concerning Chatterly Estate, as well as the estate of Mr. Felton Parker, as I was engaged to do. I am pleased to say that the courts have acknowledged the true heir apparent.”

  Amelia swallowed hard. Now would be revealed the man who would take over Chatterly Estate. She prayed he would treat it better, and with more integrity, than her grandmother had.

  She closed her eyes. Would this new heir also attempt to control her life? Or worse, would he throw her mother from the house, therefore seeing her grandmother’s wishes carried through after all?

  The solicitor turned to Aunt Eleanor. “You, Lady Lambert, were named as the heir apparent to your father’s estate. Of course, you were Eleanor Parker at the time, but that is still you, nonetheless.”

  “I?” Aunt Eleanor asked in clear shock. “How can that be?”

  Mr. Dowding chuckled. “Yes, it is uncommon, but not unheard of. You should have received everything upon the death of your father, but…well, we have been through that. It will be passed to your first-born son when he becomes of age, but until that day, I recommend having an overseer for the home, especially if you are to remain here in Rumsbury. All too many houses have fallen to ruin due to neglect, and I would hate to see such an end to a lovely home.”

  “Indeed,” Aunt Eleanor said, her voice calm. Her eyes were wide and her face pale, looking very like Amelia felt — surprised, but not once did she allow that shock into her voice. “Nathaniel will also inherit Scarlett Hall.” She paused. “Are you certain there is no one to challenge this?”

  Mr. Dowding adjusted his glasses. “Oh, they may try,” he said with a sniff. “However, no, they will not win such a case. As to the overseer?”

  “I believe my sister would be the best person for this position,” Aunt Eleanor said with a smile.

  Amelia’s mother gasped. “Do you think I am capable?”

  Aunt Eleanor laughed. “Of course I do,” she replied. “You know more about the goings on in that house than anyone. And I would want nothing more.”

  Amelia smiled, imagining her mother in fine dresses and having servants wait on her rather than she waiting on others. It was as it should have been all along.

  The solicitor spoke of other legal matters concerning the estate. Apparently, Uncle Josiah had not taken the news well and had left without a word.

  By the time the meeting drew to a close, two hours had passed as fast as a winter wind.

  “Thank you, Mr. Dowding,” Aunt Eleanor said as she walked the solicitor to the door. When she returned, she had a distant look in her eyes.

  “Aunt Eleanor?” Amelia asked, “is everything well?”

  The woman shook her head as if to clear it and smiled. “Oh, yes, quite well. I suppose I am still surprised is all. Now that we have completed that matter, I do believe a certain lady must select a wedding dress.”

  In all the excitement, Amelia had quite forgotten! As they donned their coats, hats, and gloves, she could not temper the smile that formed on her lips. They were on the way to order her wedding gown not only as a family but as ladies, as well.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  “I believe you are ready,” Amelia’s mother said as she wiped a tear from her eye.

  Amelia looked at her reflection in the stand mirror and gaped. Who was this lady staring back at her? It could not be her with that perfect chignon dotted with tiny butterfly hairpins and daisies.

  The gown she had chosen, and it had taken hours combing first through at least a dozen books of plates and then choosing the right fabrics and lace — lots and lots of lace! — before her mother and aunt were satisfied. And Amelia was quite pleased, as w
ell.

  With satin beneath a layer of flower embroidered white lace, she had never seen anything so lovely. It had a modest beaded neckline with lace at the shoulders, from which a fringe of pearls hung, and satin at the waist. It seemed to take hours to do up the hundreds of tiny pearl buttons down the back, but in the end, Amelia could not have felt more beautiful.

  Amelia’s mother looked lovely in her yellow muslin gown, so different from all her years in burlap. This only increased Amelia’s tears of joy all the more.

  “I cannot believe we wore livery, poorly-made livery at that, not six months ago,” Amelia said, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. “Now we stand here as the ladies we always were.”

  “It is as I told you,” her mother said with a smile. “You were always a lady, although it was difficult to see it at the time. You see, it is not the dress that makes a lady, but the actions that define us.” Her mother embraced her. “Now, are you ready?”

  Amelia nodded and then drew in a deep breath. “I am.”

  As they made their way down the stairs, Amelia walked with her mother at her side through the house and out the back to the gardens. Waiting for them were Lilias and Aunt Eleanor, but it was Christopher with his handsome demeanor that had her heart pounding against her chest. His hair was neatly pulled back and tied with a blue ribbon that matched his finely tailored coat.

  She stood beside the man who would become her husband, and as the reverend spoke, she looked into his eyes. With each word, she came to understand how both she and Christopher had been servants in their own way. Amelia to a household to be sure, but both had been servants to fear.

  Amelia’s fear was of her past that had her doubt she would find a man who would love her for who she was. Christopher had a fear of being hurt that made him dismiss love altogether. Yet, their journey together led them to this moment where they would become one, when their hearts would lead them in place of their fear.

  Once they exchanged vows, Amelia became Lady Amelia Beaumont, Baroness of Chanster, a name she would carry as proudly as the love in her heart. And she would live by the Vows of Honor she had spoken, promising never to lie to the man she loved ever again.

  ***

  To be married and in love was more than Christopher could have ever expected for his life. He felt as if he was floating amongst the clouds and touching the sky. His beautiful wife walked beside him, and they stopped at the door that led to his father’s bedroom.

  “To think that after all this time I am going to speak to him as a married man,” Christopher said as he looked down at Amelia. “There is no reason to lie to him any longer, and that has me feeling as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”

  “You are right,” Amelia said with a smile. “There is no reason to lie. We are now married and can proclaim it is so to whomever we wish. Without fear.”

  Returning her smile, Christopher opened the door and they entered the room. His father lay in bed, propped up on his pillows with the blanket pulled to his chin. The old man looked at him, confusion marring his features. For a moment, Christopher’s heart froze, and he feared the man no longer recognized him. Had he lost his chance to speak the truth?

  “My son,” his father said, “why do you smile so?”

  “I can only place blame on my wife,” Christopher said, a sense of a freeing of his soul at this now being the truth. “She makes me quite happy. In fact, I cannot stop smiling.”

  His father glanced at Amelia and smiled. “That means she is a good wife,” he said.

  “Now, Father, if you recall, Amelia and I will be leaving soon.”

  “Leaving?” the old man asked. “Oh, your business meeting? No, that was not it. Ah, you are to celebrate your honeymoon.”

  “That is right,” Christopher said, relieved his father had remembered. “Now, if you would prefer I remain to care for you —.”

  “Oh, pish-posh,” his father said before a coughing fit overwhelmed him. It took several moments for him to catch his breath. “You have your entire life ahead of you, boy. I would hate to be the reason you did not celebrate your marriage, and you have waited long enough as far as I am concerned.” He grasped Christopher’s hand. “You have made me proud.”

  “I am glad, Father,” Christopher whispered. “You always wanted me to be married, and now I am.”

  “I only wanted to see you happy,” his father said, his voice so low, Christopher had to strain to hear it. “And I see now that you are. How can a man not be proud of a son such as you?”

  Christopher drew in a deep breath, nearly saying he would remain. Then Amelia took his hand and he knew that his life did indeed lay ahead. His father would never forgive him if he chose to remain behind rather than begin his new life, so he kissed his father’s cheek, as did Amelia, and Christopher left the room, ready to embark on the next part of his life’s journey with his wife at his side.

  ***

  Amelia doubted she had ever seen a more beautiful setting. Six days they had spent on their honeymoon, and she and Christopher stood on a beach filled with white sand and white-crested waves. The water rushed up to cover her bare feet, and she giggled when a strand of seaweed caught on her ankle.

  As she thought and experienced these things, Christopher turned her toward him. The sun lay on the horizon, creating a pink and orange sky dotted with remnants of blue, and a light breeze blew tiny strands of hair over her face. Christopher reached out and moved some of it behind her ear with a smile that told her what he had on his mind.

  “I often think of how we first met,” he said, “and all that occurred between us. What an amazing story we will be able to share with our children.”

  Amelia felt a fire rise inside her as Christopher placed his hands on her arms. She hoped to never take what she had with him for granted, for she wanted his touch to always pebble her skin. She desired to feel that chill down her spine and the fire in her stomach whenever she felt his skin on hers, even as simple as his hands placed on her arms.

  “It is a wonderful story,” Amelia whispered. “One that had a woman running in fear as a man attempted to find his way. Yet, somehow, they found one another, and from there, they found love.”

  A sound more beautiful than the waves on the sand echoed around them. It was the words of love that only those who fully possessed one another could share. Those words could be verbalized, of course, but when they were shown through actions, they spoke volumes above that which could be spoken. And as Christopher pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers, that same word beat quickly in her heart. Love.

  Epilogue

  Summer arrived, and Eleanor walked the gardens, Forbes, her trusted butler at her side as a means for company. Isabel, Laurence and their daughter, who was Eleanor’s namesake, were leaving for London, much to Eleanor’s sorrow. Yet, she trusted her eldest daughter in the presence of her husband, Duke of Ludlow, without hesitation. He would see she remained safe at all costs.

  That did not mean Eleanor would not miss them terribly, however. Baby Ellie, the name her parents called her by, had yet to take her first steps — she was pulling herself up and standing on her own, but it was not the same — and Nana wished she did not have to miss such an important stage in her granddaughter’s life. By the same token, Eleanor had to accept that her daughter now had her own family. Where they went, so did Isabel.

  All of her children were now grown, save Nathaniel, but soon he, too, would be married and taking his rightful place at Scarlett Hall. He would return for two months next month, but then he would be back at school to finish his studies. It was as if he was never about, but with all that had taken place, the boy was safer at school than he would have been at home.

  “Do you wish me to place the letter on your desk?” Forbes asked. A letter had arrived by courier, apparently from her brother, but Eleanor preferred never to read it. Whatever it contained would be hurtful, and she had considered having Forbes dispose of it.

  “I will see to it in a bit,�
� Eleanor replied. “I want to take one last look around the garden.”

  “You speak as if you never will do so again,” Forbes said as they came to a stop, concern filling his voice. “Such talk is unwarranted.”

  Eleanor looked around, soaking in the beauty of the gardens she had loved since she first arrived at Scarlett Hall. “Whatever Josiah has to say in his letter will not sit well with me, I am certain,” she said with a sigh. “The man is angrier now than he has ever been in the past since he has learned the truth about my father, and the fact he will never have control of Chatterly Estate only complicates matters. I suspect I will be in very bad humor when I read it. So bad, in all honesty, that even the gardens will not calm me for some time.”

  “He will not harm you,” Forbes replied fiercely. “As long as I am breathing, no one will.”

  Eleanor smiled as she looked into the deep blue eyes of the man before her. “For many years you have looked after me,” she said, placing a hand on his cheek. “Always watching, protecting, and I think the time has come—.”

  “For me to attend to other matters,” Forbes said, placing the letter in her hands. “And for you to be the lady you always are.”

  Eleanor gave a heavy sigh. Forbes was always one for formality. Although his words were not what she wished to hear, they were what she needed to hear.

  “You are right,” she said.

  As if she had dismissed him, he bowed and walked away. The man had provided her strength in her darkest moments, and she found herself leaning on him more often in the last few years than ever before. They had a bond that no servant and lady should ever share. In fact, they shared secrets that Eleanor had never spoken to another soul. Yet, those secrets belonged to them, and no one else needed to learn they existed, for they would never understand.

  Sighing, she stared at the letter in the hopes it would magically disappear. Or perhaps catch fire. Then she would not be forced to read it. She could burn it, but if he meant to threaten her, she needed to know what he planned. Josiah had never been very good at keeping secret any sordid plan he formed.