Now it was Juliet’s turn to frown. Oh, bother. Now he believes he must save me. How tiresome!
“Lady Lambert, I must leave tomorrow for business but will return in a fortnight. I would like your permission that, upon my return, I take Miss Juliet for a ride in my carriage.”
Juliet had to bite her tongue to keep from screaming. This was not what she had in mind!
Her mother, unsurprisingly, replied, “That is a wonderful invitation. I think it would be a grand outing. Do you not believe so, Juliet?”
All eyes turned to Juliet, and she felt as if her veins had filled with ice. If she refused or made any excuse, it would only grow her mother’s suspicion. However, if she agreed, it might give Lord Parsons the idea that she did, indeed, have an interest in him. Oh, bother!
“Juliet?”
Juliet swallowed hard and turned to the man. “My apologies. I was just thinking how lovely that would be. I would be honored to go on a carriage ride with you.” The lie burned worse than the brandy she was determined to drink when this blasted encounter came to a close. However, she had no choice but to agree. For now. She would come up with one excuse or another when the time came to actually go with the man.
“Excellent,” Lord Parsons replied. He rose from his chair. “I shall call over in two weeks this Sunday.” His eyes met Juliet’s and she could not help but tremble with uneasiness. “Lady Lambert.” He gave her a bow. “Miss Annabel.” Another bow. “It has been a pleasure.”
Juliet’s mother rose, as well. “Thank you for calling. We look forward to seeing you upon your return.” She led him from the room, and when the door closed, Annabel placed a hand to her breast.
“How wonderful!” she squealed. “He is very handsome, and did I mention he is well-off? But he wishes to go on an outing with you!”
“Yes, wonderful,” Juliet mumbled, but when her mother returned, she forced her smile back onto her face. “I am so happy,” she said. “What a fine gentleman. And to think he wishes to see me again! I did not believe he would.”
“It is because of your beauty,” her mother said as she took Juliet’s hands in hers. “You are bright and intelligent, and that did not seem to deter him one bit. Perhaps, in time, he may wish to court you.”
Juliet nodded. “I would like nothing more,” she said, although her stomach was flopping around inside her. Just the thought made her feel feint, and she was not prone to fainting spells. She attempted to get moisture back into her mouth. “Thank you for arranging this day. It means much to me.”
Her mother hugged her and surprised her by whispering in her ear, “I was worried that…No, it does not matter. What does matter is that you have got the eye of a gentleman.”
“Yes, I suppose I have,” Juliet replied, although when she said so, she thought of Daniel.
Chapter Six
Snow fell overnight a week after Lord Parson’s visit, leaving a light dusting for as far as Juliet could see from inside the carriage. With Annabel at her side, the two women were on their way to Rumsbury to look at the new plates at the dressmakers in hopes of ordering one or two new dresses and perhaps a new gown each.
At first, her mother had told her she could not go, but Juliet persisted, assuring the woman that her foot was neatly wrapped and she would take the utmost care while traversing the footpaths. Forbes had also wrapped the bottoms of her crutches with rags to keep them from slipping on the already drying paths.
Juliet attempted to push away the thoughts of Lord Parsons’ return, which would be in nine days, but to no avail. The thought of being with the man made her want to sick up, for she had no interest in him whatsoever. However, she had no one to blame for her current predicament than herself, for it was her stories—others would call them lies but she knew better—that had landed her in the fire. She had yet come up with a plan that was feasible enough to get her out of the outing with him, and she rarely failed in getting her way. This would be no different, but she would have to devise the perfect plan, for her mother would accept nothing less than perfect.
As the carriage trumbled down the road, she found her mind turning to her sisters. Hannah had accompanied Isabel and Laurence to London, and she felt a pang of jealousy at the fact they would be soon readying themselves for one party or another while she remained home awaiting the arrival of a man she could barely stand.
“Do you believe my parents love me?”
Annabel’s question caught Juliet off-guard. “Yes, they love you. Why would you ever ask such a thing?”
The girl did not turn her gaze from the window. “It is that they are always away and leave me at Scarlett Hall.” She turned, and Juliet was shocked to see tears rimming her eyes. “Not that I do not enjoy my time there, mind you, for you are all like sisters to me. But I do not understand why my parents always leave me behind. It is as if they do not want me with them.”
Juliet’s heart went out to her cousin as she tried to determine how best to respond. It was no secret that Juliet and her mother disapproved of the manner in which her uncle and aunt treated Annabel, but they also would never tell Annabel their feelings. And although Juliet had learned her lesson as of late concerning the telling of tales, she knew in her heart that, in this instance, it was necessary.
“I must confess something I overheard nearly a year ago,” she said with a small smile. “Now, I was caught eavesdropping and therefore sworn to secrecy, but I believe our pact is stronger than my oath to them.”
“To whom?” Annabel asked. “What did you swear to keep secret?”
Juliet shifted her body so she could look directly at her cousin. “Your parents and my mother, of course. I was on my way to the drawing room from the garden when I heard voices in Father’s office. I overhead your parents voicing their concern for your beauty.”
“My beauty?” Annabel asked with a gasp. “They do not believe I have any?” She had a panic to her voice, and Juliet reached over and grabbed her hand.
“Not at all,” she said with a laugh. “In fact, quite the opposite. You see, there are women such as myself and you who are so beautiful, they cause parents to worry. If your parents were to allow you to go with them on their travels, they are afraid a gentleman would take you away from them. So, in their great wisdom, which I understand quite well, they decided to leave you with us.”
Annabel smiled. “Is this true?”
Juliet nodded, but she could not say the words.
“So, I am beautiful and not a burden on them?”
Juliet sighed. “Of course you are beautiful. I must admit, and it pains me to say so, but I oftentimes am envious of your beauty. Look at the lovely color of hair with which you have been blessed! And your mind and heart are so appealing, I am surprised you are not already married.”
The smile Annabel wore was well worth the story, for all of her sadness disappeared, replaced by a joy that made her face brighten. “Thank you. And I believe your hair is beautiful, as well.”
“It is ‘the color of the night sky’,” Juliet said, quoting her father. “A gift only I received, much to the dismay of my sisters.”
The carriage came to a stop, and Juliet could not wait to exit the vehicle. It had been over a month since she had been to Rumsbury, and she had no doubt many passersby would stop to inquire as to how she injured her foot.
The door opened, and Annabel helped Juliet alight from the carriage. When Juliet had the crutches placed under her arm, she glanced around expectantly but was disappointed at the number of people out and about. Granted, it was a chilly day, and many people would have left for London for the season, but that did not say there would be so few doing some sort of business in the village.
“Wait here,” she said to the driver. “We will only be a few hours.”
The driver bowed as Juliet repositioned her crutches. Then, she and Annabel began the slow amble down the footpath, which had already been cleared of the bit of snow and was as dry as if it had never snowed at all—much to Juliet’s relief.
They stopped and looked through the window of the butcher’s shop. A man in a white apron, as wide as he was tall, sliced at a piece of flesh.
“Did you know the man had eleven children?” Juliet asked. Annabel shook her head in reply. “They all went missing. Every single one of them. Although,” she glanced around them and lowered her voice, “I heard he killed them.”
Annabel’s eyes widened. The butcher turned toward them, the knife raised above him. Annabel let out a shriek so loud that Juliet was overcome with laughter.
“Come,” Juliet said. “Let us leave before he decides to kill us!”
“You are incorrigible,” Annabel said, although she also laughed. “I can never determine when you are telling the truth or when you are lying at times.”
The dress shop was ten shops ahead, but Juliet enjoyed stopping and peering into every shop along the way. The stopped in front of one that had been empty for several years. It had no signage, and the facade was an odd gray, as if it had not been painted in several decades, which more than likely it had not. In the one large window was a display of women’s shoes—some with numerous buttons, others simple slippers, as well as the finest riding boots Juliet had ever seen.
“This is the new cobbler’s about which I spoke,” Annabel said. “Shall we go in?”
“Oh, yes,” Juliet replied.
Annabel held the door as Juliet managed the single step through the door. She glanced around, but no shopkeeper was in sight. Along one wall sat two benches upon which clients could sit to try on shoes and be measured for others. Along the opposite wall were several shelves with more samples of the wares. A simple unpainted wood counter was at the end of the short room, a white door behind it.
“Ah, good morning!” a man said as he came through the white door. He was close to forty with dark hair and eyes and a kind smile. However, for a shopkeeper, his clothes were of poorer quality than most, covered with patches and tattered hems. “My name is Robert Mullens, and I am your faithful cobbler here to serve you.” He bent to give them a bow but then pretended to lose his balance, his arms flailing at his sides as he wobbled from one leg to the other.
Juliet and Annabel giggled as the man straightened himself with a wide grin, as if entertaining them gave him as much enjoyment as it gave them.
“Forgive me,” he said. “It is not every day ladies such as yourselves enter my shop. I am overcome with honor at your presence.”
“Thank you, Mr. Mullens,” Juliet said. She was unsure why, but she immediately liked the man. “My cousin, Annabel, mentioned your shop to me. I believe you have a fine selection of shoes. I am particularly interested in a new pair of riding boots.”
“You’re correct, Miss,” the man replied as he walked over to a shelf. “My wares are of the finest craftsmanship.” He looked down at her foot. “Oh, begging your pardon, but may I ask what happened?”
“It was a highwayman,” Juliet replied. “I chased him into the stables and thought I had him cornered in the loft. I climbed up the ladder only to find he had escaped, and from there, I am afraid I fell.”
The man shook his head in apparent sympathy. “My shop is now inhabited by women of great bravery,” he said in a diffident tone. “I presume you are brave as well?” he asked Annabel, who simply nodded. “Very well, then. Please have a look at my wares. I am able to craft any shoe you would like. And because of your bravery, I will spend extra time to be certain they are perfect.”
“You are kind,” Annabel said. “Thank you, Mr. Mullens.”
The man clicked his tongue. “Please, call me Robert. All my friends do.”
Juliet glanced at Annabel, who was looking at her. Only close friends and family called each other by their Christian name, but the man seemed kind enough. And he did insinuate that they were friends.
“I am Annabel Lambert,” her cousin said before turning toward Juliet. “This is my cousin, Miss Juliet Lambert.”
The man’s eyes went wide for a moment, but then he was all smiles and bowing once again. “You are the daughter of Lady Eleanor Lambert of Scarlett Hall, I presume?”
“You are correct,” Juliet replied with a wide grin. “I assume you have heard of me?” She was not surprised, really; most people knew of her.
The man replied with a nod but remained staring at her for several moments before replying. “I am new to Rumsbury, but I have heard much of Lady Lambert and her daughters, all women of great renowned beauty and minds.” He looked at Annabel. “And their cousin, of course. I am humbled to be in your presence.”
Juliet’s spirits had been lifted higher than she had expected when she left the house this morning. “Please, there is no need to compliment us on our minds and beauty. It is a burden we both share.”
Annabel nodded her agreement but did not respond.
“Well, then,” Robert said. “Why do you not have a seat on the bench while I collect a few samples of shoes I believe will interest you. I will only be gone a moment.”
Juliet smiled and moved to the benches, relieved to be able to sit once again.
Annabel sat beside her and leaned in closer. “I do not believe that man’s words were appropriate.”
“What do you mean?” Juliet asked. She enjoyed what he had to say immensely, so she could not understand what concerns her cousin would have. Well, she was a young girl still, after all.
“Speaking of our beauty?” her cousin asked. “No gentleman speaks to us so openly, not one we have just met, anyway. I do not think him civil.”
Juliet glanced at the white door. “My dear, he is merely a cobbler, a common man. Do you not recall what I told you in the carriage of our beauty, or more so yours?”
“Yes, but…”
“Did you not hear the man’s words?” Juliet interrupted. “Words of your beauty have already reached him. If he wishes to gaze upon us, although it makes him appear a fool, then we should allow him to do so.”
Annabel pursed her lips. “I suppose there is no harm in it. His words were not crass, after all.”
“That is what I meant. As long as we conduct ourselves as ladies, we have nothing to fear.”
“You are right,” Annabel replied, although she still appeared dubious. “Forgive me for worrying, as I tend to do.”
Juliet gave her cousin a smile. “Do not worry. If the man behaves as a beast, I shall protect you.” She raised one of the crutches and jabbed it in the air like a sword to punctuate her words, which made Annabel giggle.
“You are the brave one,” Annabel said and then giggled again.
When Robert emerged from the other room, he carried a single riding boot in his hand. “Miss Juliet,” he said, coming to stand before them, “this is the latest fashion from Paris, and I have not made a pair for anyone yet. May I humbly ask your thoughts?”
“Yes, of course,” Juliet replied, elated he thought her opinion would be so valuable. The boot was impressive, made of soft brown leather that changed from light to darker tones top to bottom. “I wish to be the first to own them,” she said firmly, although she would be unable to wear them for some time. Plus, she did very little riding as it was. Regardless, she would be the envy of the other women of the ton. “You will be willing to bill my mother, will you not?”
“I am afraid I cannot charge you,” Robert said.
“Whyever not?”
Robert laughed. “What I mean is, may I ask a favor?”
Juliet nodded. What could this man wish from her?
“As I said before, ladies such as yourself have not yet graced my shop. If I were to make a pair of these boots for you, at no charge, of course, would you be kind enough to tell the women who admire them where you purchased them?”
Juliet could not believe her good fortune. Although she had always looked down on the common people, this man was far wiser than any she had ever met. Not only did he recognize her status and beauty, he somehow knew how others looked to her in admiration.
“I believe we have an agr
eement,” Juliet replied. “Although, with the many parties and other events I must attend, I may require more shoes.”
She thought the man would laugh at her suggestion, but instead he smiled. “It would be an honor,” he replied.
Juliet glanced at Annabel, and for a moment she felt bad that the man had not offered her the same. However, it would be rude to ask him to do so. Furthermore, the girl would never be able to handle the attention she would gain from their peers; not in the same way Juliet could.
“Allow me to measure your foot,” Robert said.
Juliet could not help but smile. When she turned to Annabel, she was pleased to see that her cousin was smiling as well. It was smiles such as these to which Juliet looked forward.
Chapter Seven
Juliet stood beside Annabel in the drive of Scarlett Hall, the afternoon sun melting away any remnants of snow that remained. Although Juliet had returned home with her spirits lifted at the prospect of new riding boots, the sight of the stables brought a sorrow to her heart. She had not ventured inside them to see Daniel since Lord Parsons had called the previous week. It was as if her agreement to accompany the man on an outing had brought about a bout of guilt and somehow broke a sacred bond between her and Daniel.
“Did you wish to go to the stables?” Annabel asked, a package of brown wax paper containing the new gloves they had purchased in her hands.
“I was thinking of Penelope,” Juliet lied. “Come, I would like to check on her.”
Annabel glanced at the front door of the house. “Your mother will not mind? I thought she warned you about going there.”
“Alone, yes,” Juliet replied with a jut to her chin. “However, you are with me, so there is no need to worry. Besides, the woman is probably locked away in her office again, so there is little chance she will learn of it.”
“Why does she do that?” Annabel asked. “I remember her always being happy and spending time with us. What has changed?”
“It is the worry Hannah causes her at the moment, I am certain,” Juliet replied. “Before that,” she shrugged, “I am uncertain, but I suspect it had to do with Isabel. My sisters have always caused her great heartache. However, it does not matter, for all she cares about now is that I entertain Lord Parsons.”
Voices of Shadows Past: Secrets of Scarlett Hall Book 3 Page 6