Juliet smiled and nodded. “Every moment,” she replied, replacing in her mind an image of Daniel in his new overcoat for that of Lord Parsons. “I look forward to the coming months.” As she said this, she thought about the advice she had received from Robert earlier. She would have to work on a plan, and tonight she would seek Annabel’s aid.
“That makes me happier than you can ever imagine,” her mother said. “He is a pleasant man, and I suspect that with him already sending another card, courtship may soon follow?”
“Another card?” Juliet blurted with shock. Then she pasted on her smile once more. “Oh, that is simply wonderful.”
“It is. My sweet Juliet is now a woman, and she will soon be courted by a gentleman.” She stroked Juliet’s cheek. “I will miss you the day you leave here.”
“I do not plan to marry anytime soon,” Juliet assured her mother. “I hope you have not devised some sort of plan to push me into a quick marriage.”
Her mother laughed and shook her head. “I will not push you, and I fear that, even if I did, you would never allow it.” Juliet laughed and her mother hugged her. “I am happy you have found someone, at least for the time being. Now, go inside; I will be in shortly.”
Juliet nodded and made her way up the steps. When she reached the door, she looked back at her mother, who stood looking out over the grounds as if this was the last time she would see them. Home had been different over the past year with Isabel remarrying and Hannah now eying a gentleman.
If Hannah were to marry—and the likeliness of that happening was small as far as Juliet was concerned despite the fact she had an interest—it would not be long before talks of Juliet marrying would begin.
Well, she would not allow that to happen if she had anything to do with it! At least not to a self-absorbed buffoon such as Lord Parsons.
Once inside, Forbes helped her out of her coat before handing her the card from Lord Parsons. She thanked him and made her way to the drawing room where she and Annabel would devise a plan to keep the boring baron from calling anytime in the near future. Or beyond if she could make it happen.
Chapter Ten
Candlelight flickered, creating shadows on the walls of Juliet’s bedroom as she and Annabel lay on the bed together, the blankets pulled up to their chins to ward off the chill. Tonight, she would share all with her cousin, although she was unsure where to begin.
“I suppose it was last year,” Juliet said. “I recall going to the stables to speak to him like I often do, but for the first time I saw him in a different way.”
“Do you mean to say that you saw him with interest?”
Juliet nodded. “I noticed how handsome he was.” She sighed. “I suppose, looking back on it now, my constant engagement with the man was a sign of how I viewed him. I did not realize it, but somehow Isabel and Mother certainly did.” That bristled more than she cared to admit. “And now, I find myself more than interested in him. In fact, I consider him in a romantic sense.”
Annabel gasped. “He is but a stable boy. Your mother would never allow it!”
“I know this,” Juliet said with a sad sigh. “However, I do wish to explore what I feel for the man. I will have more than enough time in the coming months to do so.” She turned and looked at her cousin. “What do you think of this matter?”
It was quiet for a few moments before Annabel replied, “Do you love him?”
“I do not believe so,” Juliet said. “Yet, I have never experienced love, so I am unsure I would know if I did.”
“That is my concern,” Annabel said. “What if one day I fall in love with a man and do not even know it? That would shame not only me but my parents, as well.”
Juliet could not help but laugh. “It would be a terrible predicament.” She stared back up at the ceiling. “No, I do not love him, but I would like more from him. I may not know what that is just yet, but I will find out soon enough.”
“How do you suppose you will go about it?” Annabel asked. Then she turned in the bed and faced Juliet, her head resting on her arm. “I must be honest. Is it worth the trouble you could garner from such a relationship?”
Juliet frowned. “Trouble?”
“Yes. Your mother believes you are interested in Lord Parsons. What do you plan to do about him? And what if your mother finds out about Daniel? Surely, she would be angry, as would Lord Parsons.”
The questions were valid, but Juliet did not care about the feelings of Lord Parsons. Yet, she did not wish to hurt her mother. Unfortunately, Daniel, the man with whom she would enjoy spending time, was caught in the middle.
“I will not lie. I must be careful and keep my stories aligned or Mother will become suspicious. As to your question, yes, it is most definitely worth the effort. I care for Daniel.” She clamped her mouth shut, those final words surprising her as much as they did Annabel, who let out a squeal.
“I knew it!” she whispered when Juliet gave her a stern glare. “I knew you cared for him!”
“How? I have just come to realize it myself!”
Annabel giggled. “The way you smile at one another,” she said. “Or the manner in which he does everything you ask. He risked his position by sneaking away and making that campfire for the four of us last year. In fact, he has done much for you that puts him at risk.” She sighed. “It is all so beautiful, what that man has done. He is like a hero in a romantic novel.”
Juliet could not help but smile. “He is. And if he has risked much, then it is only right that I take a risk, as well.” She pulled herself up into a seated position and leaned her back against the headboard of the bed, and Annabel followed suit. “I will need your help in this. I will say, however, that the consequences of agreeing could be great, and I cannot promise you will escape with anything more than your life. Will you lend me aid?”
Annabel’s eyes glinted in the candlelight. “An adventure?” she asked with a wide grin.
“Most definitely. I must rid myself of Lord Parsons.”
“You mean to kill him?” Annabel asked with a gasp, her eyes wide in shock.
Juliet laughed. “Of course not. What I mean is this. I will write a letter explaining to him that my aunt—not your mother—has become gravely ill and we shall be gone for some time.”
“That is an excellent idea!” Annabel said. “How might I help?”
“I will write a second letter, one that appears that it comes from Lord Parsons. It will be you who just happens to be outside when it is delivered and therefore it makes sense you would give it directly to me.”
For some time, Juliet explained her plan, and at the end, both women were smiling.
“You are so intelligent!” Annabel said, and Juliet’s pride swelled. “You promised me adventure, and I am pleased to find our first to be very exciting.”
“I could not agree with you more,” Juliet replied as she removed the blanket and swung her legs over the side of the bed. “It will be one of many, that I promise you. Come, we will write the letters tonight while everyone is abed.”
Annabel rushed around the bed and helped Juliet stand. Then they donned their nightdresses and made their way to the door. Before they could leave, however, Annabel placed a hand on Juliet’s arm. “Thank you for being my closest friend,” she whispered. “And for sharing with me what was on your heart.”
Juliet hugged her cousin. “And thank you for being here to listen. Come, we have much work to do.”
With Annabel holding the candle, the two made their way to the drawing room—Juliet doing her best at keeping her crutches quiet. All her practice over the weeks was finally paying off.
***
Juliet rose from the chair in the study. She had already written her letter to Lord Parsons, and now they would write the letter meant to be from the man. The plan Robert had devised was brilliant, and Juliet was thankful that they had become friends. Now she would have to create a letter believable enough to allow her to remain at home.
“If I dictate the le
tter to you,” she asked Annabel, “will you write it?”
“But would it not be better if you wrote it yourself?”
Juliet snorted. “If Mother were to ask for the letter, she would immediately recognize my penmanship.”
Annabel gasped. “I had not thought of that!” she exclaimed as she reached for the quill. “How is it you are able to perceive so much in comparison to others?”
“It is a burden I must carry,” Juliet sighed. “And I tell you, it is unfair. Many nights, I have heard Hannah and Isabel weeping because of my beauty. I believe they are also handsome, but compared to me, they do not believe it is true.”
“That is sad,” her cousin replied. “For all of you are beautiful. I can see why they would be jealous, however. I understand firsthand.” Her face took on a melancholy look.
Juliet arched an eyebrow. “Do not forget yourself. The woman who is so beautiful, her parents hide her away lest every noble man come asking for her hand.”
This brought on a wide smile. “You are too kind.” Her cheeks were a bright red as she placed the nub of the quill to the parchment. “What would you like me to write?”
Juliet adjusted the crutches and moved back to lean against one of the bookcases. “We must make it convincing; heartfelt to be sure, but above all, believable.”
“Yes. We would not wish to make your mother suspicious.”
“Exactly. Let us begin thus: ‘My Dearest Juliet, the lady above all ladies, It is with a sad heart that I inform you of my sudden departure…”
For some time, Juliet dictated the letter, and Annabel penned the words. When they finished, Annabel signed the man’s name, returned the quill to its holder, and covered the letter with sand to dry the ink.
“Now, you know what to do when it arrives, correct?”
Annabel nodded. “I do. I will say I was outside and a man on horseback arrive with a letter that was to reach you immediately.” She rose from the chair. “Do you think the letter will achieve what you wish?”
“What do you mean?”
“It does talk much about your beauty,” Annabel said.
“It is meant to be believable,” Juliet admonished. “Anything short of a glowing admiration will make Mother doubt its authenticity.” She folded the letter and added a drop of wax to seal it before securing both letters away. Then they made their way back to their rooms.
Although she was weary, Juliet was restless as she lay on top of her covers in her shift as she thought of Daniel. Annabel had asked her if she was in love, and her mother had told her she was in the first steps toward just such a predicament. For so long, she had thought Daniel beneath her, but the fact of the matter was, she wanted to be his equal. Yet, what did that mean?
As her eyelids grew heavy, she drifted off to sleep. Later, she stirred during a dream, a dream where he was in her room, whispering how beautiful she was. Then he kissed her forehead.
Not only had the dream seemed real, it felt wonderful in her heart. A feeling that she would certainly explore over the months to come.
Chapter Eleven
Time has a strange way of changing one’s outlook on life. Just five weeks prior, Juliet’s sisters had left for London for the season, the season of which she had dreamed since she was a young girl. However, those dreams had changed, and now she found she wanted nothing more than to spend time in Daniel’s presence.
It had been a week since she had gifted him the overcoat, and Juliet had spoken to him only once for a brief time since. Fear was not what kept her from dropping by the stables, but instead Juliet remained in the house and spoke of Lord Parsons—in a positive light, of course—in order to convince her mother that she did, indeed, have an interest in the man.
Her mother, as was expected, was delighted and spent a goodly amount of time asking questions whilst Juliet and Annabel worked on their embroidery or sat with a cup of tea in hand.
Today, Doctor Comerford had arrived to look at Juliet’s foot, and her mother sat in a chair to observe. Juliet gave a tiny nod to Annabel, and the girl stood.
“Forgive me,” her cousin said. “I feel slightly warm and need a bit of air.” Earlier, Juliet had asked one of the footmen to see that the fire was well built up as a way to play into the excuse.
“You are not coming down with something, are you?” Juliet’s mother asked.
“Oh, no, not at all,” Annabel replied. “I should not have sat so close to the fire is all.” Another step they had taken beforehand.
She left the room, and Juliet looked down at the balding head of the doctor as he studied her foot.
“This seems to be healing quite nicely,” he said. “The bruising and swelling are gone. Miss Juliet, would you please attempt to stand on it?”
“Yes, Doctor,” Juliet said. She pulled herself up from the couch with the aid of one of her crutches—she was getting quite good at using them!—and gingerly placed her injured foot on the floor. She slowly added more weight to it. “There is only a slight pain, but nothing overly so.”
“Excellent,” Doctor Comerford replied. “Now, see if you can walk without the aid of the sticks. I will hold them for you in case you are unable to maintain your weight on that foot, so do not worry you will fall.”
Juliet laughed. The doctor continued to refer to the crutches as sticks, and she found it quite humorous. She took a step forward, her injured foot first, and put her weight on it without difficulty. She took another step and grinned. Her foot throbbed a bit, but otherwise she had little trouble moving about.
“You can walk again,” her mother said. “Doctor, will she now be able to walk without the crutches?”
The man nodded. “I believe so. I would suggest two things, however. One, there is to be no activities that might injure the foot again, at least not for some time. You must be gentle with your foot.”
“Yes, Doctor,” Juliet replied, pleased she would once again be able to walk unaided. Now she would be able to go out exploring once again, and thoughts of sneaking out of the house at night came to mind.
“My second suggestion is to keep the sticks with you if you travel. If your leg grows weary, you may need them.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” her mother said. “It is good to see her up and walking again.”
“You are most welcome, Lady Lambert,” the man said with a bow to his head. “Send word if you need anything more.”
“I shall,” her mother replied. “Allow me to walk you to the door.”
Juliet moved across the room once more, unable to believe that she was finally free of the ‘sticks’. She had never realized how fortunate she was to have such an ability.
When her mother returned, the woman smiled. “You must be happy.”
“I am,” Juliet replied with all honesty. “Now I will be able to move about freely and perhaps not be a burden on Lord Parsons when he calls over next time.”
“You are not a burden to him, I assure you,” her mother said with a click of her tongue. “In fact, I can see in his eyes that he is as enamored with you as you are with him. Your eyes have never been brighter.”
“You have seen a change in me?”
“I have,” her mother replied. “I have never seen you more cheerful, and you have a kindness about you. Even the manner in which you address the servants has vastly improved.”
“It is because of you,” Juliet said, and that was the truth. It had been her mother who had, for so long, attempted to get Juliet to look at those around her with compassion. She had done so with Daniel, and even some of the other servants, and she found it somehow rewarding. “Thank you.”
The sound of the front door opening and closing made Juliet brace herself for the lines she and Annabel had rehearsed several times. The door to the drawing room opened, and Annabel entered, the letter in her hand. “Juliet,” she said, “I took a short stroll and a man on horseback delivered this letter to you.”
“For me?” Juliet asked in feigned surprise. “I am expecting no letter. Are y
ou certain it is for me?”
“It is from Lord Parsons,” Annabel said. Juliet gasped dramatically. “The rider said it was urgent and that you are to read it at once.”
“Do you believe he no longer wishes to call on me?” Juliet asked with a glance at her mother. “Have I not been a proper lady? Perhaps it is my injured foot that has offended him.”
“Calm yourself,” her mother admonished. “Read the letter before you make yourself ill with worry.”
Juliet nodded as she walked over to the fireplace and broke the seal on the letter. “I shall read it for all to hear, for then you will know from where my heartache comes.”
“You do not have to,” her mother said. “It is a personal matter, after all.”
“No, I must, no matter how great the shame.” She counted to five and then read.
My Dearest Juliet, the Lady above all Ladies,
It is with a sad heart that I inform you of my sudden departure. My aunt, a woman who is strong, as you are, has fallen ill, and I fear her days are short. It is this woman who taught me that women such as you, those who possess great beauty and wisdom, are to be cherished.
I do not know for how long I shall be gone, but know that, as I attend to her, I shall think on your beauty in order to guide my broken heart. And when I no longer have strength to carry on, and the temptation to give up becomes too strong, I shall reflect on your strength for inspiration.
I will send word immediately upon my return, but know I shall think of you every moment that I am away.
With my greatest apologies,
Lord Hugh Parsons
Throughout her life, Juliet had crafted tales that few doubted, and this by far was her best work yet. However, the letter was only part of it, for the tears she conjured would be needed to make the plan complete.
“Oh, Mother,” she said, allowing the tears to flow down her cheeks. “How will I live without seeing him?”
“Now, now,” her mother said, hurrying to her side and pulling her into an embrace. “You will be fine in his absence. Just you wait and see. All will be well.”
Voices of Shadows Past: Secrets of Scarlett Hall Book 3 Page 10