Juliet grinned over her mother’s shoulder and winked at Annabel, who grinned as she clasped her hands together in front of her.
“I do hope so,” Juliet said, wiping her eyes as the embrace broke.
Her mother pursed her lips and then glanced at the letter. “May I read it?”
“Yes, of course,” Juliet said, her heart pounding in her chest. “Do you doubt his words?”
“I find them odd,” her mother replied. “The man was quite forward with his admiration of you.”
Her eyes scanned the letter, and Juliet began to worry that perhaps she had overdone it like Annabel had suggested. However, her worry left her when her mother returned the letter to her.
“I can no longer ask you to stop speaking so highly of yourself when a gentleman does, as well.”
“I do try to be humble, Mother,” Juliet said. “Perhaps I will reflect on that whilst the man is away.” She sighed as she took one more look at the letter before throwing into the fireplace, allowing the flames to quickly take it away. “What shall I do now? I am afraid I will be lonely and suffer.”
“We could work on embroidery,” Annabel offered. “Perhaps you can make the man something for his return.”
“Yes, that is true,” Juliet replied, although they both knew she never would. “What does a lady do in such times?”
Her mother walked over and took a seat in the chair across from them. “Perhaps you should consider doing something for charity. There are many people suffering in the world these days.”
“What a marvelous idea!” Juliet said. “I suppose I could make a handkerchief.”
“What about the stable boy?” Annabel piped in. The words hung in the air, and Juliet felt her breath taken from her. Had her dear Annabel, her most prized pupil, betrayed her?
Her mother leaned forward, and Juliet found she could not speak. “What about him?”
“He cannot read,” Annabel replied. “Perhaps we could teach him. That would be very kind, and is that not what charity is about? Furthermore, we do not need to go far to do it. What is it the Good Book says? ‘But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.’”
Juliet found her breath and wished to throw her arms around her cousin. “Oh, Annabel!” she exclaimed. “That is an excellent idea!” She turned to her mother. “Do you not agree?”
Her mother gave them a dubious look. “I do not know…” She shook her head. “It is not unusual for those of us in position of authority to teach the lesser, I suppose.”
Juliet found herself holding her breath, and she had to force herself to breathe so her mother did not become suspicious.
“You are the one who has shown me that class is not what matters in this world. This boy, a simple stable hand, like others, has dreams. Can we not teach him how to read so those dreams might become a reality?” Her mother pursed her lips as if in thought, and Juliet knew she had to choose her words carefully. “Perhaps I am wrong.” She hung her head. “These things are to be said but not actually done. I was mistaken.”
“No,” her mother replied with a sigh. “You are correct; they are to be done. Very well. I will allow it under a few conditions.”
Juliet and Annabel both nodded their agreement.
“You shall give the instruction after the other servants have retired for the evening. Neither of you will go alone, and you will not share a word of this to anyone. It is a noble idea to be sure, and one worthy of one’s time; however, it will remain between us three…or rather four when we include Daniel. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Mother,” Juliet replied.
And as the conversation turned to other matters, Juliet could not help but think on Daniel and the months ahead. She would have no concern for Lord Parsons or the season. In fact, she had nothing of which to cause her worry at all.
***
The following day, Juliet found herself in the cobbler’s shop with Annabel. Her mother had accompanied them into the village, a rare treat, for the woman left the house only when she had business to conduct, which she was off doing at this very moment.
Annabel browsed the various shoes on display as Juliet stood beside Robert. “Therefore,” she said after having explained all that had transpired since she had last visited the shop, “with Lord Parsons now out of the way, Annabel will aid me in teaching Daniel how to read, which in turn allows me to be near the man without fear of scrutiny.”
“It seems your plan went swimmingly!” Robert replied with a wide grin. “Even better than you expected. And with your foot now healed, your spirits seem high.”
“Oh, yes, they most certainly are,” Juliet said. “Although, I must admit that it was your plan that had been so brilliant. I must thank you again for giving me the idea.”
Robert smiled and pushed away a wave of dark hair that had fallen over his brow. “It is not the plan that was brilliant, but rather the brilliance of the woman who implemented it. I had no doubt you would see success.”
“Is that true?” Juliet asked, unable to contain her pride at his words.
“Oh, yes,” he replied. “You are very wise, and that is why I wanted…” He stopped and shook his head. “Forgive me. I am a fool. Forget I said anything.”
“No. Do tell. I will not tell anyone if what you have to say is to be kept secret.”
The man placed his hands on the counter and looked past her for a moment. “You will not laugh at my request?”
Juliet glanced over her shoulder to see if anyone was nearby as memories of Caroline’s warning came to mind. Was Robert going to ask to see her? Would he wish to touch her leg?
However, when she turned back and saw the kindness in the cobbler’s face, she knew she was allowing her imagination to get the better of her. “I will not laugh, I promise.”
He cleared his throat. “Well, you see, I am looking for investors for my business, or rather someone who is willing to buy a piece of it. With your wisdom and knowledge of fashion, I thought that perhaps you would be that partner.”
Juliet could not help but stand taller and her head had to be twice its size. “I am truly honored,” she said. “However, I must admit that I know nothing of business.”
“I understand,” Robert replied with a sigh. “It was nice to believe it would happen, even if it was only for a moment.”
“The fact is, women rarely have anything to do with business,” Juliet said. “Furthermore, Mother would never allow it. If word got out to anyone, the results would be disastrous.”
“I agree wholeheartedly. That is why you would remain a shadow partner.”
Juliet frowned. “A what? What is a ‘shadow partner’?”
“That is simply a partner who is unknown to anyone but those involved and who remains in the shadows. Of course, you collect your share of the profits and never speak a word of it.” He tapped his knuckles on the counter. “Again, I am sorry for asking. A lady of your station partnering with a man of mine…” He said the last with a laugh. “You cannot fault a man for dreaming.”
The last words struck at Juliet’s heart. The man had a dream of improving his business, and he had turned to her, a lady of beauty and wisdom, for aid. Her mother had spoken of others’ dreams, and if Juliet could help this man who had been such a wonderful friend, there would be no harm. Especially since her mother would never learn of it.
“I will do it,” Juliet said with finality. “With my fashion knowledge, and my money, I can be a shadow partner.” She liked the sound of that phrase, and she allowed it to lay on her tongue like a sweet.
“Excellent!” Robert said. He lowered his voice and added, “We must not tell a single soul, for I do not want anyone to learn of our arrangement and you to be shamed. Now, what is your allowance?”
For a moment, Juliet considered not telling the man. However, it did make sense that he should know how much she would be able to contribute, and therefore she told him. After some
discussion, they came up with an agreement.
“Every month, you will bring the money to me,” he said. “Then, you can collect your profits from the previous month at that time. Or, if you prefer, we can wait and let the profits build until we are able to open a second shop, which will, in turn, earn you more profits.”
Juliet nodded. The idea of having her own shops intrigued her. “Yes, let us wait on the profits. We must have more shops.”
He gave her a proud smile. “I knew you would see the wisdom in that.” He went to say more, but the door to the shop opened and Juliet’s mother entered.
“Oh, Mother,” Juliet said, hurrying to meet the woman at the door, “I would like to introduce the most wonderful man, who is not only my cobbler, but my friend, as well.”
“Juliet,” her mother said in a harsh whisper, “conduct yourself as a lady.”
Juliet turned as Robert approached, his smile most becoming. “You have a most fascinating daughter,” he said with a deep bow.
Juliet grinned at her mother but then frowned. The woman was not smiling. In fact, she had blanched significantly.
“Mother?”
“Mr. Mullens,” her mother said in a choked voice, “I do believe we have taken enough of your time for today. Good day to you.”
Juliet went to speak, but her mother gave her a fierce glare.
“We must leave immediately.”
“Do you not…”
“At once, Juliet,” her mother snapped. “Annabel, you as well.”
Juliet sighed and nodded, turning only long enough to wave a farewell at Robert before following her mother and Annabel out the door.
“Mother, I must ask…”
“You will remain quiet until we are inside the carriage,” her mother said without looking at her.
Juliet shot Annabel a glance, who simply shrugged, and a few minutes later, they were sitting in the carriage.
“How long have you been speaking with that man?” her mother asked. Her tone still held the same anger it had when they left the shop. “Tell me now!”
“A little over a month,” Juliet replied. “Mother, he is kind. My new riding boots? He gave those to me as a gift. And he knows my knowledge of…”
“You know nothing,” her mother snapped. “You know nothing of this man! And receiving gifts from him?” She clicked her tongue at this.
Then Juliet realized her mother must have believed that she, Juliet, had fallen in love with Robert! “I do not care for him in some romantic sense,” she said with a laugh. “I can assure you of that, as can Annabel. The man has been nothing but kind.”
Annabel nodded her agreement. “He is a nice man.”
“I do not doubt you are telling the truth,” her mother said. “Nevertheless, the man is a cobbler, and you will no longer frequent his shop. If you are to see him in the street, you are to walk the other way. Is that understood?”
Juliet could not understand her mother’s anger. Robert was a friend, and now he was her business partner. Although she could not tell her mother about the latter.
“Did he offend you in some way?”
Her mother pursed her lips and turned a glare on her. “I will not ask again. Defy me in this, and I shall send you off to London immediately.”
Juliet sighed. “Yes, Mother,” she whispered, although she wished only to shout at the woman. Her mother had spoken of being kind to those of the lower class, yet this man gives her a pair of riding boots, and Juliet is to never speak to him again?
None of what had transpired made sense, but one thing Juliet knew for certain. She did not wish to go to London, and therefore, she kept her angry retorts to herself.
Chapter Twelve
Every Tuesday for as long as Juliet could recall, her mother would send her children outside, or have them leave the home to call on friends for the majority of the day. The servants, including Forbes, would leave for the village to take care of errands or to see to their own business as well as do the weekly shopping for the house, thus leaving her mother alone in the house for whatever reason Juliet never knew. It was such a common occurrence, it never came to Juliet’s mind there had to be a reason.
That was how now, on the Tuesday following the debacle at the cobbler’s, Juliet found herself, with Annabel at her side, in the home of Miss Caroline Thrup.
For the past ten minutes, Caroline had been speaking of the etiquette of courting, the girl’s mother chiming in from time to time, and Juliet soon found herself bored. Her mind kept returning to the events of the previous day, and she could not help but wonder why her mother had been so angered. Although she was unsure, she did have a suspicion. Jealousy.
Even older women were prone to bouts of jealousy of their younger counterparts, and with Juliet making a new friend and receiving riding boots at no charge, word must have spread throughout the village. Although it angered Juliet that her mother would forbid her to see the man because of envy, she also felt sad that it had driven her mother to such lengths.
Juliet would continue to converse with Robert; after all, they were in business together. She did not wish to defy her mother, but in this instance, it was necessary.
“Juliet?” Caroline said. “Is it true?”
Juliet turned her attention to the woman. “Forgive me. Could you please repeat the question? I am afraid my thoughts wandered.”
“Caroline mentioned that Lord Parsons is courting you,” Lady Thrup said. “He is a fine gentleman. Your mother must be very pleased.”
“Indeed,” Juliet replied. “However, we are not courting as of yet, but he has called a few times.” She turned and gave Caroline a smug smile. There were many gossips in Rumsbury, including Caroline Thrup, and Juliet was curious how the girl had learned of she and Lord Parsons. “However, as you said, my mother is pleased.”
Lady Thrup rose, her yellow skirts crinkling with her movement. “It is difficult to believe that you three were once so little and now you have grown into women.” She sighed. “I believe I will rest for a while. Please enjoy each other’s company in my absence.”
“We shall try,” Juliet said, and Annabel giggled and covered it with a polite cough.
Once the woman was gone, Juliet rounded on Caroline. “How did you learn about Lord Parsons and me?” she demanded.
“Stephen,” she replied of her brother as if Juliet’s tone was as conversational as it had been before. “He spoke to Lord Parsons while he was in the village last week, and your name came up. He told me, and I told Mother.” She said the last with a firm nod, and Juliet clenched her fist. Caroline and her mother could not keep a thing to themselves, and soon everyone would know about Juliet and Lord Parsons.
“Well, I will assure you, we are not courting,” Juliet snapped. “Such rumors are silly.”
Caroline gave a coy smile over the rim of her teacup. “Annabel, you told Juliet what I told you about the cobbler, did you not?”
Annabel nodded. “I did. I relayed everything you told me to her.”
“The man is a rogue,” Caroline said firmly. “I am not the only lady he has touched in an inappropriate manner thus far.”
“Oh?” Juliet asked, knowing full well the woman was lying. “It is true, then?”
Caroline gave her a haughty look. “I would not lie,” she said as she placed the cup on the table with such force the liquid sloshed over the side. “Betty experienced the same as I.”
Juliet pursed her lips. Although Miss Betty Chancellor was many things, an exaggerator of stories was not one of them. Regardless, Juliet suspected both women were taking it all too far. “Surely a cobbler would be expected to touch a woman’s leg as much as a tailor must touch an arm. How else will he help a lady with her shoes?”
Caroline laughed. “You are so stubborn!” she said. “It is not merely a simple touch. When he touched my leg, the look of lust in his eyes was unmistakable. I fear that if I had not hurried myself from his shop, the man would have made an attempt to kidnap me.”
&
nbsp; “Why ever would he do that?” Annabel asked, and Juliet nodded her agreement.
“It is simple,” Caroline replied as she jutted her chin, “A beast such as he preys upon women.” She sighed and moved back a strand of her blond hair. “Many of the shopkeepers look at me with desire. It is crude, but it is a fact.”
Juliet could not help but roll her eyes at the woman’s arrogance. Although Caroline was pretty, she did not receive the number of compliments Juliet did. Sadly, like Juliet’s mother, it was another case of jealousy brought about by Juliet’s handsomeness.
For a majority of her life, Juliet had considered her beauty a blessing, but it was becoming more and more prevalent that it was to become a curse. As she grew older, she would only become more beautiful, and men would fight just for a chance to gaze upon her. She imagined them calling one another to duels or sharing in fisticuffs over her. From the crowd would emerge Daniel, and although his face would be bruised, he would stand tall and take Juliet into his arms…
“Do not fear,” he would whisper as the other men hung their head in shame as they walked past, “I am here to take care of you.”
Juliet would sigh and place her head on his chest as she had when he carried her into the house after her fall, his strong arms holding her tightly to him. Once alone, he would ask for a kiss, and Juliet, proud of the bravery he had shown on her behalf, would grant him one.
“Juliet,” Annabel said, breaking her from her thoughts and causing her cheeks to heat, “are you going to return to the shop?” It was clear from her tone that it was not the first time the question had been asked.
Juliet had to stop and consider this question. She would have to return in order to conduct business, but how could she do so without wagging tongues informing her mother? Then an idea came to her. “I do not doubt your story,” Juliet said to Caroline, although she knew it to be an outright lie. “I shall return to the shop to learn more about this man, even if I must risk my life to do so.”
Caroline gasped. “You would put yourself in danger?”
Voices of Shadows Past: Secrets of Scarlett Hall Book 3 Page 11