Voices of Shadows Past: Secrets of Scarlett Hall Book 3

by Jennifer Monroe

  He laughed. “I wouldn’t call myself skilled necessarily, but compared to most women, I’m a far better rider than they are.”

  “That might be true,” Juliet replied smugly. “However, you have forgotten one simple thing.”

  “Oh? And what’s that?”

  “I am not like most women.” She took a tight hold of the reins and winked before shouting, “Ha!” Penelope snorted, ducked her head, and shot forward, her powerful legs creating a significant distance between Juliet and Daniel in a very short amount of time.

  “Wait! You can’t do this!” Daniel yelled.

  “Oh, but I can,” Juliet shouted back. “And I will.” Joy rang through her soul, and she placed a hand on her hat before it blew away, laughing all the while.

  Daniel’s horse was faster, however, and soon he was riding alongside her. “Juliet, I must insist you slow down,” he begged, but Juliet took his words to be a challenge.

  Lowering herself, she whispered into Penelope’s ear, urging her to go faster as she dug her heel into the horse’s side. Penelope shot forward and Juliet laughed when Daniel groaned as the distance grew between them.

  Soon after, she slowed the horse as she approached an outcropping of trees, their limbs bare in the winter air. She turned as she brought Penelope to a stop and Daniel joined her.

  She expected him to be angry, but he was not, for he wore a wide grin. “I’ve learned an important lesson,” he said as he dismounted and walked the horse toward where she had stopped beneath one of the trees.

  “And what was that, pray tell?”

  “You, Juliet, are not like most women. In fact, I believe you’re far better in everything you do.”

  “You are learning more than I had hoped to teach you,” she said with a laugh. “Now, let us see if this time you do not allow me to fall.” Her heart thumped and her head felt light as he helped her from the horse, his hands wrapped around her waist.

  “I won’t let you fall,” he said, a huskiness to his voice that she found enthralling. “Never again.”

  Juliet looked past Daniel to see Annabel still some ways off. With the density of brush beneath the trees, she was certain her cousin could not see them. “I believe myself safe in your arms,” she whispered. “It is a feeling I enjoy.”

  Daniel closed his eyes for a moment. “I have that feeling, too, but we can’t…”

  Juliet could not wait a moment longer, and she lifted herself onto the tips of her toes, wrapped her arms around him, and pressed her lips to his. It was as if she weighed nothing in his arms; her heart soared to places she did not know existed. And his lips! They were gentle and soft, and she was pleased to realize they were a perfect match to hers.

  She now understood that Daniel meant everything to her, and what Hannah had told her was correct—she would know love when she found it. For she did love Daniel, and it was the most wonderful feeling, one she wished to never lose.

  Suddenly, Daniel pushed her away. “I’m sorry,” he said as he took a step back. “I shouldn’t have…”

  “You did nothing, so you have nothing for which to apologize. I felt something beautiful in that kiss.”

  He glanced at the ground. “I did, too.”

  “Then do not look so sorrowful,” she said with a teasing smile as she leaned over to look at his turned down face. “You should be happy, for I know I am.”

  Daniel looked up at her, a smile on his face. “I should fix up the blankets or Annabel will become suspicious.”

  Juliet nodded, and Daniel turned to walk away just as Annabel arrived, her smile telling Juliet she knew what had taken place.

  “I believe she is already suspicious,” Juliet said with a light laugh.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Juliet sat on the blanket Daniel had spread in a clearing at the edge of the tree line, the bank of trees and underbrush blocking the light breeze at their backs. Annabel had made a feeble excuse of wishing to catch up on some light reading and had moved to lean against one of the trees some twenty paces behind them, a blanket both beneath and wrapped around her shoulders. Juliet was thankful for the girl’s willingness to being discreet when it was necessary and allowing Juliet and Daniel time alone—or relatively alone as it were—demonstrated the girl’s good nature.

  Although the weather was far from perfect—the storm that had been on the horizon was drawing near—simply being with Daniel made everything right.

  Sitting beside the man she had kissed not ten minutes earlier left Juliet without words, and with Daniel’s already quiet demeanor, they sat in silence, the only sounds the rustle of the empty branches and the light whistle of the breeze through the trees.

  “Do you realize the risk I took by being here?” Daniel asked with a mischievous grin. “I keep expecting Lady Lambert to come riding over that hill.”

  Juliet laughed. “Mother always remains inside the house to do whatever it is she does on Tuesdays, so there is no need to worry.” He gave a nod and wrung his hands. “If you are concerned that I mean to kiss you again, I assure you there is no need. I will not do it.”

  He chuckled. “No, it’s not that. I thought that was wonderful.”

  “Then, what worries you?”

  He glanced around for a moment before turning his attention back to her and saying, “I worry about us, if I’m honest. The time we spend together…”

  “I told you my mother is not going to see us,” Juliet interrupted. She reached over and took his hand. “You need not worry about that.” She glanced down and noticed how his large calloused hand completely engulfed hers, and she felt protected by it.

  “Not just today,” Daniel said. “I said before; you’re a lady and I’m just a stable boy.”

  Juliet jutted her chin defiantly. “And I told you, I do not care.”

  He shook his head. “My dream is to own a bit of land one day. Finding the money’ll be challenging. I also want to have my own business so I’m keeping the money that’s being made. That’s not going to be easy, either. Your mother has her own dreams for you, and I’m sure they don’t include me.”

  “This is not about what my mother wants,” Juliet said in frustration. “It is about what I want.”

  “And what do you want?”

  The question was honest and forthcoming, and Juliet knew the answer immediately. “To be with you.”

  “That’s nice of you to say, and I’d like nothing more than for you to be with me. But this path we’re taking will end up hurting us both in the end.”

  Juliet placed a hand on his stubbled cheek. “Do not worry. You must trust that I will make it all work. Do you trust me?”

  The way he looked into her eyes made her heat, but she waited with as much patience as she could for him to respond. “I do, I suppose.”

  “Good,” she replied. “For I am already investing in a business.”

  Daniel raised his brows in surprise. “Who with?”

  “The new cobbler in Rumsbury,” Juliet replied. She explained how the arrangement came to be, and Daniel listened, giving nods as she spoke. “Do you not see? In time, I will own my own shops and be able to secure my own income.”

  What she had expected was Daniel to congratulate her on her business prowess, but instead, he asked, “How long have you known this man?”

  “A couple of months,” she replied. “However, he is kind, like you.”

  Daniel did not look pleased. “Be careful,” he said. “Those who seek money from you may not have the best intentions.”

  Juliet snorted. “You are kind to be concerned,” she said as if speaking to a child. The man was clearly jealous! “However, I am much too intelligent to be fooled by the likes of him.” She reached into the basket and removed the glasses and a bottle of brandy. “Now, let us have a drink in celebration.”

  “What are we celebrating?” Daniel asked. “This business you’re in?”

  “No.” She handed him one of the glasses and poured her own. “We are celebrating you and I cou
rting.”

  “Courting?” Daniel asked in surprise. “Courting is for gentlemen and ladies. You might be a lady, but I’m definitely no gentleman. What do I know about courting?”

  Juliet giggled at his naivety. “It is simple, really,” she replied. “You ask if I would like to court, and I give you my answer.”

  Daniel smiled. “I suppose I can do that,” he said. He sat up a bit straighter. “Juliet, I’d like to court you. Will you say yes?”

  She sighed with a slow shake of her head. “A lady must be told how important she is, or she will refuse the offer. In such a situation, I would reject you outright, but for you I shall make an exception.” She said the last with a wink, which only broadened his smile.

  “I see.” He raised his brows. “Maybe I don’t want to ask.”

  For a moment, her breath caught in her throat. Had she gone too far? She had worked too hard to bring them together to lose now!

  Just as she made to apologize, however, he winked at her. “I was only teasing,” he said.

  Juliet playfully slapped his arm. “You!” she said with a laugh. Inside she sighed with relief. This was why she enjoyed their time together.

  “Forgive me,” he said. “I’ll try again.”

  She smoothed her skirts. “Thank you.”

  “Miss Juliet, there are many things in life I’ve wished for, and many of them have come true. But to be able to court a lady such as yourself would be the greatest wish ever granted. So, will you allow me to court you?”

  Juliet felt as weightless as a leaf floating on a current of air. “Yes,” she whispered. “I would like that very much.”

  He lifted his glass. “To us, then,” he said.

  Juliet raised hers, as well, and then took a sip of the brandy. A thought struck her—she was officially being courted! And by a simple stable boy, no less. No, there was nothing simple about Daniel, and she thought herself the luckiest woman in the world.

  For several minutes, they sat in silence, both looking at the ground between them; although, she caught him sneaking glances at her when she attempted to sneak a glance at him. Then, her thoughts went to him leaving.

  “When you mean to leave,” she said, “if I were to wish to join you, how would you respond?”

  He ran a finger around the rim of his glass. “I’d like that,” he said, but his tone did not match his words. “But I fear…”

  She had no desire to hear his doubts. “My mother, the ton, and everything I have been raised to know have nothing to do with what is on my heart. No one will stop that which I desire.”

  “If that’s true,” he said, “I’d want you with me. But you must understand that the life you have led? I can’t provide those things.” He looked down as if shamed by his words, and once again Juliet reached out and slipped her hand in his. Before she could respond, however, he continued. “The dresses, the servants; you’ve lived such a wonderful life of leisure. All of it would be gone. I’m worried you’d miss what you once had.”

  “Daniel,” she whispered, and he looked up at her. “I no longer care for those things; I only care for you. I once thought that the importance of a gentleman was what he could buy for me or the recognition I would receive.” She sighed. “Those days are past. I realize now that love is when a man loves a woman and provides her with what she needs for her heart as she does the same for him.”

  Daniel smiled. “For years, I cherished every moment I saw you. I was afraid every moment would be my last, because I knew a gentleman would take you away. Now, I want to be that man who cares for you.” He paused. “I do worry what your mother’ll say. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

  “I worry at times, as well,” she replied truthfully. “However, I believe she will understand. Come May, with or without her consent, we will leave Scarlett Hall and start a new life. Together.” Although he nodded, she did not miss the look of doubt etched in his features. “Remember, I am not like most women,” she added with a wide grin.

  He laughed and the doubtful look disappeared. “No, you’re not,” he said. “I should stop doubting you.”

  “That is very wise,” Juliet said with another wide grin just as the first sprinkles of rain fell upon them. She glanced up at the sky. “We had best leave.”

  She went to stand, but Daniel hurried to his feet and stretched out a hand to her. “I won’t have a lady I’m courting stand by herself.”

  Juliet smiled and allowed him to help her rise. “That is good,” she said. “You are learning quickly, but there are other rules you must learn, as well.”

  “Oh?” he asked. “What other rules?”

  “Stop your worrying,” she chastised. “I will tell you all of them in time.”

  ***

  Rain pelted against the drawing room window as Eleanor stood gazing out into the beginnings of a storm. Although the fireplace roared, she felt anything but warm. She replayed the events that led to this moment in time and wondered what had gone wrong.

  “The finest brandy,” Mr. Robert Mullens said from behind her as he smacked his lips together. “I am glad you have decided not to hold back by serving me anything less.”

  Eleanor nodded but did not reply. It was the third time the man had come to her home, and she wished she knew a way to make it the last. Unfortunately, she had yet to devise a plan that did not leave her and her family open to ridicule and shame.

  “Do you believe yourself so much better than I that you will not respond?” he whispered in her ear.

  She choked down a gasp but could do little to stop herself from spinning around in surprise at his sneaking up behind her without her knowledge. Now she was trapped between him and the window, and she could do nothing to ease her pounding heart.

  “My apologies,” she said, although she felt no sorrow for her actions. “I tend to let my mind wander, and…” Her words were cut off when he took her hand. Her stomach rolled at his touch, and it took every ounce of strength she could muster to not pull it back.

  “Come and pour me another drink,” he said, guiding her toward the cart that held the liquor decanters. Once there, he set down his glass, and she took the decanter and poured. “More,” he commanded when she poured him only a measure that was appropriate for a gentleman.

  She had to get this man out of her house. “It is raining,” she said. “I am worried the girls will return home early. They cannot see us together.”

  The laugh Robert produced sent a shiver down her spine. “That is what worries you?” he asked. “Being seen with me?” He shook his head and abruptly stopped his chuckling. “Pour me more. I do not care what they see.”

  Eleanor did as the man bade and then handed him the glass. He wasted no time in taking a large gulp.

  “That is much better,” he said with an appeased sigh.

  Eleanor cringed as Robert’s eyes looked her up and down. “How beautiful you are, Eleanor,” he murmured as the back of his hand touched her face. “To think that a lady such as you and a simple man such as I share such an…” He paused as if attempting to find the right words, “intimate secret.”

  Repulsed, Eleanor took a small step back, and although her back touched the cold window, it allowed her even the tiniest amount of space between her and Robert. “I shall get your money,” she said, slipping past him and walking over to the small ornate box above the fireplace. She removed the required amount and handed it to Robert, who had returned to his place on the couch.

  He took it with quick hands, shoved it into his coat pocket, and sighed. He grabbed her hand, and she sat beside him, for she already knew he would demand it of her.

  “My new coat?” he said, sitting up straighter in his seat. “Do you like it?”

  “It is a nice coat,” she said. Why did this man insist on remaining where he was not wanted?

  “I worry, however, about its cost and what it has done to my funds. I am afraid that the next time I call, I will require more money.”

  Eleanor bit back a gasp. “How mu
ch more?”

  “Double.”

  This time she did gasp. “I cannot pay that much,” she said with shock. “I realize that you do not believe me, but I assure you that the funds we have are low and will remain so until my new investments produce more income. This will still take some time.”

  Robert scowled and finished off the remainder of his drink. “Then we will find another way for you to pay me,” he said as he set his glass on the table. His gaze returned to her face. “I assume you have jewelry?”

  She shook her head although she had plenty. Yet, how would he know?”

  “Oh, very well,” he said with a heavy sigh. “I will make a note of the payments owed. You can pay me in full when the funds arrive in the future.”

  Worry and anger coursed through her. “How long do you require payment?” She attempted to keep the demand from her tone. “Another year?”

  “Oh, Eleanor,” he said as if speaking to a child for whom he was disappointed, “do you believe I would be so cruel?” He stood and walked over to the fireplace, put his hands out as if to warm them, his back to her. “I will stop asking once you have given me what I want.”

  Her heart pounded in her chest. “What is it you seek?” she asked, fearing what his answer would be. “I told you the funds I have…”

  “Do not exist,” he finished for her with a sigh. “Yes, I know this.” He turned and walked toward her so quickly, she feared he would knock her over in the process. “What I want is what I have desired for years. It is what I dreamed of while working at this home.”

  Eleanor attempted to look away, but he grabbed her chin and forced her to face him. “Your children are grown and are now leaving. This home is much too large for you to be alone in it.”

  “I will not marry you,” she said, her anger rising. “You have your money, now leave!” She reached up to pull his hand away, but he removed it before she could.

  “You forget,” he said in a low, threatening tone, “I know a secret, and unless you want me to reveal it, I suggest you start thinking of the future.”