Voices of Shadows Past: Secrets of Scarlett Hall Book 3

by Jennifer Monroe

  “You are mad!” she whispered as he reached up and brushed a thumb to her cheek. “You think that, by marrying me, I would…”

  “It does not matter what you believe I think,” he interrupted. “All that matters is what I want. And you as my wife is what I have always desired. Now I have the means to see it happen.” He leaned in and Eleanor quickly turned her face, his lips grazing her cheek. When she turned back to him, his face was red with anger.

  A noise in the hallway caught her attention. “The girls have returned,” she said, although it was more than likely the house settling. “Please, leave.”

  “Do not do that again,” he said with a hiss. He turned and headed to the door. “I want my money, Eleanor, and I want a life that I never had. You can give this to me and at the same time keep your secret hidden.” He then turned back to her. “I will be gone for nearly a month on business. When I return, have my money and your answer ready.”

  The moment he was gone, Eleanor clenched her fists. What was she to do?

  However, before she was able to give it thought, the front door closed, and she let out a sigh of relief. The man was most definitely mad. How dare he ask to marry her, for it was something to which she would never agree!

  Yet, he held knowledge of a secret so great, it would destroy her family.

  Her mind played over the possibilities of what she could do. Soon, payment of money would not be enough to appease the man, and her stomach twisted at what more he would demand. She had to find a way to stop him! Yet, how? Her eyes fell on the flames that roared in the fireplace, her mind going to her children. Robert was evil, and unless stopped, he would ruin them all.

  Unsure as to what to do, she made her way to the front door and stepped out onto the covered stoop just as Annabel and Juliet hurried toward her, laughing as the rain fell on them.

  Not only was Eleanor in danger, but these two were, as well, and she would do anything to protect them!

  Anything.

  ***

  Juliet shook the rain from her overcoat before pushing the front door open, glad to have escaped the rain. She went to ask Annabel a question when she heard the voice of a man coming from the drawing room. Holding a finger to her lips, she crept down the hallway, Annabel following behind just as quietly.

  Had a servant returned due to the inclement weather? The voice did not sound like that of Forbes, yet it did sound familiar, although Juliet could not place it.

  Placing an ear to the door, she waved for Annabel to do the same and strained to hear every word.

  “All that matters is what I want. And you as my wife is what I have always desired. Now I have the means to see it happen.”

  Juliet pulled back from the door, anger boiling inside her. Nodding toward the front door, she and Annabel hurried to it and outside, easing the door closed until she heard the familiar click.

  “That was Robert!” she declared as they huddled under the covering over the stoop. “Did you hear what he said?”

  Annabel nodded. “I did!”

  Juliet clenched her teeth. “I cannot believe that woman! The man kissed her; he must have! Come with me.”

  They hurried through the rain to the stables, where Juliet stopped and turned to glare at the front of the house.

  “Why would she wish to see the cobbler,” Annabel asked.

  Juliet shook her head, still amazed at her mother. “I cannot believe what a hypocrite that woman is!” She gave a derisive sniff. “Robert was right about her!”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He told me she was jealous of me, and although I suspected it, I did not wish to believe it.” She gave her cousin a beseeching look. “Do you not see? Mother kept us away from him because she wants him for herself! She then had him come here where she could seduce him!”

  “Perhaps,” Annabel said with a shake to her head.

  Then a thought occurred to Juliet. “It all makes sense,” she whispered. “Robert had a position here at Scarlett Hall years ago. I wonder if this is the reason Mother has everyone leave the house on Tuesdays; she had been seeing Robert all those years ago.”

  “But why would she keep her Tuesday routine after the man left?”

  “Maybe there has been more than one man,” Juliet replied with a shrug. “And to think she has attempted to deter me from seeing Daniel! She told me that, because of his class, we could never have a future together, and yet, there she is in the drawing room alone with a cobbler sharing kisses! I would have never thought her capable of such a thing.”

  “Neither would have I,” Annabel said. “What will we do?”

  Juliet sighed and peeked out the opening of the door to the stables. Her friend and business partner walked away from their home, the man too poor to afford a horse or to rent a carriage. She was angry he had not informed her of the lurid affair he was having with her mother…

  Yet, had he not done so? Had he not been the one who had spoken of her mother’s jealousy of her? Perhaps he had not wished to hurt her. Furthermore, if her mother had lured the man into their home with promises of kisses, it was likely he was not in his right mind.

  “We will return to the house and act as if nothing has happened,” Juliet replied in response to the question Annabel had asked. “If Mother wishes to pursue this man, then she has every right to do so. However, she had best not make any comment when I tell her of Daniel and my plans.”

  “What plans?”

  Juliet opened the stable doors and glanced over her shoulder. “We are to be married one day and leave this home full of jealousy and lies.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  More people made their way down the footpaths than a month earlier as Juliet stood outside the cobbler’s shop, the warmish air more than likely calling people from their homes. It had been nearly a week since Juliet had overheard the cobbler and her mother speaking, and thus far she had made no mention of it to her mother. However, the growing curiosity as to the relationship had her wanting to make inquiries, and she had the perfect excuse to explain her sudden appearance at his shop.

  “Now remember,” Juliet said. “You will remain a shadow partner, and you cannot ever speak of our business with Robert to anyone.”

  “I understand,” Annabel whispered. “Thank you for allowing me to do this.”

  Juliet smiled. “If I am to make my own wealth, I will not allow my cousin and best friend to go without.”

  Annabel smiled, and the two women headed inside the shop. Robert, as usual, stood rubbing his chin as he leaned against the back counter as if deep in thought.

  When he saw them, he straightened and said, “What joy it is to have two fine ladies in my shop.” He bowed and Juliet and Annabel giggled. “Tell me, what brings you here today?”

  Juliet nodded to Annabel, who reached into reticule and produced several notes. “Juliet informed me of your need for investors,” she said. “I would like to be involved, if I may.”

  Robert smiled and came to stand before her. “Juliet is a woman I trust. And if she trusts you, who am I to deny you this opportunity?” He took the notes and put them into his coat pocket. “Do you know business like Juliet?”

  Annabel shook her head. “I do not,” she replied. “I have watched my father work in his business ledgers at times, but he never allowed me to help.”

  “Such a shame,” Robert said shaking his head. “Very well, you may help with mine. I can teach you when I return from Oxford.”

  “Oxford?” Juliet asked in surprise. “What will you be doing there?”

  Robert looked past them both and then grinned. “Word has come to me of new business opportunities.” He leaned in and lowered his voice conspiratorially. “If what I hear is true, I will take your investments and open another shop in that grand city.”

  Juliet and Annabel both gasped.

  “That is wonderful!” Annabel said. “You are so kind to allow us this opportunity.”

  For a moment, Robert smiled at Juliet’s cousin. Did hi
s eyes spend too much time on her? Then she recalled his interest in her mother. No, if her mother caught his eye, he did not have time for the likes of Annabel.

  “It is your kindness that I must applaud,” he said with a grin. “Investing in the business will be greatly rewarded.” He returned to the counter and leaned against it once more. “Juliet will be the woman others look to for the latest fashion in shoes.” Then he turned to Annabel. “And you, my dear, will be the one who make sure the ledgers are complete and everyone is paid fairly.”

  Annabel gasped. “I cannot do that!” she insisted, but her smile belied her denial. “This is all so exciting!”

  “These are exciting times,” Robert agreed. “And you will be at the forefront of it all. However, I must make one request.” He walked over and took each of their hands in his. “When the wealth comes to us, do not leave for Paris or somewhere more exotic with all that money you will earn!”

  This brought on a bout of laughter, and Annabel turned to Juliet. “I must speak to a friend of mine.” Juliet had asked her to say this in order to make an excuse to leave Juliet alone with Robert. “Thank you again for allowing me to partake in this wonderful opportunity.”

  “No,” he said as he kissed her knuckles. “Thank you.”

  Once Annabel was gone, Juliet turned to Robert. “I must ask a question, if you please. And I would like an honest answer.”

  The smile faded. “And what do you wish to ask?”

  “Tuesday last, I overheard you speaking to my mother.”

  The man pursed his lips. “And what did you hear?”

  She started at the sternness of his voice, but she had to know the truth. “That you have wanted her. Then, I assume you kissed her. I realize it is none of my business, and I left immediately thereafter, but I wish to know if it is true.”

  “Forgive me,” he said. “I grew angry, for I feared you would be upset with me.”

  “I am not upset; I am simply confused. How long have you been seeing my mother?”

  Robert sighed. “One moment, please,” he said before reaching under the counter and pulling out a bottle of brandy and two glasses. “Such a story deserves a drink.”

  “Only a little,” Juliet said, and the man nodded as he poured a small measure into one of the glasses.

  He handed her the glass and poured his own. “I told you your mother is jealous of you. And although you agreed, you did not believe me, did you?”

  “I admit that I did not, at least entirely,” Juliet replied, her cheeks heating.

  Robert shrugged. “It is understandable. I am but a mere shopkeeper and your mother is a lady. However, she is envious of you, your cousin…of everyone, in fact, if I am to be honest.”

  “I still cannot believe it,” Juliet replied with a shake to her head. “However, if you are courting, why should she be jealous of me? That makes no sense.”

  “I do not know, but I do desire to be near her, and she feels the same. It is why I go to your home on Tuesdays. As to her jealousy over you, it has subsided, at least concerning our friendship.”

  “What else could there be?” Juliet asked. “Have you told her of my investments?”

  He gave her a smile. “No, I would never do such a thing. She is jealous of you because you are young, beautiful, and wise. I am trying my best to get her to appreciate that she is also a beautiful woman and to not allow her jealousy to consume her.”

  “You are kind to show her that. She has not been herself for some time now, and I do not wish to see her driven to madness.”

  “You do not care that I call on her?”

  “No,” Juliet said, her eyes misted with tears. “I believe it is fine. And do not worry; I shall say nothing of this matter or our conversation today.”

  Although the man had explained, she still did not understand. How could her mother still be jealous of Juliet and yet wish to be with a cobbler? Yet, it did explain a few things, such as why her mother had withdrawn and why the woman insisted Juliet and Annabel keep away from Robert.

  “I take it you have not asked your mother about me?”

  Juliet shook her head.

  “You were wise to come to me first in this matter.”

  “I am glad I did,” Juliet said with a smile. “Although it pains me to say so, my mother is a hypocrite. She feared I had feelings for Daniel, all the while having an interest in you.”

  Robert placed a hand on her arm. “Your mother is a good woman who is overcome by many issues. You mustn’t be angry with her; try to be patient.”

  Juliet nodded. “I will be patient. Thank you.”

  “We will keep this between us,” Robert said with a friendly smile. “And if she mentions anything about me, I would like you to inform me at once.”

  Juliet frowned. “I do not see why she would.”

  “We know of her jealousy, and her hiding away. She is improving, but she may regress and lash out again. You must come to me no matter what she says or does. I may be the only person able to help her.”

  His steady gaze eased her mind. “I will, I promise. Thank you again.” She hugged the man, thankful for his friendship and kind words. She might not have known him long, but she felt as if they had known one another for years. Then her thoughts returned to her mother, and fear gripped her. “You do not believe Mother is going mad, do you?”

  “Not at all,” Robert replied dismissively. “Now, I must prepare for my journey to Oxford, but I will return in three weeks.”

  Juliet nodded as he returned the glasses and the decanter to their place behind the counter.

  “Remember, Juliet,” he said as she turned to leave, “I can only help you if you help me. Do you trust me?”

  Juliet gave him a wide smile. “I do trust you,” she said. “More than anyone else. Is there anything else?”

  He pursed his lips. “As a matter of fact, there is one more thing,” he replied. “Find more money and more investors. Oxford is just the beginning! Dover will soon follow. At this rate, within a year, we will have dozens of shops. And then, you can help provide for you and Daniel.”

  Juliet beamed, and the sadness over her mother vanished. “Annabel and I know many women who would love the opportunity to be a part of such a proposal. However, I will not ask those who are fools. I will only contact those I trust.”

  “I have no concerns about you,” Robert said with that smile that always made her feel as if she were the most important person in his life. “You are wise, and I trust you with everything.”

  “And I trust you,” Juliet replied firmly. “I shall talk to you upon your return.”

  As she stepped out of the shop, she took a long deep breath. Her mother had grown so envious that she had resorted to seeing a cobbler of all people. Although at first it had made Juliet angry, she now laughed. If her mother was happy with a common man, informing her about Daniel would only be that much easier.

  ***

  It had been five days since Juliet had spoken to Robert, and although she had promised not to mention their discussion to her mother, Juliet could not stop the thoughts of her mother’s secret from nagging at the back of her mind. It was that nagging that had prompted the conversation she and Annabel were currently having in the drawing room.

  “My only thought is that your mother did not inform you about the cobbler because of his station,” Annabel whispered as she sat beside Juliet on the couch. “The shame it would bring her would be great. She is too well-respected to have anyone in the ton learn of it.” She sighed. “If word got out, it would ruin not only her name, but that of your sisters and brother.”

  Juliet shook her head. “Daniel says the same about the situation, as well; although, he does not know Robert personally, I get the feeling he does not like him.”

  “Could he be jealous of him?” Annabel asked. “I have heard that men can be very possessive of their women.”

  Juliet could not help but giggle, but Annabel frowned. “I am sorry,” Juliet said. “It was the way you
said ‘their women’, as if I am some sort of prize.”

  “If he cares for you, then you are,” Annabel said.

  It was a good point, and Juliet thought about the lesson the night before. Daniel had been working ever so hard and was now able to write several simple words such as ‘cat’ and ‘dog’.

  “You are thinking about him again,” Annabel snickered. “I know when you are.”

  “You know no such thing,” Juliet replied in admonishment. “To think you know my thoughts!” She laughed. “Oh, all right, I was. How did you know?”

  “It is the faraway look as if you are in a dream. It is the same look Isabel gives His Grace.”

  Juliet considered this for a moment. “You are right,” she said in astonishment. “Where has the year gone? We were children and now we are women bound to marry and lead new lives.”

  “It will be my birthday soon,” Annabel said. “Eighteen.” She sighed. “I recall when you were but nine and I eight. Do you remember when we were children and you told me that you found an old map of Scarlett Hall and that the walls were filled with gold?”

  Juliet nodded, her cheeks burning. It was one of the many stories she told as a child. Now, as she looked back on it, she realized her stories never stopped.

  “Your father was so angry when we made a hole in the wall!”

  Juliet laughed. “He was!” She gave a heavy sigh. “I do miss him. He worked so hard to provide the life we have lived.”

  “He did,” Annabel said.

  The door opened, and Juliet’s mother entered the room. For a woman sneaking kisses, she did not smile much.

  “I told you I would be leaving for London in a few days, did I not?” her mother asked.

  Juliet and Annabel nodded.

  “Your chaperon will arrive tomorrow evening. I expect you to treat her with dignity and respect.”

  “Yes, Mother,” Juliet replied, although the idea of having what was essentially a governess in the guise of a chaperon irritated her.

  “The lessons with Daniel will stop while I am away. You may resume them upon my return.”

  Juliet had to fight down the anger that rose in her. This hypocrisy had no end! It was not as if Annabel did not attend the lessons—or so her mother believed. Rather than voicing her annoyance, she bit her tongue.