Yet, that had all been stripped away when Lady Lambert and Lord Parsons entered the room. He had to admit that he was embarrassed at being caught holding a woman who stood so far above him in every way, but for a moment, he wished he could stand up to those who saw what they had as less than it was.
Lady Lambert minced no words and made it quite clear that he had one month to be gone from the stables. He would have no reference and no fond farewells, but he did not expect any.
With a sigh, he replaced the worn leather strap on Juliet’s saddle. He traced the letters that made up her name. He had not been able to read it in the past, but now he could. Perhaps it was best he had to leave, for everywhere he turned, he was reminded of her.
“An unbreakable bridge,” he murmured ruefully. With a snort, he shook his head. For so long he had not believed they had a future together, and how quickly he had been proven right. He had been a fool to believe that he would ever be allowed to love a woman such as she.
Once his replacement was found, he would be without work and a home. He would travel north—much sooner than he had originally planned, but that was of little consequence—and if he was forced to wait in order to safe more money, he would find another position there. He may not have a reference, but he had the skills to prove his abilities. However, without Juliet with him, what future did he truly have?”
“Stand up, boy!”
Daniel started and spun around to find Lord Parsons standing in the doorway of the work room.
“A stable boy caught kissing a lady,” Lord Parsons said with an evil laugh. “If such a thing happened in my home, I would skin your hide.” The man took a step forward, his eyes glinting with something Daniel did not like. “Do you not know that a lady such as Juliet would never be with a man such as you?”
“I do know that,” Daniel replied, watching the man’s hands formed at fists at his side. “It’s not allowed.”
“Oh, it is more than not allowed,” Lord Parson said with a scowl. “The mere mention of it brings about laughter, as it should. You are an uneducated fool, a stable boy, and lower than the dung on my boots.” The man lifted his foot to show the soles. “I should strike you for what you did to Juliet, but I will not.”
“You do not wish to fight me?” Daniel asked in surprise.
The man’s laughter was scornful. “No. I have desired Juliet for some time now, and you have virtually handed her over to me.” The man grinned. “Her mother is allowing me to court her, and I have already asked for her hand. I am certain I will not have to wait long for a response.” He clasped Daniel on the shoulder. “Therefore, allow me to thank you for being a fool.”
Daniel wanted nothing more than to hit him, to pummel him to the ground and not stop until the man no longer could speak, but he could not do it. What purpose would it serve? It would only bring about temporary gratification and land him in prison—or hanging from the gallows. Although the thought of Juliet with another man sickened him, he wanted only for her to be happy, and he doubted his death would accomplish that.
“I have a question, my lord,” Daniel said carefully. “About Miss Juliet.” He was careful to use a formal address.
Lord Parsons raised his eyebrows. “Oh? And what is that?”
“Do you love her?”
“Love?” The man struggled as if the word was foreign to him.
“Yes. It’s not just marrying a woman and providing for her. A man should also love her.”
When the man laughed, Daniel caught the odor of spirits on his breath. “People in my position do not marry for love,” he said with a snort. “We marry for land and wealth. Love is for the poor like yourself, who have nothing of value to offer.”
“She needs to be loved,” Daniel argued, unwilling to step down.
Lord Parsons glared at him. “Miss Juliet,” Daniel did not miss the rebuke in the man’s voice, “will wear the finest dresses and have the best of everything.” He glanced around and lowered his voice. “A woman with such a beautiful face and delectable bosom must be kept happy in order to get her to perform her marital duty.” The man’s smile widened. “Which she will do as soon as we are married. And it is all thanks to you.”
Daniel instinctively clenched his fist, but Lord Parsons grabbed him by his coat before her could lift his hand.
“You will never speak her name or look her way again,” he hissed. “Do not test me, boy, for it will only drive her further into my arms.”
The man pushed Daniel back so harshly that Daniel fell against the table and landed on the floor.
“If you reveal to anyone you kissed my soon-to-be fiancé, I shall take your head off myself!” The man reared his head back and spat on Daniel. “Water my horse, boy. I have a marriage to secure.”
When Lord Parsons was gone, Daniel stood, humiliation raging inside him. Not only was he losing Juliet, but she would be forced to marry that man! A man who sought to use her for nothing more than a brood mare he could feed lovely apples when she performed well.
The thought disgusted him as he wiped the spit from his face, but he had no idea what he could do about any of it. No man of his position could take on a man like Lord Parsons and live to speak about it later.
***
Numbness. That was all Juliet felt in her body, heart, and mind. Her very soul had been torn apart by her mother’s demand she never see Daniel again. A demand Juliet knew she could not change.
She sat in the drawing room wearing her best gown, a blue muslin draped with white lace and satin underskirts. It had been her favorite, but now, forced to wear it for Lord Parsons, she hated it. The man sat across from her, his smile wide and his clothing immaculate, but she heard little of what he said, for her thoughts were on Daniel.
What must he think of the arrival of Lord Parsons? The poor man must be devastated, and she wished to tell him that she cared nothing for this awful man.
Her thoughts were interrupted when her mother touched her arm. “Juliet, Lord Parsons asked you a question.”
“My apologies,” Juliet said. “I have not slept well as of late.” That was not an untruth; she had spent the past four nights since her mother had forbade her from seeing Daniel tossing and turning, sleep evading her at every turn.
“It is the weather,” Lord Parsons replied with a laugh. “As spring nears and warms away the last of the winter chill, it causes all to become drowsy. I had asked if you and your mother would like to join me for dinner Friday next. It would be an honor to have you both in my home.” He smiled and took on a humbleness that no one would believe was real. “It is no Scarlett Hall, but I believe you will find it to your liking.”
Panic gripped Juliet. The man wished to show her his home, the home he wished to share with her. However, she wanted nothing to do with him, but if she spoke her mind, her mother’s rebuke would be scathing. Furthermore, she would still be in the same position afterward.
“That would be pleasant,” she replied. “I look forward to seeing it.” She took a sip of her tea to hide her grimace and was surprised when she saw Lord Parsons smile. It was not a smile that radiated kindness or love like Daniel had given her so often in the past. In contrast, it was a smile of conquest. The idea of marrying this man angered as much as it terrified her. Oh, how she wished she could simply run far away!
“I am pleased,” Lord Parsons said. “I believe you will find the journey short, and the roads are well suited for travel at the moment.” He turned to Juliet’s mother. “Although it will be some time before the flowers return to my garden, I do hope it meets your approval.”
“I have no doubt that it will,” her mother said with a wave of her hand. “As it will meet Juliet’s approval, as well.” She gave Juliet a piercing look when she did not reply.
“It is Juliet’s approval I seek above all others,” Lord Parson said. “It is what I hope I earn during our courtship. As we progress in our relationship, I hope it will lead to other…arrangements.”
Juliet wished to tel
l the man that Daniel was courting her, not he, and that her heart and soul belonged to her stable boy. However, she kept silent. She pleaded with her mother with her eyes, but the woman ignored her.
“I have taken careful consideration of your offer after our last conversation,” her mother said. “I believe now is not the best time to discuss it. Perhaps when we are at your home for dinner?”
Juliet wished to wail, to scream, to shout that she did not want to marry this man, but she sipped her tea, her fingers gripping the handle of the cup so tightly she was surprised it did not shatter.
Lord Parsons nodded. “No, you are correct, Lady Lambert. Forgive my eagerness.” He rose and Juliet and her mother did the same. “I shall see you in a week. Thank you again for having me here.” He gave her mother a bow and then took her hand to kiss her knuckles. “I await your arrival with bated breath.”
When he was gone, Juliet rubbed the back of her hand on her skirts. “I do not wish to marry him,” she said angrily. “Do not make me do that. Not him.”
Her mother shook her head. “If I allow you to turn away Lord Parsons, another will take his place, and you will reject him, as well. It will become a never-ending cycle of you refusing each suitor, and I cannot have that.” She turned to face the fire, her back to Juliet.
“But you will leave your daughter heartbroken,” Juliet cried. “The daughter who has changed and become who you wanted. I have always known how much the others have pleased you and that I was the daughter you disliked the most.”
Her mother turned, her eyes reddened with unshed tears. “Never say such things,” she said in a low voice. “Never!”
“I am sorry,” Juliet said, wiping away her own tears. “I do not wish to believe it, but I have never been like my sisters. I have done nothing but disappoint you, and for that I can only apologize. But I have changed! Can you not see how much I have changed?”
Her mother closed her. “You have no idea how much I love you,” she whispered. “You have a special place in my heart that the others do not.”
“Then allow me to marry the man I love,” Juliet said. “Do you love me enough to allow that?”
Her mother opened her eyes. “It is because I love you that I cannot allow it.”
Juliet turned and stomped from the room before she said something she would regret. As she made her way to her room, she knew the time had come. Tonight, she would inform Daniel of her plans to leave, and then, come morning, she would ask Robert for his help.
Stopping at Annabel’s room, she opened the door and went inside. Her cousin rose from the bed as she set aside a book she had been reading.
“What is wrong?” Annabel asked.
Juliet could no longer keep back the flood of tears, and Annabel rushed to her side and wrapped her arms around her. “It is no use,” Juliet said. “I must leave Scarlett Hall. Do you still wish to come with me?”
Annabel nodded. “I do. I will not be forced to marry Lord Agar.”
Juliet took Annabel’s hand in hers. “Then I will need your help tonight distracting Mother. Go to her after dinner and tell her that you have concerns about Lord Agar. Keep her occupied for as long as you can.”
“I can do that, but what will you do?”
“I must speak to Daniel,” Juliet whispered. “I must let him know we must be gone two nights from now.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Standing in the hallway outside the dining room after dinner, Juliet did everything she could to appear calm and keep her face clear of the anxiety that boiled inside her. When her mother joined them, Juliet nodded to her cousin.
“Aunt Eleanor,” Annabel said, “may I speak with you?” She shot an apologetic glance at Juliet. “It is a private matter.”
“Yes, of course,” Juliet’s mother said, her voice bathed with sympathy. “Would you like to join me in the study?”
Annabel nodded. Now was the time for Juliet’s part.
“I am happy to listen and offer any counsel I can,” she said.
Annabel sighed. “Do not be angry with me, but I would like to speak with Aunt Eleanor alone about this.”
Juliet gave an exaggerated sigh. “Oh, I see. Very well. I will go and find something else to do. Perhaps I will read in the drawing room.”
Placing a hand on Juliet’s arm, Annabel said, “Thank you for understanding.”
Juliet smiled in return. “Of course. See you soon, and then maybe you will be willing to tell me.”
The door to the study closed, and Juliet let out a sigh of relief. Annabel would keep her mother busy for at least an hour, which was more than enough time for Juliet to speak to Daniel.
Hurrying to the door, she ignored her coat, fearing her mother or Forbes would notice it missing, and stepped out into the cold wind. She wrapped her arms around herself and made her way to the stables. When she saw Daniel brushing one of the horses, she smiled.
“Juliet,” he said, placing the brush on a nearby bench and rushing to her. “You cannot be here. Your mother…” His embrace was comforting, but it lacked the heat it once had.
“Do not worry. Annabel is keeping her busy, but I cannot stay long.” She placed her hands on either side of his face. “You may smile; I am here now.”
He nodded and gave her a small smile. “I don’t know what to say.” He walked over and patted the horse he had been brushing. “I assume your mother told you I’ll be leaving?”
Juliet nodded. “She has already made inquiries for another stable hand. But that does not matter. We will be leaving in two nights.”
Daniel turned, and Juliet could not stop the worry that crept under her skirts like the cold wind outside. She brushed it aside; there was no need to worry.
“Tomorrow, I will go see Robert and collect any funds that may be ready. The rest we can collect at a later point. I am ready to leave here, as is Annabel.”
Daniel nodded and walked away, heading down the long corridor between the stalls. Juliet followed him and watched as he walked over to the worktable. “I still can’t read the letter you gave me.”
“It does not matter at the moment,” she said. “Once we find a place to live, we can resume the lessons. We must plan our escape; that is what is important now.”
It was as if time had stood still. Then Daniel turned, his smile gone. “There won’t be an escape,” he said. “You’re staying here.”
“What? Our plans have not changed except that we will leave earlier than we originally expected.”
Daniel kept his head down. “Your mother wants you to stay here, and I can’t defy her wishes.”
Juliet shook her head. “My mother does not know what is best for me; I do. Do not speak like this, Daniel.”
“It can’t happen. Our dream is over.” When he looked up at her, his eyes held a firmness she had never seen him possess before. “Even if we were to escape, she would send men after us. And you’ll break her heart.”
“This is my dream!” Juliet shouted, tears rolling down her face unchecked. “To be with you, the man I love. Nothing can be more important than that.”
“I’d thought that, too. But that was the dreams of a foolish boy.” He went to reach for her, but she pulled back, and his eyes filled with sadness. “Never doubt that I love you; I always will. But our lives are too far apart, and no amount of love will bridge that gap no matter how much we think it can be done.”
Juliet wiped at her cursed tears in vain. “She will have me marry Lord Parsons, and if not him, then another man. Is that what you wish?”
Daniel shook his head. “I know the man doesn’t love you, and I don’t want to think about his true intentions, but you have to please your mother.” He shrugged. “Maybe another man worthy of you will come into your life.”
“No!” She beat her fists against his chest, and he did nothing to stop her. “I do not want to love another! I only wish to love you!”
Daniel gathered her hands into his. “Goodbye, Miss Juliet,” he whispered. “This hurts
me, but we were not meant to be. If you love me like you say you do, please don’t make this any harder than it has to be.”
He turned away from her, and she found herself staring at his back, her vision watery. “It is because I love you that I will do as you ask. But no man, be he Lord Parsons or any other, will ever have my heart. That only belongs to you.”
When he turned back around, the pain in his eyes was so pronounced, she almost took a step back. However, instead, she lifted herself onto her toes and placed a kiss on his lips. The thought that this would be their last crushed her soul.
“Goodbye, Daniel. Thank you for showing me the best thing in life.”
“It’s a beautiful gift,” he replied, his voice breaking. “One I’ll carry with me forever.” He turned back to the table, a clear dismissal, and Juliet left the room.
Tears continued to fall as she stumbled across the drive, her steps thudding against the hard earth. Soon, Daniel would be gone, and Juliet would be alone, forced to marry a man she did not love. When she arrived at the steps, she paused to look up at the great walls of her home. The house had once been filled with laughter, but now it was full of heartache due to a mother who denied her daughter the very thing he wanted in life.
She was uncertain how long she stood there, but thoughts of Daniel and the life they could have had tormented her. It was not until she shivered from the chill in the air that she went into the house.
Her mother sat on the bottom stair of the grand staircase and rose as Juliet closed the door. “Where have you been?”
Juliet looked at her mother, no longer wishing to lie to the woman. “I went to speak to Daniel; to ask him to leave with me.” When her mother gaped, Juliet shook her head. “Do not worry; he refused my offer. It seems he believes that, because of his station, he is not worthy to be with the woman he loves.”
Voices of Shadows Past: Secrets of Scarlett Hall Book 3 Page 22