Voices of Shadows Past: Secrets of Scarlett Hall Book 3

by Jennifer Monroe

  Juliet sobbed as she made a point of looking down at her bootless foot. A woman wrapped an arm around her protectively. “It’s all right, Miss. We’ll see justice’s served, we will.”

  “She’s a liar!” Robert cried again as the men led him away. “She’s my daughter!”

  “And I’m the King’s uncle!” shouted one of them men while another said, “If that’s true, then you’re even sicker than I thought!”

  The woman wrapped the shawl around Juliet just as Annabel pushed through the crowd. She threw her arms around Juliet. “What happened? Are you all right? did he hurt you?”

  Juliet shook her head. “I am fine,” she whispered, her heart now settling.

  “Do not worry, you are safe now.”

  “Yes,” Juliet replied, her anger now replaced with relief—and perhaps a bit of joy. “We are all safe now.”

  ***

  Juliet came through the door of Scarlett Hall, her dress in tatters and hair disheveled but in better spirits than she had experienced in days. She spoke with several people in the village, including one Lord Ezra Montague whose brother was a magistrate, and he assured her that Robert would be met with swift punishment. What that entailed, Juliet did not know, nor did she care. Her family was safe and that was all that mattered.

  Dozens had witnessed the fiasco, had heard her cries, and seen the evidence; she doubted the man would ever return. If he did, he would be shamed out of the village by everyone there.

  When Annabel asked what had transpired, Juliet simply told her cousin that one day she would explain, but that day was not today, and the girl did not ask again.

  Now they stood in the foyer, and Juliet gave Annabel a nod before turning and walking down to the study where she found her mother gazing out the window.

  Juliet cleared her throat. “Mother.”

  Her mother turned, but when she laid eyes on Juliet she gasped and rushed to her side. “What happened?”

  “I confronted the man who is my father,” she said quietly.

  Her mother touched Juliet’s hair. “Your hair, your dress…surely he did not try with his own…” Her words trailed off and her eyes went wide.

  “Daughter?” Juliet asked tersely. “No. However, you and I are the only two who know he did not make such an attempt on his daughter. According to the dozens of witnesses, a lady of the ton was accosted by him in his shop and was able to escape.”

  “I do not understand,” her mother said, the shock clear on her face. “What happened to him?”

  “He was taken away,” Juliet replied matter-of-factly. “Far away where neither you nor any member of my family must endure his threats any longer. You have nothing about which to worry, Mother. You are now safe.” She explained everything that had happened, including her attempt to give him the opportunity to choose a different path.

  Her mother listened without interruption, and when Juliet finished, she pulled Juliet into her arms. “Why did you do this?”

  Juliet gave her a wide grin. “You have done everything to keep me safe and happy. I wanted to return the gesture.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Nearly a week had passed since Juliet confronted Robert, and surprisingly things had quickly returned to normal at Scarlett Hall. The servants continued their work, Juliet and Annabel spoke of their future, and Juliet still had yet to speak to Daniel. He would soon be leaving to begin a new life, and that thought still brought sadness to her heart. She wished more than anything to be with him.

  Yet, that was not meant to be. Juliet had come to a new understanding, a respect not only for herself, but for the wishes of her mother. Therefore, it meant that Juliet would soon be required to accept an offer of marriage from Lord Parsons. She did not wish to wed the man, but after all her mother had done for her, Juliet could not decline.

  The morning was still early as Juliet made her way to the dining room for breakfast and was surprised to find Forbes helping her mother with her coat.

  “Are you leaving?” Juliet asked as she descended the stairs.

  Her mother glanced up at Juliet and smiled. “I am.”

  The woman offered no further explanation, and Juliet looked at the butler. The man gave no more indication than her mother as to her intentions.

  “But Mother, it is Tuesday. You have never left the house on a Tuesday.”

  Her mother smiled. “I will meet you at the carriage,” she told Forbes, who replied with a bow before leaving through the front door. When the man was gone, her mother said, “I have been doing a lot of thinking over the last week. Thinking of days past and habits that I have. Habits that made it easy for someone to arrive unannounced to find me at home alone.” She pursed her lips at this but did not mention the name of the man of whom she spoke. “Upon reflection, I decided it would be a nice change to see what the world is like on a Tuesday.”

  “I think that is a brilliant idea,” Juliet said. “May Annabel and I remain here for the day, then?” The last thing Juliet wanted was to have people fawning over her after the incident at the cobbler’s shop. She almost laughed at this; how many times in the past had she wanted nothing more than to have everyone fawning over her?

  “I see no reason why you cannot.” Her mother placed a hand on Juliet’s arm. “And do not worry about the gossipmongers. Give them at least another week, and the rumors of that man will calm. Someone else will do something…unconventional…and you will be completely forgotten.”

  “I know,” Juliet said with a weak smile as she held the door open for her mother.

  After closing the door, Juliet wondered how she would spend the day. She had no one on which to call, and even if she dared to speak to Daniel, she could not, for he had gone into the village with the other servants.

  The fleeting memory of her and Annabel—and Daniel—going riding brought a smile to her lips. Although there was a chill in the air, a short ride would be pleasant.

  She went to her room and donned one of her riding dresses and an older pair of riding boots. She had burned the boots Robert had given her as soon as she had returned to the house; the sooner the man was a distant memory, the better.

  The door opened and Juliet smiled as Annabel entered the room. “I am going riding. Would you like to join me?”

  “I would rather not,” Annabel replied. “It is much too cold and I noticed storm clouds on the horizon.”

  Juliet embraced her cousin. “I will not be long. When I return, we will discuss the dozens of men who will wish to marry you come next season.”

  Annabel giggled at this, and Juliet made her way downstairs. She donned her coat and headed outside.

  The sky was indeed gray, and a light breeze blew, but the chill in the air was not terrible. Juliet took in her surroundings. Scarlett Hall was the only home she had ever known, but when her mother accepted the request from Lord Parsons, Juliet would no longer live her. However, it was not the chill or the fact she would leave Scarlett Hall that made her shiver; rather, it was the thought of never seeing Daniel again.

  Shaking her head, she made her way to the stables. As she reached for the door, someone called her name. What she hoped was that it would be Daniel calling out to her, but when she turned, it was to see Lord Parsons riding up to her on his white stallion.

  “I returned late yesterday and learned you were attacked,” he said, clear anger in his eyes. “Is this a rumor?”

  “No, it is not a rumor,” Juliet replied. She had many things on her mind, and speaking with Lord Parsons was not what she wished to do. “What are you doing here?”

  The man’s eyes narrowed. “Open the stables so I am able to put away my horse.” The words were a clear command, and Juliet considered telling the man to see to it himself. However, she had promised to honor her mother’s wishes, so she did as he bade.

  As Lord Parsons dismounted, Juliet asked, this time in a more conversational tone, “What brings you here? Mother is not here today, but Annabel is in the house.”

  The man did
not respond right away, ignoring her as he led his horse to one of the empty stalls. He then came to stand before her. “The woman I care about was attacked. Of course I would come over as soon as I heard.”

  “Thank you, but I assure you I am well.”

  He placed his hands on her arms, and her stomach clenched. “I must ask you something, and the truth is imperative.”

  “Truth?” she asked. “Concerning what?”

  “The friend who told me what happened. He said you appeared to be in a state of near undress. I must know; did anything happen?”

  “You already know something happened,” Juliet said, digging fingernails into her palms to keep from lashing out.

  He cleared his throat as if he was uncomfortable. “What I would like to know is, did he…did the man…”

  Juliet raised her brows. “Do you mean did he compromise my virtue?” When the baron nodded, anger blazed inside her. “Would it be a problem if my virtue had been compromised?”

  He tightened his grip on her arm. “Do not play games with me,” he said in a low tone. “What did he do?” The man’s breath was hot, and Juliet’s heartbeat increased.

  “He tore my clothes and tried to have his way with me,” she said, surprised at the calmness in her voice. “He did not have his way with me.”

  Lord Parsons took a deep breath of relief. “I am glad, for I worried that he had. I assured my friend that you were well and unspoilt, and it is good to hear my assumptions were correct.” He lifted his hand to her face, and she had to fight to keep herself from taking a step back. “How could a man marry a woman who had been used in such a manner? Even a woman as beautiful as you.”

  Juliet knew more than ever the man would never care for her, not entirely, for he cared only for himself. Before she could respond, his lips were pressed against hers.

  Juliet pushed against his chest. “Lord Parsons! I am not a woman to be kissed in such a manner!”

  The man’s face reddened. “Yet you kiss a stable hand?” he hissed. “Or tantalize a shopkeeper?”

  She stared at him incredulously. “Tantalize?”

  “Indeed. I heard the dress you wore was meant to entice a man. I will not have my future wife displaying herself like a harlot. Do I make myself clear?”

  “How dare you!” Juliet gasped in anger. “You do not know what I…”

  “I know that I will have your hand soon, and this behavior will not be accepted once you are my wife.” He grabbed her wrist. “I shall speak to your mother about this.”

  “You are hurting me!” she said as she attempted to pull from his grip.

  Then her eyes widened when another voice spoke.

  “Let go of her!”

  ***

  All worry and fear evaporated in Juliet, and her heart swelled with joy at seeing the man she loved.

  Daniel marched toward them, his stride long, his head held high. She had never seen him so self-assured, and it only made him all the more alluring.

  “You again,” Lord Parsons growled. “Have you not learned that, as an ignorant stable boy, you have no right to interfere with matters of the ton?” The man brought his hand back, meaning to strike Daniel, but the stable hand grasped Lord Parsons by the wrist. He appeared at his leisure as he held the baron, and the man gaped at Daniel with a mixture of shock and anger.

  “Yes, I’m an ignorant stable boy,” Daniel stated with eyes narrowed, “from a long line of servants centuries deep. But I would never raise my hand to a lady.”

  Lord Parsons pulled back his arm—or Daniel released him, Juliet was unsure which—but the baron did not hesitate in throwing another punch.

  Daniel ducked just in time, and when he rose again, his fist connected with Lord Parson’s jaw, sending the man reeling backwards. “You may ridicule me all you’d like, and maybe you’ll marry Juliet, but if you ever hurt her again, I’ll come and find you.”

  Lord Parsons rose, dabbing blood from his lip. “You fool! I will inform the magistrates what you have done!” He glanced at Juliet, a gleam in his eyes. “And Lady Lambert will be very disappointed. You will be very sorry you were ever born.”

  Juliet gasped. The man could make more trouble than Daniel could ever imagine.

  However, Daniel did not appear concerned in the least. “What? Tell the magistrates you were bested by a boy?” he said with a laugh. Then he shrugged. “If you want to be ridiculed by everyone in Rumsbury, then by all means tell the magistrates.” He glanced at Juliet and winked. “And her mother? Maybe you’d like to explain what you’re doing here and the reason I struck you. What will she think of that?”

  Lord Parsons glared at Daniel a moment longer before a look of defeat replaced his arrogant expression. He turned to Juliet. “You I shall see as planned,” he said with a finger pointed at her. “I will not forget this.” He stalked to his horse and moments later, he was gone.

  Juliet turned to the man she loved. What she wanted to do was throw herself into his arms, but she had hurt him enough. “I do not know what to say. You risked much by intervening.”

  “I mightn’t be able to marry you, but that won’t stop me from loving you.”

  She was uncertain if it was his words or a reaction to what had happened, but soon she was sobbing in his arms as he spoke soothing words to her.

  “I love you so,” she said when her sobbing calmed and he released her. “No matter what happens, I will always love you.” She glanced around them, a sudden thought coming to her. “What are you doing here? It is Tuesday; I thought you would be with the other servants.”

  He shrugged. “They go to buy supplies. I’m leaving soon, so I don’t need anything more, and I didn’t feel like going into the village.” They stood in silence for several moments, and then he said, “I wouldn’t worry about Lord Parsons. He won’t speak a word to Lady Lambert of what happened. He has too much to lose; especially his sterling reputation.” His grin had an impudent look to it, and Juliet could not help but giggle.

  “I suppose it would be best if I did not inform Mother,” she said. “It would only cause a new rift between us, and I certainly do not need to make more trouble. I shall keep what happened a secret.”

  Daniel glanced around. “I should leave. If Lady Lambert returns and finds us speaking together, it won’t bode well for either of us.”

  Juliet nodded. “May I ask one favor?”

  “For you, anything you wish.”

  Juliet felt a twinge in her heart upon hearing the words he had said to her so often before, and knowing it would be the last brought on a sense of melancholy.

  “I came here to ready my horse. Would you ready her for me one last time?”

  “With honor,” he said with a deep bow, making them both smile. He retrieved her saddle and began preparing the horse. It was a feat she had seen him do numerous times before, and now she realized how much it meant to her. How she had taken it for granted for so long!

  When the horse was ready, Juliet walked up to him. “I am unsure what to say…”

  “Then let’s do what we’ve always done,” he replied, rewarding her with one of his small smiles. “Miss Juliet, there’s no woman as beautiful as you. My only wish is to help you onto your horse.”

  Juliet gave a small laugh, but her heart was clenched in her chest. “You may,” she said with a feigned jut to her chin. “Even if you are only a stable boy.”

  Daniel took Juliet’s hand and helped her mount the horse. Without releasing his hand, she stared down at him, a thousand words on her tongue. However, as she looked at him, she said only two words. Two words that summed up everything the man had done for her.

  “Thank you.”

  Daniel smiled and gave a small nod, as if he understood everything behind those words.

  “And I thank you.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Light spring rain pelted against the window in the study as Eleanor looked out at the tree where her children spent a goodly amount of their childhood. She had been bless
ed with the most beautiful of daughters, especially her sweet Juliet.

  Although she had many memories of this particular daughter, Eleanor thought of another woman, a lady’s maid and a dear friend, a woman who gave a part of her soul—her own child—in order to heal the pain Eleanor had endured. And Juliet had done just that. The girl had grown into a woman of heart and mind, which had always been Eleanor’s greatest desire.

  “Mother? I am ready.”

  Eleanor turned to Juliet and nodded. The time had arrived for them to leave for the home of Lord Parsons, and upon seeing her daughter, her heart swelled with love. Juliet wore a green dress with tiny white daisies and white gloves. Her hair was curled and pulled back with a white ribbon. She made such a lovely woman, and she would surely make any husband happy to have her on his arm.

  “You look beautiful,” Eleanor said. “Lord Parsons shall be a fortunate man to marry you.” Juliet nodded but said nothing, which surprised Eleanor. “You will not argue?”

  “I only wish to make you happy,” Juliet replied. “I will no longer fight or argue over your wishes. I may not love the man, but I will conduct myself as the lady you have brought me up to be.”

  Eleanor could not stop the knot that formed in her throat but said nothing. What could she say?

  The door opened and Forbes entered. “Lady Lambert,” he said with a diffident bow, “he is here.”

  Eleanor nodded. “Allow him to enter.”

  Forbes bowed once more, moved aside, and the stable boy entered the room.

  “Daniel?” Juliet asked with a gasp.

  The young man smiled at Juliet, and Eleanor could not help but see the love they shared. A love so great it was as if a fire burned between them.

  “You leave tomorrow morning, is that correct?” Eleanor asked Daniel.

  “Yes, my lady,” the man replied, his hands gripping his hat. “I leave with the sunrise.”

  “You understand that I could never allow you to leave with my Juliet?”

  Daniel nodded. “Yes, I understand.”