She glanced at Lydia’s reflection. The maid was pinning Harmony’s hair as she sat in front of the vanity table, and although she was competently completing her task, she was unusually quiet.
“Are you thinking of David?”
To this, Lydia laughed. “No,” she replied. “But I can tell you that we’ve become closer.” Her cheeks reddened but she did not look at Harmony. “We shared in our first kiss.”
Harmony gasped and turned around, causing Lydia to click her tongue in frustration. “How wonderful! You will make such a lovely couple.”
“You don’t believe Lord Lambert will mind, do you?” Lydia asked, concern etching her features.
“How many times do I have to tell you that he will not?” Harmony admonished. “I do not care, nor does Nathaniel. Why would he change his opinion so drastically?” When she caught Lydia biting her lip, Harmony narrowed her eyes. “What has distressed you so? It is something more than the budding romance between you and David. Now, out with it!”
Lydia sighed and placed the brush on the table. “I find myself fortunate to be your lady’s maid,” she said. “And I hold the friendship we have developed dear to my heart.”
“As do I,” Harmony replied. “Eleanor said that she and her lady’s maid were also quite close, so it is not as uncommon as I first believed.”
“That is why I’m reluctant to tell you,” Lydia said, her head bowed. “I don’t want to upset you and make you angry with me.”
“That simply is not possible,” Harmony said. “I can assure you that you cannot anger me. Now, please, tell me what has you so concerned.”
It was quiet for a moment before Lydia spoke. “It’s Mr. Thorne…Lord Thorne…” She frowned. “I don’t like that man one bit. I think his intentions are evil. At first, I thought he was kind, but I don’t like what I’m seeing now.”
“And what do you see?”
Lydia’s frown deepened. “The way he looks at you. At first, I thought it was my imagination, but he spends all too much time staring at you, and his eyes are full of lust. And today, the way he walked with you, it was as if he was parading you around like some sort of prize. And I’m sorry, but taking you away on a picnic without benefit of a chaperon? I thought it was outright improper of him to suggest such a thing. It’s as if the man’s trying to woo you, and I’m scared you don’t see it.” Her eyes glittered with unshed tears by the time she completed her rant.
Harmony thought of the words Nathaniel had spoken earlier in the day. Not only did her husband thought her intentions impure, but her friend did as well. How dare they think so little of her!
“It seems that my choice to treat my brother-in-law with kindness has led my husband and my lady’s maid to believe I am a woman of loose morals. Well, I can assure you that I am not some harlot!”
“No, please, you must understand that I didn’t mean…”
Harmony pursed her lips. “Please leave me,” she said in a dark tone.
With a nod, Lydia did as she bade, leaving Harmony alone. Why was it that everyone thought she was something she was not? All she wanted was to do good, and yet all others saw was someone doing wrong. Isaac might be many things, but he was not wooing her, of that she was certain!
And did those who professed to care for her believe her incapable of discerning situations? She was not a child to be coddled and protected but rather a married woman who knew her heart belonged to her husband and no one else. How dare they even suggest that she would allow another man to be improper with her!
When she realized she was pacing, she stopped and took a deep breath to calm herself. Was there no one she could talk to, someone who would not judge her for what she was attempting to do? If only she could speak to Eleanor, but the lady had remained abed today, and Harmony did not wish to burden her in her current condition.
Then a thought came to mind. Reverend Creassey. She had promised to go to him when she was facing trouble, and his impartial judgment might be exactly what she needed.
Chapter Thirteen
In the week following their disagreement, Nathaniel made every effort to be cordial to Isaac. He spent his afternoons listening to the man spout stories of his many conquests of women and his hours spent at various gaming establishments. Although Nathaniel came no closer to considering Isaac a friend, he gave the semblance of doing just that. If Harmony believed the man could be won over with kindness, then Nathaniel would do just that.
Since he had agreed to join Isaac for an outing, they had set out on horseback early in the morning. The land belonging to Scarlett Hall was vast with a variety of landscapes, including wide-open fields and forests. It even had its own river that ran through the middle of it.
“That home there belongs to Isabel and her husband,” he told Isaac as he pointed toward the large estate that sat at the crest of a nearby hill. “She has not been in residence there for a number of years, however.”
“Why is that?” Isaac asked. “Did she leave Rumsbury in shame?”
Nathaniel stifled another sigh and once again ignored the other man’s goading. Earn his trust with kindness, he reminded himself. He might as well make it a mantra with the number of times he had to refer to it.
“Her husband is a duke and with his work with the Royal Family, they must spend a great deal of their time at their London estate.” Isaac laughed, which only added another prick to Nathaniel’s already scarred ego, and he could not stop himself from asking, “And why do you see that as humorous?”
“It is my sisters,” Isaac replied. “Isabel married a duke, but Juliet married a common man. Surely that embarrassed the family.”
“None of my sisters have brought shame upon Scarlett Hall,” Nathaniel replied as he squinted into the shadows of the nearing forest. “Whatever choices they have made, whatever actions they have done, have been pure and without fault.”
Isaac drew his horse to a stop and glanced about as if searching for someone. “Yet, our father did not make the wisest choices in his life, did he? I often wonder why he chose to marry my mother over yours.”
Nathaniel ignored the other man’s grin. Earn his trust with kindness, he repeated to himself. “And yet, he remained with my mother,” he replied before he could stop himself. “It appears his choice was not what you wanted.”
“I disagree,” Isaac retorted without hesitation. “He married my mother, their vows legal, and it was my mother on whom he would call so they could share in certain…intimacies?”
“If your intention was to anger me today, you have succeeded. However, I will not resort to allowing that anger to get the best of me again.” He dismounted and tied the reins to a nearby tree before turning toward the forest. “We may enter if you would like.”
“Yes,” Isaac replied, getting down off his horse as well, “let us explore and speak more.”
As they entered the shadows of the trees, Nathaniel felt the dampness immediately. Far ahead, a deer pranced across the path and disappeared deeper into the forest, leaving only the sound of their feet as they made their way through the dead leaves and broken branches that littered the forest floor.
“Have you always had a temper?”
Nathaniel ignored the jab. “There is a river far back in these woods. Perhaps we can go fishing there one day.”
“Has Harmony forgiven you?”
This time Nathaniel stopped and turned to the man, but he said nothing.
“You struck me in anger; that is why I ask if she has forgiven you.”
“Harmony is my wife,” Nathaniel said. “Of course she has seen past my actions from that day.” He narrowed his eyes. “Have you?”
Isaac gave a dramatic sigh. “Though I should not, I have decided to not revisit that incident again. You see, I have come to realize that those who suffer from jealousy are unable to control their actions.”
“You believe that I am jealous of you?” Nathaniel asked with a laugh. “Please, enlighten me.”
Isaac walked over to lean a
gainst a nearby tree as he tore the flesh from a leaf. “Well, you accused me of attempting to woo your wife when our embrace was nothing more than a sign of friendship. And a sign of affection a man would have for his sister-in-law.” He threw the skeletal remains of the leaf on the ground and crossed his massive arms over his chest. “I do understand, however. Harmony is quite beautiful, much like my Mary.”
Nathaniel took a deep breath in an attempt to remain calm. Perhaps the loss of the woman he loved still affected the man. “My condolences for the loss of your Mary. I may not be able to understand what that must be like, but I can sympathize.”
“I admit that it is hard at times,” Isaac replied. “Did Harmony share with you what she learned about her?” Nathaniel shook his head, and Isaac pursed his lips as if in thought. “That is interesting.” Then he shrugged. “I am sure she had her reasons.”
“Just because my wife chooses to not share every bit of information with me does not mean she is hiding anything.”
“Did I say she was?” Isaac asked with feigned innocence.
Nathaniel clamped his mouth shut, not trusting himself with a proper response. As much as he did not like to admit it, the man was right. Nathaniel had wondered why Harmony had not shared what she knew about this Mary.
“May I ask what you shared with her?” he asked.
“Of course, Brother,” Isaac said with a grin. “It was at the picnic we shared. You see, Mary had the same red hair as Harmony, and her skin was as flawless and smooth to the touch.”
Was the man baiting him? Earn his trust with kindness.
“Yet, she was also kind, much like Harmony has been with me.” He chuckled and shook his head.
“What?” Nathaniel asked. “Why do you laugh?”
“It is nothing really,” Isaac replied. “But it is strange how two women can be so much alike.” When his brother looked at him, a chill ran down Nathaniel’s spine. “When I told Harmony as much, it was she who initiated the embrace, and I was reminded of my Mary and how wonderful it is to have a woman’s generous bosom pressed against my chest.”
Without thought, Nathaniel charged, but before he could make it halfway, Isaac leaped at him and threw him to the ground. In his hand was a knife Nathaniel had not realized the man carried.
“You think I will allow you to hit me again?” Isaac growled. “I could kill you right here in the middle of these woods and no one would ever know.”
“Release me!” Nathaniel said. He did not like feeling helpless. “I am sick of your games. And never speak of Harmony in that way again!” He held back a wince as he felt the tip of the blade dig into his throat.
“You are a weak man,” Isaac whispered, his breath hot on Nathaniel’s face. “I only spoke of your wife’s beauty, and yet you wish to hurt me for my observations.” His laugh had a slight madness to it. “But I am not like you, for I would never hurt you.” He stood and returned the knife to his waistband as if nothing had occurred.
Nathaniel picked himself up from the ground. “My wife is a lady,” he said, forcing his hand at his side. He would not check if the other man had drawn blood! “She does not deserve to be spoken of in such a crude manner.” Then he narrowed his eyes. “And do not ever threaten me again.”
Isaac laughed. “I suppose you will throw me out? Ask me to leave again?” he leaned against the tree once more. “Go on, tell your wife that I called her beautiful and you became angry. In fact, I urge you to do so. Maybe she will console you.”
“No,” Nathaniel replied. “I do not run to my wife with my problems.”
Isaac snorted. “Then you are a better man than I thought you were, dear brother.” He pushed himself away from the tree and walked further into the forest. “Come, there is more to explore, and the day grows late.”
Brushing dried leaves from his coat, Nathaniel considered his options. Everything in him screamed to return home and send Isaac packing, but if he did so, Harmony would see him as a failure. He already saw himself as such; he did not need his wife to do so, as well. Plus, if he sent Isaac away, there would be no chance to save his ancestral home.
Therefore, with reluctant steps, he followed his brother further into the woods.
Earn his trust with kindness.
***
As Nathaniel dressed for bed, he glanced at his wife. She sat at the vanity table brushing her gorgeous red hair clothed in her nightgown and looking as beautiful as ever. During dinner, he had come to a decision. He had already given his permission for Isaac to remain, but Harmony would be forbidden to speak with him.
This was not a decision he made lightly but he had to protect his wife. It was quite clear that his brother could not be trusted — no brother looked at his sister-in-law the way Isaac looked at Harmony.
He had seen what lust could do to a man, witnessing it firsthand when Lord Miller had pursued Harmony without honor, and he suspected that Isaac had the same intentions. Therefore, it was Nathaniel’s duty to protect his wife from any troubles that might come her way.
Explaining to his wife his reasoning, however, may prove to be less pleasant.
“Would you like to go on a holiday?” he asked. “Perhaps to the coast?”
Harmony placed the brush on the table and looked up at him through the reflection in the mirror. “But it is nearly autumn and we only have been here a month. Do you wish to leave already?”
Nathaniel sighed. Since their argument the week prior, they had not spoken as often as they once did. Part of the issue was the guilt Nathaniel suffered, but the mental strain of doing all he could to save his childhood home was taking its toll on him.
“I thought that perhaps you and Lydia could go alone. I have quite a bit of work to complete here and will be very busy. Plus, it would give you something to do.”
Harmony turned and stared at him, innocent green eyes reflecting pain. “You do not want me here?” she asked. “Have I done something to upset you?”
He hurried over to her. “Of course you have not!” he assured her. “It is not you; it is Isaac. Today during our outing, he spoke of the woman he had once loved. I believe her name was Mary.”
“Yes, he mentioned her to me, as well,” she said, her voice drenched with sympathy. “Her death has affected him greatly.”
“Perhaps it has,” Nathaniel replied. “But the man compared her to you in such a way that no man should when it concerns his brother’s wife. It only confirms my suspicions about him.”
His wife pursed her lips. “I see now,” she said, standing. “Rather than have your wife fall victim to her brother-in-law’s charms, you decide to send her away.” She shook her head. “It is evident that you do not trust me.”
He grasped her by the shoulder and turned her to face him. “Dammit, Harmony. It is not you I do not trust, but him. I cannot understand how you cannot see it. He spoke of holding you in his arms and how much he enjoyed it.”
“And that is wrong?” she asked. “Do you not see that the man is lost?”
Nathaniel might agree that Isaac was lost and confused, but he could not allow the man to do anything to jeopardize his marriage.
However, before Nathaniel could voice this concern, Harmony continued. “He has spoken nothing but kind words to me since the day he arrived. Not once has he said anything inappropriate. I have told you this, and yet it is as if you pay my words no heed.”
“I did hear you say so, but I know what I have seen.”
She sighed. “It does not matter. I will leave if that is what you wish.” Without another word, she went to the bed and slid beneath the covers, leaving her back facing him.
Nathaniel felt sick. His world was spinning out of control and he needed to make things right, but that could not happen if he spent his days worrying about his wife.
“I am sorry,” he said. “You have done nothing wrong, but I cannot have you around that man. I do not, and cannot, trust him.”
“You are my husband,” she said flatly without turning, “and I wi
ll respect and obey your wishes.” She tightened the blanket around her.
With a sigh, he finished undressing and soon joined Harmony beneath the covers. Unlike the previous nights, she did not turn to rest her head on his chest, nor did they hold one another’s hands. Although they lay close, he felt a distinct distance grow between them and feared it would only become wider.
“With your permission,” she said to the opposite wall, “I would like to go speak with Reverend Creassey.”
Nathaniel considered her request. Perhaps he should go and speak with the man, as well. He would welcome a bit of good counsel, and the vicar had proven thus far to be a competent provider of it. With his mother’s illness, he was not willing to burden her with his concerns.
For a moment, he considered going to Forbes, for the man always seemed to offer the right advice at just the right moment.
No, he would not do that. Nathaniel found that he could not speak to Forbes any more than he could speak to his wife.
“I believe I will join you,” he replied as he pulled the covers over him. “I, too, could use his sage advice.”
Chapter Fourteen
Reverend Ambrose Creassey had presided over his flock in Rumsbury and the surrounding area for nearly forty years. In that time, he had advised the young and old, rich and poor, and married and those otherwise free from the shackles of the marriage prison. Yet, of all he had counseled, he was most fond of the Lambert Family.
He could not pinpoint an exact reason he held the Lamberts above the others. Perhaps it had something to do with the frequent calls made by Lady Eleanor, for each time she sought his counsel, his pockets grew heavier with her offerings. She was unscrupulous, not in her decisions but rather in her determination to protect her children, and that same passion greeted him today.
However, it was not Eleanor who sat across from him now, but rather her son, Nathaniel. The boy was now a grown man with a kind and good heart — which made him all the easier to manipulate.
Cry of the Baroness: Secrets of Scarlett Hall Book 9 Page 8