“It was your mother,” she whispered as she glanced toward her father. “We saw her and the butler…” Her words trailed off.
He sighed. “I assume they embraced?” he said. “Yes, my sisters embrace him, as well. I told you already, he is like family. I can explain this again to your father.”
“No, wait,” Harmony said. “I do not judge your mother, but it was not simply an embrace. It was much more intimate, for they also kissed.”
Nathaniel took a step back in shock. Why would his mother be kissing Forbes? She would never be so forward! Yet, the expression on Harmony’s face told him no mistake had been made.
“Harmony,” Mr. Radcliffe called from the front door, “get away from that man! You will wait outside with me.”
“Please, do not go,” Nathaniel begged. “If you leave, he will never allow you to return.”
Harmony glanced at her father and then at Nathaniel. “He is my father,” she replied. “I have no choice. We are not yet married and so he still has control over what I do.”
Anger and sadness took over Nathaniel. “It does not have to be this way! Defy him if you must, but please, stay.”
Tears flowed down her cheeks. “Please, do not ask me to do such a thing.” She turned to leave once more.
“I will fix this,” he said just as Lydia came down the stairs, two carpetbags in hand. “I will make this right and we will marry.”
Harmony turned back to face him. “I would love nothing more,” she whispered, “but father has determined my fate.”
A footman gathered the bags and another joined him with Mr. And Mrs. Radcliffe’s luggage. The carriage rolled up in front of the house, and Harmony gave him one last look before hurrying after her parents.
Nathaniel watched as the carriage pulled away carrying the woman he loved away from him. Why would his mother be kissing Forbes? He knew they were close, but he never suspected they were that close.
Knowing he could do nothing about Harmony at the moment, Nathaniel closed the door, determined to get to the bottom of this problem. The accusations against his mother were simply outrageous! Perhaps they had misconstrued what they had seen. Mr. Radcliffe had been against the marriage since the beginning; perhaps this was his way of ending it. After all, his allegiance was to Lord Miller, that much was clear.
He turned and went in search of his mother – and the answers he needed before he went after the woman he loved.
***
Eleanor stood in the study filled with shame. For many years, she had kept hidden her affections, but this morning, she had allowed them to take control over her. The consequences were great, for her son had lost the woman he loved. What a fool she was for doing what she did! Even Forbes in his great wisdom had made every attempt to dissuade her, and now a moment of weakness had brought harm to her youngest child.
“Mother?”
She turned to Nathaniel as he entered the room. “We must speak.”
“Yes, I know,” she sighed. “There is much I have been meaning to tell you.”
With long strides, her son came to stand beside her, the pain in his eyes breaking her heart.
“And Harmony?” she asked.
“She left with her parents,” he replied. “Mr. Radcliffe has called off the engagement.”
“I am so sorry,” she said. “I did not mean for anyone to see.”
Nathaniel’s eyes widened. “You did not mean for anyone to see? I do not understand. What you did with Forbes is so unlike you.” He looked her up and down. “You have thinned and your face is pale. Has your illness made you not think clearly?”
Eleanor brought her hands together in thought. How could she explain what needed to be explained? Every thought did not seem right.
He frowned. “Has Forbes taken advantage of you in some way since father’s passing?”
“Taken advantage of me?” she asked in shock.
“Yes. Has he preyed upon your emotional distress?” His frown deepened. “He is not taking money from you, is he? No, it does not matter. I will not have that man think he can kiss the lady of this house!”
Eleanor reached out to grasp her son’s arm. “It was I who kissed him,” she said. “Forbes has been a rock to me over the years, and not once has he thought of himself. He always considers others first.”
“No,” Nathaniel said. “He should know better. No servant would act so brazenly with the wife of the man he once served!”
Eleanor turned her gaze out the window. “For what happened with Harmony, I am sorry.”
“I will send word to Mr. Radcliffe and request to speak with him.” He leaned against the frame of the window and sighed. “But we must speak about what we will do with Forbes. We must discharge him and find a replacement immediately.”
She turned toward him, her heart in her throat. “What do you mean?”
“We all care for Forbes, but he must leave Scarlett Hall. I will return with Harmony as my bride, but I cannot have him here after what happened. It would not be right!”
“He will not be here,” Eleanor replied. “He will leave with me. Once you are married, he and I will be leaving. Together.”
Nathaniel shook his head. “You are talking madness. Surely you do not mean to leave as a couple? He is a butler and you are a dowager baroness!”
Eleanor reached into her pocket and produced a simple wedding band. “Do you know what this represents?”
“Of course,” he replied. “It’s a wedding ring. It represents the union between a man and a woman and the vows they intend to keep.”
She smiled as memories flooded her mind. “You are right,” she replied. “That is exactly what it represents.” She turned the ring in her palm and then returned it to her pocket. “I have had that ring for many years.”
“Does it belong to Father?”
“Yes, it belongs to your father,” she replied. “Soon, you will return with your bride to begin your new life together. It has always been my dream that your days here be filled with happiness.”
She drew in a deep steadying breath. Although her lungs burned with pain, she held her face stoic so as not to worry her son. “Many secrets are hidden within the walls of Scarlett Hall, secrets that have been kept hidden in order to protect all of us. Especially you and your sisters.”
“What secrets could there possibly be that would concern me?” Nathaniel asked.
Eleanor sighed. “Help me to the sofa,” she said. Once they were seated, she took his hand in hers. “I want to explain why I carry your father’s ring with me.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Scarlett Hall 1791
Lady Eleanor Lambert paced the length of her bedroom, turned, and did the same again. She had been informed by her husband, Charles, to wait whilst he conducted business with a solicitor in the study. Why she could not stay in the drawing room or outside with her children, she did not know, but there was one thing she did know. Charles was leaving again soon when he had returned only yesterday.
She had made the mistake of inquiring after his journey, which brought about a swift rebuke from Charles. What she feared now was that he had sent her away so he could further her punishment with his fists once his meeting was completed. It would not have been the first time, nor would it likely be the last. Oh, why had she not simply kept her mouth shut?
The man’s temper grew worse with each passing day, and Eleanor oftentimes found herself the object of his anger. The only time he treated her like a wife was when he came to her room, so she could perform her marital duties, for she had yet to give him an heir. It did not help that he visited her room less often as of late, but he would hear nothing about the fault being his. Had he not come to her just last night for that very reason?
The door opened, and Charles entered the room carrying several documents. Although she had said nothing to him, he gave her a look of disgust. “Sit,” he ordered.
She did as he bade, sitting on the edge of the bed without saying a word. If she kept
her mouth closed tight, she would be safe!
“Do you know what these are?” he asked.
Eleanor shook her head.
“Speak, woman, unless you have gone mute.”
“No, I do not,” she replied.
He walked over to the vanity table and set the documents there. “That is a petition for divorce,” he said. “I will be seeking a desolation of our marriage.”
Fear consumed her, and she jumped up from the bed.
“I did not tell you to stand!” he shouted. “Now, sit!”
Humiliated, she nodded and sat down on the bed once more.
“You have been unable to produce an heir. I grow impatient waiting for you to give me what I need, and I must think of the future of the barony. Therefore, I may need to find another wife to give me what I need.” He picked up one of her bottles of perfume and sniffed its fragrance. Then he turned his glare on her once again. “Well? Do you not have anything to say for yourself?”
“What can I say?” she replied. “I have tried to bring a son into this world.”
“And yet you have failed,” Charles said as he walked up to her. “I can no longer wait until you do.”
Eleanor looked up at the man she had once loved. Now her heart felt nothing but contempt — and fear — for him.
He snorted. “Do not look at me as if it is I who has the shortcoming.”
“Do you believe I do not want to give you a son?” she asked in a whisper. “You act as if I have a choice in the matter.”
To this, he laughed. “You are the one who is responsible for bearing our children, not I. Therefore it is you who has failed and why I have had the petition drawn up. But there is a chance to redeem yourself. Last night I played my part. I leave today on business and shall be gone for several months. When I return, I hope you will be carrying my child. A boy of course. If you are not with child, this marriage is over. If you are with child and it is a girl, her fate will be the same as the last. Although, I doubt my brother will be willing to take on another daughter. Ah, well, I suppose I can find someone who will want the sprat.”
Images of her lovely Annabel being taken away only minutes after she was born filled her mind. “I despise you,” she whispered, and Charles spun about to give her a sharp look. “You would sell your own children to settle debts! You may carry the title of baron, but you are no man.”
“Watch your tongue, woman,” he said, his eyes livid. “Do not make me…”
All fear left her, and she returned his glare with one of her own. “What? Use your fist?” she demanded. “Or you will leave to go visit one of your whores as you plan to do this day? By all means, please leave and give me and my children peace!”
His steps were quick, and she knew she had gone too far. Her blasted tongue! Before she could lift her arms to protect herself, he drew his fist back and struck her across the face. Pain radiated through her jaw and into her head as she collapsed to the floor, and she was left with a ringing in her left ear.
“You are a disgrace,” he hissed down at her. “All I have ever asked of you is a son. Pray that last night was enough to see it happen, for it will be your very last chance. If not, I will submit the petition for divorce the same day the child is born.” He turned to leave but then stopped. “Oh, and the girls will remain here with me.”
“No!” Eleanor cried as she pulled herself from the floor. “My children are all I have!”
He pushed her back to the floor. “Then see that I get what I request,” he said before leaving her sobbing upon the carpet beside the bed. Her jaw ached as much as her soul, but she was never one to feel sorry for herself, not long anyway.
Pulling herself back up, she made her way to the vanity table. Charles had not lied, the documents were a petition for divorce, citing that she had been unfaithful. Although it was untrue, she knew he had the power to make anyone believe it.
She looked at her reflection. The left side of her face was already swollen, and an angry red mark marred her jaw. No amount of powder would hide the bruise left behind, which meant she would not be leaving her room, or the house, for at least a fortnight.
What did it matter, anyway? Charles had chased off any friends she had made, and she had nowhere to go if she did want to leave. Instead, she curled up on the bed and cried until sleep overtook her.
***
How many days could a lady remain hidden in her room so her children would not see the bruising on her face? She had told the servants that she had fallen down the stairs, which would explain her injuries, but her daughters would be much too upset if they were to see her. The only person who knew the truth was the man who had brought her food each night.
A knock on the door made her turn toward the door. “Yes?” she called out, hoping it was not Juliet searching for her again. She despised lying to her children, but she had done everything in her power to keep the truth from them when it came to how their father treated their mother. Nothing good would come from them learning such information, and she had done her best to make certain they only saw a wonderful marriage.
The door opened and the butler, Forbes, entered. His eyes flickered to the untouched tray. “Was the food not to your liking?” he asked.
“I am not hungry,” she replied. “You may take it away.”
“Forgive me if I am out of line, but you need your strength to…heal.”
“I will heal in time,” she replied with a smile, which made her wince. “Now the bruises inside are quite another thing.” She had meant the words as a way to bring humor to a difficult situation, but the butler only became more stoic.
From the moment Forbes had come to Scarlett Hall, which was not long after Eleanor became Lady Lambert, he had always been a thoughtful listener. Now without a lady’s maid or anyone else in whom she could confide, Forbes was all she had. Perhaps confiding in one’s butler was not the most appropriate idea, but she had no one else.
“There are times when our strength is tested,” Forbes said, always ready with a word of advice for any who asked. “And I have no doubt that you shall pass this test just as you have so many others before.” His words word kind and were not said with pity.
“Your wisdom is appreciated,” she replied. Then she sighed. “I am afraid that this time I lack the necessary strength.” She glanced at the documents that still lay on her vanity table. When she looked back at Forbes, he was still smiling at her. “How can you look at me? Do my bruises not disgust you?”
He shook his head. “No, my lady, they do not.”
She nodded, and then another thought came to mind, a thought that had plagued her for some time. “There may come a day when my husband’s temper becomes so great I will be unable to bear it. I would request that you see that my daughters remain safe once I am gone.”
A flicker of anger crossed the butler’s face before he smoothed his features once more. “There will be no need for that,” he replied. “You will be kept safe.”
Eleanor shook her head. Did he not see what her husband had done to her? He would never understand. “Forgive me for keeping you from your duties,” she said. “You have more important matters to attend to.”
He gave a slight shake to his head, and Eleanor’s heartbeat increased. “You believe I am blind,” he whispered, “but know that I am not. Although what I am able to do is limited, I will always see to your safety.”
Tears welled up in her eyes as she attempted to push down the feelings that rose inside her. “Why do you care for me?” she asked. “I am unworthy.”
He smiled. “I am only seeing to my responsibilities as your butler, which is to see you are made comfortable.”
She rose and caught his arm as he turned toward the door. “My husband beats me, and tonight he promises the world to another. That is how he finds his happiness, and tonight, for once, I want to find mine.”
“You ask something of me that is forbidden,” he said, shaking his head. “Do not make me do this.”
“I need to
know if what I see in your eyes, and what my heart tells me, is true. So I ask…is it true?”
He gave a small nod. “I cannot deny that I admire you greatly,” he replied, “but we cannot act on whatever feelings that may have sparked between us.”
“But why?” she asked. “Am I not allowed happiness?”
“You are a lady, and I am a simple butler. The two cannot intermingle.”
Eleanor nodded and returned to the vanity table. “A woman who is the object of her husband’s anger. A husband who wishes to be granted a divorce.” She ran her fingers over the documents. “A child she bore and who was given away to settle a gambling debt.” She sighed. “And a friendship that has blossomed to something deeper.” She turned to Forbes. “Tell me now that you do not feel the same as I feel for you and we shall never speak of this again, but you may not lie.” The room fell quiet as shadows created by the single candle danced on the walls. “All I ask is for one night of happiness. One night to feel loved. One night to believe that my life will be better although I know it will not.”
“Eleanor,” Forbes replied. How wonderful her name sounded coming from his tongue! “I fear what will become of us if I speak the truth.” Despite his words of refusal, he placed a hand on her face.
“Then say it,” she whispered. “Tell me what is on your heart just this once, and I will never ask you to say it again.”
Rather than speaking the words, he leaned in and kissed her.
***
There are several things a lady knows that men will never comprehend. One of these is the connection a mother has with the child she carries and the love for the man who has given her that gift. The love in a woman’s heart is sacred and never given in vain. It is earned through trust and understanding, which creates a bond words can never explain.
Eleanor stared out the window, watching her daughters play beneath the oak tree as the babe inside her moved. Although she had another four months before the child entered the world, in her heart, she knew it was a boy.
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