“You…you leave my home and never return!” Harmony’s father stammered. “And you! You are no longer our daughter!”
Harmony shook her head. “I have not been your daughter for a very long time,” she said, sadness filling her. “What you offer is not a form of punishment but rather a relief.”
Lydia returned with two carpetbags, and Nathaniel took them from her. Then, with a nod to him, Harmony placed her arm in his and they headed down the steps, Lydia following behind.
“Never again!” her father shouted after her. “Never again will you speak to us! Your rebellious nature will be your downfall, just you wait and see!”
Her mother sobbed into her hands but said nothing to stop Harmony from leaving.
Once in the carriage, Nathaniel said, “I am sorry we had to do that. I did not want it to go this way.”
“They deserve our pity,” Harmony replied as she looked out at her parents still standing on the portico. “But I am ready to go to Scarlett Hall. Our home.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Lady Eleanor Lambert was exhausted. The pain she had hoped would already be at its worse had only increased over the last week. The number of bottles of elixir she consumed had only increased, yet she could not focus on her health. Instead, she concentrated on the carriage that came up the drive toward her.
After all these years, her only son, born out of love and the heir to a vast estate, was returning home for good, bringing with him his fiancée. He had become everything she had hoped he would be — the perfect gentleman with a heart for others.
She turned to Forbes, who stood beside her on the portico. “Our son returns home,” she whispered. “Soon, we will leave to make a new life. Together.”
Although she was happy to see Nathaniel return, she worried what Harmony now thought of her. The girl had touched her heart, and she knew immediately she was a perfect match for Nathaniel. Perhaps it mattered not what Harmony thought of her, for what did truly matter was what the girl thought of the man she was to marry.
As he had many times before, Forbes offered a kind word. “It is not only I who understands you did no wrong,” Forbes said. “Miss Harmony does not judge.” How did this man always seem to know her thoughts?
Eleanor sighed. “I suppose you are right,” she replied. “Yet, I do worry about our son.”
Although Nathaniel had informed her that he did not blame her for what occurred the day the Radcliffes had left Scarlett Hall in a huff, she could sense anger in him. Of course, she had expected him to be upset once he learned the truth, although she had hoped the need for him to know would never arise.
She wanted to laugh. Why should she expect him to simply get through it unscathed? Such thoughts were unfair to Nathaniel.
The carriage came to a stop at the top of the drive, and a footman hurried to place the step and open the door. Harmony emerged, and although she had visited previously, she still gaped at her surroundings as if she had never seen them before.
Eleanor smiled. “I am reminded of the day I arrived at Scarlett Hall.”
Then Harmony caught sight of Eleanor, and her face lit up. Eleanor could not have been more pleased! The girl did not think poorly of her after all.
“Mother,” Nathaniel said as he embraced her, “we have arrived home at last.”
“Indeed, you have,” Eleanor replied before hugging Harmony. “I am so happy you have returned.” She then turned to Harmony’s lady’s maid. “And Lydia, it is so good to see you again.”
Lydia bobbed a quick curtsy, her cheeks pink. “Thank you, my lady.”
“Your rooms have been prepared, and I realize you must be tired after your long journey, but do you mind if we speak in the drawing room before you rest?”
“I believe that will be fine,” Nathaniel replied. Then he turned to Forbes. “Our things, please.”
Without hesitation, Forbes bowed his head and then descended the stairs.
“Do you mind if I speak to Harmony alone for a moment?” Eleanor asked.
“I will meet you in the drawing room,” Nathaniel said before entering the house.
Harmony smiled. “Lydia, would you please take my things to my room?”
“Yes, Miss,” Lydia replied before curtsying and hurrying inside.
“I am sorry you have to return under these circumstances,” Eleanor said. “And for my part in it, I ask your forgiveness.”
Harmony gave her a warm smile. “You must understand, my parents are never happy. As to what occurred before, I make no comment, for I see a woman like myself who has found a reason to smile. How could I ever think bad of you for that?”
“You are too kind,” Eleanor said. “You will make an outstanding baroness, which is exactly what this house needs. I am so glad to welcome you here again to your new home.”
The younger woman’s cheeks reddened. “I appreciate you saying so, but I will always see this as your home.”
Eleanor chuckled. “One day you will not, and there is no harm in that, for it will be the laughter of you and your children that will fill these halls.” When Harmony smiled again, Eleanor could sense something was not quite right. “Are you worried about your parents?”
“A bit, yes,” Harmony replied. “But much has happened since we last saw one another.”
“Oh?” Eleanor asked. “Would you care to share with me? You need not worry I will judge you or think less of you no matter what you tell me. But I am growing weary standing here. Let us go to the study where we can sit and talk. Nathaniel will be fine on his own a while longer.”
Harmony laughed, and Eleanor could see why Nathaniel thought her beautiful.
Once they were seated in the study, Eleanor said, “Now, tell me all about it.”
With a sigh, Harmony said, “Before Nathaniel and I became engaged, my parents had wanted me to marry an earl, and although he is titled, he is a terrible man. One time, he kissed me against my will and then became angry and pushed me to the ground!”
Eleanor shook her head. “There are those who feel the need to use their position to bully others. I find it odd they do not realize how much good they could do instead, which in turn will garner the respect of those around them.”
“I could not agree with you more,” Harmony replied. “After my parents and I left here, they contacted Lord Miller — that is the man my parents wanted me to marry and who accused Nathaniel of sending men after him — and informed him I was once again available for marriage. I admit that I am worried he will come here and cause trouble. I have no doubt he feels jilted.”
Eleanor pursed her lips in anger. “He certainly sounds like a man you have no reason to marry. But do not worry about him coming here. Even if he does, Nathaniel and Forbes will never allow him to harm you or anyone else.”
“Are you sure?” Harmony asked. “Will we truly be safe?”
Eleanor nodded, but she paused as memories rose in her mind. Too many had tried to hurt those she loved, but all had eventually failed. That did not make the attempts less terrifying, however.
“I am quite sure,” she said. “Now, let us go to the drawing room and put these bad memories behind us, for today is the start of a fresh new day.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Harmony Radcliffe, soon to be Lambert, sat in the library with a closed journal in her lap. She had been at Scarlett Hall for nearly a week now, and during that time she had finished reading the journal that had once belonged to the first Lady Lambert, Lady Martha Lambert.
“To think she poisoned her husband!” Harmony whispered. The act of infidelity was a grave sin, of course, but had killing the man been justified? Not having been forced to endure such travesty, Harmony was unable to say what she would have done, but the taking of a life was rarely justified in her opinion.
Sighing, she leaned forward to place the old leather tome on the table. Although she would eventually read through all the secret journals, today she had a more important matter to attend to. A vicar who was close to the family would
be arriving shortly to speak to her, and although Harmony had attended church on occasion, she had never spoken directly to a man of the cloth. Yet, Nathaniel had said the man was kind, and because he trusted him, she would trust him, as well.
Apparently, it was this Reverend Creassey who would perform the marriage ceremony the following day and had said it was customary to speak to both parties beforehand to ascertain that they were indeed the right match. She hoped he would find no reason to refuse to marry them, for she and Nathaniel were already jittery as it was.
She sighed. Nathaniel’s mood had been unpredictable since their return to Scarlett Hall. Although he continued to smile, it no longer was the easy smile to which she was accustomed. Whenever she asked him, he denied any misgivings and told her not to worry, yet how could she not? Too much had happened for her not to be concerned.
Then there was her worry over Lord Miller. The earl was not one to cede any disagreement, and although Nathaniel had bested the man with his fists, Lord Miller was driven by an evil her fiancé could never possess.
The door opened, and Forbes entered. “Reverend Creassey, Miss Harmony.”
Harmony rose from her chair to greet the older man, his dark coat of such fine fabric unexpected of a man of the Church. “Reverend Creassey,” she said with a smile, “I am very pleased to make your acquaintance. Nathaniel has told me so much about you.”
“And Harmony, he has told me much about you,” he replied. “You do not mind if I call you Harmony, do you?”
“No, of course not,” she said. “Please, have a seat.” She directed him to the chair across from her, where he waited for her to sit first.
The vicar never took his eyes off her, and for a moment she shifted in her seat.
When he did speak, she nearly jumped. “I was informed that Lady Lambert has gone into Rumsbury today.”
“She has. I do not expect her to return for several hours if you were expecting to speak to her, as well.”
He waved a hand at her. “No. It is best that what we discuss in this meeting remains between us.”
Harmony frowned. Why would they need to keep what they say a secret?
Although she had not asked aloud, he answered her question. “After all, what one shares with a man of God must remain between that person and he who takes his – or her – confession. Even a casual conversation as this should be for our ears alone.”
After considering his words, she nodded. “I agree, Reverend,” she said. Then she stood. “May I pour you a drink?” Her cheeks heated. What was she thinking offering him alcohol? “Forgive me, perhaps I can have tea brought up.”
The reverend chuckled. “Brandy will be fine,” he replied.
She poured him a measure from the decanter, offered him the glass, and returned to her place on the sofa.
Reverend Creassey crossed a leg over the other knee and sat back in his chair. “Nathaniel informed me how you left your home. To put it simply, you ran away, did you not?”
Shame filled Harmony. “I know disobeying my parents is a sin, but my parents never saw me as a daughter. I was merely a means to an end, a way to connect them with the aristocracy. That is more important than what I want, and they were willing to do whatever they thought necessary to achieve it. They would have agreed to sell me into slavery if it meant being invited to parties and accepted by those of the upper class.”
“So, you are saying that your behavior has never warranted their scorn?”
Harmony’s stomach dropped. Would he now point out how wrong her decision to leave her parents was after she had finally come to terms with it?
“If I may speak bluntly,” the reverend continued, “Do you believe yourself to be a good woman? A worthy bride for a baron? Or are you a woman willing to cause strife in families?”
“I swear to you,” Harmony said, hurt by his veiled accusation, “although no child is perfect, I have obeyed my parents in every matter until now, whether I agreed or not. But when they denied my heart, I felt I had no choice but to disobey.”
“Are you aware of the great deal of stress Nathaniel is under?”
Harmony nodded. “I am. The way I left my parents, the way he had to…”
Reverend Creassey stood and walked to stand before her. She looked up at him. Was his expression one of anger or neutrality?
“What did he have to do?”
She was uncertain if she should reveal to this man what Nathaniel did the day he came for her at St. Peter’s Park. Would doing so not betray Nathaniel? Perhaps this was information Nathaniel himself should be sharing with this man. Yet, he had not asked her to keep what had been said to herself.
The reverend sighed and sat beside her. “I am a vicar, a shepherd to those who are of my flock. You may tell me anything without fear of admonishment. Now, tell me, child. What happened?”
Harmony nodded, but she feared the tears she was holding back would burst forth. “Nathaniel had to threaten my father…”
She explained all that had occurred the morning Nathaniel came for her, and when she finished, she added, “You must understand, there was no other way. If he had not done so, I would have been forced to marry Lord Miller.”
“The man Nathaniel fought? The one who wished to marry you?”
Harmony nodded. “The same. I cannot help but feel responsible for the burdens Nathaniel must carry. He tells me not to concern myself, but I fear it is he who is being consumed with worry.” She dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. “Will you still perform the ceremony?” she asked.
The reverend looked away for a moment as if deep in thought. “What Nathaniel has done, using his power to threaten people to do his bidding, frightens me. The fact he has chosen violence to make a point does not sit well with me.”
“It is my fault,” Harmony whispered, riddled with guilt. “Please, if you must place blame, it should be on me.”
Reverend Creassey turned toward her once more and rested his hand on hers. She considered pulling away but instead reminded herself that this was a man of God and therefore his actions were pure.
“I am not placing blame on you, child,” he said. “In fact, I am quite pleased with what you have revealed to me.”
“Are you?” she asked in shock. “I am sorry, but I am confused. I thought that since Nathaniel…”
“You opened your heart and shared your fears. That is what a wife should do — put the needs of her husband before hers. You would be a wonderful addition to my flock. Would you like that?”
“I would,” she replied.
“I will make you a promise,” he continued. “But I will need something from you.”
Harmony nodded. “Of course. Anything.”
“I will perform the marriage ceremony, for I believe the two of you are good for one another.”
Relief washed over her. “Oh, thank you, Reverend,” she said. “It pleases me to hear you say so.”
He patted her hand. “There are two things I require from you beginning today.”
“Please, name them. Whatever you ask, I will do.”
This time when he smiled, she felt an odd sense of fear. Yet, as soon as it came, it left.
“Our talk today, and any future talks, are never to be discussed with anyone else, not even your soon-to-be husband. Can you agree with that point?”
Harmony nodded again. He had already explained this. Why was he requiring a promise?
“The second promise I need from you is no matter what trouble comes your way, you will come to me for guidance. It may be a problem with Nathaniel or anyone else, but you must come to me and seek my advice. Will you agree to that?”
“Your offer is kind,” Harmony replied with a smile. “I can certainly see the merit of it. Yes, I will seek you out if I need any words of wisdom.”
He chuckled. “That is exactly what you will receive,” he replied. “So, do we have an agreement?”
“We most certainly do,” she said with a laugh. “Thank you so much.”
; “I have served this home for two generations, and if the good Lord sees fit, I shall serve it for two more.”
Harmony was overcome with joy. How fortunate she was to have such a kind man willing to listen and not judge!
Once Reverend Creassey was gone, she returned to her seat and thought over all they had discussed. The man was unselfish and only wished to reassure her that she would have an ear willing to listen if the need arose. Surely no person was wiser than a vicar!
Reverend Creassey told me the good news,” Nathaniel said as he entered the room. “Tomorrow, he will marry us!”
Harmony rose and returned the smile her fiancé gave her. “Yes, tomorrow. And I cannot wait to become your bride.”
“May I ask what you and the reverend discussed?”
For a moment, Harmony wished to tell him everything, but then she recalled the promise she had made. “He was simply making certain I will make a good wife,” she replied.
Nathaniel laughed. “But I had already told him as much, and it is something I have known all along.”
***
That night, Nathaniel stood beside the cold fireplace in the drawing room, a glass of brandy in his hand. Tomorrow he would marry Harmony, and he had never wanted anything more.
Although he should be happy, however, he could not shake the guilt that threatened to consume him over the method he had used to make it happen.
Yet, Mr. Radcliffe had given him no choice. Nathaniel had to do whatever he could to preserve the love he had for Harmony, not to mention keeping her from being forced to marry Lord Miller. The problem was if what he had done was right, why did it make him feel as if he had stepped into a quagmire that threatened to pitch him onto his face?
Lord Miller was another concern that kept him from sleeping well at night. Would the earl one day return to exact his revenge on them? Nathaniel would not put it past the man to sneak into the house and carry Harmony away.
The door opened, and Forbes entered the room. “My lord,” he said, closing the door behind him although Nathaniel had not asked him to do so, “everything is in order for tomorrow. Is there anything else I can do for you before you retire for the night?”
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