“Juliet? What is wrong?”
With a wave of her hand, she moved toward the stables. “Oh, nothing. Come, I must speak to Daniel.”
***
The mid-afternoon sun warmed the air, and Juliet paused when she and Annabel reached the door to the stables. Her goal was to apologize to Daniel for her harsh words concerning his coat, and she preferred to do so without her cousin as a witness.
“Wait for me here,” she said. “I am afraid the man may cry when I scold him, and it would be unfair to have him seen in such a condition.”
Annabel nodded and moved aside. “I understand.”
Juliet waited for Annabel to open the door and then entered the stables, the crutches making the now familiar thunk on the floor as she made her way down the long corridor. The first thing she noticed when she reached the backroom was the large saddle blanket covering a bulky object on one of the tables in the middle of the room. Daniel was pacing back and forth, his hands clasped behind his back as he mumbled to himself.
“Daniel?”
The man stopped and turned toward her. The smile he had worn all the years she had known him had returned, and it warmed her heart. She had not realized how much she had missed it since her fall.
“Miss Juliet,” he said with his awkward bow. “I’m glad to see you.”
“Thank you,” she replied, feeling her spirits rise. “I wish to speak to you concerning a few matters.”
“Yes, of course,” he replied. He took a step toward her, his hand now in the pockets of the coat that was well past the condition that even a servant should wear. “If this is about my coat, I swear that I plan to buy a new one soon. My month isn’t up yet.”
The old guilt returned, and Juliet said, “No. Or rather, yes. What I mean to say is that it is concerning your coat, but I wished to say that my words to you were cruel, and I wish to ask for your forgiveness for speaking so horribly to you.”
He gave her a surprised look. “You don’t need to apologize to me,” he said. “I’m the one who should be embarrassed by offending Lord Parsons.”
Juliet sighed. “I care nothing for what the man thinks. Do you forgive me or not?”
“I do, but a lady doesn’t need to owe a stable hand any apologies. But if it makes you feel better, I accept your apology and forgive you.”
The words were like magic lifting a sorrow she had not realized lay on her heart. As he gazed at her, she glanced down at her wrist, and that need to hear Daniel tell her she was beautiful returned. Perhaps today would be that day!
“Lord Parsons gave me a gift,” she said, lifting her hand to show him the bracelet.
“It’s a worthy gift,” Daniel replied, although pain flickered in his eyes. “It’s surely fitting for a woman such as you.”
A horse whinnied, but otherwise no other sound echoed in the room.
“He said I was beautiful. Therefore, I must ask you, what do you think?”
The man looked down at the ground, and Juliet looked over his clothing. Although his work trousers and boots were well worn, somehow this time they looked different, not as offensive. Or perhaps she no longer cared how old they were.
“I don’t doubt the man tells no lies,” he said.
Frustrated, Juliet went to say more, to get him to say what she wished more than anything to hear from him, but when he raised his head once again, his eyes looked into hers.
“If I may say so, and I know my opinion doesn’t matter all that much, but the man’s right. There’s no one who can compare to you in all of England, or anywhere else in the world as far as I know. You’re most definitely very beautiful, Miss Juliet.”
As the last of his words left his lips, Juliet felt her heart soar and her limbs go weak. He had finally said what she had wanted to hear from him for so long, and the feeling it provided was unlike any she had ever known.
Her elation was short-lived, however, when he added, “I’m glad Lord Parsons can give you things you need.”
Juliet shook her head. “I care nothing for this,” she said, motioning the wrist with the bracelet. “It is…” Her words trailed off. How she wished to tell Daniel that his words meant more to her than any expensive piece of jewelry. That she found him far more handsome than anyone she had ever met. However, she could not form the words, and with panic in her veins, she turned to the blanket. “What is that?”
Oh, bother! Once again, she did not say what her heart wanted her to say. How had she become such a ninny?
Daniel turned to look at the table. “It was a surprise for you,” he said. “It doesn’t matter much now; it’s foolish really.”
“Do not say such a thing,” she said, moving toward the table. “This is a surprise for me?”
Daniel nodded. “Yes, but I promise it’s nothing that compares to the gold on your wrist.” He snorted. “I find it silly now.”
“I would like to see it nonetheless,” Juliet said. “Let me be the judge as to what is foolish and what is not.”
Daniel sighed but did as she bade. When the blanket had been whisked away, she gasped.
“Your saddle,” he said, his face a bright red to his ears. “I know you weren’t happy with what I’d done, so I tried to make it so you would approve.”
Juliet was stunned. The man had outdone himself. The craftsmanship was better than she would have ever expected, even from the finest of leather workers. Even her name had been beautifully carved into the leather on the side.
“Oh, Daniel,” she whispered, “it is beautiful!”
“You’re just being kind,” he replied. “I know it doesn’t compare to Lord Parson’s …”
Juliet turned to give the man a glare. “It does not compare to Lord Parson’s gift, that is true.” When Daniel looked back at the ground once more, she smiled. “It is far better. I assume it comes from the heart?”
He nodded. “It does.”
“Mother has told me often that the finest of things cannot be purchased from a shop but rather they come from the heart.” She turned back to the saddle. “I can see that in your work.” Then a new thought came to her. “You cannot read. How did you do this?”
“One of the house servants can read and write.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small scrap of paper. “I asked him to write your name for me, and I copied the letters.”
Juliet took the crumpled parchment from him. Indeed, scrawled in a meager hand was her name. “This is what you have been doing this past week?” she asked. So, he had not been avoiding her!
Daniel nodded. “I know I embarrassed you but didn’t know any other way. If I don’t know my letters, then I can’t read or write. And if I can’t read or write, then I won’t be able to put your name on the saddle.”
A month earlier, she had wanted to touch the man for her own thrill, but now she wished only to give him comfort as she placed a hand on his arm. “You have never embarrassed me,” she whispered. “To know you went to such lengths for me.” She removed her hand and wiped a tear from her eye. “It is the most wonderful gift I have ever received.”
“I’m glad,” he said, and as he stood looking down at her, Juliet could do nothing more than stare into his dark eyes, eyes within which she could become lost. What she wanted to tell him was that she wished only to be near him, yet she still could not find the words to express her thoughts.
She glanced down at the gold bracelet once more. Although it had been a costly gift, it did not come from the heart. Juliet was no fool, and she knew Lord Parsons had presented her with it only as a means to an end. An end in which she had little interest.
“I will never wear this again,” she said.
Daniel’s eyes went wide as he looked first at her wrist and then her face once more.
Juliet glanced around and then lowered her voice. “May I share a secret with you?”
“Of course.”
Her heartbeat increased, and she had to take a deep breath to keep it from exploding from her throat. “I care nothin
g for Lord Parsons. I only agreed to the carriage ride to keep Mother happy.”
Daniel presented her with one of his small smiles. “Miss Juliet, it’s none of my business who you spend time with, and you certainly don’t need my approval.”
“You are right, of course,” she said with a light chuckle. “I do not need your approval. Regardless, I do not wish to see the man ever again. I think he is a bore.” She searched Daniel’s face for any reaction to her words and found none. “He is certainly not the man you are.” Ah, there was a reaction! His eyes widened in surprise. “Therefore, I shall not allow him to call over nor will I join him for any outings. Now, tell me, does that meet your approval?”
The man went to speak, and Juliet raised a single eyebrow at him, daring him to disagree with her. He paused and then nodded. “Yes, it meets my approval.”
They stood staring at one another for some time, although Juliet was not sure how long. She had finally caught his eye and got him to admit she was beautiful, but now she found she wanted more. What that ‘more’ was, she was uncertain, but the fact she would remain at Scarlett Hall rather than join her sisters in London allowed her the remainder of the season to figure it out.
Chapter Nine
It had been several days since Juliet had received her gift from Daniel, and she still felt as if she were walking on clouds. Or rather, hopping on clouds with her crutches hindering what was typically a wonderful gate.
When she had returned to the house, she showed her mother the gift Lord Parsons had given her, and of course, her mother’s reaction confirmed Juliet’s assumption that the woman hoped the baron would call over again.
She had not lied when she told Daniel she hoped to never speak to Lord Parsons again; however, she did not mention this to her mother. The truth of the matter was, she did not wish to hurt Daniel; she had done so enough in the past. From the day he presented her with the saddle and every day forward, she was determined to turn over a new leaf. She would treat Daniel, and all the servants, with kindness.
Today, she and Annabel were in Rumsbury, the sun high in the sky and the weather unusually warm. Soon, March would be upon them, and before she knew it, it would be May and her sisters would return. Juliet found that she missed her sisters. How she wished they were here! If anyone could help her with her issues with Lord parsons and Daniel, they could.
They came to a stop in front of the new cobbler’s shop, and Annabel opened the door for Juliet. Robert was leaning against the counter, his white shirt much cleaner than the last time they had seen him, and his trousers appeared new.
“Juliet!” he said in that same dramatic fashion as the first day they had met. “And Miss Annabel. It is a great pleasure to have you in my shop once more.”
“Thank you,” Juliet said, beaming at the man’s exuberance. “It is nice to see you again, as well.”
The man grinned as he walked behind the counter and produced a large package wrapped in brown paper. “I finished your riding boots,” he said. “I do hope you find them to your liking.”
“I am certain I will,” Juliet replied as she hobbled up to the counter. Robert unwrapped the box and pulled out a pair of the most exquisite pair of boots she had ever seen. She ran a finger over the soft leather; they were perfect in every way. “Your kindness is much appreciated,” she said. “I shall tell every lady of the ton of your craftsmanship, for these are the finest boots I have ever seen.”
“Thank you,” Robert said as he rewrapped the package. “I must admit, I spent some time on them. I hope that my passion for my work shows.”
Juliet nodded, and her thoughts turned to Daniel. He had put as much effort into her saddle as Robert had put into the boots, and for the second time that week, Juliet found her mother’s words could not have been truer; the best gifts did indeed come from the heart.
“Oh, look,” Annabel said. “I see Caroline.”
Juliet followed her cousin’s gaze until it fell on one Miss Caroline Thrup, a mutual friend, as she peered through the window.
“Go and speak to her,” Juliet urged. “Invite her in.”
Annabel hurried from the shop, and as Juliet waited, she turned back to the counter. Her heart skipped a beat when she found Robert staring at her, a strange expression on his face. However, as fast as she saw it, it disappeared, and a smile replaced it. Perhaps she had misread that look.
“May I be so bold to ask a question?” he said. Juliet nodded. “In my life, I have seen people suffer from within. You seem to carry a great burden, and if you will allow me, I am a good listener. I promise to keep whatever you tell me in confidence.”
Juliet sighed. It would be nice to have someone in whom she could confide. Annabel was well enough, but there simply were things Juliet could not share with her.
“Forgive me,” Robert said. “You are a lady and I am but a simple cobbler. I mean no disrespect.”
“Oh, no,” Juliet said, thinking of how Daniel would say the same. Her mother was right; these people were humans, and a new ear would lessen her burden significantly. “It is not your work that keeps me from sharing.” She glanced at the window where Annabel and Caroline were still speaking. No, she could not share her feelings with a man she barely knew. The fact she had even considered it was enough to make her wish she had stayed home today. However, she could not be rude, either. She could help herself while at the same keeping secret that which had to be kept secret. “It is my cousin. I do not know what to do about her.”
“What is wrong?”
“You must understand,” Juliet replied, leaning in conspiratorially. “A lady of her station who is as handsome as she must marry a gentleman of society.”
“Yes, I understand these things,” Robert said. “Is she to be wed to a gentleman?”
“Not yet,” Juliet said with a shake to her head. “However, if she continues to allow a particular man to call, I am afraid it will be inevitable.”
“But is that not what she wants?”
“You see,” she glanced at the window once more, “the man in whom she has an interest is not a man of the ton, nor is he of the Landed Gentry.”
Robert smiled and nodded. “I think I understand the problem.” He rubbed his chin. “If a lady such as Miss Annabel were to even consider courtship with a commoner, she would be left to gossip, shame upon her family, a tragedy unlike the ton has ever known.”
Juliet nodded. This man did indeed understand, and that brought her a small sense of relief. Perhaps she would gain some advice from him that would help her with her current problem. “If she tells the man she is no longer interested, I would be forced to go with my mother to London for the remainder of the season.” She clamped her mouth shut when she realized she had just implicated herself. “That is…I mean to say…”
“Juliet,” Robert said, his voice low, “your secret is safe with me. I would not risk speaking of such things, for it would draw your anger. Plus, who would listen to a lowly cobbler, anyway?” He said the last with a laugh, and relief washed over Juliet.
“It is odd,” she said, crinkling her eyebrows in thought. “I do not know you well, but I feel I can trust you.”
“That is called good instinct,” he said with a wink. “It is a rare trait among men, but especially so among women. Once again you have amazed me with your wisdom.”
Juliet could not help but beam with pride. This man truly understood her!
“Your problem,” he continued, “if I understand correctly, is this. You must continue seeing a man you do not wish to see, for if you do not, you will be forced to go to London. Am I correct thus far?”
Juliet nodded. “Precisely.”
“Yet, if you see this man again, it will harm the man you truly wish to see.”
“It would hurt him,” Juliet agreed. “And me, as well. I do not know what to do. I find myself in a situation from which I have no idea how to pry myself.”
Robert laughed and at first, Juliet thought he was mocking her. “Well, I be
lieve I may have a solution for you.” He lowered his voice once more. “If I share this plan with you, will you tell me how it went?”
Juliet nodded. “I will tell you immediately.”
“Your aunt is ill, an aunt you must go see before her illness takes her life.”
Juliet frowned. “But I do not have a sick aunt.”
“If you create one, you do. Sadly, for this man…what is his name?”
“Lord Parsons.”
Robert gave a single nod. “Yes, Lord Parsons will be sad when you tell him how long you will be away, but he can expect a letter when you will be returning.”
Juliet considered the plan for a moment and then smiled. It was brilliant, and she was amazed at how well he had crafted it. “I do not know how to thank you! This will save me much heartache and stop the anxiety with which I have been afflicted.”
Robert grabbed the package from the counter as the door opened and Annabel returned. He leaned in and whispered, “I have few friends, but if I dare call you one, your happiness and wellbeing will always be my concern.”
Juliet nodded, joy filling her at the man’s kindness, a kindness far greater than most of her peers. For all her life, she had looked down on those beneath her, and now she realized her mother’s words had been true. Those people were very much like her. “We are friends, and I do believe we may become the best of friends!”
“Juliet,” Annabel said, her eyes wide, “we must leave.”
“Why ever for?”
“It is…” She paused and looked at Robert for a moment. “I must share something with you about Caroline.”
“A lady is in need of your counsel,” Robert said. “She should not remain in a shop speaking to an old cobbler like me.” He handed the package to Annabel. “But do come and see me again soon.”
“I promise,” Juliet replied.
She followed Annabel out the door, and once the door was closed and they were away from the shop, Annabel stopped and turned to her. “That man is evil!” she hissed.
Secrets of Scarlett Hall Box Set: A Clean & Sweet Regency Historical Romance Collection Page 53
