“No, you are a lady through and through.” Forbes helped Annabel with her coat. “The wind is a bit fierce this evening.”
Juliet gave him a mischievous grin. “It is why Annabel and I shall drink brandy all night in order to keep warm,” she teased.
A smile spread on Forbes’ face as he opened the door for them. As soon as Juliet stepped onto the stoop, the chill breeze proved the butler was correct; it was quite cold. And the sun had yet to set.
When the door closed behind them, Annabel asked, “You will ask Daniel about me, won’t you? Concerning me leaving with you? I do not want to be left alone.”
Juliet took Annabel’s hand in hers. “Even if Daniel were to say no, which he would not, I would say yes.”
“You will be able to convince him?”
“Of course. No man can resist my smile.” This made them both laugh, and they made their way to the stables. Daniel was already waiting at the worktable when they arrived.
“I’m very excited for our lesson tonight,” he said as he jumped up from the stool. “I’ve been practicing, and I think you’ll be pleased.” The way he looked at Juliet made her cheeks burn. She found it odd, but extremely pleasurable, that each time she saw him, she found him more handsome than the time before. Although her knees did not go as weak as they had in the past, a fire still sparked in her stomach whenever they were together.
“I am certain we will,” Juliet replied with a smile.
As she and Annabel neared the table, he picked up one of the books she had given him, his eyes filled with pride as he flipped through the pages. He stopped, as if waiting for something, but as he looked at her expectantly, that spark began to build into a flame inside her.
“Whenever you wish to begin,” Juliet said.
He gave her a wide smile and looked down at the page. It was a children’s book, one of Juliet’s favorites from when she was young. “‘The cat lives in the stable.’” His reading reminded Juliet of Nathaniel as a child when he was first learning to read, and that only made Daniel’s attempts that much more endearing. “‘The cow eats in the field.’”
Juliet gave a pleased gasp. “Oh, Daniel! That is wonderful! You are doing so well!”
“It’s because of your teaching,” he said, his eyes bright.
“I will return in a moment,” Annabel said, rising from her stool and giving Juliet a knowing grin. Once she was gone, Juliet turned back to Daniel.
“Are you wearing perfume?” Daniel asked.
Juliet nodded. “Do you like it?”
“I do,” he replied.
Juliet felt her heartbeat quicken, not only for his words but for what she wished to tell him. “I have something to tell you,” she whispered. Her head began to swim and she found breathing difficult. She had to tell him!
“Juliet?” he asked, a concerned look on his face. “What’s wrong?”
She reached out and placed her hands in his and took a measured breath. “I have told you that I have come to have feelings for you,” she said, pleased that her words did not fall out in as jumbled a mess as they sounded in her head. “I did not know what those feelings were at first, but now I have no doubt.” She worked moisture back into her mouth. This was much more difficult than she ever imagined! “I often wondered why in the past you did everything I asked, even if it meant discovery could mean dismissal.”
Daniel tried to respond, but Juliet shushed him.
“At first, I thought it was because you feared me, but I realize now that believing that was a silly notion of a girl. Now I see that it was not fear that guided you but rather a result of the same feeling I have for you.” She sighed. Now that she had begun, she could not stop even if she tried. “You taught me to appreciate everyone around me. To see the beauty in things that cannot be found in a shop.” A tear rolled down her cheek, and his calloused finger wiped it away. “What I feel for you is far better than anything I could ever own.” She searched his eyes, looking for any sign of his reaction before allowing the words to spill from her lips. “You see, I love you.”
Her heart soared when he smiled down at her. “I have seen you grow into the beautiful woman you are today,” he said. “You’re right that I did as you asked because I felt the same. The truth is, I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember, but I couldn’t say so, not some simple stable boy.” He shook his head and placed a finger on her lips when she tried to argue. “You know it’s the simple truth. But like the house and servants’ cottages you showed me, there’s a gap that exists between two different worlds. I’m just glad we’re able to build a bridge between them, a bridge built by, as you say, things that can’t be bought in a shop. The greatest gift is love, and I’ve been given that gift, which I give to you. I do love you, Juliet.”
He placed his hands around her waist, and Juliet thought she would melt right there.
“I’ll provide everything I can for you as my wife. It won’t be easy, but I promise I’ll love you with every bit of my soul.”
“That is all I need,” she said, wiping tears from her eyes. “It is the gift I cherish most.”
Daniel leaned in, and their lips met. Soon, this man would be her husband, and she his wife! Their love for one another was connected by a bridge that joined them together, and she knew in her heart it would never be separated.
“Juliet, come here this instant!”
Daniel took a step back, and Juliet nearly toppled to the floor as she spun around to find her mother glaring at her from the doorway. To make matters worse, beside her stood Lord Parsons, his face red with anger.
Juliet walked toward the pair as new tears of fright replaced those of happiness. “I can explain…”
“Lord Parsons,” her mother said, “please escort my daughter to the drawing room.”
“Of course, Lady Lambert,” he replied smugly.
Juliet looked back at Daniel, who shook his head slowly, as if to bid her farewell.
“No!” Juliet mouthed, her heart breaking as she was led through the door. Sickness, fear, and worry overtook her. What would her mother do to poor Daniel? And how on Earth would Juliet explain her actions?
***
When Juliet and Lord Parsons exited the stables, Juliet took little notice of the fact that the sun had set and the moon cast a feeble light around them.
“I am confused,” Juliet said, and he glanced down at her. “What are you doing here?”
“I heard a rumor that you had returned.” His voice held a thread of anger. “Your mother explained that you had no sick aunt, and I learned that you had misrepresented me in much the same manner.”
Juliet stopped at the bottom step at the front of the house. “I can explain. It was not meant…”
“I do not care. I am appalled by what I saw, and I know your mother feels the same.”
Juliet searched her mind for the right words to soothe the man. “I did not mean to lie to you, Hugh.”
The man snorted. “It is Lord Parsons,” he snapped. “To think I have been waiting for your return like a fool. And what is my reward? To be embarrassed in the presence of your mother!”
Before Juliet could respond, he placed a firm grip on her elbow and propelled her into the house. Forbes took their coats. If he knew what had transpired, he gave no indication.
When they entered the drawing room, Juliet wished she knew what her mother was saying to Daniel. How unfortunate that such a beautiful moment should be ruined so quickly!
“Where is Annabel?” Juliet asked, realizing her cousin was nowhere to be seen.
Lord Parsons stood in the doorway, his face drawn tight. “Your mother sent her to her room.”
“I am sorry for what you saw. I can explain if you would only give me the chance.”
The man raised a hand, and she fell silent. “I am the least of your worries,” he said. “It is your mother for whom you should be concerned. Her anger is far greater than mine.”
It was not long after that her mother entered the room. S
he spoke to Lord Parsons in hurried whispers, and without another word to Juliet, he left. Her mother closed the door, and Juliet rose from her seat.
“Mother, I believe I can remedy…”
“You will sit and listen,” her mother commanded, and Juliet did as she bade. “Your lies disgust me. First you lie to Lord Parsons, and then you lie to me. It was under the guise of charity that you tricked me.”
“But I have helped him,” Juliet said. “He is reading.”
Her mother gave her a glare. “For years, I have endured your stories, often chastising you for them, and yet my attempts at correcting you have done no good; I have failed at every turn. You forged letters, lied to me directly, and I do not wish to know what else! All so you would be able to see that stable boy.”
“He…”
Her mother ignored her. “You led me to believe you had an interest in Lord Parsons. I was pleased, for he is a gentleman, and he has treated you well. Imagine his embarrassment when I told him we had not left the house. And my embarrassment…” She shook her head. “When I told him that I had heard his aunt was ill and nearly at death’s door…”
“I am sorry,” Juliet said, fighting back tears. “It was never my intention to hurt you.”
“Whether it was your intention or not, it matters not,” her mother said angrily. “You can no longer be trusted.” She walked over to place her hands on the back of one of the chairs. “Daniel will be leaving at the end of the month.”
Juliet sprang from her seat. “No! He cannot leave!”
“Do not argue with me, child,” her mother said in that tone that brooked no argument. “He can no longer be where you are able to cause him, or yourself, any more trouble.”
“But I love him and wish to marry him.”
The room fell silent, and Juliet could hear her own blood thumping behind her ears. Her mother seemed to be at a loss for words as she wrung her hands together.
“It is as I feared,” she said finally. “Well, it does not matter. He will soon be gone, and you will resume seeing Lord Parsons, who will return in a few days. You will put this notion of Daniel behind you. Just be happy Lord Parsons has not given up on you completely!”
Rage like nothing Juliet had ever encountered washed over her. “You do not care that I love Daniel and that he loves me?” she demanded.
“He is but a stable boy,” her mother hissed as she walked around the chair to stand in front of Juliet. “Do you believe I or society will accept such a union? You know better than that!”
Juliet snorted. “Yet, you see no problems in you seeing a cobbler?” she retorted. There was a sense of satisfaction at the drop of her mother’s jaw. “Do not worry; Robert did not tell me. I saw him here with my own eyes. He comes every Tuesday! I do not believe you are one to tell me what is right and wrong!”
Juliet had never witnessed violence from her mother before, but when the woman pointed a finger in Juliet’s face, she was certain her mother would strike her. “You do not know about what you speak!” she hissed. “Have you told anyone about this?”
Juliet could do nothing but cower in face of such anger. “No,” she whispered. “I have told no one.”
“Never bring that man’s name up in my presence again!” Her mother turned and walked over to the fireplace. “You will continue seeing Lord Parsons and your lessons with Daniel will stop. If you make any attempts to see him, or if I catch the two of you even in the same room together…” Her words trailed off.
“What, Mother?” Juliet demanded. “You will keep me away from the man I love? What else will you do? What else can you do?”
Her mother spun around so quickly, Juliet took a step back. “Lord Parson wishes to marry you. I will accept his offer on your behalf if need be.”
Juliet shook her head, unable to stop the wave of tears from washing over her lashes. “All my life, you have said that I should not think myself better than others. Now that I have come to believe that, what do I receive as a reward? Kept away from the man I love and threats of marriage to a man I do not love.”
She walked over to her mother, a great sadness filling her. “Yes, I have told many lies. I cannot, and will not, deny that. I will do as you ask not because I respect you but because I do not wish to break Daniel’s heart as mine has been broken.”
Without another word, she hurried out of the drawing room and ran to her bedroom. Throwing herself onto her bed, she sobbed into her pillow, realizing that everything that was her dream had now been taken away from her. Unless she was able to devise a plan, and quickly, Daniel would be gone and Lord Parsons would be forced into his place in her life.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Daniel sat at the worktable and stared at nothing in particular. Four days had passed since he and Juliet had professed their love for one another, and the moment had erased any doubts he had possessed. The kiss they had shared had been passionate and sweet, reflecting a whirlwind of feelings. She had provided him with hope and strength, and for the first time in his life, he had felt more than just a simple stable boy but rather a man of significance, a man of importance.
Yet, that had all been stripped away when Lady Lambert and Lord Parsons entered the room. He had to admit that he was embarrassed at being caught holding a woman who stood so far above him in every way, but for a moment, he wished he could stand up to those who saw what they had as less than it was.
Lady Lambert minced no words and made it quite clear that he had one month to be gone from the stables. He would have no reference and no fond farewells, but he did not expect any.
With a sigh, he replaced the worn leather strap on Juliet’s saddle. He traced the letters that made up her name. He had not been able to read it in the past, but now he could. Perhaps it was best he had to leave, for everywhere he turned, he was reminded of her.
“An unbreakable bridge,” he murmured ruefully. With a snort, he shook his head. For so long he had not believed they had a future together, and how quickly he had been proven right. He had been a fool to believe that he would ever be allowed to love a woman such as she.
Once his replacement was found, he would be without work and a home. He would travel north—much sooner than he had originally planned, but that was of little consequence—and if he was forced to wait in order to safe more money, he would find another position there. He may not have a reference, but he had the skills to prove his abilities. However, without Juliet with him, what future did he truly have?”
“Stand up, boy!”
Daniel started and spun around to find Lord Parsons standing in the doorway of the work room.
“A stable boy caught kissing a lady,” Lord Parsons said with an evil laugh. “If such a thing happened in my home, I would skin your hide.” The man took a step forward, his eyes glinting with something Daniel did not like. “Do you not know that a lady such as Juliet would never be with a man such as you?”
“I do know that,” Daniel replied, watching the man’s hands formed at fists at his side. “It’s not allowed.”
“Oh, it is more than not allowed,” Lord Parson said with a scowl. “The mere mention of it brings about laughter, as it should. You are an uneducated fool, a stable boy, and lower than the dung on my boots.” The man lifted his foot to show the soles. “I should strike you for what you did to Juliet, but I will not.”
“You do not wish to fight me?” Daniel asked in surprise.
The man’s laughter was scornful. “No. I have desired Juliet for some time now, and you have virtually handed her over to me.” The man grinned. “Her mother is allowing me to court her, and I have already asked for her hand. I am certain I will not have to wait long for a response.” He clasped Daniel on the shoulder. “Therefore, allow me to thank you for being a fool.”
Daniel wanted nothing more than to hit him, to pummel him to the ground and not stop until the man no longer could speak, but he could not do it. What purpose would it serve? It would only bring about temporary gratification and land h
im in prison—or hanging from the gallows. Although the thought of Juliet with another man sickened him, he wanted only for her to be happy, and he doubted his death would accomplish that.
“I have a question, my lord,” Daniel said carefully. “About Miss Juliet.” He was careful to use a formal address.
Lord Parsons raised his eyebrows. “Oh? And what is that?”
“Do you love her?”
“Love?” The man struggled as if the word was foreign to him.
“Yes. It’s not just marrying a woman and providing for her. A man should also love her.”
When the man laughed, Daniel caught the odor of spirits on his breath. “People in my position do not marry for love,” he said with a snort. “We marry for land and wealth. Love is for the poor like yourself, who have nothing of value to offer.”
“She needs to be loved,” Daniel argued, unwilling to step down.
Lord Parsons glared at him. “Miss Juliet,” Daniel did not miss the rebuke in the man’s voice, “will wear the finest dresses and have the best of everything.” He glanced around and lowered his voice. “A woman with such a beautiful face and delectable bosom must be kept happy in order to get her to perform her marital duty.” The man’s smile widened. “Which she will do as soon as we are married. And it is all thanks to you.”
Daniel instinctively clenched his fist, but Lord Parsons grabbed him by his coat before her could lift his hand.
“You will never speak her name or look her way again,” he hissed. “Do not test me, boy, for it will only drive her further into my arms.”
The man pushed Daniel back so harshly that Daniel fell against the table and landed on the floor.
“If you reveal to anyone you kissed my soon-to-be fiancé, I shall take your head off myself!” The man reared his head back and spat on Daniel. “Water my horse, boy. I have a marriage to secure.”
When Lord Parsons was gone, Daniel stood, humiliation raging inside him. Not only was he losing Juliet, but she would be forced to marry that man! A man who sought to use her for nothing more than a brood mare he could feed lovely apples when she performed well.
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