“Thank you,” Juliet said, dabbing at the thin lines of blood on her hand. “Thank you for everything you have always done for me.”
Isabel hugged her. “You are my sister, and I love you. There is nothing I would not do for you.”
The embrace broke, and Juliet smiled when she saw Daniel standing beside one of the hedges.
“Ladies,” Juliet said as she motioned for Daniel to join her, “I would like you to meet my husband, Mr. Daniel Haskins.”
As her sisters congratulated them, Juliet could do nothing more than smile. Thoughts of the past made an attempt to enter her mind, but she pushed them away. The past was over, and now she and her sisters, save Annabel, were married, their lives their own and their futures before them.
And as Daniel turned his smile upon her, she knew that their future was brighter than ever.
Epilogue
Eleanor Lambert looked out the window, just as she had for many years. Her daughters were once again reunited beneath their tree in the garden, and her heart was finally happy. The past year had been full of heartache, misery, and vile acts that had threatened to destroy the lives of her children. However, those days were gone, and for the first time in a very long time, Eleanor felt at peace.
Faint footsteps made her turn, and Forbes came to stand behind her.
“Look at them,” she whispered. “They are happy. It is what I have always wanted.”
“You have done well,” the butler replied, his hand coming to rest on her shoulder. “Your strength is what guided them and brought them hope, even in the darkest of days.”
Eleanor nodded and she reached up and patted his hand. “It is you who I have turned to many times,” she said. She turned to face him. “Thank you.”
As he had done many times before, Forbes simply nodded.
“Did you learn of his fate?” She did not need to name Robert for him to know of whom she spoke.
“He was imprisoned for ten years,” Forbes replied.
She winced. Only ten years?
“It does not matter. If the man is released and returns here…” He allowed the words to trail off, but she felt his grip tighten on her shoulder.
She had no doubt what he would do.
“Thank you,” she repeated. She knew she could never say the words enough to cover all he had done for her.
He took a step back and gave her a diffident bow. Then he produced a letter. “This came for you. It is from Lord and Lady Lambert.”
“Annabel’s parents?” she asked in surprise. She took the letter and quickly opened it. Her eyes darted across the page, and with each word, her anger grew. “They mean to have Lord Agar court her!” she said with shock. “The man is older than I by ten years, and a scoundrel to boot!”
“What will you do?”
Eleanor folded the letter and put it in the pocket of her dress. “I will not have her suffer,” she said, returning her gaze to the happy group beneath the tree. “Not my Annabel, and not with that man.”
“Eleanor, you cannot interfere. It will only cause…”
She turned and glared at the butler. “I will do what I see fit,” she snapped, her hand tapping the pocket of her dress to assure herself the ring was still there beneath the letter. It was. With relief, she softened her tone. “Will you help me?”
“You need not ask,” he replied. “You know I will.”
The butler walked away, and Eleanor returned her gaze to her daughters. Daniel had joined them, and Nathaniel was walking toward them, as well.
Her eyes fell on Annabel and she pursed her lips. She would do whatever it took to keep the girl safe, regardless of what her brother and sister-in-law thought!
Author's Note
Author’s Note
I hope you have enjoyed the Secrets of Scarlett Hall thus far, beginning with Isabel’s Story in Whispers of Light, followed by that of Hannah, Echoes of the Heart. Then we learn more about Juliet in Voices of Shadows.
More secrets are revealed in the next installment of the Secrets of Scarlett Hall Series, Silent Dreams, which will recount Annabel’s story of finding love.
Jennifer Monroe writes Regency romances with heart! Stories of second chances with dashing dukes and ladies in distress, each turn of the page promises an adventure in love. Not sure where to start? Download her free ebook, A Lady’s Promise, from her website and have it delivered to your inbox today!
http://www.jennifermonroeromance.com/freebookhistorical/
The Defiant Brides Series
The Duke’s Wager
The Spinster’s Secret
The Duchess Remembers
The Earl’s Mission
Duke of Thorns
OR
Get all 5 in one boxed set!
Regency Hearts Series
The Duke of Fire
Return of the Duke
The Duke of Ravens
Duke of Storms
Get all 4 in one boxed set!
Would you like to receive a free ebook? Go to www.jennifermonroeromance.com and get yours today!
Secrets of Scarlett Hall Box Set: A Clean & Sweet Regency Historical Romance Collection Page 73
