Eleanor Lambert had always professed to be a firm believer that her daughters marry for love rather than position, which is how Juliet had come to marry a stable boy. It was not as if her mother had outright sanctioned the marriage, but she had not denied them their love either.
“And what of Nathaniel?” Annabel asked. “Will he be joining us, as well?”
Their mother shook her head. “He will not be returning until the end of the term,” she replied. “I went to visit him last month. You will not believe how tall he has grown!”
Juliet smiled. It had not occurred to her until that moment that her brother was nearly a man!
“I do miss him,” Hannah sighed. “And now I fear he is too old to allow me to smother his cheeks with kisses.”
This made them all laugh, for he had been fighting off his sisters’ affections for years. Few boys enjoyed kisses from their sisters, but poor Nathaniel had to endure such treatment from four!
“His being old enough to be a baron will never stop me from spoiling him,” Isabel said with a firm nod. “I do not care if he is a baron or not.”
As they continued speaking, Juliet thought of times past. How she missed these times when they were together, and she meant to savor every one of them while she could. There was an innocence when one was young, where problems never seemed to exist. And for a moment, there were none.
Then her mother stood. “I will leave you girls alone to talk,” she said and then turned to look at Juliet. “I am certain there are things you wish to discuss in private.”
Once the woman was gone, however, Juliet wanted to prolong the pleasantries. “We have been apart much too long. I would like each of you to tell me what has changed for you since we were all together last. I, for one, have been horrible about writing.” She turned to Isabel expectantly.
“Laurence and I remain at Camellia Estates,” the eldest of her sisters replied. “Four-year-old Elly is beautiful and prone to explore, much like a lady I know.” She turned a sharp look on Juliet before laughing and continuing. “Henry is into all sorts of mischief now that he is walking. He is very inquisitive and wants to know about everything around him. I cannot imagine life without either of them.” She turned to Hannah. “And what of you?” she asked.
Hannah blushed. “John and I are still in London. I write as often as I am able, but Madalene keeps me entertained. I agree with you, Isabel. I cannot imagine my life without her. Or without John. To think I wished to be a spinster.” She shook her head. “But John is ever so supportive of my writing, and I hope to have another novel completed by the end of next month. Albina believes it will be as popular, if not more so, than my last!”
Albina and Phineas Bragg were Hannah’s publishers, and although Phineas had insisted there was no market for books written by women, his wife had pressured him into taking on Hannah. Now, Hannah’s books brought them more money than any of them had ever expected.
“I am so pleased for you,” Juliet said, taking Hannah’s hand in hers and giving it a light squeeze. “And you, Annabel?”
The youngest of the sisters laughed. “I could not be happier than I am with Edward. Barbara and Bridget are babbling to one another at all hours, but I am still waiting for them to speak their first words. I never realized how tiring twins could be! But I would not have it any other way.” She smiled.
“Well, Juliet,” Isabel said. “You asked us to come to your aid. It is about time you explain why we are here.”
Juliet looked at each of her sisters. She had hoped to put off speaking of her problems for as long as possible, but now it was time to share her troubles with them.
“I believe this is something we must discuss in our usual meeting place, for there are enough secrets within Scarlett hall to last another generation.”
Hannah raised her eyebrows. “Is it that serious?”
“Does this concern Daniel?” Annabel asked. “I notice he is not here, and you have made no mention of him.”
Juliet nodded. “It does,” she replied. “I will explain everything soon, and then I would like to tell you about my plans as to how I will rectify it all.”
***
Juliet studied the three women who sat beneath the grand oak tree, its long branches providing shade from the sun. They each had a scar on their palms, a sign of the promise they had made several years earlier and which they kept by being here today.
Each woman clasped the hand of the woman on either side of her until the sacred circle was made whole once again.
“We are here now,” Isabel said, always one for not wasting time. “Tell us why.”
Juliet sighed. “Two weeks ago, Daniel and I were at our cottage, when several men came and dragged him away.”
A collective gasp filled the empty space between them.
“By whom?” Annabel asked before clamping her mouth shut. “I am sorry. Please, continue.”
Juliet gave the youngest woman a quick glare and then continued. “The men were toughs sent by the magistrates to arrest him. It seems that Lord Parsons has accused him of assaulting him, if you can imagine such a thing!” Her sisters frowned to indicate their disbelief. “And he has also accused him of theft!”
“Theft?” Hannah asked in clear shock. “Theft of what exactly? And where could Daniel have stolen anything belonging to Lord Parsons?” Then she gasped. “Surely he is not accusing him of stealing you?”
With a vexed snort at being interrupted, Juliet said, “Do not be silly, Hannah. Of course not. The viscount has accused him of taking several pieces of jewelry and other articles of value from his home.”
Isabel furrowed her brow. “When was Daniel at the man’s home?”
“That is just it!” Juliet replied. “Daniel has never been to Caprice Hill Estates. It is all a nefarious plan to get me to marry him!”
“No!” Annabel gasped. “How horrible! What will happen to Daniel, then?”
Juliet gave a small sniffle. “If he is found guilty, which I understand that he more than likely will, he will be hanged.”
All three sisters stared back at Juliet with wide, frightened eyes.
“But why would he be found guilty?” Annabel asked.
Isabel clicked her tongue. “Because he is just a stable boy. Do not give me that look, Juliet. I am not saying I agree with it, but you know as well as I that the word of a simple stable boy holds significantly less weight than that of a viscount.”
“I know,” Juliet said, “which is why I must do something about it.”
Hannah frowned. “Why would Lord Parsons do such a thing?”
“Yes, why?” Isabel asked, as well.
Juliet sighed. “Lord Parsons wants to marry me.”
Annabel laughed. “But you are already married.”
With a glare at the woman, Juliet said, “Of course he is aware I am married. He wants to see Daniel put to death in order to make me his wife, or at least that was his plan as far as I know. However, he has promised to intercede on Daniel’s behalf to see he is not hanged for his offenses. If I marry him, that is.”
“But that is coercion!” Hannah said with a gasp.
Juliet nodded. “It is, but what can I do?”
“And what does Daniel say about all this?” Isabel asked.
Juliet had hoped no one would ask this question, but now that it had been asked, she had no choice but to answer. “He has advised against it, of course, but I have no choice. Tomorrow, I will go to Caprice Hill Estates and inform Lord Parsons that I agree to his terms. I will marry him in exchange for Daniel’s life.”
“No!” Isabel said. “We must find a way to avoid such madness.”
Hannah nodded her head in agreement. “Isabel is right. We will not allow you to fall into that man’s web of lies. There must be another way.”
“And you, Annabel?” Juliet asked. “What are your thoughts?”
Annabel tapped her lips. “I agree with Isabel and Hannah. But I know you all too well, Juliet,” she added with a narrow
ing of her eyes. “You would never give yourself to this man so easily.”
“You are right, of course,” Juliet said with a tiny chuckle. “I will not, but I can make Lord Parsons believe I will. I have devised a simple plan. I will agree to his request, and if I must, I will marry him.” She shook her head. “I cannot see how he thinks I will be able to since I am already married, but there it is. That is not my concern at the moment. The only concern I have is the life of my husband. The moment Daniel is released from prison, we will run away together.” She looked at each of her sisters in turn. “The thought of never seeing you again sickens me, but for the sake of Daniel’s life, I will run away and never return to Scarlett Hall.”
“Then how can we help?” Hannah asked.
“If you can think of anything that will prevent me from taking this path,” Juliet said, “I will consider it. Is there anyone you know, people with power or position who might be able to help?”
Isabel leaned forward. “Anything you ask, I will do.”
“As will I,” Hannah said, and Annabel echoed the same.
Smiling, Juliet took a deep breath to gather the strength to voice her plan, for she was uncertain her sisters would agree to it. If she were not so determined, she wondered if she would agree if put in their positions! Yet, for her sisters, she would do anything, even this.
“But if any of you have a better idea, I am willing to listen.”
It went quiet for a moment before Isabel sat up straight. “I will send Laurence a letter today,” she said. “He is a duke, after all, and is well-respected. He may be able to do something.”
“And there is a man in my book club who works for the courts,” Hannah added. “He may not have any influence in cases outside of London, but perhaps he knows of something that may prove useful.”
Annabel nodded. “My husband was not only a kidnapper but a swindler, as well. Now, do not look at me that way! He no longer does such things. However, I can write and ask if he has any ideas.” Then she sighed. “Besides that, the only skill I have is sewing.”
Juliet gave the woman’s hand a squeeze. “That may prove useful, you never know.” Then she looked at the other women. “But you all spoke of writing. Are you not returning to your homes?”
“I know I speak for everyone when I say that we will remain here until your husband is back at your side.” The others nodded their agreement, and Juliet’s heart filled to nearly bursting.
“Thank you,” she whispered, overcome with emotion. “Your support…I knew if I asked, you would help me.”
Annabel smiled. “You are our sister, and we made a bond that will never be broken.”
“Yes,” Hanna replied. “Together we will find a way.”
When Juliet looked at Isabel, however, the eldest of them remained silent.
“You all must be tired from your journeys,” Juliet said. “Perhaps we should go inside so you are able to rest.”
They stood, and as Annabel and Hannah walked away, Isabel took hold of Juliet’s arm. “We must speak alone,” she whispered. “Come with me.” When Hannah glanced back, Isabel said, “We will be there in a moment.”
Juliet followed her eldest sister down the path and came to a stop at one of the benches beside a rose garden.
“No one will hear us here,” Juliet said. “The gardeners rarely come this way.”
“What I wish to tell you cannot be heard by another soul,” Isabel said, leaning in and lowering her voice to a whisper. “I will take no chances, even in the rare appearance of a gardener.”
“We can go to the field if you would rather.”
Isabel nodded. “I think that would be best.”
They walked in silence until they reached the gate at the far end of the gardens and walked through to stop several feet into the field beyond. Juliet turned to her sister expectantly.
“You know we will do whatever we can to help, am I right in saying so?”
Juliet nodded. “Of course.”
“And what happens if we fail in finding a solution? Will you truly marry Lord Parsons?”
Juliet nodded again. “If that is what it takes to save Daniel, then yes, I will. But it will only be for a short time, until Daniel rejoins me.”
Isabel shook her head. “You assume the court will somehow allow him to be released from prison,” she said. “That is foolish. You do know that he will be made to remain incarcerated for a very long time once he is found guilty, even if Lord Parsons intervenes.”
Tears stung Juliet’s eyes. How could she have not considered this? “You do not know that,” she said. “If Lord Parsons has the power to create this problem, surely he will be able to put a stop to it.”
Isabel took Juliet’s hands in hers. “Lord Parsons is not a fool. He will not ask that Daniel is released no matter what promises you have made. At best, your husband will be saved from the gallows, but you will still be married to a man you do not love. I worry you are not considering far enough into the future.”
Juliet turned to look over the rolling hills of green through misty eyes. “I do not know what else to do,” she whispered. “To know that I may be forced to marry that man crushes my soul, but I have no choice. I cannot imagine life if Daniel dies.” She then turned back to her sister. “No, there is always hope. I will hold onto that and pray this all works out.”
“I will pray for the same,” Isabel said before pulling Juliet in for an embrace.
Taking a deep breath, Juliet closed her eyes as she considered what her sister had told her. Although she did not want to hear the words Isabel had spoken, she knew they were true. Lord Parsons would never allow Daniel to be released. She would have to prepare herself for a life of misery as the wife of a man she detested.
Yet, the flicker of an idea began to form in her mind. None of what had happened was simple, and therefore, what it would take to right this wrong was also not simple. Perhaps there was something she could do, a way to get what she wanted.
Until she could discern the elements of her plan, until she had each step thought out completely, she would not share it with anyone. Not even her sisters.
Chapter Nine
Juliet was determined to do whatever it took to save the life of her husband. If that included convincing a man who repulsed her in every way possible that she was interested in him, so be it. All she had to do was earn his trust. How difficult could that be?
She wore a blue gown trimmed in white lace with a plunging neckline that exposed a generous amount of bosom. Between her breasts lay a large ruby pendant belonging to her mother, another means to keep his attention on the possible prize. Add in a dab of fragrance in just the right places and a smile that would send his knees knocking, she would keep him muddled enough to get what she wanted.
This was not the first time Juliet had used whatever she had at her disposal to get a man to notice her. Not that she went about flaunting herself… Well, perhaps she had - in her old life. Now it fit her as well as the other dresses in her wardrobe.
Taking a deep breath, she gave Forbes a nod of thanks as he helped her alight from the carriage in front of the house on Caprice Hill Estates. She had not sent any notification that she meant to call today, but that was part of the game she would be forced to play with this horrible man.
The fact was, men found adventurous women difficult to ignore, or she had learned before she was married. Even Daniel had taken notice of her when she had been bold enough to take a bottle of wine up to the loft in the stables. Granted, it was meant to be shared with him - and if she had not fallen and twisted her ankle, he may have joined her - but having him carry her into the house had been much more intimate.
She pulled her wrap in tighter against the chill and glanced up at the darkening sky. It would rain before she completed her task here, making her journey home less comfortable. Yet, she could not put off another day that which needed to be done.
The front door of the house opened before she reached it, and to her surprise, Lor
d Parsons exited.
“Well, Juliet,” he said with a victorious smile, “I did not expect you today.”
Juliet raised her eyebrows. “If I am not wanted, I will leave,” she said. “Should I schedule a time to call again?”
“Not at all,” Lord Parsons replied. “I simply wanted a bit of fresh air. Would you care to join me for a stroll through the gardens? I believe the weather will hold for the time being.”
Juliet gave him her most practiced smile. “I would like that very much,” she replied.
“It would be best if we walked through the house,” the viscount said. “I am not certain the gate is unlocked.”
She gave him a slight nod and followed him into the foyer and down the hallway, passing the sitting room where they spoke the last time she had called. The house was eerily quiet with few servants hurrying about as they would have been at Scarlett Hall.
They exited through another door out onto a large veranda that overlooked an impressive garden. To her left and right were tall hedges that encircled the entire garden area, and multiple flowerbeds filled with flowers of all types and colors were separated by cobbled paths.
Lord Parsons offered his arm, which Juliet accepted. “Have you given any consideration to the advice I gave you during your last visit?” he asked. “Was the decision simple?”
“I must admit that it was not an easy decision,” Juliet replied in the most dulcet tones she could muster. How did the saying go? You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar? Juliet gave a silent snort. Who wanted to catch flies, anyway? Well, she would have to play the spider, nonetheless. “My initial response was to refuse, as you well know after our last conversation.”
“Yet, here you are,” Lord Parsons said. “As I knew you would be, for you do lack other options. Would you not agree?”
“I tend to disagree with you, my lord,” she replied. “There are other options, and not all include you.”
Lord Parsons came to an abrupt stop and turned to her. “Is that so?”
Ballad of the Innocents Page 7
