Ballad of the Innocents

by Monroe, Jennifer

  Josiah threw his head back and laughed. “And allow you to say that it was I who killed him? No, Juliet, I will not allow you to use me as a scapegoat so you receive it all. I am many things, but ignorant to the manipulation of a Lambert is not one of them.”

  “You are not ignorant, unlike my fiancé. Knowing you are suspicious of me makes me quite happy, for it shows that we think very much alike.” She stirred sugar into her tea, the spoon clinking lightly against the sides of the fine porcelain. “It will be I who kills him.”

  “You?” Uncle Josiah asked, clearly surprised. “How will you do that?” He stood and waited expectantly for her response.

  “Leave the details to me,” she replied. “However, I must know right now that, once this is completed, you will help me with this estate. We will sell most of it, of course, and I shall pay you fairly.”

  His dark eyes bore into hers. “I will help you, but if I sense any sort of trickery, a single scent of betrayal, have no doubt that I will kill you before you even suspect I know.”

  Juliet nodded as she took a sip of her tea, hoping her hands did not shake with the fear that filled her. If either her uncle or Lord Parsons learned what she was doing, all would be lost and her life would be forfeit. Yet, she would risk all for Daniel, and if the cost was her life, she would gladly pay it.

  “Just be certain you help me,” she said. “And once we are free of Lord Parsons, we will both be able to live the lives we deserve.”

  ***

  Hugh stepped from the carriage and onto the property of Reverend Ambrose Creassey. The purpose of his calling was twofold - to finalize his plans concerning Juliet and to enjoy a bit of indulgence.

  Adjusting his coat, he pulled off his hat and ran his fingers through his blond hair before making his way up the simple path that led to the front door.

  The cottage was simple, but Hugh was certain the good vicar was much wealthier than he let on. Too many in the ton were aware that, for a price, Reverend Creassey could make things happen. And he could make problems disappear. It was the latter that had brought Hugh to this same cottage two months earlier.

  The door opened to a young girl of perhaps eighteen with bright red hair, a freckled complexion, and bright blue eyes that stirred desire in Hugh.

  “My lord,” the girl said with a curtsy, “the vicar’s been waiting for your arrival.” She moved aside. “Please, come in.”

  Hugh walked past her and into a small foyer. “I have not seen you here before,” he told the girl. “What is your name?”

  “I’m Phoebe, my lord,” she said, her gaze cast downward. “I’ve only come to work here last week.”

  Hugh smiled, placed a finger beneath her chin, and lifted her head. She appeared frightened as he moved her head first to the left and then the right. What a lovely creature she was.

  “I require a new servant,” he said as he continued his quick assessment. The girl would make a fine addition to his home and provide him with recreational pleasure when he was in need of it. “Perhaps I will speak to the vicar about having you come and work for me.” He pulled his hand away. “You may take me to Reverend Creassey now.”

  Phoebe bobbed another quick curtsy, her face redder than her hair. “Yes, my lord.”

  She led him down a short hall and into the sitting room where Reverend Creassey stood beside a heavy-laden cart full of decanters.

  “Lord Parsons,” the reverend said with more enthusiasm than was necessary. Or was it necessary? Hugh was a viscount, after all. “Please, have a seat. May I offer you some sort of refreshment. I can have tea prepared, but I have a feeling you may prefer a glass of this wonderful Cognac I received from one of my flock yesterday. I do have some of the best parishioners a vicar could ever want.”

  “That would be lovely,” Hugh replied as he sat on the sofa.

  “It appears things are going quite well for you,” the reverend said as he handed Hugh a glass.

  “As well as can be expected,” Hugh replied. “Juliet no longer resists my advances, so there is that. In fact, she is beginning to see the wisdom of being married to me.”

  Reverend Creassey chuckled. “And you believe her?”

  “Not entirely,” Hugh replied and reached into his coat pocket. “That is why I requested that both she and her mother sign a contract.” He handed the document to the vicar. “See for yourself.”

  “Lady Eleanor Lambert,” the reverend whispered as he read. Then he looked up at Hugh. “I am surprised she agreed to this.”

  Hugh took a sip of the Cognac. It really was quite good. “You sound disappointed,” he said, a flicker of suspicion rising within him. “Is your allegiance to her so great that her signature on that document worries you?”

  The reverend gave a snort. “Hardly. My allegiance is to money. And since you appeared to me first concerning this matter, Eleanor and her children are no concern of mine.”

  The answer satisfied Hugh, yet he was there for a much more important reason. “And what about that farce of a marriage between Juliet and the stable boy? Have you received word as to the progress of what we discussed?”

  Reverend Creassey sighed. “The marriage was official, as we expected. But there was a mysterious fire that destroyed the records last month, if you can believe that.” His smile said that he very well could believe it because he had likely been behind the fire. “Of the only people who know for a fact the ceremony took place, one sits in jail awaiting trial and the other will soon be your wife.”

  “And the man who officiated the ceremony,” Hugh reminded the vicar. “Do not forget about him.”

  With a laugh, Reverend Creassey pulled himself from his chair once more. “Would you like another glass?” he asked Hugh, who responded that he would. “Unfortunately, the poor vicar presiding at that particular church was unable to escape the fire and was laid to rest two days later.”

  Hugh chuckled as a sense of joy surged through him. “It seems that fate is favoring me as of late.” He accepted the measure of brandy. “I must admit that I was worried that the ton would learn of Juliet’s mistake, and now I can be at ease knowing that they will never learn of it. Oh, they may hear rumors, but there will never be any proof. Yes, everything is falling into place just as I had hoped. The stable boy is where he belongs, and my marriage to Juliet will be that much easier.”

  The reverend took a hefty drink of his Cognac and then wiped his mouth on his sleeve. Hugh tried to hide his distaste at the man’s actions. This was not his home, after all, and what right did Hugh have to dictate what a man did in his own home?

  “Tell me,” Reverend Creassey said, “why this obsession over the boy? And Juliet, for that matter?”

  An image of the dark-haired beauty floated into his mind. “The first time I laid eyes on Juliet, I was enchanted by her. To possess such a woman, to parade her on my arm, is all I have ever wanted since that first encounter. She has such a fire inside her…” He shook his head. That part of his obsession was none of the vicar’s business. “For a time, I nearly had her, too.”

  “Until she left with the stable boy who bested you?” Reverend Creassey asked.

  Hugh looked for any sign that the vicar was mocking him, but none appeared. “It is not I who rots in jail,” he said, his voice expressing his irritation. Even if the reverend had not meant any offense, it was taken, nonetheless. “Rather it is I who will marry the woman for whom he cares. I will possess her and use her for my own gain.” He shrugged and took a sip of his brandy. “When I no longer have need of her, I will dispose of her.”

  “And of course, you may come to me if the need arises,” the reverend said, smiling over the rim of his glass. “My services are always available.”

  Hugh chuckled. “As I know all too well. Which reminds me…I have moved the wedding to Wednesday next.”

  Reverend Creassey raised his eyebrows. “In ten days? I thought you meant to wait until the boy goes before the magistrates. Is that not in a fortnight?”

 
“I did not wish to wait any longer. I am well acquainted with one of the magistrates, and he has moved the date ahead for me. As a favor of sorts.” The truth was that Hugh had the magistrate in his pocket as surely as he had the vicar.

  For all of Hugh’s boasting of what he had accomplished – of those he could control – the man before him seemed less than impressed. “I believe I am available to officiate,” Reverend Creassey said. “But I wish to be paid in advance.”

  Hugh could not help but smirk as he produced a bundle of notes from his coat pocket and handed them to the vicar.

  “Of course, you will not be offended if I count it,” the reverend said.

  Waving a hand at the man, Hugh replied, “Count it if you wish. I would if the tables were turned.”

  The reverend grunted and flipped through the notes. When he was finished, he stood and placed the money atop the contract in a box on a shelf. “Is there any other matter of business you wish to discuss?”

  Hugh glanced toward the door. “As a matter of fact, there is,” he said with a sly smile. “I wish to employ your new young maid, Phoebe.”

  Reverend Creassey chuckled. “The girl is a worthy servant, but I do not wish to part with her.”

  Hugh smiled. The vicar always played these types of games whenever the discussion of money took place – and when it came to haggling over the women in his care. “Surely there is a sum we can agree upon,” he said as he rose from the sofa. “Money is no object.”

  “It is not a question of money,” the reverend said, “but rather that I have taken a personal interest in the girl’s…soul. And I rarely sell what I already own. However, supposing you were to remain here for the night, you may find yourself desiring a bit of company. Now that can be purchased.”

  With a laugh, Hugh asked, “And what is that price?”

  The vicar considered the question for a moment and then replied, “A young woman such as Phoebe will require something other than money. A favor perhaps? Yes, when the time comes, I will ask a favor of you, and you will do it, no questions asked.”

  Hugh’s first response was to refuse, but thoughts of the lovely young girl gave him pause. Perhaps he would talk the girl into leaving of her own free will while she was in his bed.

  “You have a deal,” Hugh replied, shaking the reverend’s hand.

  “Very good,” Reverend Creassey replied. “I believe we are beginning a new relationship. One I see enduring for many years.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Juliet walked on the arm of Lord Parsons, focusing on keeping her smile in place. After her visit with her uncle, she had gone to the jail to request to speak to Daniel only to be informed by the guard that the viscount had left word that she was not to be allowed entrance. According to the man with whom she spoke, Lord Parsons had forbidden her entrance ever again.

  Thus far, the viscount had made no mention that he had learned of her attempt to visit Daniel. He wore a wide smile as he spoke of mundane topics that held little interest to her as they strolled along the gardens of Scarlett Hall.

  “Which brings me to the topic of our wedding,” he said as he came to a stop along the path. “I have some exciting news.”

  “Do tell,” she said, forcing lilt into her tone to convey an excited curiosity she did not feel. “I find I lack the patience for surprises. I do hate waiting for anything.”

  “I spoke to the magistrate, as I said I would. Not only did he take into account my opinion, but he also agreed to move the trial forward by a week. It will take place on Friday.”

  Juliet’s heart thudded in her chest. Friday? Could it be that soon when Daniel would be free in only a few days?

  “Does this not please you?”

  “Oh, yes,” she replied, adding in that extra exuberance once more. “To have that part of my life concluded will be such a welcome relief. To know that when I marry you, my mother will finally forgive me.” Although it sickened her, she embraced the man into whom she would have preferred to bury a blade. “Thank you, I am in your debt.”

  She closed her eyes in shame as he touched her cheek. “There is nothing I would not do to have you beside me for always,” he said. “The following Friday, after all this trial nonsense has been completed, we shall wed.”

  Juliet smiled, and Lord Parsons lowered his head and kissed her. Thankfully, she was forced to endure his lips upon her for only a moment, but the disgust lingered long after.

  “Then we shall begin our new life together,” he continued, his voice husky. “And all your troubles will be left behind.”

  “And my divorce?” she asked, backing away from his hold. “I worry that our marriage will not be recognized if the divorce has not been granted by then. Has there been enough time?”

  “There was never going to be a divorce,” the viscount said. “I had the records of your marriage to the stable boy erased from history.”

  If Juliet had not had years of practice at keeping her true emotions in check, she would have gaped at the man. And she had to call on all of her training to maintain her smile. “How wonderful! But how did you do it?”

  “How I did it does not matter,” Lord Parsons said as he patted her hand. “Just know that having you returned to me was a well-thought-out process I have been working on for some time.”

  Juliet’s head ached with the reveal of each new layer of this man’s evil ways. “If that is so, why did you insist I sign the contract?”

  He chuckled. “I had you sign for two reasons. One was to allow you to demonstrate your loyalty to me. And the other was to see the stable boy hurt.”

  Does not all that has occurred hurt Daniel? she thought as he led her to a nearby bench where they both took a seat. Taking her hand in his, he looked down at her, the hungriness in his eyes making her want to sick up every meal she had ever eaten.

  “You see, before we went to speak to the boy, I went to see him alone. I told him of the new necklace I gave you and showed him the papers you signed requesting the divorce.

  Swallowing hard, Juliet nodded for him to continue. How she wished she had that knife at this very moment, for she would run it through his heart!

  “Although he had the look of defeat I expected, he remained steadfast. Now, imagine my pleasure when we stood before him and you, my dear Juliet, reaffirmed my earlier statements.”

  Juliet prayed that she would not faint, for it was as if all of the air around them had been removed. It was horrible enough that she had been forced to say what she had to the man she loved beyond measure, but to know that this dastardly man had informed Daniel beforehand devastated her. How horrible it must have been for him, faced with possible death and to be forced to listen to the man vying for the attention of his wife without benefit of her explanation as to her plan.

  No, that was not the entire truth. She had mentioned some of her plans to him and he had insisted she not go through with them.

  “Now,” Lord Parsons said with another pat on her hand, “tell me, why did you go see him this morning?” When she gave him a questioning look, he chuckled. “I stopped by the jail on my way here and spoke to the guard. Are you playing games with me, my dear?” The fawning tone never left, but anger appeared in his eyes.

  Juliet found herself at a loss for words. Everything she had done thus far, all of the plans she had set into motion, were about to become undone.

  “She went because I requested her to.” They turned to find her uncle walking toward them on the path. “If you have a problem with that, you must speak to me.”

  Relief washed over Juliet. She and her uncle had discussed this very scenario not an hour earlier, Uncle Josiah pish-poshing it away despite her insistence that it was likely to happen. Now she was glad she had stood her ground!

  Lord Parsons stood, glaring at Uncle Josiah. “You have no right to give me orders on how to speak to my fiancée,” he said. “I will make inquiries of whomever I choose - she, a servant, or even you - if I so desire.”

  Grasping at the
opportunity, Juliet placed a hand on the arm of Lord Parsons. “Please, do not be angry with him. It was I who went.”

  “Because he asked it of you,” Lord Parsons said flatly. “Then I ask again. Why?”

  “The boy possesses much information about Scarlett Hall,” Uncle Josiah said, answering for Juliet. “Could he have not heard much of the gossip surrounding my sister and her family? Much of which he may not have shared with Juliet. I wanted to learn if he knew anything that I could use against Eleanor, and who better than Juliet to ask? If anyone is at fault, it is I, not she.”

  “I have had enough of your interference,” Lord Parsons said, grabbing Uncle Josiah by his shirt. “Tell me why I should not beat your very life out of you right now!”

  “Please,” Juliet whispered, forcing tears into her eyes, “do you not have agreements already in place with one another? You should be working together to increase your wealth rather than fighting between you! I hate to see the two men I care about the most arguing.” She removed a handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed at her eyes for emphasis.

  Lord Parsons sighed. “You are right, my dear,” he said, releasing Uncle Josiah. “We do have too many business agreements that promise excellent returns for both of us.” He leaned forward, his face mere inches from that of her uncle. “But hear this. You are not to interfere with Juliet again. She is to maintain her distance from the boy. Is that clear?”

  Uncle Josiah brushed his coat. “I see your point,” he replied. “It was not my intention…”

  “I do not care what your intentions were,” the viscount said. “Now, I would like to spend some time alone with my fiancée.” He glared at Uncle Josiah expectantly until the other man nodded and returned to the house.

  Once her uncle was gone, Lord Parsons turned to Juliet. “And you are not to take orders from him again. Do you understand?”

  “But I thought…”

  He grasped her wrist, and she yelped with pain. “You are not meant to think,” he growled. “The man is serving his purpose for the meetings we have scheduled for next week. Once I have the arrangements in place, I will rid myself of him.”