“Despite all I have been through and all that attempted to hurt me, I am happy. I have a family that truly loves me. You, my sisters, my brother…” She paused. “I have sisters and a brother!” she said with a gasp. “I have always wanted siblings, and although I have thought of my cousins more siblings than cousins, it is something quite different to learn that they are my siblings.” She shook her head. “Life does have a way of working things out.”
Her mother brushed back a strand of Annabel’s hair. “My beautiful daughter, you are far wiser than I was at your age. What you say is true, for although heartache has been great for us all, even Edward, that ache lessens over time. Yes, we are all happy, and I more so. My daughter is in love and I believe her happiness will always remain. Do you not agree?”
“Yes, Mother, I do. And thank you for always being there whenever I needed you.”
Her mother pulled her into her arms. “There is no need to thank me. It is what a mother does.” When she released Annabel, she held her at arm’s length. “Now, we both could use some sleep. The next days will be quite busy.”
Annabel hugged her mother once more and then made her way upstairs. At the top of the staircase, she paused at the portrait of the man she had always known as her uncle.
“You were my father all along,” she whispered. “I want you to know that I hold no ill will toward you, for it would not change what happened. I must look to the future, and despite all you did to me, despite all the people I thought to be my parents did to me, my life is now put to rights. However,” she ran a finger down the man’s painted cheek, “do not expect me to ever call you Father.”
Once in her bedroom, she readied herself for bed. Rather than going straight to bed, she walked over to the window to look down at the garden below just as she had done so many times in her life. Her life had been full of hurt, but it had always been full of love whenever she was at Scarlett Hall.
Now, the most mysterious man had entered her life, and like her, he too was filled with hurt. However, together they would overcome the atrocities that had been set before them. Each of them had a strength all their own, but together they were stronger, for their hearts would be joined together and would soon be sealed by the sharing of vows.
And she could not wait.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Eleanor stared out the window of the study, her heart never lighter. Her Annabel, dressed in white and holding a white rose, stood beside Lord Edward Wolcott. The gaze they had for one another was much like that which Eleanor had shared with Charles many years ago. However, the two who stood in the garden today had a much brighter future ahead of them, of that Eleanor was certain. She had been blind with what she thought was love back then, but now she recognized it for what it was—a way to leave a home with a mother who cared nothing for her.
Shaking the past from her mind, she smiled. The last of her daughters was married. Now she had only Nathanial to come of age so he, too, could find a bride. And just as her daughters, she wished him to marry for love and not for power or convenience.
“Lady Lambert?”
Eleanor turned to Reverend Creassey, who had been waiting patiently behind her. The fact he had to wait made little different to Eleanor. Let him wait.
“I did as you requested,” the man said. “Does everything meet your approval?”
She glanced down at the documents, which included the marriage license. The vicar had placed an earlier date that would reflect what she had told Lord Agar; for a fee, of course. “Yes, they are perfect, thank you.”
The man chuckled. “My generosity is not paid in thanks, my lady,” he said, his voice as slick as oil. “We had an agreement.”
How she despised this man! However, he could be of use when she needed him. “Yes, we did.” She pulled open the bottom drawer of the desk and pulled out a small locked box. Reverend Creassey was many things, and nearly all of what he was disgusted her. Yet, she had no choice but to pay the man in order to save Annabel from being forced to marry Lord Agar.
Counting out several notes, she handed them to the vicar, who had the audacity to count them in front of her!
With a nod, he placed them inside his coat pocket. “I married you and Charles,” the man said. “I was there when he took away the very daughter wed today.”
It took every ounce of her being not to throttle the man where he stood. “And you profited through it all,” she said with as much dignity as she could muster. “I do find it interesting how your acts are never those to benefit the church. Do you not feel any sense of shame that you do nothing in the name of mercy?”
“My motives have no bearing,” the vicar said with a laugh. “I am the only person who can right the wrongs of those in my flock, the only one who can forgive the deeds of the sinner. Your husband carried out many unscrupulous deeds. I wonder if you are aware of how many he confided in me.”
“Whether I am or am not aware should make no difference to you,” Eleanor said. “And I no longer wish to discuss them, or him for that matter. Now, if you will excuse me, I must speak to my daughter and son-in-law.”
“There is one more thing,” Reverend Creassey said. “Lord Lambert confessed much to me before his death.” The man barked a malevolent laugh. “Do not worry; I would not remain in business if my tongue betrayed those secrets.”
Eleanor closed the box containing the money with a resounding clap. “Then what is it you want? Why bother to mention these secrets if you do not wish to divulge them?”
“I simply want to give you the opportunity to do what your husband often did.” His eyes traveled greedily to the box. “To confess your sins. Your hands are stained, my lady, and for a hefty sum you can be absolved of all you have done.”
Eleanor’s life flashed before her eyes, each scene blending into the next. Some moments were filled with happiness while others were drenched in heartache. A cruel mother who hated her, a husband who lied from the moment they met. Laughter, tears, anguish, joy. Deals made. Secrets kept. Blood spilled.
Yet, all of this was done not for her own benefit but for that of her children. Yes, perhaps one day she would be called to pay the price, the day she closed her eyes and never opened them again. But it did not matter, for as she had told Forbes, when it came to her children, Eleanor would do it all again.
“Sins?” she asked finally, a smile forming on her lips. “No, Ambrose, I have no sins.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Taking a final glance around the room that had always been hers whenever she was in residence at Scarlett Hall, Annabel smiled. She had so many wonderful memories here, memories of she and Juliet whispering secrets in the night and telling stories that would reside in Annabel’s heart forever. This had always been her home, even when she was unaware that it was so, and for all that she had endured, at least she was not unloved. Not completely.
With a sigh, she left the room, the skirts of her green dress flowing around her ankles. At the top of the staircase, she paused to look upon the portrait of Charles Lambert once more.
“Perhaps you were lost,” she whispered to the painting. “Just as Edward had been. I wonder if you would have changed had you been given the chance.” Somehow, she doubted it, which made her sad.
No, she would not be sad. This was the day she would join her husband. After a month of ‘courting’—an odd way to look at the time they spent together under the watchful eye of her mother, even though they were already married under the law—her mother had finally agreed that they were ready to live together as husband and wife. Annabel doubted a single woman had experienced marriage in quite the same way as she, but she now had more confidence in leaving Scarlett Hall behind and taking her rightful place at her husband’s side in Portsmouth.
At the bottom of the stairs, her mother and Forbes waited, both wearing wide smiles.
“Lady Wolcott,” Forbes said with a bow, “Scarlett Hall will not be the same without your presence. You will be greatly missed.”
“Thank you,” Annabel said, a tear stinging her eye. “I shall miss you, as well.” Without hesitation, she threw her arms around the man and embraced him. He had been in Scarlett Hall all her life, and when she had learned that he spent weeks searching for her when she went missing only made him all the more important in her life.
“Forbes has already seen your belongings taken to the carriage,” her mother said. “Are you ready, my child?”
Annabel nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Just when she had grown accustomed to this woman truly being her mother, it was time for her to leave. However, the new life that awaited her held as much anticipation as anything she had ever encountered before, and as she stepped onto the portico, she could not help but pause to look toward the stables.
“Do you need something?” her mother asked.
“No,” Annabel replied with a smile. “I was just reminded of the times spent with Juliet and Daniel. It has only many months, yet I feel as if it has been years.”
Her mother chuckled. “I have felt the same. I remember when you were all little as if it were yesterday. Now, all my girls are grown women, married and in love. I am fortunate.”
Annabel placed a hand on the woman’s arm. “It is we who are fortunate to have you. I know I can never thank you for all you have done for me, even when I did not know you were my mother.”
“I must thank you, for it is you, my daughter, who gave me hope in the darkest of days. Now, go to your husband.”
Edward stood waiting by the carriage, just as Annabel had requested of him. She wanted this last moment with the woman who had raised her in so many ways, the woman who had loved her despite the pain it caused.
With a gentle hand, Edward helped her into the carriage before taking the seat beside her. When the door closed, Annabel smiled at her mother through the window.
“Goodbye, Mother!” she called as the carriage pulled away.
Her mother lifted a hand and smiled, but Annabel did not miss the tears that rolled down her cheeks. “Goodbye, my daughter.”
Annabel took the handkerchief Edward offered her and dabbed at her eyes. “Today I join you as your wife,” she said. “I have longed for this day for so long, to be wed to the man I love.”
“I have dreamed of this day, as well, and my heart is happy, for the woman I love is my wife.”
Then he pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to hers. The carriage continued down the road, a journey this time not initiated through deceit, but rather in the openness and love of two hearts now joined as one.
***
Nearly two months after she arrived at Vinerose Manor, Annabel had come to love her new home. She had been welcomed with open arms—quite literally when the cook, Mrs. Barrington, pulled her into her arms upon her arrival—and even Caroline Thrup had come to visit for a week once Annabel was settled.
Edward spent much of his time reacquainting himself with his business dealings, but he was never away for more than a day, for which Annabel was pleased. Apparently, according to Edward, the investments his accountant had made had paid off generously, leaving him much better off than when he had been forced to leave ten years earlier.
“And what has caught your thoughts, my love?” Edward asked as he walked up behind her and placed his arms around her waist. The sun had long set, and they stood looking up at the stars as they did any night the weather permitted.
“We are happy and in love,” Annabel said. “Your fortune has been returned, and nearly doubled at that. You offer me the finest dresses and jewels, which I refuse.” He chuckled at that. “And yet I find moments like these far more beautiful than words can describe.”
“Do you mean our love?”
Annabel stared at the glittering stars and smiled. “Yes, that is part of it. I am also reminded of the cottage in which we lived. It was the smallest of homes with only a few books for us to share, yet we shared in so much more. Here we are in a lavish home doing very much the same.”
He turned her to face him. “And we shall always do so, for a beautiful woman once told me that the love inside our hearts is far greater than any title or money could provide.” He placed the back of his hand against her cheek. “I do love you, Annabel.”
“And I love you.”
All around them was silent, but Annabel could hear the beating of her heart as their lips met in a kiss that filled her with fire. A kiss that signified all they had been through and the love that healed all wounds.
It did not matter if a man had lost all he owned, nor did it matter that a woman spent her days dreaming that one day she would be loved, for Annabel knew that her silent dream had indeed come true.
Epilogue
It was well past midnight as Eleanor sat at the desk that once belonged to her husband, staring at a letter that had arrived earlier that day. The sender had written many correspondences when Eleanor had first come to Scarlett Hall; at first, perhaps four times a year. As time progressed, however, the correspondences trickled and eventually ended a few years later. Eleanor had written several times since, yet never received a reply. One day she gave up altogether.
Letting out a sigh, she traced a finger over the seal that brought back memories of a woman who had at one time been a close friend. A lady who had been with child and was forced to leave Rumsbury lest the scorn of the ton ruin her good name forever.
At the time, Eleanor was heartbroken, for Lady Rachel Prescott had been a dear friend. And although much time had passed, Eleanor still considered the woman close. Yet, her curiosity grew. Why, after all these years, had Rachel written to her? It was a question that had kept her from opening the letter, for what it could contain brought about a significant sense of worry.
After several moments of inner turmoil, she tore open the seal and read.
Dear Eleanor,
I do not know if you will receive this letter, for it has been many years since we last corresponded. Despite this fact, I will make the attempt, for what I have to say is of the utmost importance.
I have so much to share with you, so I will apprise you of what is happening in my life at the moment. Graham is now married and has gone to Scotland with his new bride, where he will take over her family’s estate. He has become wise beyond his years, and his wife is an amazing woman who will make him happy in their lives together.
Rose has grown to be the young woman I have always hoped her to be. She is kind, beautiful, and intelligent, and it is because of her that I am writing to you this day.
The purpose of my letter is to inform you that I am ill, very ill. In honesty, I do not know how much longer I will continue to breathe on this earth. The doctor believes I will not live to Christmas, and I do not doubt his words.
I am scared, and I beg of you to come see me. You see, there is a secret that I have kept which I must share with you. It is my hope that this secret can finally be told before death comes for me, and so I hope you will find it in your heart to call as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Rachel
Setting the letter aside, Eleanor rose and walked over to her place at the window that overlooked the gardens. Memories of meeting Rachel many years before brought a smile. It had been Rachel who welcomed Eleanor to Rumsbury, being a friend Eleanor desperately needed. Yet, that smile faded knowing the woman was ill.
Then there was the secret that Rachel wished to share, a feeling not unfamiliar to Eleanor for she had many. What secret could an old friend have that concerned her, and why reveal it now after so many years?
A knock at the door made Eleanor start, and she turned as Forbes entered the room. He moved on silent steps as he approached her.
“The hour is late,” he said in the solicitous demeanor that was always his. “Should you not be abed by now?”
Eleanor smiled. “I will be soon,” she replied. “However, I must leave tomorrow, and I ask that you accompany me.”
“Of course. Where will we be going?”
Eleanor turned t
o the window once again. “To London,” she replied. “To see an old friend.”
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 Past and now about Annabel in Silent Dreams.
More secrets are revealed in the next installment of the Secrets of Scarlett Hall Series, which will recount the story of Lady Rachel Prescott’s daughter, Rose, and how she finds love.
And don’t forget the prelude, A Lady’s Promise, which is Eleanor’s story. You can download it for free from my website: www.jennifermonroeromance.com
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