Chapter One

 

Mrs. Juliet Haskins, formerly Lambert, ran a finger over the worn sleeve of her dress. Made of a coarse fabric, it was far different than that to which she had been accustomed before she married Daniel. Her life at Scarlett Hall had been one of leisure, and anything her heart desired was provided her. Or just about everything, for she had one thing she desired money could not buy. Daniel, the stable boy.

What had begun as curiosity blossomed into a love that had seen the two married. Now, instead of a grand house with numerous rooms and a plethora of servants, they lived in a tiny cottage with two rooms. Her once soft hands had become rough, and the only jewelry she owned was the simple ring on her finger.

Yet, Juliet cared not, for she was happy, and more importantly, in love.

“Did I write it correctly?”

Juliet turned to her neighbor and one of the many friends she had made since arriving in Northumberland, Agnes Price, as she leaned over the wobbly kitchen table. Daniel had promised on many occasions to fix the leg but had yet to do so.

“Without a doubt,” Juliet replied as she studied the writing on the parchment. “You have spelled every word correctly and the formation of the sentence is perfect.” Although the writing lacked elegance in penmanship, it was indeed worthy of praise. Agnes could not even write her name when Juliet had first made her acquaintance. “Your skills have improved to the point that I am afraid you will leave us to look for work in London.”

The other woman beamed with pride. “It’s only ‘cause you taught me. Without you, I’d still be a simpleton.”

Juliet clicked her tongue. “You are no simpleton,” she admonished. “You have come a long way and therefore should be proud of what you have accomplished.”

The other woman straightened her back and her smile broadened. Six months earlier, the curious woman had approached Juliet, requesting tutoring in reading and writing, and Juliet had readily agreed. Agnes had been the first, followed by three more women, their payments ranging from a few coins to a variety of handcrafted items.

“Oh!” Agnes said as she rose from her chair. “I nearly forgot.” She hurried over to a small table and reached into a basket she had brought with her. “Your payment!” In Juliet’s hand she placed a dark cap.

“It is so soft,” Juliet said with a smile. “Yet it is also sturdy. Daniel will love it.” She embraced the other woman. “Thank you. Now, you are welcome to continue with your lessons, but I believe I have little more I can teach you. All you need is to continue practicing what I have taught you.”

“Well, as it is, I was wondering about Ellen - she’s Thomas’s sister - she wants to learn to read, and I told Thomas I’d ask you. Now, she’s not skilled in sewing, bless her, nor cooking, but she does do well cleaning. Will that be payment enough, do you think?”

“Of course,” Juliet replied. “And even if she cannot pay, I will not refuse her.”

Agnes grasped Juliet’s hands. “That’s why you’re so loved here,” she said. “You’re the kindest, most giving person anyone could hope to meet. So unselfish.”

Juliet smiled, although her mind returned to who she had been before marrying Daniel - a spoiled girl who treated those of the lower class as if they were nothing more than dirt beneath her slippers. It was Daniel who had shown her how wrong she had been.

Once she recognized the errors of her ways, she cast her selfishness aside. Now, she had come to love helping others.

“And speaking of my kindness,” she said with a laugh, “I must begin preparing dinner for Daniel. And you should hurry home before Thomas calls and worries when he does not find you there.”

Agnes giggled and shook her head. “Though we’re only friends,” she whispered so no one else would overhear, “I know he’s a great interest in me, as I do for him.”

“I am happy for you,” Juliet said as she walked Agnes to the door. “Send Ellen here next week. Monday is fine.”

“I will. And thank you.”

Juliet drew in a deep breath as she watched the woman walk down the path to the street. She loved her little home, her life, and of course her husband. She could not imagine it being any other way.

Stepping outside, she smiled. Summer had arrived, bringing with it green grass and a variety of flowers. For a brief moment, her mind went to the gardens of Scarlett Hall. Although she was happy here, she did miss her childhood home, and her family, from time to time. Yet, with her sisters now married and Nathaniel still away at school, all were now on their own adventures.

The sound of hoofbeats reached her before Daniel appeared. With his dark hair and handsome smile, he could still make Juliet lightheaded.

“Lord Gantry has agreed to let me begin working on extending his stables,” her husband said as he dismounted from the horse. “The pay’ll be excellent.”

Juliet could not help but grin while Daniel tethered the horse to the lower branch of a tree as she leaned against the doorway. Because the house did not have a true foyer, she had insisted they have a place where he could remove his boots before trailing mud into the cottage. After days of drawing up plans, he had constructed a small room attached to the front door that served that purpose well, although it did not have an exterior door.

He approached her, his smile brighter than the sun above them. “I cannot wait to start on the project…” His words trailed off as he came to a stop before her.

She searched his face. “Is something wrong?”

“No,” he replied as he pulled her into his arms. “It’s your beauty. It captivates me now as it always has. How can it be that a woman is so beautiful? And have a sharp mind as well as a voice that commands the birds to sing?”

“You are much too kind,” she said, reveling as she always did in the feel of his hands on her waist. “But it is I who am fortunate to be married to a brute as handsome as you.”

“Brute?” Daniel asked with a raised brow. “Am I really that?”

Juliet nodded. “A most unruly creature with horrible manners and a stench that would drive any woman away.” She smiled and placed a hand on his cheek. “Yet, one who is so handsome that I would never consider leaving him.”

He pulled her close and kissed her. “I do love you, Miss Juliet.”

“And I love you, stable boy.” Then she tapped his chest. “I have a gift for you. Come with me.” She took his hand and practically dragged him inside, not even caring that he did not remove his boots at the door. Then she presented him with the cap Agnes had given as payment for her lesson.

“This is wonderful,” he said, placing it on his head. “What do you think? Does it suit me?”

“It does,” she replied, admiring him. “Now, do what you must while I prepare dinner. And do please fix that table leg. I cannot have it suddenly break and leave us eating food off the floor.”

“I’ll see to it on Sunday,” Daniel said as he kissed her cheek. “I’m going to water and rub down the horse.”

Juliet laughed as he quickly patted her bottom. Men were curious creatures! They could spend hours on end building a stable for another, but when it came to fixing something as simple as a table leg, they never had the time. She had to nag him for weeks before he even began the plans for the portico!

As she prepared dinner, Juliet gazed out the small kitchen window. The sky had darkened and the wind gusted. A storm was coming. Summer had proven much too warm and rain would be welcomed. Much like the hands that encircled her waist as her husband asked how long before they ate.

 

***

 

Thunder rumbled and lightning lit up the sky as a light mist coated the partially opened window. The sun had long set and the dinner dishes were washed as Juliet stared at the glass of wine in her hand. Across from her sat Daniel, who had refused to take off his new cap. Something more to add to the growing list of why she loved him so much.

“You realize that it is improper to wear a cap at my estate,” she teased. “In fact, I worry what the ton will say when they learn of your barbaric ways.”

Daniel set his glass of gin on the table and came to stand behind her. “And you, my dear wife? What would they say about you walking about the house in no more than your shift? What will the servants say?” He leaned down and kissed her ear. “My name will be ruined because of you.”

Juliet giggled and finished off the last of her wine. It was her second of the night and the effects were beginning to take hold. A gust of wind threw open the window and tossed Daniel’s cap, sending it flying in an arc before it fell to the floor.

“I will retrieve it,” she said with a laugh.

She glanced over her shoulder. Although she had matured greatly over the last two years, the streak of mischief inside her remained. Or at least a dash of it. “Well, will you look at this?” she said in mock surprise. “It seems I have found a new cleaning rag.” She turned the cap in her hand. “I believe I will use it to clean the horse first and then your boots after.”

Daniel leaped from his seat. “That’s mine,” he said as he made a grasp for the cap as she pulled it behind her back. “I demand you return it to me.”

Juliet turned and hid it behind her back. “I am sorry, sir, but I have no idea of what you speak. I have no cap to give you.”

Daniel narrowed his eyes and his lips thinned. “Then you leave me no choice.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I’ll have to kiss you!”

“No!” she said with a mock gasp that turned into a laugh. “You cannot! I forbid it!”

“Forbid it, you say?” Daniel asked. He pulled her in tight and kissed her. “Now, give me my cap.”

Juliet laughed. “Never!” Then her husband did the most horrible thing he could have done. He tickled her sides. “No!” she laughed as she tried to break his hold. Giggling and doing what she could to wriggle from his grasp, she fell onto the sofa as he continued his torture.

“Do you surrender?” he asked, hunched over her. “Admit defeat!”

“I only admit that I love you,” she said between gasps, “but the cap is mine!”

The sound of shouting made them grow quiet. “What was that?” Juliet asked.

“I do not know,” her husband replied, pulling himself off her and going to the door.

Rising from the sofa, Juliet frowned as Daniel opened the door. The strong wind blew in various twigs and leaves despite the portico. Her frown deepened. Now she would have more cleaning to do tomorrow! This was the very reason she had requested an exterior door, but he had insisted they had no need for one when the portico was outside anyway.

Beyond the doorway, lightning flashed, illuminating a carriage on the street surrounded by six men on horseback. Several held lanterns as they dismounted and descended upon the cottage.

“Daniel?” Juliet whispered as she placed a hand on his arm. “Something is wrong. I do not like this one bit.”

“Don’t worry,” he whispered. “I’ll speak with them.”

One man left the others. “Daniel Haskins?”

“Yes?”

“You are hereby taken to Rumsbury to stand trial for your crimes.”

“Crimes?” Juliet asked, horrified. “He has committed no crimes.”

The leader, a middle-aged man with graying hair grinned as his eyes roamed over her in a much too familiar manner. Juliet had forgotten she wore nothing but her shift and she quickly crossed her arms over her breasts.

“Don’t make this any harder than it has to be, young man,” another man said as he grasped Daniel by the shirt and pulled him outside.

“No!” Juliet cried, reaching for her husband even as another man blocked her way. “You cannot take him! He is my husband and has done no wrong!”

“You have the wrong man,” Daniel said. “I’ve never committed a crime!”

The men ignored the pleas, pushing Daniel toward the carriage.

“No, do not leave me!”

Lightning flashed again and Daniel turned toward her. “I’m sorry,” he called out to be heard over the thunder. “It’s just a misunderstanding. I’ll be home soon.”

Panicked, Juliet made to push her way past the two men, but they refused to allow her to do so. “Move out of my way,” she demanded, although tears ran down her cheeks, mixing with the rain. “I wish to speak to my husband.”

The gray-haired man grinned. “You can speak with him in jail if you’d like. But for now, he’s ours.”

Looking past the men, Juliet watched as the carriage pulled away, taking Daniel with it. Chilling rain pelted her face as she glared at the two beasts before her. “What are the accusations made against him?”

The older man smirked but gave no answer as he and his friend walked away.

Overcome with heartache, confusion, and despair, Juliet sank to her knees, unable to believe that only moments ago she and Daniel had been laughing. Now she sobbed as the sounds of the men’s voices faded into the surrounding darkness.

Making every attempt to compose herself, Juliet stood as she racked her brain for a plan, any plan, to bring her husband home. The first thing she would do was to return to Rumsbury and ask for her mother’s aid. Then, she would visit Daniel to learn what had brought all this about. After that remained to be seen.

Another bright flash of lightning lit up the surrounding area long enough for Juliet to catch sight of a figure in the shadows of a nearby copse of trees. So, one of the men had remained behind. But why?

“Of what crime is my husband being accused?” she called out to the unknown figure. “Tell me!”

“A most grievous crime,” a voice said. “And one that will cost him his life.”

“My Daniel is a good man, one who has done no wrong!” Juliet cried, unable to stop the tears from falling. “What you say is a lie.”

Her heartbeat increased as the figure approached, stopping a few paces away. She strained to see who this man was, but she could not make out his features in the darkness, although there was a familiarity about him. He was tall and imposing, his hair long and hanging over his shoulders.

“You have become more beautiful with time,” the man whispered. “You have no idea how many nights I have thought of you, wishing you were in my arms.”

Rain stung Juliet’s cheek and dripped from her chin as she wrapped her arms tighter around herself. “No,” she whispered in horror as the man entered the square of light that came through the window. “It cannot be.”

The small cottage shook as thunder exploded around them. Another bolt of lightning brightened the area once more, lighting up the face of the man who filled her nightmares. Lord Hugh Parsons.

“Hello, my love,” he said with a wide grin. “After all this time, I have returned to bring home where you belong.”