Chapter Eighteen

 

Since he was a young boy, Hugh had always been well aware of the power he possessed. At the age of eight, he broke a vase important to his mother and, to avoid the woman’s ire, had blamed it on a servant. The maid was dismissed on the spot without pay, and for a reason he did not understand - nor did he care to - the entire proceeding had delighted him immensely.

When he was in his teens, he discovered the art of blackmail and used it to coerce servants into doing his bidding with the threat of seeing their livelihoods stripped away if they ignored his requests. It made him chuckle whenever he caught a footman whispering to a giggling maid, for they would take one look at him and scurry away like mice caught in the pantry by the cat.

With each act of deceit, he grew stronger, until no one dared cross him. No one, that is, except that blasted stable boy.

And that problem has been put to rest! he thought as an image came to him of the boy sitting in prison knowing the woman he loved was with Hugh.

That woman currently wore a pale blue dress and her hair was piled high upon her head in a fashionable chignon. Her ensemble was completed with white gloves and the sapphire necklace nestled in her exquisite bosom. What a flawless beauty she was! She should have been admired by all, and the man beside him in the foyer did just that as he did nothing to hide his gaze as they approached her.

“Lord Alan Rutherford, my fiancée, Miss Juliet Lambert.”

Juliet performed a perfect curtsy, and Lord Rutherford’s eyes bulged, likely from the magnificent view she gave him. Hugh could not have been prouder. Like everything else he had encountered, he had been correct in his judgment. To see other men ogle her when they knew she belonged to him and no one else was what he had always wanted.

“It is an honor, Miss Lambert,” Lord Rutherford said. Then he turned to Hugh. “Although I said I would need time to consider this matter, I have decided to agree. Please send the appropriate documents to my solicitor at your earliest convenience.”

Hugh smiled. This was yet another associate to whom Parker had introduced him. “Thank you,” he said. “I will have it drawn up and sent to you within the week. Akerley will see you to the door.” The butler bowed and allowed the lord to exit before following behind.

Elation ran through Hugh. Thus far, he had shaken hands on no more than three business agreements this week, and the woman he adored had been present for every one!

Well, not in the same room, of course, that was just silly. She had waited in the sitting room while he conducted business in the study, and each time he brought a prospective partner to her, she had astounded him with her beauty. Lord Rutherford had been the second man to agree after meeting Juliet, which only made Hugh prouder.

“Do not forget who has brought you your new fortune.”

Hugh covered a frown as Parker entered the room, that arrogant smile gouging into Hugh’s head as easily as if it were a blade. How it irked Hugh that the man could ruin such good humor.

“You acted as if I were not even at the meeting,” the irritating man continued. “In fact, you did so at the other two meetings I set up for you.”

Clasping the man on the shoulder, Hugh replied, “I have not forgotten. After all, we have an agreement, do we not?”

“We do,” Parker said, although his frown remained. “Just make certain you keep it.” He then turned and left the room.

Hugh stifled a sigh. It would not be long before the dizzard left his home and his constant nagging and interference came to an end!

“I am pleased your meeting went well. Your estate grows quickly.”

He turned to Juliet and smiled. She was his salvation. “It does,” he said. “It is as I have told you before; I always receive what I desire.” He placed a hand on the side of her face. “Just as I have always desired you.”

Her giggle was like listening to tiny bells ringing. “Do you realize how your words make a lady’s cheeks heat? Please, I beg of you to stop lest I embarrass myself by turning the color of my wine.”

Hugh drew in a deep breath. Her perfume was sweet and alluring, and he wished this was their wedding night. He had thought that turning the girl against the stable boy would have been much more difficult, yet blackmail only sparked the greed he had seen in her two years earlier.

Or was she playing a game with him? Could she, a woman, best him? How he despised these sudden flickers of doubt! Yet, how often had they saved him from embarrassing situations?

As she gazed up at him with that smile and eyelashes that fluttered so provocatively, he knew his doubts were unwarranted. Gone was any resistance, although he would never drop his guard. Never in his life had he trusted anyone fully, for everyone kept back secrets that could potentially hurt him. Everyone, including his lovely bride-to-be.

“How can I not compliment a lady of such beauty?” he asked. “Rutherford was intrigued, and I cannot wait to see the reactions of others in the ton when we present ourselves once we are wed.” Then an idea came to mind. “Come with me.”

He took her hand and led her upstairs.

“Next week this will be your room,” he said as he opened the door to his bedroom. “Does it please you?”

Juliet walked over to the large four-poster bed and trailed delicate fingers along the coverlet. Then she moved to the set of French doors that led out onto a balcony. “It is lovely,” she said as she peeked through the drapes that hung over the doors. She walked to the vanity table and ran her hand across the top. “This appears new.”

He joined her. “That is because it is, as are all the perfumes I had delivered this morning.”

Her eyes lit up as she reached for one of the bottles. “You are too kind,” she said. “You do not have to give me such gifts, but,” she turned to look up at him, her eyes glinting, “I will not refuse them.”

“I did not believe you would,” he said, taking the bottle from her hand and returning it to the table. “The jewelry box. Open it.”

She raised her eyebrows and did as he bade, gasping once the lid was raised. “What a beautiful ring,” she said.

“It was my mother’s.” He retrieved the ring, a gold band adorned with a perfect sapphire, and slid it onto her finger. “The color suits you. Like the necklace you are wearing, it is a symbol of what I am willing to do for you. Never forget that.”

“I will not,” she said as she studied the ring. “Are there any other pieces of jewelry for me?”

For a brief moment, anger rose in Hugh. Was she ungrateful for his gift? Was her greed that great? Then he realized that this was what he had wanted, the Juliet he knew before the stable boy had gotten his grubby, dirty hands on her. Of course she would want more.

“In due time,” he replied. “But for now you must wait until after we are married.”

Her pout was nearly his undoing, for he was tempted to take his marital rights right then. Yet, he pushed down the desire and smiled.

“Now, allow me to show you the balcony.”

As they stood side by side overlooking the garden and off at the horizon, a sense of contentment filled him. Much had changed in the past month, and more would change in the days ahead.

Juliet sighed and leaned against him. “Jewelry, fine dresses, and this estate,” she whispered. “I am eager for our wedding next week.”

He glanced down at her. “Is that so?”

Her dark eyes shone and her lips held that mischievous grin he had always adored. “Of course,” she replied. “For I will finally be able to put my past behind me.”

 

***

 

Dusk descended upon Scarlett Hall as Eleanor looked out over the gardens from the veranda, the last rays of the sun casting their light upon her.

She recalled the first time she had laid eyes on the grand estate, her heart filled with joy and happiness at the thought of spending her life there. In those days, her future held such promise, for she had been in love. Yet, those had been the thoughts of a naive girl who had not yet become a woman.

As the years passed and troubles came, she had always been able to handle whatever problems that arose. Yet, this issue concerning Juliet remained unsettled. Failing to help her daughter had left her with a sense of burden that weighed heavily on her shoulders. If she did not find a solution, Juliet would be married in one week’s time.

Yet, her heart also carried a heaviness for Daniel, the innocent young man held for the simple crime of loving a woman above his station. He had been barely able to read, yet his heart was pure and the love he had for Juliet was great.

“Would you like me to bring you something to drink?”

She turned and smiled. “No thank you, Forbes,” she replied. “Will you walk with me?”

The butler nodded and offered her his arm. Side by side, they walked along the pathway, past the perfectly trimmed hedges and well-tended beds.

“I must apologize to you,” she said after a while.

“You are a lady and I am but a servant,” Forbes replied. “There is never a reason for you to apologize to the likes of me.”

“You are wrong. I have spoken harsh words to you over the past month, and they were uncalled for. Friends do not speak to one another in that way.” She stopped and turned toward him. “You are my friend, are you not?”

“You need never ask such a question,” he said. “I have always been and will always be your friend.”

Eleanor nodded. “Then I ask you again to forgive me.”

Forbes raised his chin. “There is a divide between us whether we are friends or not. A lady must…”

“Do as she feels right,” she finished for him. “Yes, yes, I am all too aware of decorum and propriety. But, Bernard, please, do not make me beg.”

He chuckled. “Then I accept your apology, but there was never a grievance held against you. After all, what kind of friend would do such a thing?”

His words made her smile. Forbes had always been dear to her, someone on whom she could always depend. His loyalty to her and her children could never be matched, and not once had he ever betrayed her. “You most certainly would not,” she replied. “And although I have said differently in anger, I must once more request your aid.”

“If this concerns Lord parsons, then say no more. I can make that problem disappear.”

She placed a hand on his arm. “It may come to that, but I am going to speak to Reverend Creassey this weekend.” She ignored Forbes’ sudden intake of breath. “If I can delay the wedding, perhaps…”

“You will only buy time and not the life of the boy. If I were able to help Daniel, I would, but you must accept that no one can intervene with what fate has dealt him.”

Eleanor sighed. “That is what frightens me. Even if Lord Parsons were to perish in some way, Juliet would never be the same because Daniel would still remain in prison. Or be hanged.”

“Time is not our friend at the moment,” Forbes said, removing a handkerchief from his breast pocket and offering it to her. “And what is Juliet’s plan concerning all this? I assume she has one.”

“I fear her plan to have Lord Parsons and my brother harm one another is dangerous and has little chance for success. Yet, what other choice does she have? Whether or not it is successful, it is something I cannot allow her to do alone. The girl does not understand what it will require.” She wiped at her eyes and looked up at Forbes. “Yet, we do.”

Quiet fell between them as the sun dipped below the horizon, the faint light calling an end to another day. How many sunsets had fallen over her home over the years, taking the pain of the day with it?

A sense of overwhelming sadness descended upon her. She was tired, tired of being strong every moment of every day, and without thought, she rested her head against Forbes’ chest.

“Eleanor, it is unwise to do such a thing,” he said with light chastisement.

“I do not care,” she whispered. “I need to be held.”

And, as he had always done without argument, he did as she asked.