Chapter Twenty-Two

 

“And like the first Lady Lambert, my mother-in-law poisoned her husband,” Juliet’s mother said, causing Juliet to cover her mouth to stifle a gasp. “I understand that it was she who came to you seeking guidance, Ambrose.”

Juliet watched with wide eyes. The vicar and her grandmother, the woman after whom she was named? But how could this be? Did this mean that her father was not the true heir to the barony? What would that mean for her? For her sisters? For their brother?

Oh, poor Nathaniel! Juliet thought. He would lose his right to the title for certain if word of this were revealed to the ton!

Reverend Creassey raised a single brow. “I offered her nothing more than what she requested,” he said. “And she accepted of her own free will.”

“I agree, she did. And you used your position to justify your actions. Just as you always have.”

Juliet took a step back when the reverend leaped from the seat he had taken and glared down at her mother. “Just like she, you have always judged me,” he said, spittle flying from his lips. “How often have you come seeking my aid? To help rid you of problems that you and your daughters have brought upon yourselves? Do you believe you are innocent in all this?”

Her mother sat back in her chair, seemingly undaunted by his outburst. “You are right,” she replied. “I have gone to you for help, and perhaps I am just as guilty as you.”

Reverend Creassey looked at Juliet. “You have no idea what your mother has done,” he said, his eyes filled with a madness that frightened her. “Acts that would cause you to faint upon hearing them.” Then, the madness seemed to dissipate, and he returned to his chair once more. “So, my helping this woman was noted. You see, it makes little difference to me, for if word got out about this little…mishap…it would only bring shame down upon Scarlett Hall. I am a man of God, a cleric of the Almighty, and therefore free of sin.”

“You seem to misunderstand me. I have no concern for my name but rather your own, dear Reverend. How many sons of the aristocracy have you had a part in the sudden deaths of their fathers? Such rumors would undoubtedly cause great suspicion, man of God or no.”

“So, it has come to this then?” he said with a sneer. “After all these years, you will now blackmail me?”

“Not at all,” her mother replied. “In fact, I have made no such threat, nor would I ever.”

He frowned. “Then what are you asking of me?”

She chuckled. “All I ask is that you help me in this certain matter and I will pay you accordingly, just as I have in the past.”

“And what payment is that?”

Her mother shrugged. “The usual amount.” She picked up the journal. “And the removal of certain pages from this book, which we will burn together, ridding ourselves of this secret once and for all. You must admit that if others learned of how you took advantage of so many well-respected members of the ton, they may not be as forgiving as they would have been in the past.”

Juliet stared at her mother. She had known the woman was strong and that her mind was sharp, yet to see how her words left the reverend speechless caused Juliet’s admiration for her mother to grow.

“And if I refuse your offer?” he said. “What then? Will you accidentally leave the book for someone to find?”

Her mother pushed the journal forward. “Our relationship, as you have noted, runs deep. Take the book with you and leave if you would like.”

What was her mother doing? Would she allow such an important piece of information to fall in the hands of this man? Juliet went to speak but fell silent at the wave of her mother’s hand.

Reverend Creassey gave a derisive sniff. “I never cared much for Lord Parsons,” he said, as he returned to his seat. “And I suspect you will need my help again before long. You always do.” He chuckled. “I agree to your terms, but the monetary value will be doubled from this moment forward.”

“I accept those terms,” her mother said as she put her hand forward.

“The documents of marriage will not be recorded, and new baptismal records can easily be drawn up. I assume you would also like a birth notation entered into record under this fictitious name, as well?”

“Of course,” her mother replied. “And I understand that you have the contract between my daughter and Lord Parsons for safekeeping?”

The man nodded. “I do.”

“I will want that, as well.”

The reverend snorted. “Very well. Is there anything else?”

Her mother motioned for Juliet to come near.

Juliet did as her mother bade, placing a hand on the woman’s shoulder. Although she had not known the secret her mother would use to get the reverend to do her bidding, she knew what she was to say when the time came. How could she have doubted the woman?

“Lord Parsons, you have a great deal of influence in Rumsbury,” Juliet said, speaking the prescribed words. When the reverend nodded, she continued. “But I understand that you are more powerful than he.”

Again the man nodded. “That is true,” he said with a chuckle. “There is nowhere I cannot go, nor is there an ear that will not listen when I speak.”

Juliet smiled. “And that is why you will take my sisters and me to the jail to see my husband.”