Ballad of the Innocents Read online

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Secrets of Scarlett Hall Series

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Epilogue

  Author's Note

  About Author-ebook

  Other books-ebook

  Ballad of the Innocents

  Secrets of Scarlett Hall

  Book 7

  Jennifer Monroe

  Copyright © 2020 Jennifer Monroe

  All rights reserved.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Secrets of Scarlett Hall

  Whispers of Light

  Echoes of the Heart

  Voices of Shadows Past

  Silent Dreams

  Songs of Yesterday

  Vows of Honor

  Ballad of the Innocents

  Purchase them all HERE!

  Prologue

  Scarlett Hall, 1808

  The summer breeze rustled the leaves above Lady Eleanor Lambert as she watched Bernard Forbes, her faithful butler, walking down the cobbled path of the garden toward the grand house of Scarlett Hall. Society frowned upon any form of informality with servants, but to Eleanor, what her peers thought was of no matter, for Forbes held a special place in her heart. And he always would.

  Sighing, she glanced down at the letter that had arrived from her brother, Josiah. None had seen nor heard from the man in many months, and his last words to her were said in anger.

  After what had taken place when they last spoke, Eleanor was uncertain if she dared to read what he had to say. Considering he had learned of his true lineage – that he was not truly a Parker, and had lost any power he once possessed over their childhood home of Chatterly Estate – it would be no wonder if he hated her as much as she suspected he did.

  Summoning her courage, she unfolded the parchment and began to read.

  Eleanor,

  Perhaps in the battle over Amelia you have bested me. Emmaline now sits in my rightful place, and your son will inherit what should have been mine. Life can be so unfair at times.

  Worry not, for I will make no attempt to regain what was stolen from me. Instead, I shall continue to keep my ear to the ground to listen for stories concerning you.

  Eleanor frowned. What stories could he possibly be concerned with? Shaking her head, she continued reading.

  One bit of interest you may wish to know is that I have made a new friend, a man who has told me much about you. Sadly, we cannot share these stories over a glass of brandy or a mug of ale, for the man currently resides at Conway Prison.”

  Eleanor’s heart raced. Conway Prison? Only one man she knew had been imprisoned, or any man who would concern her - Robert Mullens, Juliet’s true father. How had Josiah found the man? And why? Perhaps he would make mention of this in the remainder of his letter.

  Over the last few months, the man has revealed much about you, my dear sister, enough to hurt both you and the daughter you raised as your own. Therefore, prepare yourself, for my wrath over what you did to me has not yet subsided. Nor will it ever, I suspect. You left me with nothing, a life worse than death, and thus, whatever you tell others concerning me cannot abase me any more than I already am.

  But know this. I will inflict such pain upon you that you will never recover. As you read this, know that your precious Juliet will soon speak to you of heartbreak that you will be unable to repair.

  The paper floated to the ground as Eleanor fought off the panic that rose in her. Was Juliet safe? Had Josiah done as he said in his letter and already reached out to her daughter? Or was he merely attempting to frighten Eleanor?

  “Forbes,” she whispered, her eyes widening as the truth of her brother’s words settled upon her.

  She ran toward the house. “Forbes!”

  Pulling open the door, she ran down the long corridor, the single word erupting from her lips expressing the dread that threatened to strangle her.

  “Forbes!”

  “My lady?” the butler asked, hurrying from the front of the house.

  “I…” She paused and glanced over to where one of the maids, Alice by name, was dusting a nearby table.

  As if reading her mind, Forbes bowed his head and said, “It was I who broke your mother’s vase. If you will allow me to show you how that happened, I will escort you to the drawing room to do so.”

  “Yes, please,” Eleanor replied, doing her best to keep her breathing under control - and her panic. Forbes always seemed to know what to do during troubling times.

  Alice resumed her work as Eleanor followed Forbes into the drawing room. Once the door closed behind them, she spun about, the panic returned. “The letter I received was from Josiah. It appears he has been in contact with Robert Mullins.” She placed a hand on her breast and her breathing came in short gasps. “Amelia made mention of Lord Parsons, that I should be careful of him, but it may be too late.”

  Amelia, daughter of Eleanor’s sister Emmeline, had encountered Lord Parsons during her journey to Scarlett Hall. He had been drunk and searching for Juliet, although she had been long married and living elsewhere.

  Strong hands grasped Eleanor by the arms, and she looked up into the face of Forbes. “You will compose yourself,” he said in his rare commanding tone.

  “But my daughter is in danger!” she said, her voice rising. “I must leave at once.” She made to move away, but he tightened his grip on her.

  “Eleanor,” he said, “you are a baroness and will conduct yourself as such.”

  Anger flared inside her. How dare he! “Release me, now!” she said.

  To her shock, Forbes shook his head. “If I release you, you will respond in a panic, making things worse than they may already be. Now, compose yourself and explain to me exactly what the letter said.”

  Eleanor grasped the skirts of her dress to keep from slapping the man, but she did as he bade. “According to the correspondence, he has been in contact with that horrible Robert Mullins. In prison! He went to the prison to speak to him! He says that Juliet will be the one to tell me of some sort of heartbreak, which means that whatever he had planned he has already done.”

  She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, fear threatening to choke off any rational thought. She had to think clearly! Yet, it was difficult to keep her mind straight. Her darling Juliet!

  No, Forbes was right. She had to keep a clear head.

  Taking a calming breath, she released her skirts and stood to her full height. “I am no longer panicked, but decisions must be made immediately.”

  The butler released his grip. “What do
you propose? It will take too long for us to journey to Juliet’s home before Mr. Parker arrives to do whatever dastardly deed he has planned.”

  Eleanor nodded her agreement. “I will send a letter immediately to warn her and pray it is not too late. I have no idea what else to do at this point, for I do not know what Josiah plans.” Then an idea occurred to her. “No. I will go to the prison and speak with Robert. He may be able to give me some insight into Josiah’s intentions”

  “I do not believe that is wise,” Forbes replied. “It is not the place for ladies such as yourself to be. Plus, that may be exactly what Robert wants - to see you. What other reason could he have for speaking to your brother?”

  Eleanor considered his words. Robert Mullins had fathered Juliet with Eleanor’s lady’s maid, and when Eleanor lost her child, Anne had given her babe to Eleanor to raise as her own. Years later, when Robert learned the truth, he had attempted to blackmail Eleanor. The man was evil, and she knew the risk of speaking to him. Yet, she also recognized that the risk to Juliet was far greater.

  Now with her faculties back under control, she shook her head. “I have no choice. It must be done. Bring around the carriage. We will leave at once.”

  “Eleanor…”

  “Do as I say,” she said, her chin raised in defiance. “It is not your place to argue with me.” As soon as the words left her lips, she regretted them. Though the pain in his eyes was brief, it was there all the same.

  “As you wish, my lady,” he said with a formal bow that would have bruised if he had instead struck her.

  When he was gone, Eleanor went to the study to write her daughter and have the letter dispatched in the capable hands of one of her younger servants. Then she and Forbes would leave for the prison and learn what trouble Robert had caused.

  Reaching for the quill, she paused and then opened the desk drawer. From it, she took out a small box and removed several notes. A bribe would likely be in order, and she had no qualms in doing just that – or anything else to keep her daughter safe.

  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.”