The Royal Secret

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

As soon as Scarlet opened the door she knew that James was home. The first sign was his cloak. She also heard him in the library. Katie must have to, because she tried to get down. Scarlet set her on the floor. She ran for the library door.

“Katie, don’t” Scarlet said as she followed Katie.

“Open!” Katie said.

Before Scarlet could knock, the door opened. James stood in the doorway. Behind him sat a woman.

“Katie!” James said as he bent to pick her up. “Scarlet, you look nice.”

Before Scarlet could say answer the woman said, “James, darling, who is this?”

“This is my niece, Katie, and my friend, Scarlet,” James said. He started to turn to look at the woman. His eyes grew wide and he turned to Scarlet. “Scarlet Freeman!”

Scarlet smiled as she said, “Did you just remember, James?”

“Yes,” he admitted in a whisper.

“My name is Amerna Freeman,” the woman said. “My father is Jerry Freeman and his brothers were John and Alan Freeman.”

“My father was John Freeman,” Scarlet said. “My mothers’ father was Alan Freeman.”

“Oh,” Amerna said. “So, your mother was a whore.” She looked at James as she continued with, “My father always said that she was. Uncle John said she had become pregnant and run away.”

“Mama Scarlet?” Katie asked.

“What, sweetie?” Scarlet asked.

“I want to nap now,” Katie said.

“Don’t you want to spend time with your uncle?” Scarlet asked.

“No,” Katie said. “Nap!”

“All right,” Scarlet said. James handed Katie to her. “We will see you later.”

She turned to see John holding her boxes.

“Would you like me to take this up for you?” John asked.

“Yes,” Scarlet said. “Thank you.”

He nodded.

Scarlet went up the stairs and into Katie’s room. She picked up Katie’s night shirt and went up to her own room on the third floor.

She changed Katie into her night shirt and took off her own dress.

They were soon both asleep.

Scarlet was alone in her room later that day when she heard a knock at her door. Belle stood there again. This time she was holding her nose and crying.

“Oh, Belle,” Scarlet said. “What happened?”

“I-I went into Katie’s room,” Belle said. “James’ bride-to-be was in there. She-she was holding a pillow over the-the crib with it. She-she was going to kill-kill Katie!”

“Where is Katie now?” Scarlet asked.

“In her room,” Belle said. “She never woke up. She just continued to sleep. You have to help me. I know I have not been the best mother to her, but I have to keep her safe.”

“Okay,” Scarlet said. “I will be moving out in a few weeks. Until you either move out or remarry I could keep her with me.”

“Would you?” Belle asked.

“Of course I would,” Scarlet said. “And I really do not like Amerna. She called my mother a w***e. She was anything, but that. She did what she had to do at the time.”

“Thank you so much, Scarlet,” Belle said. “I am sorry I have been mean to you.”

“It is all right,” Scarlet said. “I understand. In the morning you can help me look for a place. Okay?”

“Yes,” Belle said. “Thank you.”

Belle left and Scarlet went to bed. It would be in the morning that she would see Amerna in her full glory.

Scarlet carried Katie with her into the dining room. James was seated at the head of the table. Amerna was seated to his left. Belle was absent.

Scarlet had to take a double look at Amerna.

The woman was dressed in a dark red dress. Every time she moved it sparkled. Her brown hair was piled on top of her head. It had diamonds in it.

Scarlet stared at her for a moment. She then sat down on James’ right. She kept Katie in her lap.

“It is all right,” James said to Amerna.

“Thank you, James,” Amerna said. “I did not mean to break it.”

He nodded. He then to Scarlet and said. “What do you plan to do today?”

“Sew,” Scarlet said. “Mrs. Davis wants me to sew more quilts for her to sell.”

“You sew?” Amerna asked. Scarlet nodded. “I could never sew.” She turned to James. “It is for the poor. Also, it can make you go blind before your time.”

“Actually,” James said, “Scarlet makes all of my clothes. She also makes her own and Belles’ and Katie’s as well. You could have no better seamstress or dress maker.” He smiled at Scarlet.

“All of your clothes?” Amerna asked.

“Yes,” James said. “All.”

“Uncle James,” Katie said as she held out her arms to him.

“Come here,” he said, taking Katie from her.

As Scarlet stood she said, “I have to go. Mrs. Davis is expecting me.”

“Have fun, Scarlet,” he said.

She nodded and left the room. She found Belle in the hall. She’d been crying.

“Why don’t you stay here and sleep?” Scarlet suggested. “I’ll be fine on my own.”

Belle nodded and went up the stairs to her room. Scarlet watched her go. She then grabbed her coat and hurried out the door. She walked quickly street, her heels clicking on the cobble. She knew that the Davis’ had a big house. They had had a child years ago that had died before it was two. They had been told that Mrs. Davis could have no more children.

“Scarlet,” Mrs. Davis said as she entered the shop.

“Mrs. Davis, “Scarlet said, “I have a couple of questions.”

“Okay,” Mrs. Davis said.

“Have you sent out the bolts of fabric?” Scarlet asked.

“No, not yet,” Mrs. Davis said.

“Good,” Scarlet said. “Have you heard yet that James is getting married?”

“Yes, I have,” Mrs. Davis said. “It’s a shame too. I always thought he’d marry you.”

“Have you ever thought of renting out a room in your house?” she asked.

“Yes, once,” Mrs. Davis asked. “Why do you ask, dear?”

“I can’t stay in James’ house once he gets married,” she said. “I have to go. He says I can stay, but I can’t. How could I?”

“Yes, Scarlet,” Mrs. Davis said. “You can stay with us. As soon as you want to move in you just let Mr. Davis or I know.”

“Thank you,” She said. “Belle is giving an announcement party next month. So sometime then.”

“Very well,” Mrs. Davis said.

Scarlet left soon after and went back to the house. She told Belle to give an announcement party. Scarlet would make the dresses.

“Why, James,” Holly Molly said, “Are you sure?”

James pulled her into his lap.

“You tell me,” he said.

She rubbed her bottom against him. She put her arms around his neck and whispered, “Take me to my room.”

James stood with her in his arms. He strode to her room. He walked over to the bed and dropped her on it. He then went over to the door and shut it. As he walked back over to the bed he stripped. By the time he reached the bed he was naked. His manhood stood out in front of him. He stared down at the twenty-eight year old woman. She’d been eighteen when he had first had s*x with her.

She’d runaway at the age of fifteen. She had come to this bar. The barkeep had actually r***d her. Then the man had made her a w***e. The barkeep had given her a corset and a skirt for her work outfit. The barkeep also realized that James paid more for her. Realizing this he had kept her from the other patrons. He knew he needed to keep her clean.

Now James pulled off her skirt. He stared down at her a moment. He then sat down at the edge of the bed. He looked at her.

“Come sit on my lap,” he said.

She got up and did as she told him. She rocked against him. He lifted her up a little and slid into her. He lay back on the bed.

Scarlet held up the gown she had started for Belle. She’d taken some crushed fool’s gold and mixed it into the thread she used.

“Well?” Scarlet asked.

“Oh, gosh, Scarlet,” Belle said. “It’s so beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Scarlet said.

“Where’s your gown?” Belle asked.

“I want to surprise you,” Scarlet said. “Now, go along to your room.”

“Sure,” Belle said. “Have you seen James?”

“No,” Scarlet said. “He’s been gone all day.”

Belle nodded and left the room.

Scarlet took out her own gown and smiled. She would outshine Amerna.

She woke up early the next morning to finish Belles gown. She needed to finish Belles so she could work on her own gown. Both gowns were made of dark green. She would take some of the gold and silver powder she had to the shoe makers. She already had hairstyles in mind for herself and Belle.

The sun had just come up and was lighting up her room when she heard the front door open and John talking to someone. She grabbed her robe and was tying it as she opened the door to her room. She was shocked to see James climbing the stairs to his room on the second floor. It was as he reached his room that she saw he was holding his shoulder. She hurried down the stairs.

James opened the door just as she reached the bottom stair. He then leaned against the door frame. She heard him groan as she moved silently closer to him.

“James?” she whispered.

He turned to look at him. He said, “Scarlet?”

“Are you all right?” she asked.

“Yes, I’m fine,” he said.

“James, tell me the truth,” she said.

“I was attacked on the way home,” he finally admitted. “I was stabbed in the shoulder. It’s bleeding pretty bed. John’s going to sew it for me.”