The Royal Secret

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

James looked at Scarlet over his glass. She looked beautiful this morning. She had gained weight over the past month. He liked her like this.

“James?” she asked.

He blinked as he said, “Yes?”

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

“No,” he said. “I was just thinking about a few things.”

“Oh,” she said. They were silent for a few minutes. “Can I go with you today? I do not want to stay here without you.”

“You may,” he said. “I think that that would be best. You would be safer with me.”

“Yes,” she said. She jumped up from the table. “I will have Merg pack us some food. Apples, some pheasant, and some of her blueberry cake. Do you want anything packed for you?”

“No,” he said. “Go on.”

“Thanks,” she said. She started to leave. “Oh, I forgot. Your mother sent over a note. It said that the ship that Jerry Freeman would be on today is called the Trueblood.”

“Really?” he said. “I will have to remember that.”

“See you soon,” she said and hurried to the kitchen.

Merg was standing by the stove. Merg turned to look at her.

“What can I do for you, Miss Scarlet?” Merg asked.

“Can you pack a basket with apples, some of the pheasant from last night, and some of the blueberry cake?” she asked.

“Of course I can,” Merg said. “You are going with Mister James to the shipyard?” Merg set the basket on the counter.

“Yes,” she said. “My uncle is coming to tell James something important. It has to do with Amerna.”

Merg put two apples in the basket before she started to wrap the pheasant in a cloth. She then said, “I know you are not supposed to talk ill of the dead, but Amerna was never truly in love with James. I overheard her talking to that maid of hers that she brought with her. She said that she heard that James was rich and that her father agreed that she should seduce James. That was the only way he would marry her. Only, James isn’t rich. At least not yet. His parents are. She didn’t know any of this, of course.”

“So, that was why she married him?”

“Yes,” Merg said as she placed the pheasant in the basket. “She thought he has all the money. She did not kill the baby on purpose. She fell down the stairs.”

“So, that was an accident?” she asked.

“Yes,” Merg said. She cut off a big hunk of cake and set it on a plate. “She tripped on the carpet on the stairs. It was sad because I think that that was when she realized that James never loved her and married her only because of the baby.”

“Do you think that was what made her snap?” she asked.

“I think so,” Merg said. She wrapped the cake and placed it in the basket. “She was not the nicest person that I have met, but I would wish her hurt. But you have to figure that her father is the Jerry Freeman.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“Well,” Merg said as she turned to look at Scarlet, “It happened about twelve years ago. Jerry came to visit his brothers here in America. He learned that his brother, Alan, was dead. His other brother, John, was not home. He learned that John had gone to see their niece. He learned where the house his nice lived was and went there.

“He found that the candles were lit all throughout the house. He knocked and got no answer. He let himself in. He found his brother and niece in bed together. They were… you know. Anyway, it turns out that to protect her daughter the niece let him do those things to her. This night, however, would be the last he would ever touch her. Jerry pulled his brother off the niece and beat him. Jerry then dragged a naked John outside and tied him to his horse. Jerry then dragged John through town. A man, I will not say who it was, shot John as Jerry was dragging him through town.”

“And then John died from the wound,” Scarlet said. “Jerry went back home. It was the last time mother saw either of them again.”

“Yes,” Merg said. “He returned to his wife and children. Amerna was his only daughter.”

“Thank you for telling me this,” she said. She took the basket. “I have been afraid this last month because of whoever has been threatening James.”

“I know, Scarlet,” Merg said. “Have fun. Remember James will protect you.”

“I know that,” she said. “Thank you again.”

James stood by the front door. He took the basket from her. He then led her out to the coach and helped her inside. He sat the basket on the floor and then got in himself.

“It took you a while,” he said as the coach began to move.

“Yes,” she said. “I was talking to Merg about a few things.”

“Like what?” he asked as he put his arm around her.

“Where the nursery should be,” she said snuggling closer to him. “She thinks it should be on the third floor. I do not. I think it should be across from us. That way I can get up at night and take care of the baby.”

“You don’t want a wet nurse?” he asked.

“No,” she said. “This is our baby. I will not have someone else taking care of it for us.”

“Yes,” he said. “That is probably what Mother said to Father when my older brother was born.”

“I know that you have an older brother,” she said. “I heard you mention him before. How come I have never met him?”

“Well,” he said, “Hunter is two years older than me. He lives in London in a very big house by himself. He has never been married and does not ever plan to marry. He said that it is because he cannot tolerate children. But the rest of us know the truth.”

“And that is what?” she asked.

“Well, it was about five years ago,” he said. “He had met this beautiful young woman. They both fell in love. They were planning to marry. Her father showed up a week before they were to marry. He yelled for all to hear that no daughter of his would marry Hunter Royal. Hunter used to love being with ladies. Now all he does is sit in his house. He gets all he needs delivered. And that is not much. He used to love everything about life. Not anymore.”

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I know what it is like to love someone and have them taken away.”

“Yes,” he said.

“Maybe after the baby is born is born you can ask Hunter to come visit. I would like to meet him.”

“I do not think that he would come,” he said.

“Just an idea,” she said. “I am sure he would like to meet his niece or nephew. Just think about it. I will write to him. I will tell him that I would like to meet him. All right, James?”

“Sure,” he said. “But just remember that I warned you against this. If he doesn’t expect I do not want you to be upset.”

“I will remember that,” she said, “If you remember this: He is a part of your family. That makes him a part of mine.”

He chuckled.

Scarlet watched James writing letters. She ate an apple as she did so. She slowly rubbed her stomach with the other hand. She wondered what he was writing. She still had to go to the blacksmith to get his ring. She hoped it would fit.

“James,” she said startling him. He looked at her. “Can I have a piece of paper? I would like Merg to bring me my cloak. I’m a little cold.”

“You can use mine,” he said.

“No,” she said. “That’s fine.”

He handed her a piece of paper and quill. Her note was simple and to the point:

Merg,

Bring me my coat. First, stop by the blacksmith. Ask him for the surprise. He will know what you are talking about.

Scarlet

After folding the paper in half twice she looked at James. He was staring at her. She handed it to him. He took it and went to the door. He gave it to one of the men there.

“Take it to the kitchen,” he said. “Give it to Merg.”

The man nodded and hurried away. James returned to his seat and resumed writing. She finished eating an apple and put it in the waste basket. She then folded her arms on the desk and then put her head on her arms.

She was soon asleep.

James set his quill down and looked at her. He knew she must be worried about her uncle coming. He also wanted to know what it was she had written to Merg. He went back to writing.

Thirty minutes later he heard footsteps. She must have heard them as well because she sat up. She pushed her hair back from her face. Merg appeared in the doorway. Scarlet jumped up and hurried aver to the door.

“Did you get it?” James heard Scarlet ask.

“Yes,” Merg said. James watched her hand Scarlet something. “He said it was the best work he has ever down.”

Scarlet turned the item over in her hand. “I’m glad he was able to find the blue,” She said. “Did he say if it was hard to find?”

“He said it was easy,” Merg said. “The only problem he had was the band. It would not form. Oh, here is your coat.”

“Thank you,” Scarlet said as she took the coat. “Hurry home.”

Merg nodded and left. Scarlet turned to face him. She held the coat in one hand. She started to smile.

“Come over here quickly,” he said.

She walked over to him.

“James?” she asked. “I have something for you.”

He looked down at her as he asked, “What is it?”

“This,” she said. She held out her hand. There in her hand was a ring.

“Is this what you had Merg really get?” he asked. He took the ring and looked at it. The band was gold. There were blue gems. He smiled. “Blueberries, huh?”

“Yes,” she said. “I thought you might like it.”

He slipped the ring on his finger. He then hugged her saying, “I more than like it. I love it and you.”

He kissed her. She slipped her arms around his neck. His arms went around her waist.

“Excuse me,” a man said.

They both moved apart from each other. James kept one arm around her waist as they turned to the doorway.

“How can we help you?” James asked.

“I am Jerry Freeman,” the man said. “I’m looking for a James Royal. He is married to my daughter.”

“I am James Royal,” James said.

“You are?” Jerry asked.

“I am,” James said.

“Where is my daughter and who is she?” Jerry asked.

James looked down at Scarlet and told her, “Go sit behind my desk.”

“Yes,” she said. She went over to his desk and sat down in his chair.

“Mr. Freeman,” James said, “I don’t know where to begin.”

“Start with where my daughter is,” Jerry said. “Start with where my grandchild is.”

James looked over at Scarlet. She was eating another apple.

He took a deep breath.

“About four months ago Amerna fell down the stairs.” James began. “She lost the baby. A month later she fell out a window. I was not home at the time. I was with this woman.” He looked at Scarlet again. “We went to the hospital together. There I told Amerna that we would be getting a divorce. We went to leave. Amerna killed herself.”

“Both my daughter and grandchild are dead?” Jerry asked.

“Yes,” James said. “I am sorry.”

“My daughter has been dead only two months,” Jerry said. James nodded. “Two months and already found yourself a whore.”

“This woman is not a w***e,” James said. “If you want to blame someone for Amernas’ death, blame me. That day I told her I wanted a divorce. I wanted out of our marriage.”

“I thought you two were in love,” Jerry said.

“No,” James said. He looked at Scarlet. He then turned back to Jerry. “There is only one woman that I love.”

She smiled. She held the apple in one hand as she stood.

“You should probably tell him who I am, James,” she said. “And eat this.” She put the apple in his hand.

“Um... Mr. Freeman this is my wife of a month and a half,” James said.

“Your wife?” Jerry asked.

“Scarlet,” James said, “This is Jerry Freeman. Mr. Freeman, my wife, Scarlet Freeman Royal.”

“It is just Royal now,” she said.

“Scarlet Freeman?” Jerry asked. “You are Annie's baby. How is Annie?”

“Dead,” Scarlet said. “Has been since I was ten. I was sure someone had told you.”

“No, I assumed, as did the rest of the family, that she was still alive,” Jerry said. “How did she die?”

“She was murdered,” Scarlet said.

“I am sorry,” Jerry said. “If I had known I would have come and gotten you, even though no one knows who you real father is.”

“Most people know who my father is,” Scarlet said. “Most everyone in this town does!”

“Scarlet,” James said softly.

“They do!” she said.

“Sweetie,” James said, “Do you want to go home?” He put the apple in the waste basket.

“No,” she said. “You have to work.”

“If everyone knows who your father is,” Jerry said, “Why don't you tell me?

“Gladly,” she said. “He was John Freeman.”

“I thought so,” Jerry said. “Annie never said who the baby's father was. I thought it was John. It couldn't have been Alan. He died before Annie became pregnant.”

“Wasn't Alan your mothers’ father?” James asked.

“Yes,” she said. “There is a lot wrong with my mother’s family.”

“I can see that,” James said.

“There is something else you have to know about Amerna,” Jerry said.

“What is it?” James asked.

“Amerna, as you must know, was not... pure,” Jerry said.

“Yes,” James said. “She never pretended that she was.”

“Well, the reason for that is quite simple,” Jerry said. “It is also the reason that we thought she could not have children. You see, she was married back home. Her husband’s name is Harry Wakefield. They were married when she was sixteen.”

“She was married before I married her?” James asked.

“No,” Jerry said. “She was still married to her husband when she married you.”

“You mean that James and she were never legally married?” she asked.

“Yes,” Jerry said. “She met James and knew that you did not live in London. She seduced you. When she became pregnant it must have been a bonus for her. She then convinced you that you had to marry her. You didn't have to.”

“It was my baby that she was carrying,” James said. “I felt that I had to. It was wrong of me to let myself be seduced by her. I should have had better control over myself.”

“I don't blame you,” Jerry said. “Amerna had always had problems with being faithful to her husband. You weren't the first man she seduced.”

“Jerry, old man!” a voice called out.

“In here, Harry,” Jerry said.

A very muscular man with black hair entered. He looked at Scarlet. She moved closer to James. James glanced down at her.

“Henry,” Jerry said, “This lovely young woman is my niece, Scarlet, and her husband, James.”

“Where is Amerna?” Henry asked.

“Dead and buried next to her cousin,” James said.

“You buried her next to Annie?” Jerry asked.

“Yes,” Scarlet said. “I thought it would be better for her and Mama.”

“May I ask when your baby is due, Miss Scarlet?” Henry asked.

“In about three months,” she said.

Henry looked at James. James stood staring at her. Henry then asked her,” And the father? Where is he? Does he know?”

“He knows,” she said. “And we are married.”

“Henry,” Jerry said. Henry looked at him. “James here is the father. Now, before you go and get upset, I want to say one thing to you. It is quite simply this: When I walked into this room I saw the way Scarlet was looking at James.” Jerry smiled. “It reminds me of the way my Annabell to look at me before she died. That is probably one of the reasons that Amerna was the way that she was.”

“Scarlet,” James said,” Why don't you go sit down while I talk to Henry and Jerry outside?”

“Okay, James,” she said.

She watched as the three men walked outside. She then went and sat down at James' desk.