A Bound Of Honour Part 15

Lord Adrian tightened his hold around Juliane as if to ward off blows. "I did not descend upon you.

Rather it was the other way," he said icily.

"We have not gotten along well in the past, Mother. I regret that. But do not cross me in this. I will nothave Juliane harmed by anyone. Do you understand?" "My lord," came a call from without. "Yes? Ah, Andre. Here take hold. That's right. Now sit beside your grandmere." He smiled when the boy threw him a startled look. "She will not eat you. Are you hungry? "Mother, will you find something for him?" Lady Tretain opened the basket. After removing the towel that covered the contents, she pa.s.sed pieces of bread and cheese to Andre, who took them gingerly. "Why do you stare at me so?" she snapped, still angry with Lord Adrian. "I have never had a grandmere before and you. You are so ... magnifique. Can it be you are truly Papa's mama?" he asked incredulously.

Softening at his openness, the Countess laughed. "Yes, Andre, I am Lord Adrian's mama. And you,where did you learn French?" "But where else, Grandmere, at home," he answered, puzzled. She looked to Lord Adrian for explanation. "Andre and Leora were born and raised in France." "Your 'wife' is French? She cannot be." "No, she is as English as you and I. Circ.u.mstances ... deemed it wise for her and the children to remain in France until now.

"Let us eat. It will be very late when we arrive at Trees."

It was near midnight when arrived at their destination. In the moonlight Trees was magnificent.

Built in Elizabethan times, it had been expanded wisely and lovingly over the years. Lord Adrian's father had made several improvements in the interior, mainly to ensure the comfort of the dwellers. The present earl wished Juliane could be awake to see this first breathtaking glimpse as they rounded the tree-lined drive and the house emerged into full view.

Tired from the journey, Lord Adrian yawned as the coach halted before the main steps.

The children and Alva had to be awakened, as did most of the household. No one had imagined the

countess would return at such an untoward hour. They were further startled to learn that the master accompanied her. And more, he had a wife and two children with him. What wonder was this?

"I gather you have kept the master bedroom in readiness for your 'victory', Mother."

"You will not..."

"See to it that the countess' room is in all readiness," the earl cut her off coldly. "We shall be here for

only a brief visit but I want my wife afforded all the respect due her.

"We shall place the children in the two rooms across from our suite. That will be quite suitable for a temporary nursery. Juliane will wish the children near us as they are quite easily frightened.

"Will you see to the orders for me?" he asked conciliatorily.

"As you wish," Lady Tretain answered coldly. "It will take a few moments. I will instruct a fire to be

started in the small salon. You may be comfortable there until the rooms are ready."

A thought entering his mind, he said, "And, Mother-"

"Yes?"

"Do you have a young servant girl who would be capable of acting as Juliane's abigail? She need only be

trustworthy."

"I will ask Mrs. Soams to recommend someone. Everyone here is trustworthy," she added, insulted to the core.

Lord Adrian left Lady Juliane in the hands of his mother's abigail and a young girl named Bess. Believing

they would settle her safely into bed, he went to check on the children.

Alva, although slightly overwhelmed by the size of Trees and the stateliness of its furnis.h.i.+ngs, was nevertheless carrying on efficiently with the children.

"If there is anything you need for the children or yourself, all you need do is ask."

"I be havin' all I be needin', m'lord. 'Cept, could a cradle be found for Mistress Leora? She could fall

out of that huge bed."

Lord Adrian immediately went into the hall and instructed the liveried servant he encountered there to

fetch a cradle from the nursery. he said, Returning to the temporary nursery he said, "It will be here soon."

Tretain went to the bedside and tousled the yawning boy's curls. "Sleep well Andre. We will visit in the

morning. "You are good at games-non? We mustn't let Grandmere know our secret just yet."

"Good night." Lord Adrian leaned down and kissed the boy's forehead. He was rewarded with a hug and a kiss. "Sleep well."

Going back to Alva, he asked, "How is Leora? Is there any sign of her cough?"

"No, m'lord. Me mum sent some of her makin's along if it should be back, but she be fine."

Lord Adrian gazed down at the babe. Noticing for the first time how much she favoured Juliane, he

wished she was his daughter. If only they were mine, he thought, leaving the room. Mallatt had finished laying out Lord Adrian's things in the master suite when Lord Adrian went to it. The earl quickly undressed and washed. Then he drew his robe over his nights.h.i.+rt. "What is worrying you, Mallatt? I will do the girl no harm."

"It is not that, my lord. I believe we were followed, but I cannot be certain."

"Followed! So they have not given up." Lord Adrian began to pace. "If only we knew what or who was

pursuing them. Have Holdt get two able-bodied men to stand guard outside the children's room. We

cannot be too careful." He waved dismissal.

Preoccupied, Tretain stood where he was for a long time after Mallatt left. Then, purposefully, he opened the door to the short pa.s.sageway connecting the master bedrooms.

"My lord," bobbed Bess. "Her ladys.h.i.+p is abed and sleeping well. Do you wish me to stay the night with her?"

"No, that will not be necessary. Allow her to sleep as late as she wishes in the morning, but call me as soon as she wakes," he commanded, not even glancing at the maid.

"Yes, my lord. Good night, my lord." With another curtsy Bess left.

Lord Adrian vaguely heard the door shut as he approached Juliane's bedside. After gazing at her for a

time, he blew out the candle beside her bed. "Good night, my angel, my..."

Adrian drew the hangings shut around the bed and pinched out the candles. Leaving the room he went back to his but let the connecting doors open.

Easing between the fine lawn sheets which had been warmed, his mind whirled. Lord Adrian didn't realize he had gone to sleep until he heard the cries.

CHAPTER 12.

When the cries came again, Lord Adrian awoke with a start. Thinking he was in France, he reached for the dagger he usually kept with him. His panic at not finding it beside him brought the earl to full consciousness.

He was home at Trees? Why? Then the cries ... ah! with his hand, he ran to Lady Juliane's room.

The earl jerked the bed draperies open and saw that she had became ensnarled in the bedding. Setting the candle down, Lord Adrian grabbed Juliane's shoulders and shook her.

Her eyes flew open.

At the wild fear and panic within them, Lord Adrian stepped back as if slapped.

"Juliane! Juliane. There is nothing to fear. It is I, Adrian."

Juliane struggled fiercely, then collapsed back, closing her eyes.

Gently, Lord Adrian brushed the hair from her face, and eased her entanglement. "What is it? What is

wrong?" He took her hand, clasping it tightly.

Feeling the cold band of metal around one finger, he opened his hand and inspected the ring. It had a

crest on it. Studying it closely, Lord Adrian memorized its features. It was his first clue as to who she was.

Lady Juliane moaned and began tossing about again.

"You are dreaming," he soothed. "A bad dream, but you are safe now."

She slowly opened her eyes.

Lord Adrian saw that they were still glazed from the effects of the laudanum. It must have been a

powerful dream to recall her to consciousness while under the drug's effect.

"Have they come back?" she asked, gripping his arm.

"Who, Juliane? Has who come back?"

"It is not enough that Judith is dead. Oh, G.o.d, she is dead." Tears ran down her cheeks.