A Bound Of Honour Part 16

Lord Adrian took her hands to comfort her. "Who is Judith?"

Juliane looked up at him pleadingly. "Why did they kill her? Why was the baron not there?"

"Baron? Who is the baron?"

"Thomas. I should have written Thomas. Why can I not find Uncle? Why?" she sobbed.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he lifted Juliane and held her close. Her arms tightened around him while

she cried out all the grief and fear she had subdued since arriving at Rouen.

Holding Juliane, Lord Adrian became very anger with whomever had caused her this pain.

A long while later he realized Juliane's sobs had ceased. He saw she had fallen asleep. He tenderly laid

her back upon the pillows and straightened the covers. Then the earl softly kissed her lips. After gazing at

into his room.

The sun's rays silhouetted the furniture. Lord Adrian dressed rapidly. Then lighting a new candle, he stalked from his room to the library in the main hall.

Later that morning Holdt found the earl in the library poring over the latest registry of the aristocracy and gentry.

"What is it?" Lord Adrian asked brusquely when the valet approached.

"My lord, the countess wishes you to join her for breakfast."

"Tell her I will do so soon," he said absentmindedly. Slowly the earl closed the large book and stared into s.p.a.ce.

Things were certainly clearer. Was he relieved?

Perhaps Mother could be of help, he thought, rising. Yes, she had always made it her business to know

everyone else's.

Adrian made a leg elegantly before Lady Tretain, then kissed her cheek. Sitting, he asked, "How are you

this morning, Mother? I hope the journey did you no harm."

With a harrumph the countess waved for a footman to place her napkin in her lap.

They sat in silence as Holdt served. Lady Tretain dismissed him with a wave of her hand.

"The food is excellent, as usual, Mother. I do not know why I refrain from visiting. Perhaps I will come

more frequently now."

"That you finally consider taking your place is good news indeed, my son. I thought you mentioned this was to be only a short visit."

"So I did and that is what this must be. But I mean to return shortly, perhaps permanently." Lord Adrian

paused, then nonchalantly continued, "Mother, do you know anything of the Perrill family?"

The countess cast an odd look at him. "Why do you ask?"

"Someone mentioned them in London and I became curious. I do not recall having heard of them," he

answered offhandedly.

"Well, let me think. The Perrills? I do believe I know of them. It seems the family t.i.tle is earl...

"Yes, I recall an Earl Lewallen. I think he went to his reward several years ago. At an early age he had

depleted what remained of the family fortune," she finished scornfully.

"Do you know where the present earl is?"

"Let us speak of you, instead." She halted when Bess came shyly into the room and gave a cold, "Yes"

to the maid's curtsy.

"Begging your pardon, my lord, but you wished to be called when her ladys.h.i.+p awoke."

"Yes." Lord Adrian slapped his napkin onto the table and rose. "You must excuse me, Mother. I will

speak with you later." Without further word, he strode from the room.

Bess was forced into a half-run in order to keep up with the earl as he made his way through the hall, up the stairs, and to the master suites.

Knocking at Lady Juliane's door, Lord Adrian paused only to tell Bess to return when he sent for her.

"You vile creature," Lady Juliane said scathingly the moment she saw him. "Where have you taken me?

Where are the children? How could you do this"

Adrian reached for her hand but Juliane shrank from him. "Lady Perrill, there is no need for this."

Juliane gasped. How had he learned her name?

"You were quite talkative during the night under the effects of the laudanum," Adrian answered her look.

"Laudanum. You odious man. I will..."

"You will what? I would think you could at least be more appreciative."

"Appreciative? I do not call being ruined something to thank one for, my lord."

"Who has been ruined?"

"You know I will never be able to appear in public once the rumours spread," Juliane accused.

"Why should there be any rumours?" Adrian asked innocently.

"You are detestable."

"I begin to believe your education has been sadly neglected. Do you not know any complimentary

terms?"

Lady Juliane folded her arms and glared.

Lord Adrian smiled back pleasantly. Seeing a comfortable chair near the fireplace, he moved it near the

bed and sat.

"I demand you leave my room. And that I be taken to see the children."

"You may see the children as soon as we have completed our conversation."

"You are wrong there, my dear." Pursing his lips, Adrian added, "Do you not think it rather odd to call me 'my lord' after a marriage of such long 'duration'?" He caught the pillow she hurled at him and smoothed it on his lap.

"If you must treat me as a husband, the least you can do is call me by name. Mother will think it decidedly odd if you do not."

"Mother? We are not at-"

"Trees, my dear. You surely remember our country estate. But, of course, illness has affected your memory severely. I must remember to tell the servants that," he said smoothly.

"What illness? I will not be here long enough for you to tell anyone anything."

"You are wrong, Lady Juliane. If you insist on being disagreeable, I will merely imply you still are not well. Your having arrived here in a state of unconsciousness will lend credence to my tale. Of course,

Mallatt will agree entirely with me."

Shaking her head, Juliane's shoulder's sagged. "Why? Why are you doing this?"

They gazed at each other steadily. It was Lady Juliane who dropped her gaze first. But Lord Adrian's

were no longer cool. When she looked up, he had masked his desire.

"Let us say I dislike anyone who seeks to harm an innocent child. Can you not trust me? Tell me the whole?" he asked earnestly.

The door to Juliane's bedchamber unexpectedly opened. "I am so glad to see you recovered, child,"

said Lady Tretain as she walked to the centre of the room.

Ignoring the cold glare from her son, she continued, "I have ordered your breakfast. I thought you both would be pleased to know that I have decided to hold a ball in your honour a score of days hence."

"A ball," came the stunned reply in unison.