A Bound Of Honour Part 26

were for Juliane alone.

Later that evening, as Lord Adrian led her out for the sixth quadrille, Juliane whispered, "My ... Adrian,

they will surely think this odd. You cannot mean to dance all evening only with me-it is ... it will be regarded as insulting."

"I will perform my duties as host, never fear. As I was never known to be constantly on the floor, they

will think me totally smitten with you, and forgive me. Do you not realize they will find pleasure in seeing me totally blinded by love?"

A thrill ran through Juliane at these words. Was she correct in the depth of feeling she read in his eyes?

Comte de Cavilon appeared to lead Lady Juliane from the floor while Lord Adrian chatted with his

guests. Signalling for a footman to bring refreshments, the comte sat down next to her. The ballroom did not seem quite as crowded as it had appeared several hours earlier in the evening.

Taking the champagne, he handed a goblet to Lady Juliane and began sipped his.

"This must be my last," she laughed. "It is beginning to go to my head." "You are happy then?" the comte asked, suddenly very serious. "Of course. Is that not an odd question?" "What has Louis been up to? Bringing such a frown to your lips is unforgivable on this night," interrupted Lord Adrian. "It is the last dance, my dear. I claim it," he added. Juliane allowed him to lead her out, but gave Comte de Cavilon an uneasy glance. The dance did nothing to alleviate her sudden apprehension. With every chance she looked to Comte de Cavilon. He watched her closely-speculatively, she thought. Everything had been so perfect up to that unexpected question-that "are you happy?" Had not Andre's tears put the first pall on the night? The situation was far from perfect. She must be careful not to lose herself in a dream world. Nothing was guaranteed for the children, least of all their safety. She herself was foolishly in love with this cool, stark man she knew little about and who pa.s.sed her off as his wife as if it were a usual experience. Where had her reason gone? As the music faded slowly away, Lady Juliane realized that someone was calling her name. "Juliane? Is something wrong?" Lord Adrian asked. She turned and looked at him, then stepped back and tugged her hand from his. "What is it?" he asked urgently. "Oh, children. There you are." Lady Tretain's voice infringed upon them. She glanced from one to the other. "Why, has something occurred? What is upsetting you, Juliane?" "Nothing," she answered hollowly. "You must bid farewell to your guests," Lady Tretain continued, glancing slowly from one to the other. "Come, Juliane." Lord Adrian held out his hand. Ignoring it, she walked through the crowd to the doors. It seemed an eternity for the guests to exclaim upon the success of the ball, their enjoyment at meeting her, and finally take their leave. All the while Juliane smiled and murmured the expected pleasantries while her mind worked furiously. Had she been led into a false aura of safety? Was she deceiving herself by trusting Adrian? The present situation could not go on indefinitely. The more she thought, the stronger became her conviction that it must end-and tonight.

Lady Juliane would have been amazed to learn that Lord Adrian's thoughts and plans coincided with hers. He had some days earlier reached the same conclusion. Circ.u.mstances could not be tolerated as they were. He was far too involved. Adrian had reached what he considered a feasible solution, but his indomitable male ego kept him from appraising Juliane of his decision. * * * * Suddenly the hall was empty. They were alone. Whatever straightening and cleaning was required would be seen to after first light by order of Lady Tretain, who appreciated her servants and treated them well. At three in the morning servants and houseguests alike sought their beds willingly. Lady Juliane looked about the ballroom. It seemed everyone had magically disappeared. There was no sign of Lady Tretain who had hovered near all evening. Only Lord Adrian remained and he had a most peculiar look. If she could think it possible, she would have supposed the look to be one of trepidation. Occupied with her own problems, Juliane did naught but note it. "I..." Lord Adrian hesitated. A barrier was once more between them. "I suppose you are exhausted?" "I have not really had time to think what I am," Juliane answered truthfully. "Would you be so obliging as to walk with me? There is something I wish to show you. More importantly, some news I must impart." Taking her arm, Lord Adrian guided Juliane slowly through the house. Reaching the end of the used portion, he stopped and searched her face. "There is little you do not seem to know already, my lord." Before she realized it, he kissed her, holding her tightly, crus.h.i.+ng her to his lean, hard body as his lips demanded satisfaction. "My lord," she breathed questioningly when he loosened his hold. He claimed her lips once more and Juliane's heart overrode her mind once more as she answered his pa.s.sion. Reluctantly, Lord Adrian drew back. "My decision was correct," he stated breathlessly to himself. To Juliane he added, "You see, my dear, I always keep my word. Come, they await us." Still swirling in the rapture of his embrace, Juliane could make no sense of his words. "Who is waiting?" "You shall see. This part of the house is not used these days. At the end of this corridor is what once was the family chapel. I doubt it was used even during my father's time. I have had a surprise prepared which I hope will please you." Adrian smiled, entreated her approval. Lady Juliane stopped him. "Adrian ... what is it you have in mind?" she asked, suddenly wary. "Will you not be surprised?" he answered. "It is best not to be." She refused to move. "Now tell me." Adrian s.h.i.+fted his weight nervously as she waited. "It is the most sensible solution, you know," he managed, fear of rejection hobbling his usual glibness. "Sensible solution-to what?" she asked faintly.

"You could not escape from this unscathed-not unless there was no need to escape..."

His look beseeched her understanding.

"This loss of words is most inopportune. Perhaps on the morrow you will feel more talkative." She

turned but he locked her hand in his.

"You cannot go. This must be done. You cannot object. It is your honour that will be maintained. The House of Tretain is old and highly regarded." Adrian paused to gaze deeply into her eyes.

"And you do not find me totally repulsive."

Understanding his words and yet not, Juliane sought only to escape. Joy would have been boundless had he given the one reason she sought, but he had not. In truth, it seemed expediency was what he wished.

"I will be willing to adopt the children if it is possible," he urged her. "They will never want for anything."

She looked searchingly at him but his face had become impa.s.sive. It chilled her. Her fingers grew numb

in the clench of his hand.

"Why the tears, Juliane?" Adrian asked more softly. "This is not my sensible one." He gently wiped them away.

"You are no young miss. There is no way out of this and it is more my fault than yours. Come, follow my

lead. The special license arrived this afternoon." Taking her hand, he led her to the doors at the far end

and knocked.

There was a pause. Then the doors slowly opened to reveal a small chapel dimly lit with candles. Large bouquets of white hothouse flowers of all kinds filled the side aisles and altar. A cleric in flowing robes, holding an open prayer book, awaited them.

Someone put a large bouquet of white roses mixed with baby's breath in Lady Juliane's hands. She

stared in disbelief.

Forms to the side began taking shape as they walked down the short aisle. Lady Tretain, Sir Percival, and Comte de Cavilon were all there.

Juliane heard words solemnly intoned, questions asked. The answers she spoke seemed to come from far away, not from her own lips at all. A numbing coldness pervaded her. Then it was over and they were surrounded, congratulated, kissed.

"So beautiful, my son," said Lady Tretain. "So happy." She dabbed at her eyes.

"Best wishes to you both," offered Comte de Cavilon.

Sir Percival stood silently by, making a shambles of what remained of his lace.

As the comte and Sir Percy left the chapel, Lady Tretain detained Lady Juliane. "You must forgive me, Juliane, for ... for all my doubts concerning you. Adrian has told me how hurriedly you had to be married-the loss of your sister. Your niece and nephew shall always be treated as my own "When he said you both wished for a simple renewal of your vows in our own family chapel-well, I was so relieved. You do forgive me?"

She spoke with such earnestness that Juliane laid a hand on her arm in rea.s.surance. "You are not the one needing forgiveness."

Lady Tretain shook her head. Taking Adrian's and Juliane's hands, she placed them together. "A long life and many blessings-the best of which is sharing." She blinked back tears of remembrance. "Good night, my dears."

Once more they stood alone. Neither spoke. Finally Lord Adrian coughed. "We cannot spend the night here."

Lady Juliane flung him a look which spoke "why not?"

"You must be very tired. Let us go to our rooms," he urged.

The long walk from the chapel seemed magically and frighteningly brief. Before she could forestall it, they were in the corridor outside their rooms. Seeing the guards at the children's door, Lady Juliane stalled for time. "We must check on the children."

Lord Adrian quickly agreed, in truth not as dauntless as he pretended to be.

Quietly they entered. Lady Juliane tiptoed to the large cradle. Lord Adrian walked softly to the bed.

Each slowly picked up the coverlets so as not to awaken the child beneath.

Startled look flew to startled look as the coverlets were dropped-only pillows were beneath them. The children were gone.

CHAPTER 20.

Filled with disbelief, Lady Juliane tore the covers from the cradle, futilely searching for the babe. "Alva!" she called, running to the trundle bed in the corner. "Alva!" Grabbing the blankets she pulled viciously, only to see a line of pillows.

"My G.o.d," she said blankly.

Lord Adrian, at last mobilized, called the guards in and questioned them closely.

Lady Juliane sank down on the trundle bed. She clutched one of the pillows as she listened to Adrian's questions. Self-reproach filled her. Self-condemnation for all her actions from the moment she had set foot inside the house at Rouen to the present rose within her.

Lord Adrian led his wife to her room and seated her upon her bed. "I will call Bess," he said gently. "This has been too great a shock. At first light we shall be after them."

Angry, hurt, and desperately afraid for the children, Juliane vented on Lord Adrian. "You promised," she said, breaking the silence that had begun to alarm him. "You promised them safety. You said extra "What kind of man are you? What have you done to them?" she challenged through flowing tears. "I thought you loved me. I married you. What else can you want?"

"You are beside yourself, Juliane," Adrian answered coldly. "I have nothing to gain from their disappearance."

"Then why did you try to have Andre abducted that day from the garden. Why did you stop us from leaving?"

"If you will recall, we drove off four men that day," he said sadly. "I will order something sent up to soothe you. There is much for me to do."

"Where are you going?" Juliane asked, alarmed.

"Does it matter what I answer?" Lord Adrian asked tiredly. "You will believe only what you wish." With two long strides, he was gone from the room.

In a few moments Bess entered, wringing her hands. "Oh, my lady, what a terrible thing! Who could be so low?"

Lady Juliane sat on the bed, holding her head, trying to think.

"What is wrong with me?" Bess reprimanded herself. "I must get you tucked in. Here, will you rise, my lady, so I can unlace you." When she had finished she cooed, "There now, you'll be feeling better soon." On and on she rattled. Lady Juliane responded as though drugged.

When Juliane came to a clearer consciousness, she found herself placed neatly in bed. Bess was admonis.h.i.+ng her to drink from a cup Juliane held in her hands. Disliking the taste, she pushed it away.

"No" came a hard tone. "You are to drink it all. I will not leave until you do so."

Juliane looked up. The changeling man who had kissed her lovingly and wed her just an hour past, stood at the foot of her bed. His eyes were cold and hard. His face drawn with fatigue. Juliane sensed she could ease his despair. Aching to do so but not knowing how, she raised the cup and gulped down the offending liquid. When she lowered it, Adrian was gone.

Juliane permitted Bess to settle her back onto the pillows and slowly she fell into a deep sleep. * * * *

Striding the halls to Comte de Cavilon's room, Lord Adrian strove to remove her white, accusing face from his thoughts. To know Lady Juliane did not trust him had cut him to the core. But his personal grief must be submerged until the children were found. Only with their return could she be made to realize her error.

He cursed his own foolishness. His attempts at cat and mouse had failed miserably. Now to salvage what he could.

Throwing the door open, he stalked to the bed and shook the comte ruthlessly.

"What are you doing here?" "The children have been taken." "Impossible! But when?" "Get dressed-I will explain the little I know. We have much to learn, I fear. We must call in those we have had searching and see what has been learned. What a fool I was!"

"But what of the precautions-"

"Useless," Tretain cut him short. "Not only the children, but their nurse is missing as well. The guards

know nothing."

"C'est impossible. Something had to be noticed." He dressed with a speed that belied his normalmanner. When finished he turned to the earl. "I am ready-there is much to do before dawn gives us light. Never fear, mon ami. We will find them." After a brief conference they went their separate ways. Both were grim when they met over thebreakfast table a few hours later. "What do you think, Louis? Will they expect us to launch a search? Why not give them something tothink on? If nothing happens today, they cannot help but be curious. I do not think they really want thechildren." "I agree. If we maintain a facade of ease, they may show their hand." "Let us continue to search with the men we have been using. They may stumble across something. I willinform the guards. Otherwise, we will keep the news of the abduction quiet. Everyone and everythingmust appear normal." * * * *

Consciousness slowly returned to Lady Juliane. She blinked in the dim light of the draped bed. The