A Bound Of Honour Part 12

"Mallatt! Mallatt! Stop him," she screamed as she lunged at the man mid-stair.

The thudding of their tumble down the remainder of the stairs, together with Andre's cries, aroused the

household.

The man loosed a stream of curses as he failed to get a grip on Andre. The boy had taken a death grip on Juliane in the entangled ma.s.s at the foot of the stairs.

Nightshirt flapping, Lord Adrian ran down the stairs.

Mallatt and Jove stumbled into the kitchen.

Routed, the intruders made for the door. The first out let loose a loud whistle and m.u.f.fled hooves sounded quickly in the yard.

Ned and Jem pell-melled into the kitchen. All of the men gave chase, but they were not fast enough.

Meg had lit a candle before the men hurried back in eager to shield their bare feet and scantily clad bodies from the cold night air. Lord Adrian led the pack. He immediately went to Lady Juliane and Andre.

The boy was still hysterical despite Juliane's efforts to calm him.

Kneeling, Lord Adrian tried to take Andre from Lady Juliane. Andre howled, but after casting a fear-ladened look, saw that it was Lord Adrian. Relief and trust erased the fear from the boy's features.

He let go of Juliane and dove into Lord Adrian's arms.

By this time Meg had quieted Leora, somewhat diminishing the pandemonium. The others clumped around the three at the foot of the stairs.

Rising, Lord Adrian held Andre tightly with one arm and reached out with the other to help Lady Juliane rise. "Are you all right? Did he harm you?" he asked anxiously.

"No," she answered shakily. "We were not harmed."

"What happened?" echoed the others.

"I don't really know," parried Lady Juliane. "I awoke to find a man carrying Andre from the room. I

have no idea why."

"Who could they have been?"

"His cursing, it be foreign. Be it French?" asked Jove.

It was as if a knell sounded in the room. Everyone recalled the murdered abigail and postilion. Juliane

moved unconsciously closer to Andre, her fear evident.

Seeing it, Lord Adrian encircled her shoulders with his free arm. "Mallatt, get dressed and stand guard.

"Jove, could your sons relieve him during the remainder of the night?"

"Aye, m'lord. I canna' understand what they'd be a wantin' here with yer lad."

"Probably ransom," Lord Adrian tossed out, suddenly feeling very protective of the two within his hold.

Andre's trust had gone straight to his heart. Lady Juliane's call to Mallatt for aid instead of him was

painful indeed.

Lady Juliane shivered and stepped closer to him. The earl realised how little everyone wore. "We cannot stand about like this. We will discuss this in the morning.

"Come, Juliane.

"Meg, please care for Leora." He slipped his hand beneath her elbow and guided Lady Juliane up the

stairs. At mid-stair he called over his shoulder, "I doubt they will return this night, but keep a close watch."

At Alva's door, they halted.

"It would be safest for Andre to come to bed with me-if you are not afraid," he said quietly.

Lady Juliane tried to search his face in the darkness. "No, I am not," she answered slowly. "Perhaps,

that would be best. "Do you wish to go with Lord Adrian, Andre?" "Oui," came the quivering reply.

"In the morning we must talk. Have no fear for this night. You and the children will be well protected."

His earnestness appealed for her trust. It would have been freely given had Juliane not recalled that the rantings of his delirium linked him to things French.

The entire household slept lightly. Sunrise found all but the children awake.

Only Lady Juliane kept to her bed. What was she going to tell Lord Adrian? She wished to unburden the entire matter to someone, but could he be trusted?

If only I could place my faith in him completely, she thought. Why do I have this unreasonable fear?

What could they want with Andre, and who, in truth, are they? The baron? Surely, he would come openly and not try to "steal" his son. Her ruminations were interrupted by Alva.

"M'lady, beggin' yer pardon, but his lordship says ye must be risin'. He plans on leavin' before midday,"

said Alva, almost tearfully.

"Leave before midday? Are you certain he said that?" asked Lady Juliane, sitting up abruptly.

"Yes, m'lady. He was a tellin' Mallatt to get the family's things packed and asked me da about the horses."

Lady Juliane's heart sank. So, he was eager to get her problems out of his domain. What else could she have expected? He had no reason to be concerned for her or the children. This upset her far more than her fear had done.

Rising and dressing resolutely, Lady Juliane decided it mattered not. She could proceed ably, as she had in the past, with no need of his or any other man's aid.

Later that morning Mallatt packed upstairs packing while Lord Adrian supervised the handling of his prime blood horses. Lady Juliane tended Leora with a heavy heart.

"We be sorry to see ye go, m'lady," said Meg sincerely as she finished the breakfast dishes. "If ever we can be o' help, ye know ye be welcome here."

"Thank you, Meg. You have done so much for us," Lady Juliane choked out. She bowed her head and a tear dropped onto Leora's gown.

Meg came to her and engulfed her in a warm embrace. "Now, now. Everythin' will be fine. Ye'll see.

That lord o' yern truly cares for ye and the wee ones." She patted Lady Juliane's back. "Ye'll be feelin'

better when ye get to yer home. Tired and overanxious ye be now."

Juliane managed to free her kerchief from her pocket and wiped her eyes. "Yes, of course," she sniffed, angry at her weakness. "I am only tired." There was no need to worry Meg, who could not help her.

Someone at the inn would surely have heard of Uncle Thedford.

At the sounds of steps at the door, the women drew apart.

Lord Adrian entered briskly. "I will speak with you, now," he said to Juliane and gestured toward the stairs.

Knowing not what she would say, that this was inescapable, Juliane went without argument.

Mallatt looked up from his work as they entered. He noted that Lady Juliane was pale but calm and that

his lordship had a determined air about him.

"You should not be bothering with our things, Mallatt. I will tend to them," stalled Lady Juliane.

"I do not intend to be delayed-continue, Mallatt. Now," he motioned for Juliane to take the lone chair

in the room, "we will talk. Why was an attempt made to kidnap Andre?"

She looked steadily into his a.s.sessing eyes. "I do not know, my lord. There is no reason that I of which I am aware."

"Are you running from your husband?" he asked coldly.

"I ... I have none."

This response drew a lifted eyebrow from Lord Adrian.

"Please," she stood up, "desist from these questions. You will be quite free of me when we reach the inn.