A Bound Of Honour Part 9

Going before Lady Juliane, Mallatt said, "It would be best, my lady, if you would be seated before I continue."

Both Lord Adrian and Lady Juliane were taken aback by this. Juliane could think of nothing she needed to be seated to hear. Stalking to the chair at bedside, she pointedly moved it away from the bed before sitting down.

Lord Adrian frowned at this but a mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes.

"I am afraid I may have sad news, my lady. A magistrate visited the cottage briefly this morning asking questions. It appears your maid and the postilion have been found. Murdered."

Disbelief flared across Lady Juliane's features. "There can be no reason for anyone to harm them. Cora was a nuisance but none felt ill toward her-that is, oh ... But she had nothing of value."

"Nevertheless, it is true. The squire says there are reports of strangers in the district who are thought to be French."

Lady Juliane blanched slightly, fear evident in her eyes. "What can that mean?" she asked shakily.

"I know not, but more to the point, Jove had already told the squire about you." Mallatt looked uneasily at the earl. "He presented you as man and wife. "I did not disturb this belief," he ended in half-hearted defiance.

"I see," said Tretain. "Either we proceed as you have directed, or we ruin Lady Juliane's reputation. Thatwould give rise to a scandal that would send my mother off in an apoplexy. It would also bring themagistrate's full suspicions to bear on the lady."

His inflection brought a sharp glance from Juliane. "You must not extend yourself on my part, Lord Tretain. It is my own doing that brings me to this predicament. I am fully capable of weathering through it

sufficiently on my own." "Your reputation matters so little then?" chided Lord Adrian.

"No, my lord," responded Lady Juliane. A hint of anger replaced her fear. "But I cannot but feel a.s.sociation with you will do me added harm. I have no wish to place myself in your debt. I am certain Jove would take the children and me to the nearest inn."

"I am certain of that." Tretain smiled grimly. "Especially when his good wife learns she has been sheltering what she will believe to be a wanton wench-a bit o' muslin, if you understand my meaning. What type of treatment do you think you and your children will be given when circ.u.mstances are known. And known they will be."

Bitterly, Lady Juliane acknowledged the truth in what he said. How would she ever find Uncle Thedford? Her funds were few and the gossip would follow her. She knew enough of posting boys and inns to be certain of that. This added to her exhaustion brought a flare of despair to her. It also brought back memories of all they had gone through since she had found the children in France.

A twinge of regret jot Lord when he saw the effect his words had on her. Had he misjudged her?

Lady Juliane remained silent as she tried to reason a solution but found it impossible.

"I believe it best," stated Lord Adrian with restrained magnanimity, "that for now we proceed as the pair of you began. This evening we can discuss what to do. We may be able to work something out so that we can leave here with Lady Juliane's reputation still 'intact.' Then we will take her and the children to an inn to continue their journey.

Unfathomably, Lady Juliane thought this the worst possible decision. It galled that it was the most sensible and more than she had a right to expect. She fiercely denied it had anything to do with her reluctance to be out of Lord Adrian's life.

Seeing her hesitancy, Mallatt came to her. "It would be best, my lady, for you to rest for the remainder of the day. You are much too fatigued to think clearly. We shall speak about this after we sup. You will find things will look much better then," the valet prompted gently.

With practiced restraint Lord Tretain concealed his surprise at Mallatt's concern. Never in all their years together had the man exhibited any feeling for the feminine gender. Certainly he never had for ladies of Quality, not even when Tretain had wished it. That he should be so solicitous of Lady Juliane was a testament of his respect. Tretain decided he would have to reconsider his opinions about the lady.

"Yes, you are correct," sighed Lady Juliane. She gave Mallatt a look of grat.i.tude unaware that it pained the earl. "But what of Cora? I must do something, see to proper burial..."

"I am sorry, my lady, but if you wish to stay clear of the magistrate, it would be best for you to do nothing. It could prove most embarra.s.sing to you and to Lord Tretain. She will be given a proper burial by the district.

"Had she any family that should be notified?"

"No, none. My father took her in when she was orphaned on our estate."

"Never mind then, she will be properly buried. His lordship will see to it. Now, go to Alva's room and lie down. You must take care of yourself for the children's sake."

"Yes, Mallatt. You will see to them?"

"Of course, my lady."

Lady Juliane gave him a grateful glance. She left the room totally ignoring Lord Adrian.

Mallatt closed the door behind her. Bracing for a scold, he turned to face the earl whom he found eyeing

him speculatively.

"I had no idea abigail and nanny were among your many abilities, Mallatt. I have misjudged you."

Untouched, the valet stood straighter. "You have misjudged Lady Juliane, if I may say so, my lord, not

myself."

"Perhaps. We shall see. What do you know of her?"

"Very little," answered Mallatt sheepishly. "But I would stake my life on her being as honest and virtuous

a lady as there be. Nothing flighty about her," he defended.

"Enough on that. As I said, we shall see. Where is my lady's lord and who is he?"

Mallatt wove his fingers together behind his back. "Again my lord, I know nothing. Her abigail

addressed her as 'my lady' and Lady Juliane has the look and grace of a lady, born and bred. No

mention has been made of her surname. Indeed, she seems to go out of her way to avoid it.

"And young Master Andre has nightmares. Now we have the murder of her abigail. Just the mention of 'French' strangers caused instant fear.

"This could be of interest to you?"

Ignoring the last, Lord Adrian frowned. "I noticed her fear. The lad you mention was in here earlier and

said they were from Rouen. I know I heard something about an occurrence there. Perhaps something connected with my work, but I cannot recall it." He scowled in annoyance.

"Most likely due to the fever, my lord. How are you?"

"I would be fine except for this blasted headache. At least the mug did not break and douse me. Fetch

me my robe."

"Yes, my lord," said Mallatt dryly.

"Confound it man, how was I to know she was not here willingly?" blurted Lord Adrian.

"Of course not, my lord," agreed the valet.

"You know not the woman's origins, her name, or her position, and yet you would hold her virtue up to me. She is probably some scheming wench out to snare a rich protector."

"Yes, my lord," mumbled Mallatt, suddenly hopeful because he had never seen his lord so put out. "What would you have me do," snapped Lord Adrian in vexation. "Take her home and present her to my mother?"

Mallatt wisely chose to remain silent.

CHAPTER 9.

Lady Juliane awoke very slowly. Lying absolutely still, she opened her eyes. Pale streaks of light had begun to pierce the darkness.

How long have I slept? she wondered. It must be morning. In the dim light she spied a cot upon which she surmised Alva had spent the night. Nowhere could she see Andre.

A deep rumble called attention to the fact that she had not eaten in over twenty-four hours. Well rested, her appet.i.te was once more full blown.

Hearing faint sounds from the kitchen that meant Meg was preparing breakfast, Juliane decided to rise. Sitting up, she remembered that all her garments were in Lord Tretain's room. Grimacing at this, she decided his lordship would not awake before noon. She could easily be quiet enough to avoid detection.

Fully awakened by the chilling cold when she stepped out of bed, Juliane slowly eased open the door to the chamber where Lord Tretain slept. The fire was a heap of dull red coals, but the window allowed enough light for her to make her way. Easing the door shut, Lady Juliane edged halfway past the bed. The sight therein caused her to gasp and halt.

Cuddled next to Lord Adrian, arm flung atop the earl's chest, lay Andre. Astonishment easing, she gazed at the picture the two presented with some fondness.

"Asleep, my lord, you present a most different impression," she murmured. Shaking her head over it, Lady Juliane made her way to the old wardrobe in which Meg had insisted upon placing her garments.

The door creaked as she carefully opened it. Juliane glanced hastily at Lord Adrian, but he had not stirred. With her back to him she hurriedly removed her nightgown. She donned the suitable undergarments and petticoats, and slipped the gown over all-very thankful that Providence had guided her to purchase a both a corset and a gown with frontal closures.

With periodic, furtive glances at Lord Adrian, she was certain he had not been roused. Fully clothed, hosed, and shod, she flung a shawl about her shoulders and made for the door.

Pausing once more at the foot of the bed, Juliane stared at the pair asleep in it. She found it difficult to believe that Lord Tretain had actually shared his bed with a small boy. It may be I have misjudged him, she thought. In all candour, his first impression of me could not have been other than what it was.

Perversely, this brought a smile to her lips as she thought of her brother and his new wife. Their reaction to the situation would be completely predictable. They would have them married out of hand.

At that thought her smile turned into a frown. Had this idea occurred to Lord Adrian? He certainly had not been gentlemanly enough to mention it in their encounter. It would never suit. Setting her jaw, Lady Meg greeted Juliane with a smile as she came into the kitchen. "Bless ye, m'lady, ye should still be abed."

"No, Meg, I feel perfectly restored and," she laughed, "as hungry as the cattle the boys went out to give fodder."

"Ah, a hearty appet.i.te be the best sign o' health. We needn't be worrin' about ye," Meg answered, pleased.

"No, indeed. I have always been in good health.

"How are the children?" Juliane asked, walking toward the cradle.

"Both be hale and hearty. Just be a twit careful o' the babe and ye'll have no trouble. Even Lord Tretain be recoverin' as fast as the sun pops o'er the horizon. Mallatt was sore tried to keep him abed the night past.

"Askin' for ye, real kind like, he was," she added artlessly, as Mallatt had hinted at some trouble between the lord and his lady.

Lady Juliane frowned, certain Lord Tretain had been most "solicitous."