Part 9 (1/2)
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 lords.h.i.+p 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?”