Part 9 (2/2)
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 lords.h.i.+p 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.”
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