Part 16 (1/2)
Lord Adrian took her hands to comfort her. ”Who is Judith?”
Juliane looked up at him pleadingly. ”Why did they kill her? Why was the baron not there?”
”Baron? Who is the baron?”
”Thomas. I should have written Thomas. Why can I not find Uncle? Why?” she sobbed.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he lifted Juliane and held her close. Her arms tightened around him while
she cried out all the grief and fear she had subdued since arriving at Rouen.
Holding Juliane, Lord Adrian became very anger with whomever had caused her this pain.
A long while later he realized Juliane's sobs had ceased. He saw she had fallen asleep. He tenderly laid
her back upon the pillows and straightened the covers. Then the earl softly kissed her lips. After gazing at
into his room.
The sun's rays silhouetted the furniture. Lord Adrian dressed rapidly. Then lighting a new candle, he stalked from his room to the library in the main hall.
Later that morning Holdt found the earl in the library poring over the latest registry of the aristocracy and gentry.
”What is it?” Lord Adrian asked brusquely when the valet approached.
”My lord, the countess wishes you to join her for breakfast.”
”Tell her I will do so soon,” he said absentmindedly. Slowly the earl closed the large book and stared into s.p.a.ce.
Things were certainly clearer. Was he relieved?
Perhaps Mother could be of help, he thought, rising. Yes, she had always made it her business to know
everyone else's.
Adrian made a leg elegantly before Lady Tretain, then kissed her cheek. Sitting, he asked, ”How are you
this morning, Mother? I hope the journey did you no harm.”
With a harrumph the countess waved for a footman to place her napkin in her lap.
They sat in silence as Holdt served. Lady Tretain dismissed him with a wave of her hand.
”The food is excellent, as usual, Mother. I do not know why I refrain from visiting. Perhaps I will come
more frequently now.”
”That you finally consider taking your place is good news indeed, my son. I thought you mentioned this was to be only a short visit.”
”So I did and that is what this must be. But I mean to return shortly, perhaps permanently.” Lord Adrian
paused, then nonchalantly continued, ”Mother, do you know anything of the Perrill family?”
The countess cast an odd look at him. ”Why do you ask?”
”Someone mentioned them in London and I became curious. I do not recall having heard of them,” he
answered offhandedly.
”Well, let me think. The Perrills? I do believe I know of them. It seems the family t.i.tle is earl...
”Yes, I recall an Earl Lewallen. I think he went to his reward several years ago. At an early age he had
depleted what remained of the family fortune,” she finished scornfully.
”Do you know where the present earl is?”
”Let us speak of you, instead.” She halted when Bess came shyly into the room and gave a cold, ”Yes”
to the maid's curtsy.
”Begging your pardon, my lord, but you wished to be called when her ladys.h.i.+p awoke.”
”Yes.” Lord Adrian slapped his napkin onto the table and rose. ”You must excuse me, Mother. I will