Part 18 (1/2)

When Andre did not emerge, Lady Juliane lengthened her stride and called to him. A scream from within the copse answered her. The old fears filled her anew. Raising her skirts, Juliane raced for the copse.

The bodyguard and Lord Adrian entered the thicket first ahead of her. Lady Juliane struggled to follow

them but the branches caught and tore her gown.

”Andre! Andre!” she called, but there was no answer.

Pus.h.i.+ng ahead, she lost sight of Lord Adrian and the bodyguard but could hear the crunch of gravel and

the snap of branches ahead of her. Would there never be a clearing? Juliane wondered desperately. Then, coming to a small one, she tripped and half fell. Looking down, she saw the culprit, a large rock. Picking it up, Juliane pressed forward.

Meanwhile Andre kicked and thrashed with all his might. His abductor, hampered by the closeness of

the trees and brush, momentarily loosened his grip.

”Ma mere!” screamed Andre. As the man's dirty hand closed over his mouth once more, the boy sunk his teeth into it. Hearing Andre's scream, Lady Juliane realized she wasn't far from the boy. She pushed forward with all her strength. The French curses to the right drew her in that direction. Finally she could see a stranger. And he had Andre.

Holding her skirts tightly with her free hand, Juliane edged forward. Coming within reach, she dropped her skirts and raised the rock in both hands. As the man turned at her intake of breath, she brought the rock down hard against his head.

He crumpled, senseless, to the ground. Andre writhed free and flew to Juliane.

As she held him tightly, she looked at the p.r.o.ne figure in horror. Blood oozed through his hair and dripped to the ground.

Snapping and crackling branches brought Lady Juliane's gaze around. She saw Lord Adrian and the bodyguard close behind him. Instead of being relieved at the sight of her and the boy, Lord Adrian looked angry. Kneeling beside him, the earl placed a hand over the man's heart. ”He's alive. Morton, take this scoundrel and lock him up. I will question him later.

”Juliane, are you and Andre unharmed?”

”Yes, my lord.”

Her cold reply struck him as odd but now was not the time for questions. ”Let me take you back to the house. We must be doubly careful in the future. If I am to help you, you must tell me what this is about.”

”I will think on it, my lord,” Juliane answered as they came into the open. Suspicion had formed a cold band about her heart.

Was it he they had to fear? What could Lord Tretain gain? There was so much they did not know about him. She had come so close to entrusting him with their safety.

Lady Julian could not discount, however much she wished to, that the attempt had been made only after she had failed to agree that they go on in the current manner. Had Lord Adrian's greeting to the gardener been a signal to proceed with the kidnapping?

The situation was becoming increasingly confused. It seemed she was surrounded by enemies.

But why? What did they want?

CHAPTER 14.

A week after the attempt to abduct Andre, Lady Tretain adopted an engrossed pose over her needlework while she kept a studied eye on Lady Juliane. The countess still had been unable to learn the reason for the kidnapping.

The captured man had escaped the night of his capture. Despite the sharp words that had occurred over the escape, the countess had noticed that her son had continued his carefree manner with Lady Juliane. Juliane thought Adrian had set the man free.

That evening, for the first time since their arrival at Trees, Lord Adrian failed to join them for the evening meal. Although this had upset Lady Tretain, Lady Juliane was more relieved than distressed. She did not feel prepared for the confrontation certain to ensue over the voluminous stack of boxes and packages that had been delivered to her room that day from London-Adrian's promised gift.

Juliane had declined to open even one, certain of what was within. Their presence in her room strengthened her resolve to leave Trees as quickly as she could fathom a method.

”Lady Juliane, are you listening?”

”Pardon, my lady, my mind was wandering. What is it you said?”

”Arrangements for the ball are complete. Preparations will begin on the morrow. I have received confirmation from all of those invited.

”Lord and Lady Stern will arrive the day after the morrow. Of course, Sir Percival Elliott, my husband's nephew, is coming and Adrian has indicated some of his friends will join us.” Lady Tretain was surprised to see that this news had somehow Lady Juliane.

”Was there someone you wished to invite?”

”No, I can think of no one,” Lady Juliane faltered thinking that it would soon be too late. Once visitors arrived, her chance to escape would be gone. Lord Adrian had to tell the truth. They could not go through with this. What did he hope to accomplish?

”As I was saying, my dear, the decorations will be in Lord Adrian's favourite colours, silver and blue. He has told me that the gown he ordered for you is in those colours. Do you wish to go through the family jewels? I am certain you will find something among them to complement your gown.”

Giving her head a shake as if to clear it, Juliane said, ”I am sorry, Lady Tretain. What is it you were saying?”

”Nothing, Lady Juliane. Perhaps it would be best if we retired for the evening.”

”Yes,” Lady Juliane answered absentmindedly. ”I believe so.” She laid down the needlework that had remained untouched the entire evening.

”May I ask-Is all well with you?” Lady Tretain inquired thawing briefly.

”Yes. Everything is as it has been. I bid you goodnight.” * * * *

Up in her room, Lady Juliane paced. She had seen the two bodyguards on duty outside the children's rooms. Once they had lent an aura security. Now they were a hindrance. How could she manage to get away without them knowing?

A new thought struck her. Had Lord Adrian placed them there to keep an abductor out or to keep the children in? She must have this out with him.