Part 21 (1/2)
To Juliane's surprise a fleeting sorrow pa.s.sed over the countess' features.
”Do you approve?”
Looking about, Lady Juliane experienced a twinge of sadness. It would have been wonderful to reign over such a splendid room.
A myriad of servants were busy polis.h.i.+ng the oak wainscoting and the floor to mirror perfection. Others were cleaning the score of huge candelabra placed along the walls and filling them with fresh candles. Elegant bouquets of flowers made from blue and silver lame were being constructed.
”It is most beautiful, Lady Tretain,” Lady Juliane answered sincerely.
”I am glad you feel so. I must go now-so much to see to. I will see you at luncheon.”
”No, I will not be there,” Lady Juliane fidgeted. ”I am taking the children on a picnic-my last chance to do so and the weather is so glorious this morning.”
”But, I thought Lord Adrian ... well, never mind. Enjoy yourselves.” With a wave of her hand she was off.
Lady Juliane hurried back to her room and took up her cloak. It was time to go. In the nursery, she helped Alva b.u.t.ton up the children's coats, procured the wicker basket from her bed, and picked up Leora.
In the hall, Juliane smiled at the two men a.s.signed to guard them. Best to seem natural so they would not become suspicious. Alva rejoined the group and they made their way to the stable yard where the landau awaited.
Motioning for Alva to put the basket under the seat of the landau, Juliane turned to one of the guards. ”I
have forgotten my umbrella. Would you be so kind as to fetch it? You will find it on my bed.”
When he was out of hearing, she had Alva hand Andre into the carriage. After the girl had followed him, she handed Leora to her.
”Oh, I had forgotten-Holdt desired a word with you,” she told the remaining guard. ”In one of the greenhouses, I believe. We will wait for you. No one can harm us here.”
The man frowned but, not daring to disobey, went on his way.
Heartened by her success thus far, Lady Juliane dismissed the driver and ordered him to help her up to the driver's seat.
”But you cannot mean to drive off alone, my lady,” the groom exclaimed when he realized her intent.
”We are not going far. Lord Adrian knows of this. Do not worry. Now, release their heads.”
The groom did so reluctantly and watched them out of sight. ”That be odd,” he said to the driver, ”but, if
his lords.h.i.+p knows, who are we to disagree?”
The crunch of the chipped gravel beneath the hooves and wheels sang a song of freedom to Lady
Juliane. She had hoped for a livelier pair than those hitched to the landau, but they would do. Drawing out of sight of the house, her a.s.surance of success grew.
The path, they followed led them through a wooded area. After the brilliant suns.h.i.+ne the filtered
murkiness there cast a pall on their spirits.
”Be ye certain of where we be goin'?” asked Alva, glancing about nervously. The children drew from her
mood and huddled closer.
”Of course. Now smile-why such a lowering look?”
”I have a feelin', m'lady, and it bodes no good,” answered Alva with increasing anxiety.
Even the horses sensed something afoot and became restive in their paces.
Lady Juliane forced herself to remain calm. Once we are out of the woods, she a.s.sured herself, this feeling will evaporate. ”Come, children, let us sing a song,” she said, leading them in a familiar French nursery tune.
Alva joined in as best she could and their spirits brightened somewhat until they realized they were not alone in their singing. One by one, they became silent with Lady Juliane trailing off last, her heart sinking.
The song still surrounded them.
Flipping the reins, Lady Juliane admonished Alva to hold onto Leora and for Andre to find a grip. As the
horses increased their gait, the m.u.f.fled sound of hooves drowned out the nursery tune.
Casting a look back, Lady Juliane saw that four horses followed them. She could not see their riders.
She took the whip in hand and she applied it vigorously. Even with this, the hors.e.m.e.n drew closer.
”They be masked,” screamed Alva, clutching Leora. ”Lord above, save us!”
Closer still they drew. There seemed no escape. Hurtling into the bright suns.h.i.+ne with the riders in close pursuit, Lady Juliane caught a glimpse of movement to her right but was too occupied with the horses to consider it.
One of the riders had gained one of the horses' heads and reached for its bridle.
Lady Juliane struck at him with the whip, using some of the more expressive phrases she had heard from her brother's men in India. Then a volley of gunshots sent fear deeper into her heart.