Trees. Everything is arranged. Rest now. We will be home soon."

"Alva with us? Home soon?" Juliane found it so difficult to reason. "Home? Judith-the children, I must..." She drifted asleep.

Lady Tretain, who could not make sense from Lady Juliane's mutterings touched her son's elbow. "What is she rambling about?" "Mallatt, fetch Lady Juliane's cloak and then fetch a rug from the coach. I do not wish to risk her taking a chill.

"Meg!" the earl called loudly.

Disliking to desert Lady Juliane with such a harridan descending upon her, Meg had been hovering close

by the door. When she entered and saw Lady Juliane collapsed on the bed she gasped.

"It is all right, Meg. We gave her a draught to help her rest. You know how much she has overexerted of late.

"Will you have Alva ready the children? Are the warming bricks ready yet?"

Meg eyed those in the room with mistrust. Lady Juliane had not been happy with the idea of leaving.

Were these people to be trusted?

"The bricks be ready," she said slowly. "Be ye certain her ladyship be all right?"

Lord Adrian went to Meg and put a hand on her shoulder. He looked directly at her. "I promise you,

Lady Juliane will have only the best of care from now on."

"Ye make sure o' that, m'lord," Meg choked. She turned away quickly and called to Andre to come with her.

With Mallatt's help, Lord Adrian wrapped Lady Juliane in her cloak.

His mother sat on the lone chair during this procedure. After Mallatt went for the rug, mother and son

a.s.sessed each other.

"Is she your wife?" Lady Tretain asked.

"Would I travel to Trees with her if she were not?" the earl parried.

"I know not," she sighed. "I am an old woman and not well. You have tried me sorely these years past. I

trust you have enough feeling for your heritage, if not for me, not to play such a farce."

Returning, Mallatt said, "The rug, my lord."

"Let us wrap it about her. I will carry her. You shall take down the remainder of the baggage.

"Don't give me that look. I am completely restored and trust I can manage her," Lord Adrian snapped

when Mallatt hesitated. He lifted Lady Juliane into his arms.

"Mother, if you will."

Lady Tretain rose and haughtily swept from the room. If her son would not confide in her, she would soon see how this "wife" withstood her "welcome."

Alva and the children were settled in the light carriage in which Lady Tretain's servants travelled by the time Lord Adrian's party reached the yard. His mother ordered her abigail to accompany the children and allowed Mallatt to hand her into the coach.

Since Lady Julianne had not proven a bit of fluff, Lord Adrian handed her to Jove. He glanced up and saw the coachmen absorbing every detail. They would store everything they saw and heard to share with the staff at Trees.

Doubting he could he forestall them he climbed into the coach and asked the farmer to hand Lady Juliane to him.

"Mallatt, I wish you to replay the coachman and take up the ribbons. Mind you, keep the pace easy.

"Meg, Jove. Thank you for your kindness. I will take care that Alva is happy in her work. You will be rewarded," he told them.

"G.o.d speed to ye, m'lord," Jove told him.

A footman closed the door at Lord Adrian's nod.

The interior of the coach was richly appointed and thickly padded with velvet cushions. Lord Adrian settled Lady Juliane amongst these. Making himself comfortable in the opposite corner, he eased her head onto his lap.

After carefully tucking the rug around her and arranging the warming bricks to his satisfaction, Lord Adrian signalled Mallatt to set off. Then he lifted his feet and placed them leisurely on the opposite seat.

Lady Tretain hurumphed as she moved her skirts to avoid having them creased by his boots.

"Three teams, Mother?" Lord Adrian said archly and then leaned his head back and closed his eyes to begin to sort matters out. Was he playing the fool?

Opening his eyes, Tretain looked down at the tumble of auburn hair. This woman raised a warmth within him that he had not felt for a woman since ... for a long time.

There was such an appealing innocence, an earnestness about her. He brushed back a straying tendril and laid his arm across Juliane's shoulders. He had been deceived once in the past and yearned to know if he would be again.

Closing his eyes once more, Lord Adrian tried to relax. She had not once mentioned marriage and shecould easily demand it under the circ.u.mstances. Surely that was a sign in her favour. Yes, this time itwould be different. If she would but trust me.

Lady Tretain watched her son for some time. Despite the outward appearance, it was still difficult to believe he had a wife and family.

Why was this "Lady Juliane" unconscious. More importantly why did her son wish to keep the woman so?

The young woman did not appear to be in his general line. Or what Adrian had led her to believe was his type. Her gown was simple. She did not possess a periwig and had no abigail. The latter fact was the most d.a.m.nable. No lady of Quality would dare travel without a personal made. Most certainly not without a nurse for the children.

Why, in her day-but this was not her "day" and it was her duty to make sure her son did not make an utter fool of himself over some chit. She would have to see how far he would carry this foolishness.

Dusk was falling when the coach halted. Lord Tretain instantly became alert. He relaxed when the coach door was opened by his coachman.

"With your permission, my lord, Mallatt wishes to rest the horses before proceeding further."

"Very well. In the servants' carriage you will find a basket of food Meg packed for us. Have the footman bring it to us."

"Yes, my lord."

Lowering his feet to the floor, Adrian looked at his mother. "I hope you do not mind a cold collation."

"Do I have a choice?"

"One would think you were not pleased with me," he smiled mischievously.

"Long ago you grew accustomed to my not being pleased with you. Have you ever altered your

behaviour to please me?"

"But Mother, I have only done what you have urged upon me for these past years," Lord Adrian answered innocently.

Lady Juliane stirred just as Mallatt opened the coach door.

"Andre' has been asking after her ladyship, my lord. Would it be permissible for him to join you for your

repast?"

"Yes, bring him.

"Mother, where did you place the laudanum?" he asked when Juliane stirred again.

"It is not healthy to keep her drugged. You cannot do so indefinitely. Why do you fear having her

conscious? Is she that much of an embarra.s.sment?"

"No!"

His tone and accompanying look startled Lady Tretain. She was inured to his disobedience, but he had

never before been disrespectful.

"I know what is best for ... my 'wife.' I wish her to sleep until morning. She was unduly concerned over meeting you and I will not have her upset."

affects me? And think I am to welcome them with open arms.

"What of her family? Is her background correct?" she staccatoed.