"Mother, have you gone daft?" stated Lord Adrian.

"Of course not, my son. I merely wish to give ... Lady Tretain the ... the proper welcome and

introduction.

"Everyone will be agog to learn who has snared you at last. A fortnight should allow you ample time to

arrange for proper dress to be sent from London. Satter tells me your wife's wardrobe is most ...inadequate." So, thought Lord Adrian glowering, the gauntlet is thrown. Well, his mother would not win so easily.

He relaxed, forcing a smile.

"How ... kind ... of you, Mother. We are suitably honoured, are we not, Juliane?"

Lady Juliane looked from mother to son. Why, one was as daft as the other.

CHAPTER 13.

Very quickly a carefree week had pa.s.sed. The only reminder of the scare they had had were the two men who watched over Lady Juliane and the children by day, and another pair who stood guard at the children's door by night.

When not busy with affairs of the estate, Lord Adrian went out of his way to find amus.e.m.e.nt for Lady Juliane, often including the children. This delighted Juliane and astonished Lady Tretain.

The countess had decided to be coldly pleasant to the young woman her son refused to admit was not his wife. Accustomed to similar treatment in India, this bothered Lady Juliane very little. Her reaction unknowingly raised her esteem in the eyes of Lady Tretain.

Although hesitant to accept Lady Juliane because of the suspicious circ.u.mstances surrounding her advent into the family, the countess reluctantly admitted that the change wrought by it in her son was short of miraculous.

Instead of brooding by day and thundering who knew where by night as he had on past visits, Lord Adrian went about with a festive spirit. He even enticed others to laugh. Lady Tretain had never seen him happier, and yet an apprehension nagged at her. She could not believe he was, in fact, married or that the children were his. If it was as she believed, it could only end in disaster.

Lady Tretain could find no fault with the children. They were lovable. If only she could be at ease. If Adrian did indeed call her bluff and go through with the ball, she would have to admit defeat at her own hand.

A hint of spring imbued the day. The warmth of the air and the golden splash of crocuses on the sculptured lawn enticed Lady Juliane and the children outdoors. She was enjoying a most unladylike romp when Lord Adrian approached carrying an oversized wicker basket.

Andre ran to greet him and even Leora toddled toward the earl. Catching her small hand in his, Lord Adrian led them back to where Lady Juliane sat on the ground.

Under his scrutinizing gaze she became conscious of her dishevelled appearance. Brushing leaves and dried gra.s.s from her hair and gown, she began to rise.

"No, my lady. I will join you if I may."

"What did you bring us, mon pere?" squealed Andre.

"You must wait.

"Leora," he took her fingers and drew her to his lap as he knelt beside Lady Juliane. "I trust this is safe?"

he asked in mock seriousness.

Juliane grinned broadly. "I believe so, my lord, but one can never be certain."

"I will risk it. Am I not courageux, Andre?"

Andre giggled. This "papa" was so foolish at times.

Holding onto Leora, Lord Adrian pulled the basket closer.

Andre knelt beside them. The antic.i.p.ation lighting the children's faces infected Lady Juliane.

"Open the lid, Leora," coaxed Lord Adrian.

Lady Juliane and Andre watched in expectation as her tiny fingers fumbled with the lid. Curious squeaks,

squeals, and something suspiciously close to a meow coming from the basket became too much for

Andre. He reached across and lifted the lid.

A large black mongrel pup tumbled out and pounced into Lady Juliane's lap. It nipped at her skirts.

Then, a small black kitten placed its paws on the edge of the basket and peered cautiously over the brim.

Laughing, Lady Juliane fended off the puppy's face-washing efforts and handed the bundle of energy to

Andre. The pair was soon very well acquainted and began to chase one another and role in the gra.s.s.

Lord Adrian removed the kitten from the basket. Holding it in one hand, he guided Leora's over its silky fur.

Looking across at Juliane, he hesitated briefly, then said, "Your gift should be here tomorrow. Two days

hence at latest."

The laughter died in her eyes, and looking down, Juliane plucked at the dry gra.s.s. "You know I cannot accept a gift from you, my lord," she said. "I should not allow your kindness to the children. It will but make things more difficult for them later."

"Then let us not term it a gift but a payment. I am responsible..." He halted at her look of dismay.

"Here is Alva," said Juliane, rising. "It is time for the children to go indoors."

Lord Adrian also stood up and handed Leora to Alva. "Andre will come in later," he said. "Let him play with his pup for a time."

"Aye, m'lord," Alva said.

Lady Juliane frowned.

"Do not be angry with me. Surely you had a pup or pet of some sort at his age. I remember-"

The grief he had expressed in his delirium remained with her. "Yes, I know," Juliane interrupted.

"Will you not walk with me until Andre tires?" Adrian asked, sensing her change in mood.

She searched for a reason to decline but, finding none that was reasonable, sighed. "Yes, my lord."

He took her arm. "I think you will enjoy the gardens. They will give you much enjoyment later this

season when the roses are in bloom."

"You know that will be impossible, my lord. I must leave soon."

"You cannot."

"Why? You do not mean to go through with the ball?" she asked, searching his face.

"I do not know. But I cannot permit you to go just yet."

"You cannot permit?" she echoed indignantly.

"We have been at peace for a week now. Why is it you wish to cross swords whenever we are alone?"

Lord Adrian asked wearily.

"Because you insist on this pretence of family. More than harming me, it is unjust to the children. They

are unsettled enough as it is, but this constant shifting of attention and emotions can only do them ill. The gifts you have just given them reinforce the idea of a father. That cannot be."

"Why can it not?" He halted and looked intently into her eyes. "You still cannot place your faith in me?"

Lady Juliane read the regret on his features but could not answer him. She walked on.

Lord Adrian followed, shouting a greeting to a gardener in the distance. They continued in silence, each

absorbed in private thought.

As they turned to go back, a shrill whistle echoed where they had been. Ahead of them, near a copse, Andre and the pup romped.

The whistle sounded again and the pup sat and perked up his ears. At the next whistle, he bounded into

the copse. Andre followed. His bodyguard watched unconcerned.