There was silence, then Juliane asked, "Yours also?"

"I was prepared," Cavilon nodded. "I was prepared." He pa.s.sed a hand across his face, erasing the

sadness.

"As I told Adrian, Dougherty has cleared the incident. There should be no further trouble." Smiling, he

ended, "I bid you adieu. Lady Cecile has promised me a most diverting journey-I am to escort her home." With a raised eyebrow and a gracious leg, he left them.

Juliane became conscious of Adrian's grip on her hand, of the warmth his touch brought her. Searching

for words, she thrust back those she wished to speak and said instead, "The children-I must find Uncle Thedford for them. He named Andre his heir."

"I have had word about him," Adrian said slowly and released her hand.

"You knew I meant to go to him?" she asked in disbelief.

"Not exactly, but it seemed the most likely thing. You mentioned an uncle on your first night here.

"I fear your plans are hopeless," Adrian continued. "There is no estate. The reason your family never had anything to do with him was that he was more than slightly daft and had lost everything shortly after Andre was born. An old family retainer kept him until he died a few years ago."

Juliane studied the quilting on the coverlet. What would she do? Where would they go if ...?

"I have said I would adopt the children-do you object?" Adrian's voice throbbed with emotion.

Her eyes flew to his, her heart pounding.

"My lord, my lord," Mallatt scampered in excitedly. "You won't believe it-it can hardly be credited.

Look," he held out one of Andre's toy soldiers for them to see.

"I was straightening it and it broke. See what fell out!" With a shake of the toy several green stones tumbled onto the bed.

"The emeralds," breathed Juliane.

"The other soldiers are full of them," he continued, then, noticing that the two before him had eyes only withdrew.

"How could I have doubted you?" Juliane breathed.

"I could have explained I was an agent for the ministry."

She brushed her fingers across his to silence him. "There is no need to tell me now."

Adrian caught her hand once more. "Do you love me? Can you love me? Every moment since I regained

my senses I have feared you would leave-that is why I dared not send for you.

"I love you so."

"Oh, Adrian, I have longed to hear-"

He claimed Juliane's lips-claimed her heart as well.

"My angel," he breathed, "my own." Drinking in the love glowing in her eyes, his happiness brimmed

complete. "On the dressing chest..."

Juliane gave a puzzled glance toward it. The rings he had given her lay upon a tray.

"Will you not wear them-always?" His ardour caused his voice to tremble.

She rose and retrieved them. Sitting beside the earl, she asked saucily. "Will you not replace them ... my

lord?"

He slipped the rings on her finger, saying sternly, "You know I shall have to break you of this formality in address."

"I know ... my lord," Juliane teased again and happily surrendered to his fervent embrace.

To "the Trees"

and

ma bonne amie Barbe Visit www.belgravehouse.com for information on additional t.i.tles by this and other authors.

end.