Eighteen

Colton Wyndham swept his bride into his residence overlooking Hyde Park in London, and promptly became mindful of the fact that Seward, the small, wiry, elderly butler, who had been elevated to the status of head steward of the house long before Sedgwick Wyndham had ever started having a family, was grinning like a wizened monkey. The thin man snapped his fingers and, amazingly, a flood of people, mostly garbed in black, others from the kitchen wearing only white, seemed to scurry from every nook and cranny to form a lengthy line for the new mistress's inspection. Even Cook was there, having been hired a score of years earlier to round out the staff for the mansion. Now she reigned supreme over the kitchen and the preparations of the food. It seemed every one of the servants wore a smile as broad as the butler's and was eager to greet the newly wedded Wyndhams immediately upon their return from their two-month honeymoon spent in warmer climes, which had indeed proven advantageous to the master's recuperation. By the time the last smiling maid was introduced, Adriana's head was nearly reeling with a blur of names. Imagining the difficulty she'd likely encounter remem-bering which name went with what face, she laughed and clasped her hands to her pinkened cheeks.

"In all my past visits here, I never realized there were so many servants on the premises. I shan't be able to recall everyone's name at first, so, please, please have pity on me."

Laying an arm about her waist, Colton squeezed it affectionately as he drew her against his side. "Aye, they'll do that for you, my dear. After all, they've no other choice since you're the new mistress of the house. Yet, as much as they'll be learning your preferences, I doubt they'll be expecting to lose their hearts to you. Having experienced that very thing myself, I should warn them to be on their guard, or they'll be scampering around here, ignoring my demands while they're eagerly doing all they can to please you."

The amiable chortles evoked from the servants readily evinced the possibility of that occurrence. Of all the past visitors to the Wyndhams' London manor, it had been Lady Adriana who had always evidenced a vivacious charm and caring thoughtfulness that had evoked their fondness. They couldn't have been more delighted now that she was mistress of the manor.

"Dinner will be served at the usual hour, my lord," Seward informed the marquess, unable to contain his own grin. "Considering your lengthy jaunt in the carriage today, I thought perhaps you and madam would enjoy having your meal served in the warmth and privacy of your chambers. No doubt, after your extensive travels these past two months, you'll welcome an opportunity merely to relax."

"An excellent idea, Seward," Colton replied with enormous enthusiasm. "Lady Adriana and I are indeed weary after such a tedious ride today and would like nothing better than to soothe our spirits in such a manner as you suggest." He paused as if a thought had just occurred to him and held up a forefinger. "One more thing, after our dessert, I would very much enjoy a hot bath. It seems to soothe my wound."

"Aye, my lord, I shall see that one is prepared for you and that your wishes are carried out as you have stated. I shall alsocaution the servants not to disturb you after the dishes have been collected." The elder's lips twitched ever so slightly. "Travel does seem to weary a body, and of course, wounds do need leisured time to heal properly."

"Very good, Seward."

Smiling warmly at his bride, Colton offered his arm. "Shall we go up now, my dear? I would enjoy getting comfortable. What about you?"

Adriana curbed her own smile as she tucked a slender hand within the crook of her husband's elbow, knowing well what they'd be doing soon after the servants had been dismissed for the night. She had come to believe her stalwart husband could be nigh dead and still be desirous of copulating. Their honeymoon had been proof enough of that. "That does indeed sound inviting after a lengthy trip."

Colton's grin widened as he gently patted her hand. "I was certain you'd agree, madam."

Colton stripped away the last of his garments beneath the warmly admiring gaze of his wife and motioned for her to make room for him as he stepped near the oversized tub.

"I thought I'd like to take a bath alone for a change," she teased, her teeth tugging at a bottom lip as she sought to curb a grin. Deliberately reclining against the rounded end of the copper tub, she leisurely soaped her breasts, taking puckish delight in teasing him with her nakedness. She flicked a glance upward toward his boldly displayed passion, secretly pleased that he was already desiring her. "You haven't let me do that since we've been married."

His devious chuckle was well contrived. "Make room for me, wench, or I'll have your hind-part in my hand. I'm coming in whether you want me or not."

Heaving an exaggerated sigh, Adriana lifted herself upright and scooted forward. "I'll never get clean if you keep insisting that we take our baths together. You always seem to have other purposes in mind rather than merely bathing."

"That may well be, madam. After all, you have such luscious places upon which I enjoy feasting, yet I can't see what difference it makes who actually bathes you as long as you get clean."

Settling into the water behind her, he laid an arm around in front of her, capturing a rounded, soapy breast in one hand as he thrust his free hand underneath her, just forward of her buttock. Lifting her back within the spread of his thighs, he snuggled her closely against him.

She tossed an impish glance over her shoulder. "Comfortable?"

"Not entirely," he breathed as he nuzzled her ear.

Wiggling her hips, Adriana resettled herself, but hardly expected the jolt of scintillating excitement that spiraled upward through her as her womanly softness came in contact with his manly flesh. Her husband's breath caught, assuring her that he had also been affected. She shivered in rapturous bliss, and her dark eyes were soft and warm with desire as she turned her face in profile to him. "Better?"

He nibbled a dainty earlobe between his teeth as he made her keenly aware of his excitement. "Do you have any doubts, madam?"

Adriana smiled as his fingers brushed across a soft nipple. "Perhaps we wouldn't have so much difficulty fitting together if you didn't get so carried away before you got into a tub."

Leaving a trail of kisses across her shoulder as he progressed inward toward her nape, he cajoled softly, "You could consider facing me, in which case we'd fit together perfectly."

The luminous eyes closed dreamily as he taunted her once again with his maleness. She rolled her head slowly upon his shoulder, luxuriating in the languid caress of his mouth. "Knowing you, I fully expect that event will follow shortly."

"You've come to know me through and through, madam."

Considering he was always surprising her with new and exciting experiences in the world of sensual pleasure, Adriana rejected his conjecture as anything holding merit. "Not in a thousand years."

Leaning forward over her shoulder for a fresh view of hercreamy breasts, Colton lifted a saturated sponge and stroked away the whitish foam adhering to the womanly fullness, causing his wife's breath to halt and then ease outward in a blissful sigh as he gave first one delicately hued peak his undivided attention before moving on to the other.

"I like that," she sighed tremblingly, deliberately thrusting the sensitive peaks forward to reap as much pleasure to be found from his touch. The sponge was forgotten as his brown hands came forward to gently clasp the pale orbs. He felt a shiver of desire go through her as his fingers plied the delicate nipples.

"From the moment I wake in the morning till I fall asleep at night," he rasped against her ear, "I'm besieged with freshly brewing desires amid a profusion of memories we've made together in the various beds in which we've been ensconced these last months, my love. I even crave you in my sleep."

"Yes, I know." She sighed and then giggled when he canted his head to peer down at her in some curiosity. "Well, I'm not necessarily oblivious to the changes in your body when we're snuggled up in bed. I enjoy waking up and feeling you hard and eager against me. One day, I may even take advantage of the fact that you're asleep."

Chuckling softly, he pressed his lips into her sweetly scented hair. "I give you leave to wake me anytime, madam. Giving you pleasure always reaps more of the same for me."

"I can't remember a time since we've been married, my dear husband, when you haven't teased, titillated, poked, evoked, intoxicated, ignited"—she paused to catch her breath and then sighed contentedly—"and completely appeased my desires. You definitely have a way about you that bestirs my yearnings and makes me eager to be one with you."

Colton grinned at her exaggeration. "For a moment there, I was sure you were going to compliment my rutting talents."

Giggling, she wiggled her bottom against him teasingly. "Finish your bath, husband. I want to go to bed with you."

"What can we do there that we can't do here?" he whispered against her ear. Slipping a hand down between her thighs, he plied the silky softness that readily opened to him.

Soon Adriana found herself writhing with the ecstasy he created within her until she could bear it no longer. Rising to her knees, she turned to face him, her eyes aflame with hungering desire as she searched the smoldering gray orbs. Laying her hands atop his broad shoulders, she moved her body in slow, sinuous, seductive invitation, feeling as if bubbles of delight were bursting within every fiber of her being beneath the delicious caresses he plied to more sensitive areas. When at last he guided the hotly pulsing blade into her warm, moist sheath and pulled her down upon him, a convulsive shiver went through her. Her head fell back, spilling darkly curling tendrils from her loosely confined tresses as her loins began to caress his. The throbbing passion intensified as their bodies cleaved together and their gasping breaths became moans of blissful pleasure until they soared together from the limitations of the universe and began to ascend to galaxies far, far beyond. It was much later when they finally drifted to earth, once again wrapped in each other's arms.

"I love you, madam, more than mere words can convey," Colton whispered against her brow, seriously doubting he had any more strength left in his limbs.

Adriana finally braced up on his chest and smiled in eager delight as she scrubbed her slender fingers through the feathering of hair covering that broad expanse. "Tell me when you first realized you loved me."

Colton lifted his head musefully, as if he were having some difficulty remembering back. "Why, if you're really curious when that emotion began to thwart my bachelor status, I believe it was when you crushed my manly parts."

Laughing in amusement, she delivered a playful blow to his chin and then proceeded to recline alongside him. "Well, if it's any consolation, my husband, I was sure I had destroyed my maidenhead during that same encounter. I couldn't sit comfortably for a whole week."

He canted his head to peer down at her, seeming a bit confused. "I would never have known. It still looked intact when I perused you in the bathtub."

His comment wrenched a feigned gasp from her, prompting her to push herself up from his chest. "You didn't!"

Chuckling, he lifted his naked shoulders in a casual shrug. "A man always looks when he has the opportunity to peruse at close range a worthy subject, and you are indeed most worthy, madam."

Adriana sat back and tossed her head, pretending to be miffed. "You were absolutely despicable, that's what you were. Ogling me while I slept, you should've been ashamed of yourself."

"I was too intrigued by the sights to feel anything but overwhelmed by my lust for you, my dear. To that, you can attest."

The corners of her lips turned upward enticingly. "Aye, ‘twas a bit shocking at the time, but I've grown rather fond of the view."

"Oh-oh!" He peered down at himself, drawing her curious attention to the same area.

"Lecher!" she accused with a grin.

"Lecher, am I? I'll show you what a lecher I am."

With a laughing squeal, she scrambled up and swung a leg over the side of the tub in her haste to flee, allowing him another delectable view. Her breasts were set wondrously abounce as she danced backward, away from the tub. His devious chuckle sounded menacing as he swung a leg over the side and began to stalk her. Though she watched him carefully to determine which way he would go, he feinted to the left and then caught her as she lunged toward the right. Sweeping her up in his arms, he growled as he made a pretense of devouring her throat.

"Colton, behave yourself," she scolded, her voice a strange mixture of giggles, feigned reproaches, and playful shrieks thrown in for good measure. "The servants will hear us."

"They shouldn't be listening at the master's door, madam. I'll have to talk to them about that."

Changing her tactics to pliant submissiveness, Adriana slipped her arms around his neck and didn't mind at all that he lifted her upward to languidly devour a soft nipple. Tremblingat the pleasure he created with her, she asked huskily, "Have I told you recently, my darling, how much I adore you?"

"I seem to recall you saying something like that when you were slipping off to sleep last night, and then the night before, and the night before that," he whispered softly, raising his head to find her parting lips approaching his. "I don't care how many times you say it, I never grow tired of hearing it."

"I never thought it possible, but our union has brought me joy beyond measure. I can only hope and pray that nothing happens to disturb the blissful haven we have found together."

The Wyndhams' homecoming to Randwulf Manor was first heralded by the gardener, who espied his lordship's new landau coming smartly down the lane from some distance off. The aging man scrambled up from his knees near a flowerbed in which he had been directing several of his newest helpers in the planting of flowers. Scampering hurriedly up the stone steps, he whisked open the front door of the manse and gave his old friend happy tidings of the couple's imminent return. With a buoyant grin Harrison conveyed the news promptly to his mistress, who by then was having her tea in the drawing room, where, after reveling the past three or so months in the fact that Colton was now married and deeply in love with the very one his father had chosen for him, she had been content merely to relax and gaze lovingly at the portrait above the mantel and recall the former days of her own marriage.

No one thought of informing Alice Cobble of the couple's return. Nevertheless, her ears were well attuned to the excited dither and chatter of servants. Thus, with the young child draped facedown over her forearm, she made a point of sauntering into the main hall just as the master laughingly swept his bride past the vestibule.

Adriana's jubilation promptly ceased in the wide corridor beyond the archways as she caught sight of the slovenly garbed woman. The frazzled hag held the tiny girl as carelessly as she would a bag of grain. Although the baby's gown was finely made and edged with costly lace, it was badly wrinkled and soiled. For barely a moment, Alice jostled her burden upright, allowing Adriana to see the girl's huge, haunted blue eyes, chapped cheeks, and runny nose. The realization of the baby's less-than-sublime condition went through the younger woman like a cold shiver. Feeling suddenly sick to her stomach, she clasped a trembling hand over her mouth. A fretful moan escaped her lips as she squeezed her eyes tightly shut and made a desperate attempt to stem her queasiness.

Unable to ignore his wife's distress, Colton bent near solicitously, but when she shuddered convulsively after casting another distressed glance beyond him, he looked around in curiosity to see what had provoked this reaction from her and mentally cursed when he espied Alice Cobble, not only present against his wishes, but in the same slovenly condition she had been in when he had first brought her from London. Furthermore, his daughter looked very much like a tiny, pitiful waif.

Sharply incensed, he faced Harrison forthwith with a blunt question. "Why is that woman still here in that condition? And the child … why does she look like that?"

The steward spoke in a low murmur, securing their confidentiality. "My lord, we cannot find a wet nurse anywhere in the area. We've looked high and low, and with each passing day, the woman becomes more impossible, as if she knows we want her gone and yet are unable to send her on her way because of the child. Your mother doesn't dare complain about the baby's appearance or state of health, for she is immediately beset with threats of Alice's departure. If not for the child, her ladyship would have seen the woman dismissed months ago, especially since that had been your behest, my lord."

"Get her out of my sight," Colton growled through gritted teeth. "Among her many offenses, she happens to be upsetting my wife."

Alice Cobble strode forward boldly, displaying black, rotting teeth in a taunting grin, as if it weren't already apparent that she had been reveling in the power she held over the household. "Aftahnoon, yur lor'ship," she crowed and then cackled gleefully, causing the baby to whimper at the ear-piercing sound. "We thought yu'd ne'er return from cavortin' ‘bout the countryside wit' yur new missus. Been more'n three months since yu left ‘ere fer parts unknown." Her eyes shifted to Adriana, and her seemingly unruly lips twisted sneeringly as she inclined her head ever so slightly. "Yur liedyship."

"Go back to the nursery, woman," Harrison bade sharply, gesturing in the general direction of the stairs as he stalked toward her. "Your presence is not required down here. Now leave us."

"Why, I thought ‘is lor'ship ‘ould be wantin' ta see ‘is li'l chit ‘pon his return. Seems ta me a man what cares fo' ‘is offspring ‘ould be anxious ta visit wit' ‘is brood first off aftah bein' ‘way so long. Gor', yu've been gone so long the chit's nigh grown."

The steward caught her plump elbow and, in spite of the fact that she outweighed him by a goodly margin, turned the termagant skillfully toward the stairs. "Away with you, I said!"

Alice leaned back to peer over her shoulder at the marquess. "Will yu be comin' up later ta sees yur chit, milord? She's a mite scrawny, ‘at she be, but jes' the same, real pretty ta me way o' thinkin'. Mayhap ‘er liedyship'll be wantin' ta come up wit' ye."

"Cease your prattling, woman!" Harrison insisted angrily as he sought to give her a sharp shake. "Or so help me, I shall stuff a rag in your mouth!"

Alice squawked. "Yu an' ‘oo else, yu li'l bitty crow? I've wrestled be'er men ‘an yu ta a stan'still' in ale ‘ouses, I ‘ave, an' if'n yu don't gits yur bloomin' ‘ands off'n me right away, I'll be gnawin' on ‘em wit' me teeth." As if to strengthen her threat, she bared her blackened fangs, causing Harrison to stumble back in sharp aversion for fear of being wounded by those foul shards.

Philana fought a moment of queasiness herself before the wet nurse finally took her leave. The elder's distress was readily apparent in her blue eyes as she looked toward her daughter-in-law in helpless appeal. "Forgive us, dear child. We've not been able to control that woman since she camehere. I'm sure she knows we're unable to find a replacement for her and delights in playing havoc with everyone in this house. I shan't expect that you'll be able to tolerate her any better than we have done. ‘Twould definitely require someone with more stamina than any of us have thus far been able to gather."

In spite of the lingering nausea that still assailed her, Adriana crossed the hall with opening arms and managed a courageous smile as she embraced the elegant woman. "We can't allow Alice to disrupt our lives, Mama Philana, as much as she may delight in doing so. We shall carry out our search for a wet nurse posthaste, even if we must go to London."

"Maud is here, dear," Philana informed her, hoping to banish Alice from their thoughts, if only for a few, peaceful moments. "She arrived in the hired livery perhaps an hour ago and said you were on your way. ‘Twould seem her driver made better time than yours did."

"Colton and I stopped at an inn to have a bite to eat. I was enormously hungry, so much so your son cautioned me against getting fat." She made an attempt to laugh in spite of the fact that, after seeing Alice, she wasn't at all certain she'd be able to keep what she had eaten in her stomach.

Philana laughed softly, making every attempt to present a cheeriness she didn't necessarily feel in her spirit after their confrontation with Alice. "Bentley was rather put out that Colton had left him behind to tend to my traveling needs, few as they were, and chose to take Jason from our London house for your lengthy excursion. Maud, however, seemed quite pleased that she had been allowed to attend you throughout your absence from home. She's upstairs now in the master's chambers, unpacking your satchels and trunks."

Adriana laid a gentle hand upon the elder's forearm, deciding it was far better to be truthful. "Right now, I'm not feeling at all well, Mama Philana, and I'd like to rest for a while."

"That is completely understandable, child. Alice would cause anyone to suffer more than they should. I've found that out for myself on more occasions than I care to count, andhave often retired to my bed thoroughly spent and with a terrible headache throbbing in my temples."

Adriana sought to give the elder hope. "I shall look in on the child when I'm feeling better. In the meantime, I suggest you send a rider with a note explaining our needs to my aunt in Bath. I have no doubt Aunt Tilly will be able to find us a wet nurse. She seems to know everybody from Bath to London and has many faithful friends who'll help scour the countryside in an effort to help us."

"In that case, I shall send Alistair on that mission posthaste." The corners of Philana's lips twitched in amusement. "He's eager to find any excuse to visit Tilly."

Managing a smile for the woman, Adriana squeezed her thin hand. "Let's hope Alice will be gone from here ere the week is out, if not sooner."

Philana didn't dare pray for such a miracle. Turning the other cheek was something she could likely do, but tolerating that shrew was another thing entirely. "As much as I desire to see the vulgar woman gone, dear, I can't imagine she'll leave here without causing some dreadful disturbance. She's such a rude woman and does everything she possibly can to test our tempers and our patience. Indeed, she seems to revel in the fact that she distresses the lot of us."

"We'll put an end to that posthaste," Adriana declared and was about to turn away when she realized she hadn't heard anyone call the baby by name. Facing her mother-in-law again in some curiosity, she inquired, "What do you call the child?"

"I fear, dear, she has no name as yet," Philana admitted rather sadly. "I've been waiting for Colton to name her, but of course, he has had other things on his mind and probably hasn't thought about doing so. ‘Twould be presumptuous of a grandmother to take on that responsibility. Thus far, we've just been calling her Baby Girl."

"I'll ask Colton about naming her tonight. She should be christened fairly soon, and will need a name for that event."

"I've always liked the name Genevieve myself. Had I beenfortunate to have another daughter, she would've been christened Genevieve Ariella."

Adriana leaned near to kiss the elder's cheek. " ‘Tis a beautiful name, Mama Philana. I shall mention it to Colton later."

Happy tears brightened the blue eyes as the older woman searched the beautiful visage. "Thank you, dear child, for marrying my son. He would never have been happy without you. Nor would the rest of us."

Adriana managed a heartfelt grin. "If you're taking count, Mama Philana, you should include me in that number, for I love your son more than words can fully define. I think I've always loved him."

"No doubt, dear. You always seemed to enjoy tagging at his heels when you were younger. Now he seems to enjoy tagging at yours."

One look at the pale, beautiful visage of her young mistress sent Maud scurrying to find a basin of cool water and a cloth to wash her face, which she then proceeded to press upon her brow. "Lie down an' rest yurself, m'liedy. Yu look as ill as death warmed over."

"Funny thing, that's exactly how I feel." Adriana gulped, holding the cool cloth clasped to her brow as she collapsed back upon the bed.

"Come now," the servant urged, "lift yurself an' let me help yu off wit' yur clothes. Yu've been in ‘em all day, an' ‘tis sure yu'll be more comfortable wit'out ‘em."

Adriana groaned much like a petulant child as she yielded to the woman's command and held her arms aloft. "Leave me my shift," she bade listlessly. "I may have to heave up my stomach, and I don't want to have to scurry through these chambers stark naked while I search for a basin."

Straightening at her statement, Maud peered at her curiously. "What ails yu, mum? Did the long ride from London wear on yu?"

A negative shake of the dark head gave mute answer, butwhen slender fingers suddenly came up and pressed to the whitened lips in an effort to halt an outward flow, the maid's brow quirked in wonder.

"I don't want ta alarm yu none, mum, but could it be that yu're wit' child?"

Adriana promptly sat down again, fearing her legs would give way underneath her as the shock of that possibility settled down on her. She stared across the room as if stunned. " ‘Tis true I didn't come at my normal times, but I thought it was merely due to the excitement of being with Colton on our honeymoon."

"How long have yu been feelin' this way?"

"Actually, the nausea only came upon me today, when I saw that creature … Alice … holding that pitiful little girl. Poor little thing, my heart went out to her. She seemed … so … so … desperately miserable…."

"Well, yu know how yu've always been ‘bout ‘elpless critters an' li'l orphans, mum. ‘Twouldn't be at all surprisin' if that's all what made yu sick." She nodded, as if settling her mind resolutely upon that possibility. "That's all it probably was, nothin' more."

"Yes, I suppose you're right," Adriana replied. "Otherwise, missing my flux right off as I did, I must consider that I got with child the first week of our marriage."

"Was ‘at the only one yu missed, m'liedy?"

Adriana stared at her as the dawning came. "I haven't had one since his lordship and I have been married."

" 'E's a bold one, m'liedy, that he is."

"Say nothing of this to anyone, especially to the older servants. They're enormously loyal to Philana and will hasten to tell her, and I'd rather not have that happen before I have a chance to talk with Colton. If it's just the excitement of being with him that has caused me to miss my regular times, I don't want Philana getting her hopes up only to see them dashed. Neither do I want everybody sizing me up until I find a convenient time to tell his lordship. That opportunity might notcome for several days yet, considering how upset we all are over Alice's presence in the house. ‘Twill be better to make such an announcement after she's gone."

Maud chortled. "Yu can expect the servants ‘ere ta be lookin' yu o'er anyway, mum, seein's as how yu'll be the only one what'll be bearin' offspring wit' the Wyndham name. ‘Ey cannot ‘elp but ‘ope ta see signs o' yu carryin' the master's babe."

Adriana smiled as she laid a hand upon her stomach. "I think we're all hoping that will come to pass fairly soon, Maud."

The tinkling chimes of the mantel clock dragged Adriana up from the depths of sleep. Lying on her side within the curve of Colton's long body, she listened to the delicate notes until finally the twelfth heralded in the hour of midnight. When silence once more came back to reign, she cuddled more closely against her husband, kissing the sheltering arm under which she lay. A smile curved her soft lips as her hand moved below her waist. As was Colton's preference, she was naked, as was he, and though her fingers slowly plied the silky smoothness of her stomach, she could detect no slightest evidence of a life growing within her womb. In spite of cautioning Maud against indicating such a possibility to anyone, she had nevertheless been tempted to tell Colton, but had decided to wait after all, considering his lingering irritation over Alice. Her monthly cycles had always come at regular intervals, and except for her brief nausea when Colton had told her that he had married another, she hadn't been sick to her stomach in some years, at least not since she was ten and four and had run a high fever and been confined to bed. That illness had passed ere the week had gone, and she had been in good health ever since.

Adriana had no doubt that Philana would be thrilled at the prospect of another grandchild on its way, but would Colton? He enjoyed their intimacy to such an extent that she had cause to wonder. Would he be repulsed by her rounding belly or perhaps the awkwardness that would eventually hinder their love-making? Or would he be just as thrilled as she to imagine the marvel their love had created?

Closing her eyes, Adriana heaved a contented sigh and was just drifting off to sleep again when an indistinct sound prompted her to fling them wide again. Wondering what she had heard, she turned her head on the pillow to listen more intently. Was it the wailing of the wind? Or, more disturbingly, the bawling of a baby from some distant area of the manse?

Adriana strained to catch the sound more distinctly and, as the seconds flew past, became more convinced that that was indeed what she was now hearing, a baby's harsh crying. There was only one child in the house, and from that little one's haunted expression, Adriana could only believe the little cherub was in desperate need of loving attention.

Taking care not to awaken her husband, she slipped from his side, donned her nightgown and dressing robe, and then pushed her slender feet into satin slippers. In the hall outside the master's chambers, she paused to listen in an effort to determine from whence the wailing came. It was definitely some distance away, but where exactly?

Adriana hurried in one direction, but decided forthwith that she was not on the right bearing. Whirling, she ran past the door of her husband's chambers and went up a flight of stairs that took her to the third level. It was a part of the mansion that she hadn't been in since her childhood. It was an older section and had always seemed rather dark and forbidding, even ghostly at times, tempting Samantha and her to test each other's courage by hiding out in its many nooks and crannies, forcing the seeker to follow, cautiously at best.

The wailing grew louder, leading Adriana on nearly at a sprint. When finally she reached the room from which the harsh sobbing drifted, she found the door standing ajar and a shaft of light streaming from the narrow opening into the wide hall. Laying a hand upon the barrier, she pushed it carefully inward just enough to allow her to peer inward without being seen.

The first thing that came into view was Alice Cobble, sitting in the middle of the bed with her back braced against the heavily carved Jacobean headboard. In one hand, she held a crystal decanter, from which she literally sipped. A lamp burned on the table beside her, and in its radiance the griminess of her nightgown was clearly apparent. The garment hung open over one large-nippled, blue-veined mound, and was so old and rotten it had become all but transparent, no doubt due to its filthy state, Adriana surmised. That was hardly the most pronounced cause for her lack of modesty, however, for her nightgown had been hiked up to her thighs and she lay with one leg bent and the other widespread.

Adriana didn't dare let herself imagine what the woman had been doing or just whose attention she had been trying to attract. Even so, it was not hard to imagine the hag's predilections were of the vilest sort.

Alice cackled suddenly, wrenching a start from Adriana. "‘Ere ‘ey was, ‘is lor'ship an' ‘is missus, lookin' likes ‘ey couldn't be parted for all the wool in Bradford … ‘at is, ‘til I comes ‘pon ‘em wit' the chit." The crone smirked gleefully. "Aye, I planned it real good, I did. ‘Eir ‘eads is likely still as-pinnin'. Humph, serves ‘em right for wantin' ta gets rid o' me. O' course, ‘twouldn't be too long aftah ‘ey did ‘at ‘is lor'ship would figger out jes' what I'd been doin' ‘hind ‘is back. Then ‘ere'd be ‘ell ta pay, sure as I'm adrinkin' ‘is port. An' then ‘e'll be askin' questions, wantin' ta knows what's goin' on. ‘Tis only a matter o' time afore ‘e figgers out ‘e's been tricked. Missus ‘Igh an' ‘Aughty ain't gonna waits forever. No, sir, she ain't! ‘Bout ‘at time, ‘is lor'ship an' ‘is missus is gonna knows ‘ell's done come up from the depths."

"What's the meaning of this outrage?" Adriana demanded, pushing the door wide as she stalked inward. The baby's wails had grown harsher, and although she had listened to the hag's inane gibberish in an effort to discern what she was talking to herself about, Adriana couldn't ignore the child's needs any longer. She went directly to the crone's bedside and was repulsed by the fact that Alice made no attempt to cover her own nakedness. "You were hired to nurse and take care of the child. Instead, she's howling from neglect and there you are, sipping my husband's port. Pack up your belongings and get out … immediately!"

"An' jes' ‘oo's gonna nurse the brat?" the woman challenged with a confident, black, snaggletoothed grin. She swung her legs off the mattress, but, in making an attempt to rise, stumbled over her own filth-crusted feet and listed heavily to the side, much like an old tar upon a storm-tossed ship. When finally she came up hard against an armoire, she grinned back at Adriana with a confident leer. "Yu wouldn't dare let me go, missy. Why, the chit'd starve."

"She's starving now, and yet you're so deep into your cups you haven't even noticed. If need be, I'll soothe her with a sugar-tit until we can find a woman who'll at least nurse her until another can be employed full time. In the interim, I want you gone from here."

"Mayhap yu'd better ask ‘is lor'ship afores yu sends me packin', missy. ‘E jes' might resent yu layin' the law down ta me."

"My wife has told you to leave," Colton barked as he strode inward, garbed in a long, velvet robe and leather slippers. "And that's exactly what I want you to do. In fact, you can get out of my sight ere the hour is past. The stableboy can hitch up a cart and take you as far as Bradford. From there, you'll have to make your own way to London or wherever it is you'll be going, just as long as it's far from here."

"Yu owes me wages, yu do!" Alice railed back and then elevated a brow as she peered askance, curiously eyeing the younger woman as she hurried across the room to the baby's crib. When Adriana lifted the tiny girl and cuddled her closely against her, a derisive sneer drew up the hag's upper lip. She didn't hold with spoiling a chit. They were better off learning at an early age that their wailing wouldn't get them what they wanted in life, but that would hardly be her affair anymore if his lordship did indeed intend to let her go. What was her concernwas getting her just due, and for that, Alice was willing to do more than a little ranting and railing. Turning upon his lordship again, she lifted a clenched fist and shook it at him threateningly. "I ain'ts leavin' ‘ere ‘til I gets what's comin' tame."

"And that may be more than you bargained for, hag," Colton retorted acidly. "A boot in the rear would likely serve you a fit recompense."

The shrew squawked and, turning about-face, flipped up the tail of her nightgown as she bent over and waggled her bare backside at him, cackling in glee as she snatched a shocked gasp from Adriana. For good measure, she made a foul gesture between her legs. "Come on, lovey. Puts yur poker in ‘ere so's yur missus can sees hows it's really done."

"On second thought, you'll get no wages," Colton barked sharply, thoroughly incensed. His comment brought the woman around with a raging snarl that displayed her foul, decaying teeth. Undeterred, he jeered into her murderous glare. "You just used up what was left of them. The liberty you took with my port could've been waived, but your latest infraction cost you the full sum."

Alice shrieked and shook a grimy fist at him. " ‘Ere yu are, rich as all get out, an' yu begrudge me a li'l prank."

"Serves you right for being so despicably vulgar and letting the child go without proper care and nourishment while you've been in here poking yourself and guzzling down my port," Colton shot back in heightening ire.

He recognized the extent of his own indignation when he realized he was literally shaking with rage. His hands were clenched into hard-knuckled fists, and his stomach, which had knotted in revulsion over what he had just seen, began to twist and churn. In an effort to calm himself, he slowly exhaled, and glanced aside at Adriana who was clasping his daughter closely against her bosom as she strolled toward him. Her soft cooing and gentle cajoling was closely reminiscent of that which he had heard from past times when she had been inclined to nurture orphaned or wounded animals. For a brief moment, the squalling ceased as the child rooted eagerly at asoftly rounded breast. Alas, no nourishing nipple could be found through the dressing gown, and once again the baby started thrashing her tiny fists in outrage.

"Poor little darling," Adriana murmured in caring, sympathetic tones. "We'll see you fed ere long. That much I promise you, Genevieve Ariella."

"Genevieve Ariella?" Colton repeated with a bemused smile, drawing a hesitant glance from his wife.

"Your mother said she liked the name, but if you'd prefer another, I'm sure she wouldn't be offended."

Smiling, he reached up a hand and lovingly smoothed his wife's tousled tresses as she leaned into him. Her soft, gentle ways did much to banish the fury raging within him, and he couldn't resist lifting her small chin and placing a soft kiss upon her winsome lips. " ‘Tis a good name, my love, one that will likely suit her. As for you, madam, you look quite motherly holding the babe. We should think about having a houseful."

Once again, Alice lifted her lip in a ridiculing sneer. "Yu bloody bastard, ‘twould serve yu proper if'n yu ain'ts gots any seeds in yur coffer."

Colton laughed harshly as he bestowed a disdaining sneer upon the woman. " ‘Twould seem I've already put that question to rest…."

Scathingly Alice swept her eyes over him. " ‘Twouldn't surprise me none in the least if'n Miss Pandora filled yur ears wit' rot."

Canting his head quizzically, Colton peered at the woman. "Are you telling me that Pandora tricked me into thinking the girl is mine?"

Avoiding his probing stare, Alice cut her eyes aslant and shrugged noncommittally. "Much as I'd cackle in glee ta knows yur cods be all dried up, I guess ‘ey ain't, seein's as how yu put yur family mark on the babe's arse. Jes' sayin' ‘twould serve a bloke like yu ‘is proper due if'n yu can'ts make no mo' brats wit' yur fine an' proper liedy so's yur family name can be carried on. I been hearin' some o' yur servants talkin' amongst themselves ‘bout ‘ow's yu're the last male in yur family."

As much as Adriana had considered waiting to announce her child-bearing state to her husband, she couldn't resist frustrating the hag's mean-spirited aspirations. "No need for you to leave here foolishly hoping that is the case, Alice," she chided, causing both Colton and the ogress to look at her in mounting confusion. "I am already with child."

A joyous cry erupted from Colton, drowning out the woman's foul curse. For good measure, he laid an arm about Adriana's shoulders again and brought her close for another kiss, this time with open mouth and probing tongue.

"Colton, for shame," Adriana chided, blushing at his display of fervor. Still, she had trouble curbing a pleased smile as her fingertips stroked dry the sweet dew of passion lingering on her lips. "What will Alice think?"

"Alice bedamned, madam. This is my ancestral home, and you're my wife. You're carrying my child in your womb and holding another close against your heart. At this moment, I can't possibly imagine how I could love you more than I do right now or, for that matter, have loved you since the dawning of time."

As much as another kiss from her husband pleased Adriana, it failed to satisfy the baby. Withdrawing from Colton with a radiant smile, she murmured, "I must go down now and wake Cook. I do so hope she knows how to prepare a sugar-tit for Genevieve."

"Couldn't regular cow's milk be warmed and given in the same fashion as a sugar-tit?" Colton asked.

" 'Twill give the chit runs," Alice volunteered caustically, stripping her plump, blue-veined body bare, once again thoroughly scandalizing Adriana who stared at her agog. The hag scratched her private parts shamelessly, making the younger woman spin about with a mortified groan, a reaction that drew cackles of glee from the crone. "What's the matter, lovey, yu wants ta do it fo' me?"

"Get some clothes on, you old scold!" Colton roared, once again feeling his temper rising. "You're disgusting enough with your clothes on, but you're damned revolting without them—"

"Likes I was sayin'," Alice interrupted caustically, lifting an upper lip to sneer at his lordship again. "The li'l tike'll likely starve afore yu finds ‘nother wet nurse." Just the same, she complied with his command by waggling her hips into a skirt, not caring how much she set her flabby stomach rippling and her mountainous bosom swaying with her movements. After yanking a dowdy top over the heavy melons, she chortled as she heckled Adriana. "Yu can turns yurself ‘round now, yur liedyship, but yu'd best keep it in mind, yu ain't gonna be lookin' no better'n me several months from now."

Colton arched a brow incredulously. "You really can't be serious, ol' hag. Or are you so blind to your own hideousness that you have the gall to compare yourself to one who, in my estimation, is nigh perfect?"

Snarling epithets to herself, Alice bundled her few clothes together and tied them in a large shawl. Facing the couple, she offered a jeering conjecture. "So's, yu've made up yur minds, eh?Yu're gonna let the chit starve. Don't says I didn't warn yu."

Colton met his wife's gaze worriedly and realized they were both suffering the same qualms. Yet he dared not suggest delaying the woman, for there was no guarantee she wouldn't take out her spite on his daughter. "We'll find another, my love," he said, trying to comfort his wife. "I'm sure the servants know of a woman in the village who'll at least suckle Genevieve until a more permanent wet nurse can be engaged."

"So's her own babes can starve?" Alice inquired caustically and then curled her lip in derision. " ‘Tain't likely."

"Nevertheless, we'll find someone who'll be willing," Colton stated resolutely.

"I'm sure you'll want to see Alice sent on her way posthaste," Adriana responded, briefly bestowing a cold, withering stare upon the hag. Alice was the coarsest creature she had ever come across in her entire life, and she just couldn't bear the idea of the woman staying another moment in a home that had never known such depravity. Her eyes immediately softened with love as she looked back at her handsome husband. "I'm going to ask your mother's advice. She'll be able to tell us what we should do."

Moments later, Adriana and Philana were hurrying down the main stairs when the sounds of a carriage halting before the manor aroused their curiosity. Philana ran at once to a front window and, peering out through the moonlit darkness, espied the glowing lanterns of the landau that had come to a halt in the drive below the stone steps. The manly figure standing at the open door of the conveyance was unmistakable, and in elated surprise she spun about to face her daughter-in-law. "Alistair is here, dear, and he's helping a young woman out of his carriage. That can only mean one thing!"

Both women hastened to the front portal and in their eagerness suffered a bit of confusion over which one would actually draw open the door. With a joyous laugh, Philana finally took care of the matter herself since Adriana was trying her best to placate the furiously squalling baby. Nearly ecstatic with relief, the elder yanked open the heavy portal so quickly that she caught her brother standing before the door with a fist suspended in midair.

For Alistair, the hardest part seemed to be recovering his aplomb with his jaw hanging aslack with surprise. In the following moment he reclaimed enough of his wits to close his mouth. Straightening his coat, he managed to assume a more lofty air as he strolled inward. Very proud of himself, he bragged, "Efficient as always I am. Mathilda found a wet nurse for you in Bath, and I took the liberty of transporting the young woman directly here in case you were desperate." He cringed slightly at the volume reached by the screaming youngster, and then cleared his throat. "Yes, well, ‘twould seem the young lady and I have arrived in the nick of time, eh what?"

"Uncle Alistair, you're such a dear, dear man," Adriana exclaimed happily and gave him an enthusiastic, one-armed hug. "Please do bring the woman in. The baby is starving!"

"This is Mrs. Blythe Fulton," the man announced a momentlater as he ushered the woman into the vestibule. "Her husband was killed at Waterloo. Only a pair of days ago, she gave birth to a stillborn. Although I understand little of these matters, Mathilda has assured me that Mrs. Fulton is most anxious to find work as a wet nurse and to obtain relief, not only from her serious lack of funds, but from her … ah … ah … painful condition."

Philana offered a conjecture as she faced her daughter-in-law. "Mrs. Fulton will no doubt want some privacy, dear. As much time as it's taking for my son to rout Alice from her room, I wonder if she's proving difficult. Do you think we should ensconce Mrs. Fulton in a room downstairs for the moment or dare we show her to her bedchamber upstairs? I had servants freshen the sheets and linens in the room across the hall from Alice's, just in case we were fortunate enough to find someone. I even had Samantha's old crib moved in there."

"Colton's chore in ousting Alice is definitely not one I envy, Mama Philana, but we shouldn't let that woman's presence dictate what we do for her replacement. Mrs. Fulton would likely be more comfortable if she were settled immediately into rooms of her own. Why don't I take her upstairs to the chamber you readied? The sooner she can nurse the baby, the better we will all feel."

The two younger women were just approaching the stairs leading to the upper floor when Alice's harping tones all but drowned out the baby's wailing.

"As much as I've looked ‘igh an' low for it, I still can't finds me gold ring," she complained as she stalked out of her room. Half-turning to direct her comments to Colton, who followed upon her heels, she insisted, "Yu're gonna haf ta makes good me loss, do yu ‘ear? Me po' dead husband give me the ring aftah ‘is ma passed on."

"If ever you had one," Colton retorted, highly skeptical of the idea that the unruly hag had ever had a gold ring or a husband.

"I ain't leavin' ‘ere wit'out h'it, no I ain't!" Alice declared, setting her jaw with stubborn tenacity. When she heard hurrying footsteps on the stairs and the infant's squalling comingnearer, she tossed a triumphant smirk back at Colton. "Maybes I ain'ts leavin' ‘ere, aftah all."

"You're wrong there, Alice," Adriana interjected from the stairs as she came into view of her husband and the shrew. "You will be leaving, posthaste in fact. We've been fortunate enough to find and hire a wet nurse for Genevieve this very hour."

Colton felt his own jaw sagging in astonishment and was so curious he had no time to rejoice at Alice's look of stunned disbelief. "How in the world did you manage that, madam?"

Adriana smiled smugly. "Uncle Alistair came to our rescue again, my love. Even as late as it was, your uncle made the trip from Bath to bring us Mrs. Fulton … just when we needed her most."

Adriana gently rocked the baby in her arms, trying to soothe her some small whit as she settled a bland stare upon Alice. " ‘Tis doubtful that you and Mrs. Fulton will ever meet again, so I shan't bother introducing you. I shall, however, wish you a speedy journey from Bradford since I'm rather fond of the vast majority of its inhabitants."

Colton pressed a knuckle against his lips to subdue his amusement as Alice brushed past the two women in bristling fury, having forgotten her earlier quest. If she could dismiss the gold ring from her mind so soon, it seemed to confirm his suspicions that she had never possessed one in the first place.

"I shall introduce you to my husband later," Adriana informed Mrs. Fulton, giving the child over into her arms. She inclined her head to indicate the room that would belong to the woman henceforth. "For the time being, however, you and the baby can become better acquainted in your chambers. ‘Tis certain the little darling needs your immediate attention, do you not agree?"

"Oh, yes, my lady, and I am most anxious to give it," Blythe Fulton assured her, trying not to wince from the discomfort she was presently experiencing.

"I shall awaken some of the servants and have your baggagebrought up to your room," Adriana informed her. "I assume your cases are still in his lordship's carriage."

"No need to bother the servants, my love," Colton stated. "I can bring up her baggage myself." Cocking a brow sharply, he leveled a forefinger at his beautiful wife. "I'll see you in our chambers shortly. We need to talk about babies and such."

Smiling, Adriana stroked her hand along the length of his arm as they passed. "My pleasure, my lord."

"No, mine," he murmured, tossing back a sly wink above a grin just as their fingertips slipped free of the other's.