"Richard?" Juliana said leaning over the table to touch his hand.

He did not want to leave Juliana so soon. This is not what he had expected. He knew his Stepmother would be upset, to say the least, once the money stopped coming but something had to be seriously wrong for her not to care.

"I have to go," he said to all occupants in the room.

"Not without me!" Juliana said, literally taking a stand as she pushed her chair back so hard it fell to the floor.

Richard ran his fingers through his hair. "Juliana, you are in no condition to go anywhere. I do not like the idea of leaving you behind any more than you want to be here waiting for me."

Annabelle asked the questions, on everyone's mind, "Where are you going? What did the letter say?"

Richard did not want to worry Annabelle but he did not want to lie to her either. "Mother was not home when I arrived. I discovered she was headed for Bath. She has not contacted Mr. Dooley for money in quite some time and I am concerned about that."

"So, you plan to go to Bath to look for her?" Juliana asked.

"Yes, it should not take me long. Once I find her I will bring her home. I need to find out what she knows, she is the key to unraveling this mystery."

"You still cannot believe she had something to do with the murder?" Annabelle asked appalled.

"Honestly Annabelle, I do not know what to believe anymore. Every time I believe this to be over I find out I am wrong. My mistakes almost cost Juliana her life. I cannot afford to wait another moment. I must go and see if I can find her?"

"I am coming with you," Juliana said adamantly still refusing to sit.

"Please," Richard begged, "I need you to be reasonable about this. The doctor said you are not to venture of doors at least for a week. Certainly, he would not condone me dragging you all around the country in search of my Stepmother."

Juliana knew she was being unreasonable but she knew she would fare much better if they were together. Yet, she knew also that in her condition she would only slow him down. She looked completely distraught, picked up her chair, set it right, and strode from the room.

"Juliana?!" Richard got up from the table to go after her.

Annabelle stood too but Cyril just shook his head no and she sat back down. He was right this is something they need to work out on their own.

He found her sitting in her chair by the window. "Juliana? Please?"

She looked straight into his eyes, and said, "Go, Richard. I am not stopping you, but you ask too much if you expect me to send you on your way with a smile."

"I am not looking for a smile, Love. Just some understanding."

"Then you have it," she said but he could see the hurt and frustration in her eyes.

"Bloody Hell, Juliana. What would you have me do? Forget about her? Possibly leave her for dead? Let her go? What if she is the murderer?"

Juliana scoffed at this. "She is a coward Richard. A coward who cares only for herself, a coward who cares nothing about putting you in harm's way."

He could not argue with that, even if it was devastating to his case. "I need to end this. I need us to be free. I want our lives together to start without this black cloud following us around."

Julian resigned from her opposition. "I understand."

"Thank you, Love. I promise to write to you every day that I am gone," Richard said, now kneeling in front of her. He kissed her and held her, this was not goodbye but he hated that it felt just the same.

"I will return," he said and left her alone again.

Juliana's hatred for Lady Catherine knew no bounds. She half hoped the old bat was done in and then admonished herself for thinking such. Whatever Lady Catherine's fate, she knew one thing was for certain. Things were not over between them not by a long shot.

She heard the front door open and close and she knew he was gone.

There was a knock on her door. "May I come in?" Annabelle did not bother to wait for her to answer and opened the door. "Need to talk?"

"No," came the unexpected answer.

Annabelle was now seriously concerned. "Juliana, what can I do?"

Juliana stood up and said, "You can help me pack."

"What?" Annabelle knew she must have misheard.

"I am not about to let him face her alone. I need to pack. I need provisions and I need a coach."

"No. I will not be a party to this," Annabelle said standing firm.

"And if it were Cyril or your boys? What would you do then?"

Damn, it was apparently clear, Juliana had no intention of fighting fair. She pulled out a cannon and blew Annabelle away. Annabelle would face fire and brimstone to save her family. Richard was the only family, Juliana had. Of course, she should not expect her to sit here calmly and wait. Not knowing would kill her.

"Then I am going with you!" Annabelle said.

This took Juliana by complete surprise and suddenly Cyril appeared behind her. "I say we all go."

And Juliana smiled. "I can not expect you both to risk yourselves for my sake, but I do so love you both so much that you are willing."

Cyril once again decided to be the voice of reason. "We will travel with you as far as Clara's. It is on the way. Then I will accompany you for the rest of the journey."

Juliana did not like the idea but knew if she wanted to make it out the door before Richard had too far of a head start she must agree. "Done."

"Then it looks like we are off on an adventure," Cyril said, "I will take care of provisions and the carriage. I am certain the two of you can manage the rest."

He left the room. Juliana was so grateful to have two such wonderful friends. She knew Cyril would not allow Annabelle to be in harm's way and was happy to know she would be safe at Clara's. By the time they reached there, her restrictions would be less and she would sneak out if she had to. She had no intention of letting Cyril tail her. If there was trouble she did not want either of them harmed.

Annabelle packed Juliana's belongings first and then her own and Cyril's within an hour, all was set and the carriage awaited them outside. It would take more than a day to reach Bath, and they would be delayed further by stopping in Richmond but Juliana finally felt she was no longer impotent. She had no intention of interfering with Richard's plans, but she did have every intention of staying close, in case he needed her.

Richard hated leaving Juliana behind. He regretted the choice the moment he walked out the door. He half thought of going back in and telling her she could come but it was far more important to keep her safe.

"How safe was she the first time you went away?" his mind nagged him but he had to push that thought aside. No. Marcus was an exception. He had wanted to punish him not Juliana. She was only in danger because he wanted revenge. This was an entirely different story.

He could not imagine how his Stepmother could manage to get into so much trouble. He regrettably had to admit her guiltlessness in this situation did not bode well, especially with her not wanting to return home. Yet he still found it difficult to believe her capable of murder. Juliana was right. Lady Catherine was a coward.

He had no idea what he would do upon finding her. If he found her. There was every chance that whoever wanted Cecilia silenced had chosen to silence her as well. Richard shuddered at the thought. Even though there was no love lost between them, he did not wish to see her dead.

She was also the only lead he had left in discerning the truth of the situation, all the more reason to hope she lives. He knew this was going to be a long and lonely ride and he must not forget to write every day as promised. He truly missed Juliana already.

He so wanted this to be over, even though it just began. He wanted their 'happily ever after'. He wanted her in ways that he should not at least until they were wed. At least he had those few moments with her to comfort him.

He had traveled nearly ten hours already it would take well over a day to reach Bath. It was late and the horses were tired he would find the first coaching inn and rest. He would take up travel again in the morning.

Clara was surprised to hear there were visitors at her door. "Mr. and Mrs. Kane and a Miss Juliana Wadsworth so see you, Marm."

It was the middle of the night and Clara ran to the door in alarm. "Annabelle, Cyril what are you doing here?" and then she saw a face she never expected to see again, "Juliana!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around her. Juliana took a moment to regain her balance as Clara nearly toppled her over. She hugged the young woman and marveled at the changes.

Juliana would never understand how you can miss someone and not realize it until you see him or her again. Clara was so young when she left home. What a beautiful woman she has grown into. She had resembled Richard and their father with her dark hair and silver eyes. Just looking into them made her miss Richard that much more.

"Come in. Come in," Clara said. The two boys upon hearing all the commotion came tearing down the stairs.

Alexander was first, "Aunt Clara! Is everything okay?" He had a broom in his hand, what he had planned to do with it, no one was certain. Followed by William, holding on to a pillow in a menacing manner.

It took but seconds for both boys to recognize their parents and they went running, discarding their items to the floor. Cyril and Annabelle opened their arms to receive them but were both surprised when they continued right past them, nearly tackling Juliana in the doorway.

"I am so happy to see you. We thought..." and Alex burst out in tears, his little brother joining him as they hugged her about the neck.

Juliana crushed them to her. "Shh!" she soothed, "I am perfectly well as you can see. No more tears. Please?"

They sniffed and sniffled and tried their best to give her a smile. "I love you both so much." She should have realized they would be affected, but you never think young ones concern themselves with such matters. She was wrong to dismiss them. It just dawned on her why the broom and pillow. They thought to come and protect their Aunt. What happened at home must have really shaken them.

The large group went into the parlor. Now it would seem all the servants were awake as well and immediately went to work bringing in their belonging and setting up their rooms. Juliana had not a doubt a kettle was being put on and in a few minutes there would be some biscuits and tea being offered.

There was one person, Juliana did not see, Clara's husband. Cyril noticed the same. "Is Benjamin at home?"

Clara looked momentarily embarrassed. "Ah, no...he is out at the moment."

"Sorry, we sprung ourselves on you like this Clara?" Annabelle said to her little sister. "We thought Juliana could benefit from some time in Bath and so thought we would stay here and Cyril will see her the rest of the way."

Clara frowned. She knew there must be more to the story. Why come so late at night but she did not voice it, knowing her sister was most likely being guarded for the boys' sake. Clara was also certain that Annabelle would tell her all, at her earliest convenience.

When the servants brought in biscuits the boys nearly jumped with glee and their mother immediately dashed their hopes by saying it was time they settled into bed again. Juliana offered to put them to bed and the complaining whines had stopped as they followed her up the stairs. She tucked them in and told them a new story.

Willy, as usual, was out like a light but Alex asked if she could leave a light on for him. "You have never wanted a light on before Alex? Why now?" He looked away from Juliana, priding himself on being big and brave, but he did not feel big and brave.

"What do you know about what happened that night, Alex?" Juliana asked pushing the hair from his face.

"Not much just that someone tried to hurt you and Uncle Richard stopped them but you got hurt in some other way. Then Mother and Father thought it best we came here while you got better."

"Does it scare you to think that someone came into your home?" Juliana asked knowing it must be the truth of the matter.

Alex just nodded his head. That and hearing the gunshots so close to home had been giving him nightmares nearly every night.

"That man was sick. He did not want to hurt me but his mind was broken. He chose not to hurt me. I had gotten hurt but that was my error. Your father would never allow anything to happen to you, and neither would your mother, you know that?"

Alex nodded again.

"Feeling scared does not mean you have failed at being brave. Bravery is when you feel scared and you fight past the fear to do what you know is right like you did tonight in trying to protect Aunt Clara."

Juliana was rewarded with his brilliant smile. "You really think so?"

"I most certainly do," Juliana said kissing his forehead.

"I love you, Juliana!" Alex said rising out of bed and throwing his arms about her neck. Juliana kissed his cheek and tucked him back in.

"I love you too!"

Cyril waited up for her. It seemed the sisters had much to catch up on and so retired early to gossip together.

"Your bedroom is down the hall. Do you need Annabelle's assistance to help you undress?" Cyril asked.

"No, I should be fine. Thank you, Cyril, for everything you have done."

Cyril stopped in her doorway. "Why does that sound like a goodbye?"

Juliana just smiled at him, "Just grateful is all."

"I see. We will leave first thing in the morning, just you and I. Should you decide not to wait for me, I want you to know I do not approve. In fact, part of me wants to camp outside your door just to ensure you will be here in the morning but I know how determined you are Juliana and I know nothing can stop you should you make up your mind. So here."

"What is this?" Juliana said opening the travel bag and then she understood.

"I love you too, Cyril," she said hugging the bag close to her heart.

"Just be certain you come home with Annabelle's brother or she will never forgive me."

"Understood," Juliana said giving Cyril a quick kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight, Cyril."

"Good night, Juliana."