Nearly a week has passed since Richard had left and there has been no word from him. Juliana felt desperate, worry consuming her. She found it very difficult to concentrate on painting. She could not shake the feeling in her heart that something had gone wrong and her instincts seldom failed her. She dropped her paintbrush for the second time. Only this time it left a long black streak down the left side of her painting.

"No, no, no!" she fussed.

Annabelle was concerned for her friend and her brother. She too was finding it difficult to work, if only there was some news from Richard it would set them all at ease. "We should stop here for today," Annabelle offered. "It really is not a good day for painting."

"I have ruined another one," Juliana pouted looking at the dark streak.

Annabelle came over to her easel to inspect the damages. "It could be worse," Annabelle amended as she tried to bolster her friend's confidence. "Perhaps you can disguise it like a tree?" she said tilting her head to inspect the painting from a different angle.

Juliana giggled. Wonderful Annabelle always finding the light in the darkness, a solution to every problem. If only the rest of life could be so easily resolved.

"I guess it is good that it is a scenic painting and not someone's portrait." Juliana giggled. "And I am hungry."

"Then come to our house," Annabelle prompted. "The boys have missed you. Perhaps you can pack a few things and stay overnight. Alex and Willy have been dying to have you read to them again. I try but they tell me it is not the same. Maybe you can even fill me in on your secret?"

"Well," Juliana conceded, "I do miss them and it may do me some good instead of wandering around here alone with nothing but my thoughts and worry to keep me company. Give me a moment to pack some things."

Annabelle said no more, afraid her friend might change her mind if she said another word. She and Cyril had been worried about Juliana being alone. She was starting to show signs of strain. Her eyes were lined with dark circles and her face was being to look shallow. Annabelle knew she was not eating properly if she were eating at all. Juliana quickly packed a few belonging into a small travel bag and went to join her friend. She was grateful for Annabelle's suggestion, she did not think she could face another night alone.

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Marcus watched over the Kane house with no sign of Anna. It had been three days now. He knew she was sent here to be governess by the talk among the servants. They never did pay him much mind whenever he was in the room allowing him to gather all sorts of interesting information.

Like how his Cecilia was caught in bed with Lord Bentley. How Anna had to be sent away because of Richard's feelings towards her were too strong. How if she stayed, they believed it would be only a matter of time before they ended up in bed together. Marcus did not give Anna as much credit, thinking that if she were propositioned by the Lord of the Manor, she most likely has been bedded by him several times by now.

Then he heard of Cecilia's betrayal. That she chose to be with Lord High and Mighty, his anger knew no bounds. He thought she had loved him. He tried, no begged for her to run away with him the evening of the party. She refused and he left her sitting in the garden crying. That very night she ended up in Lord Bentley's bed obviously not wishing to waste any time finding her new prize. He thought of how her face looked strangled, not a breath left in her body. How her beautiful blue eyes stared at him, wide open with amazement like they had when he first made love to her.

Then there were those awful rumors about her being with child but no matter, it was that bastards anyway. It would have grown up to be another spoiled little rich brat just like Lord Bentley. The world had no need for more pompous gits lording themselves about over hard workers like him.

Marcus had not seen Anna yet but he did manage to learn when the Kane's had their groceries delivered. The usual delivery boy mysteriously did not show up for work, Marcus had taken his place, gaining him access to the Kane household.

The first time he came he showed up at the front door. The housekeeper was quite annoyed telling him all deliveries come around back, but when he explained he was new she let him in the front door but informed him she never wanted to see him on the front step again.

The layout of the house was a rather simple one. When he walked into the house there were two rooms one on the left and one on the right, there was a small foyer and the stairs were located in direct line with the front door. There were three rooms upstairs and as he was led down a small corridor to the kitchen he took note of another room on his right. If only he could find out which one was Anna's.

As Marcus sat and watched from his boarding room window across the street he marveled at his genius. This morning's delivery brought delightful news. The housekeeper was complaining about having to make a room ready for a visitor that never shows up.

"Every day I make up the guest room with linens and toiletries and every evening there is no one there Mrs. Kane tells me the woman has decided not to come. I have just about had it. It is just plain rude really."

Marcus watched as Mrs. Moore took the freshly pressed linens to the room across the hall. So, that was the guest room, but where was Anna. Perhaps she did not stay on-premises that would make finding her slightly more difficult, but perhaps tonight will be his lucky night.

It was nearly three o'clock in the afternoon when he saw the hansom cab come to a stop. Two women got out and ascended the stairs to the front door of the Kane residence. One was definitely Mrs. Kane. He had seen her come and go several times from the house but he did not recognize the woman with her.

Just then another carriage pulled in front of the house. Mrs. Kane's husband was home. He must have called to the women because although Marcus was not close enough to hear, he saw the two women turn to greet the barrister. The second woman turned first. Marcus was amazed. It was Anna.

"My, my we do clean up nicely, do we not?" Marcus said running his tongue over his dry lips. "No need to get all dressed up for me. He must pay you well to be his Mistress. You most likely have your own flat here in London. That is where he meets you, and makes love to you, isn't it? I personally preferred you in your uniform, it was obviously too small for you the way it clung to every curve of your body."

He watched as Annabelle kissed her husband's cheek and then the three of them entered the house. He placed his fingertips to his lips and touched the windowpane. Drawing the drapes Marcus said, "See you tonight my lovely, Anna." Marcus felt the adrenaline rush through him. "I have much to plan. I want this evening to be memorable."

---------------------------

Juliana finally felt at peace. She was still worried about Richard but it helped to be around others that shared her concern.

"You look as if your spirits have lifted a little," Cyril commented during dinner.

"I think you are right," Juliana said smiling at him. "I should have listened to Annabelle days ago when she wanted me to stay with you. I guess I wanted to be home in case Richard came back. I wanted to be there for him."

"Well, I am glad you came," Annabelle said. "We have been worried about you. You look as if you have not slept for days."

"Perhaps that is because I have not," Juliana admitted honestly.

"You should turn in early," Annabelle suggested.

"Mrs. Moore is back so I will have help clearing the table and I am sure Cyril would not mind catching up with you tomorrow."

"Cyril maybe... but the boys? I can not disappoint them," Juliana said in a soft wistful tone. "I will make a deal with you. I will turn the boys in for the night, tell them a story and then I promise I will go straight to bed," Juliana said laughingly.

"Deal," Annabelle agreed.

"It is good to have you home again," Cyril added.

"It is good to have a home to come home too," Juliana replied.

"Now where are those troublemakers...I mean wonderful sons of yours," Juliana laughed teasing Annabelle and getting a stern look as her reward.

-----------------------

When Richard came to he was in the back of a carriage heading he knew not where. He struggled to sit up and his head spun, but it took only a few seconds to regain his focus. He banged loudly on the rooftop. "Stop the carriage! Stop the carriage!" he yelled and slowly the carriage came to a halt. The driver opened the door.

"Thank Heaven you are alive," the man said.

Richard did not recognize this man or the carriage or remembered how he came to be in it. "Who are you?" he demanded.

"I am Aleister Dunn. I was traveling on my way to Brighton when I found you on the road."

"Midnight?" Richard said feeling his temple and touching blood that had crusted into his hair.

"No, it's not that late but it is dark?" Aleister said misunderstanding Richard's question.

"No, Midnight is my horse. I was thrown from my horse," Richard said remembering how the horse's leg buckled and threw him from his saddle.

"Yes, I regret to say the animal... had to be put down," Aleister said a little anxious not wanting to deliver this news.

"You...," he couldn't finish the words. Richard was grateful this man had saved his life and if Midnight had been seriously injured the man did the most humane thing by putting him out of his misery. It was a far better fate than starving to death on the side of the road, but the loss cut him deeply.

"Thank you," Richard said and Aleister smiled at him in relief. "Where are we?"

"We are in London. I changed course when I had seen how bad you were injured. My horses need to rest but I pushed my team on hoping to reach the hospital here in Town," Alister informed him.

London, Marcus...Juliana! Richard leaped from the carriage pushing Aleister aside.

Alister felt alarmed. The man appeared frantic. "Sir, please you are hurt. Let me take you..."

"Where exactly in London are we?" Richard said grabbing hold of the man's coat.

Alister became alarmed. His eyes darting to look around, "I believe we are not far from Baker Street."

Richard released him. Baker Street and that would mean, nearly a mile from Jasper Street. "I know I am indebted to you already Mr. Dunn but please, I need to get to Jasper Street it is a matter of life and death."

Alister nodded, and Richard climbed aboard. They weaved through the maze of back streets to reach Juliana's home. Alister watched cautiously, as Richard sprung from the carriage. The house was dark and he tried the door but it was locked. He saw the window was open on the second floor. What if Marcus had seen it too? Could he be in there with her right now doing God knows what unspeakable acts? Richard tugged on the trellis that climbed the outside wall. Finding it sturdy enough, he used it to gain entrance into the house.

He was in a studio of some kind. There were several easels and canvases set up. Richard was finding it difficult to negotiate around them but he managed not to bump into them. He did not want to alarm anyone that may be in the house. Slowly creeping downstairs and cursing the old wood staircase for every squeak. Richard reached the first floor, gun in hand, he came around the bend.

He launched into Juliana's bedroom hoping for the element of surprise. He was the only one surprised for that room was empty. The bed was still made no one had slept on it. Confused he wondered if she were out. Should he wait for her to return? Then came a sickening revelation. What if she was kidnapped? He would have no way to find her but surely there would have been signs of a struggle. He could not imagine Juliana would go along quietly.

Then he remembered Annabelle's letter. Perhaps she finally convinced Juliana to stay with them, which meant, however, that Juliana was now in the one place where Marcus could find her.