Hello,

I'm sure most of you will have guessed, but I took a years hiatus from writing due to personal commitments. But I am happy to say that I am back writing, and will hopefully finish this story within the next few months.

Thank you in the meantime for everyone who has left encouraging messages and reviews to the story I really appreciate them.

As always,

Happy Reading,

Sarah x


Marianne awoke from another night of troubled sleep, Brandon had sent no further word of his so-called 'mission' so she was left alone with the worst of the thoughts her mind could conjure.

Mrs Andrews tentatively opened the door to the bedroom, a permanent sense of pity always in her manner, "Miss Marianne, you know I would not disturb you for the world, but a visitor has arrived"

Marianne turned her head from the window, "Who is it?"

"It is Miss Beth Madam, she's come to see the Colonel" replied Mrs Andrews.

"If you please, send her to Sir John, I cannot possibly receive-"

"Miss Marianne, it's her son" interrupted Mrs Andrews. "He is very sick"

Cursing her selfishness Marianne inquired, "Sick?"

"A fever Madam, I beg you, Miss Beth is inconsolable, please come to her" pleaded Mrs Andrews.

Already out of bed Marianne draped a warm cloak about her and followed Mrs Andrews down the hall.

Before she even reached the stairs she could hear the pained infant cries and Beth's panicked attempts to hush her son.

"Marianne" wept Beth, seeing her enter the room, "Please help me, where is the Colonel!"

"My dear one" hushed Marianne, flying to her side, "The Colonel-" she paused, "he is away at the moment"

"Please send for him!" cried Beth. "My son is dying I know it"

"It cannot be as bad as that" assured Marianne, trying to be hopeful.

"He won't eat, he won't sleep, he's as hot as if I've placed hin boiling water" wept Beth. "I travelled all night to reach you"

Marianne's grief took second place, turning to Mrs Andrews and Laine who stood in the doorway she gave out her orders, "Mrs Andrews, prepare a room for Beth and her son and see that the coachman who brought them here is fed, rested and paid. Laine send immediately for the Doctor, I don't care the cost or how early it is, a baby's life is at stake"

Both servants nodded and moved quickly to their tasks.

"Beth, my darling let me hold him for a moment, you look as if you've not slept either," said Marianne softly.

Clinging to her son Beth was reluctant to let him go.

"Rest on the sofa there, I shall take him for some air" assured Marianne, "Please"

With some gentle encouragement, Beth agreed, her eyes fluttering closed almost as soon as her head touched the pillows.

Marianne let little John suckle on her finger trying to hush him, taking him out into the cool morning air. "There now, what's the matter," she said softly, "You are giving us quite a fright"

She walked with him around the gardens, explaining all the names of the flowers and trees trying to soothe him, but nothing seemed to work. Marianne returned to the house with a restless little babe.


The Doctor arrived and quickly saw the grave condition of little John. "How long has he been in this state?" he asked

"Only 2 days" replied Beth, "he grew worse last night and I brought him here"

Marianne explained, "Her guardian is my husband, she did the right thing"

The Doctor nodded, "Are you ready for some hard facts"

Beth instinctively took Marianne's hand and listened with dread, "I have found small red patches on his skin and most troubling on his tongue, I am pained to report this an acute cause of Scarlet fever"

Beth let out a cry of horror, "No! It can't be!"

Marianne questioned this diagnosis, "Doctor are you sure, babies aren't usually affected by this disease so young"

"With respect Madam" replied the Doctor, "I admit this is a rare case but my diagnosis is clear"

"Doctor" wept Beth, "is my son going to die?"

He paused, "That I do not know, if what you say is true, then this is a very early stage of infection and he could recover, but I cannot be sure"

"What do you recommend we do for him?" pleaded Marianne, "He's in so much distress"

"I have left several tonics that can be administered, but I cannot make any promises" he replied. "I will return daily to check on his condition, if it were to worsen at all, send for me immediately"

Beth was now at her son's cradle weeping, so Marianne was left to dismiss the Doctor, "Thank you for all you have done, my butler will see to your payment"

"Madam" he nodded, silently taking his leave.

Marianne moved to comfort Beth, "It is not hopeless my darling, please don't weep so"

"I cannot watch another die like this Marianne" cried Beth. "My mother was the same"

"Both scarlet fever?" she replied.

"Dead within hours" sobbed Beth. "this child is everything to me, he's the only thing I have I can't lose him"

Marianne held her close, "I promise we will do everything we can to save him"

"Where is the Colonel" Beth cried, "I need him here, please tell him to come back"

"Beth-I-I" stammered Marianne.

"What is it?" replied Beth. "Where is he?"

"I don't know" replied Marianne, her tears struggling to cling to her eyes. "He's gone away"

"He's deserted you?" exclaimed Beth in horror.

"No no," Mariane replied quickly. "Beth-now is not the time to tell you-"

"It's Willoughby isn't it," said Beth, knowing all too well. "He's gone after him hasn't he?"

"Yes" replied Marianne weakly. "He left whilst I was out on a social call on Friday"

"And he's not sent word" cried Beth, "That is not like him"

"I have heard nothing, I can only wait until he writes to me or I find some unspeakable report of a duel in the newspaper" replied Marianne. "I believe that is his intention"

Beth looked as if she might faint, "I cannot bear this"

"Dear one" exclaimed Marianne, "forgive my foolish words, they aren't appropriate for a time such as this. My brother in law has already sent a man after him, and my half brother has been informed as his family seek out in the Spring in Bath, that is where the Colonel has gone"

Marianne let Beth cry into her and tried to assure the terrified young girl,

"They will find him and they will bring him back"


Brandon and Keats arrived in Bath late on Friday evening. The pair took up residence in a small inn on the edge of town, an idyllic location with one way into town and one way out. Willoughby would have to scale the city walls to try and get away now.

He would never admit it, but after the thrill of chase had worn off, Brandon began to worry about Marianne. His sudden flight would have no doubt deeply hurt her, but his need for vengeance had perhaps this time clouded his judgement.

"Let's rest" suggested Keats, "We'll start a search tomorrow"

"No," replied Brandon. "We don't have a moment to lose"

Keats scoffed, "My friend we've travelled near seventy miles, I would desire some respite"

Brandon took up his hat, "If you desire to rest I will not keep you from doing so, I shall go alone"

"Now now Brandon" exclaimed Keats, "I cannot allow you to wander the streets of Bath alone"

"Then join me" replied Brandon smoothly.

"I never counted blackmail to be one of your defining characteristics," remarked Keats, pulling himself from his new beloved chair. "Yes I shall come"

Brandon smiled weakly, "My friend I do value this of you, it shall not be forgotten easily"

Keats pulled on his overcoat, "Just promise you'll weep and say an extra prayer at my funeral my friend, which may be very soon if we are not careful"