Part 14 (1/2)
”You would hand me over to my father knowing what he is? What he has done to me in the past? Is there nothing I can say or do to alter your decision?”
”It was never mine to make. You are a young woman-the daughter of an earl. In London you shall
experience the things all young women desire. You shall find a husband and make a home.”
”I want neither husband nor home,” Joanne cried, rising with tears br.i.m.m.i.n.g. ”I am happy here. Why can
I not stay? I will do whatever you ask. I know I can do better than I have. Please do not make me return to him.” Joanne broke into sobs.
Bending his resolve, Kenton rose and wrapped his arms about her. He could not bear her pain. ”You
must go to London come March,” he repeated as much to himself as to her, ”but I will see that it is not to
your father you go.” He raised her chin in his hand, forced her to look at him.
”Dry those tears-Mrs. Caern will wonder what is about,” he tried to tease, hoping she could not hear his pounding heart. When she reached for his kerchief, he stepped back.
”Now, that is better. I want you to send a message to Mrs. Daniels asking her to make only two of the day gowns you ordered, but of a finer cloth. Have one pelisse made and be certain it is lined with fur. Tell her she shall be paid for the entire order-even those things not now required.”
Yes, he thought, it will be better to wait and see what-Kenton shook his head and let the thought die uncompleted.
”There is a journey I must make,” Lord Jason began anew. ”Continue your lessons and your work at Irwin.” He smiled rea.s.suringly at Joanne's fearful, questioning look. ”I shall not be gone long. We must discuss this further when I return.”'
”When shall you leave?”
”In the morn.”
”Not so soon?”
”You are not to worry. I will see that Ames keeps check on you. You must excuse me now, for I must be about the trip's preparations.”
Joanne nodded and watched him go. Plopping dejectedly into his chair, she faced the windows. Was it all to end-the peace, the happiness?
How can I face my father? London? she asked, fear welling once more. How can Jason arrange for me to go to any other? Surely he could not mean for me to go to Aunt Evelyn? She looked down at the large volume open on the desk. A glance showed it to be Burke's listing of the aristocratic and landed families of England. Further investigation revealed it was open to the pages citing the Furness t.i.tle. Why had he looked to this? What did it mean?
Chapter Fifteen.
”The coach, Benjamin, the coach,” Joanne exclaimed as the pair topped the hill before Kentoncombe.
”He has returned. Hurry!” Ames urged the horse to a faster pace in answer to the eager joy he saw upon her features, heard in hervoice. Bounding out of the gig before Ames could halt it, Joanne raced to the coach. ”They be inside, milady,” Ben told her as he directed the removal of the last of the baggage. They? Joanne hesitantly entered the foyer. Who could have come with Jason? ”His lords.h.i.+p has returned, milady,” Nell greeted Joanne and reached to take her heavy cloak. ”He said you were to come to the library as soon as you have freshened up.”
”Who is with him?”
”To the truth, milady, no one knows. All bundled up she was and right to the library they went. Secret
like,” the young maid gossiped.
Relief filled Joanne. It was not her father. But who then? Curiosity turned her steps not to her chamber but toward the library. Patting stray wisps of hair in place, she half ran to it. Enough vanity had been
instilled that she paused for a moment outside the doors and tugged her skirts straight before bursting into the room.
At sight of the diminutive figure seated beside Lord Jason she froze.
”You said she was somewhat impulsive,” a lyrical voice noted. ”You are proven correct. I can see my
task will be somewhat strenuous.”
”Then you agree to my plan?” Kenton asked. He drank in Joanne's beauty.
”How could I refuse, seeing her? It will be a most interesting season. Who knows, she may even attract someone I may be able to snare.” She loosed a tinkling laugh. you are home.” She returned the pressure of his grip.
”And I,” he returned. Giving a mental shake, for he longed to put his arms about Joanne, he continued, ”But I must introduce you to our guest.”
The glimmer of triumph in Lord Jason's voice unconsciously irked Joanne more than the woman's resemblance to her mother bad shaken her.
”Here is someone who has been most anxious to meet you,” Kenton told Joanne. ”I present you to your aunt. Pauline, Comtesse de Clarte.”
The comtesse rose and stepped forward to embrace Joanne, who backed away. Only Kenton's grip upon her hand kept her in the library.