"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 lordship 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.

"My child, what is wrong?" the comtesse asked, her hurt unconcealed. "You cannot know my joy at learning Joanna had a daughter. I was in France when she married Furness-a tragic mistake on her part.

"I have been in London these five years past-ever since my husband, my dear comte, pa.s.sed away." She sighed sadly. "But enough of me.

"Imagine my surprise when Lord Jason appeared at my door and told me of your existence," she said. Her hands fluttered gracefully.

Joanne's gaze went from the small delicate figure to Lord Jason. The stern frown she found there sent it back to the first. "I-I am-pleased to meet you," she stammered and found her hand freed.

A cough from the corridor turned all to face Dr. Ames. "I wished to add my welcome upon your return, my lord," he told Kenton while appreciatively taking in the unknown lady.

"Thank you, Benjamin. May I introduce Lady Joanne's aunt, the Comtesse de Clarte. Comtesse, this is Dr. Ames. He has established a foundling home at Irwin Manor and visits us oft."

"Most charmed, Comtesse," Ames said, bowing deeply. "Your coming will brighten the dull moments of this winter for all of us."

Eyes twinkling, the comtesse gave a coquettish wink. "Most flattering, Docteur. I look forward to becoming better acquainted with you."

"An excellent prospect, but alas, now I must excuse myself. There are several calls I must make before this eve." He bowed once more to the comtesse, turned, and shook hands with Kenton.

"Glad to have you back. Lady Joanne has been most anxious for your safe return," Ames told him, trying to give a hint of how things really lay.

"Word has come that General Howe drove the colonial army from Trenton in early December." He c.o.c.ked his head and with a wry grin continued, "But Dr. Fowler was not pleased, for the same letter told how General Washington had retaken the city in less than three weeks. Now he is for Parliament raising our taxes and impressing more unfortunates to be sent to reinforce Howe. Enough, let us keep this for later discussion. I am already late. Lady Joanne," he nodded. "I will walk with you to the door, Benjamin," Joanne said, flinging a challenging glare at Kenton as she spoke the physician's given name.

The younger couple gone, the comtesse looked gravely at Lord Jason. "The child will not accept me."

"Joanne is not a child," Kenton said more sharply than he meant to. "Wilful like a child at times, and certainly guileless in the ways of society-of men, but no child."

The comtesse raise a brow. A faint smile played upon her lips. "No," she said slowly, "she is not a child.

But that does not alter the matter. Perhaps it only increases the difficulty."

"Please do not give up before you have even begun. I believe it is your resemblance to her mother that has upset her. Furness has tossed her mother's beauty and grace at Joanne since birth and she has not always possessed the looks that she now has. If you could have seen her when she came to Kentoncombe you would realize what progress site has made.

"I cannot overstress how misused she has been. There will be only tragedy for her if she must return to her father. He will destroy all the changes that have been wrought. In your care and with your guidance Joanne will have a successful season. You must do this."

Once again she wondered what caused this man's intensity whenever he spoke of Joanne or the glow in his eye when she had appeared. Only parents were this caring-or lovers.

"I have not said I would not, my lord. Ease your mind. The challenge shall prove most exhilarating-a respite from my dull widow's life," the comtesse sighed.

Several days pa.s.sed and once again the comtesse and Lord Jason spoke of Joanne.

"But you must see how much she dislikes the idea." The delicate face frowned. His lordship was being very thick-headed. "Why must she go to Loudon? Would not the young docteur take her to wife?" she asked lightly.

Kenton's eyes narrowed. "She insists she cares for him only as a brother."

"But what of yourself?"

"Myself?" Kenton repeated, masking his features, despite his shock at the question.

"Why, yes. It is not uncommon for a man of your age to take a young wife and mold her as he desires. If the two of you deal well together, and from what I have seen you do, why not marry?" she ended matter-of-factly.

"Because she thinks of me as a father," Kenton answered with dry honesty. How could he explain he was being torn by his decision not to press his unwelcome suit on Joanne? That he believed his doing so would harm her, or worse, bring her to hate him.

"Oh. Oh," the comtesse said pensively. "But I am certain that is not-never mind my chatter." It was very evident that Lord Jason believed what he had said.

Rising, she walked to where he stood in the centre of the room. Taking both of his hands in her small

delicate fingers she smiled. "All will be right for her. I shall do my best to see to that."

"Thank you, my lady." Emotion rang deep in his voice. Kenton bowed and raised one of her hands to his lips. The rustle of skirts behind him as he did so announced Joanne's presence.

"Lady Joanne, we were just speaking of you. The comtesse wishes to move her things to the Queen Anne bedchamber. She will be much closer to you there," Kenton told her.

And to you, thought Joanne, the image of Kenton kissing the comtesse 's hand seared in her memory. The older woman noted the younger woman's reaction but hid her mild amus.e.m.e.nt. Rarely have seenthe actions of a "father" arouse jealousy, she thought. This shall prove most interessant. * * * *

The frigid air from the coast began to thaw as February ended. The first day of March saw the first bright