"Truly, Joanne, you must stop this-this sniffling about Kentoncombe. There is many a girl who longs to be in your circ.u.mstance-to be in London about to be launched into society at a grand ball."

"But I do not want to be," interrupted Joanne. "It all seems more to the style of showing a brood mare from what you have told me. I have no intention of being chosen like some-oh." Her lip quivered. Joanne blinked back tears.

"You shall feel better after a few days' rest. This is all new to you. It would be most enjoyable if you gave yourself half a chance. Do you not wish Lord Jason to be proud of you?"

The quivering lip hardened into angry lines. "He is not even thinking of me. Why should I of him?" she snapped. Grabbing the boxes of garments from the startled seamstress's helper, she stalked from the chamber.

The comtesse hurriedly followed. "You must not do this. Always have your things carried for you and slow your steps," she commanded. "The pace is much too unladylike."

Already Joanne was sorry for her outburst. "I am sorry, Aunt. You have gone to so much trouble for me and I continue to be horridly ungrateful. I do try you terribly, I know."

"Let us say your approach to matters is a bit different from mine. It has kept my life interesting these past weeks." Since she was still a step behind Joanne, the comtesse indulged in a highly pointed expression. Interesting indeed.

"We are finished with the shopping, are we not?" Joanne asked hopefully.

"Yes, my dear, we are. We have only to wait the arrival of all our purchases. Ah, here is Ned now."

The postilion drew the team to a halt before them and a footman a.s.sisted them inside. As they drove away, curses and yells from drivers and their masters mingled with the calls of vendors, beggars, and waifs.

The abandoned children of London wrenched Joanne's heart. They brought to mind little Ellen and deepened her respect for Dr. Ame's work at Irwin Manor.

"You may not stop the coach," the comtesse said, taking Joanne's hand which as she reached to tap the coach window.

"But they are so pitiful," Joanne said. The children's wretchedness also reminded her of her own childhood.

"There are too many for you to care for," the comtesse said kindly.

"Come," she chirped, "let us continue your study of the ton."

Resignedly Joanne looked out the closed windows and listened to her aunt's quips and informative

descriptions of the men of "quality" who happened to pa.s.s them. "Lord Samuel, he shall be at the ball. We have already had his reply. Beware of him-he is famous forpinching unsuspecting females. Oh, my dear, look. "It's Samuel Johnson and his friend Mr. Boswell. Lord Jason would enjoy visiting with them. EspeciallyJohnson about his pamphlet Taxation No Tyranny supporting the king. He certainly would be glad toknow it has been a failure in convincing the people. I heard the other day that Johnson is returning to theliterary field-writing an anthology of our poets, which should be accepted far better than his politicalwritings. His Dictionary was such a success." A sudden, indrawn breath from her niece turned her head. "Why, what is wrong?" she asked, seeing the chalk white face of fear upon Joanne. She glanced quicklyout the window and caught a glimpse of a straight-backed, harsh-faced man whipping his team throughthe jostling traffic. Taking the other's trembling hand she asked, "Was it your father?" Joanne nodded numbly. "I wondered when we would chance upon him. His reply is also come. He will be at the ball." "No," begged Joanne. "His invitation was from my own hand. He was asked to come as a favour to me, his dead wife's sister.

We have never met. Little does he suspect the surprise in store."

"I cannot go through with it," breathed Joanne.

"Can and will," clipped the comtesse.

Her sharp tone roused Joanne from her agitation. This tone from the gay, teasing comtesse?

"There are more people involved in this than you alone," sermonized her aunt. "You have my honour as

well as your own to uphold.

"I cannot believe you will fall and mew at the man's feet like a whimpering kitten. Are you spineless? La couard?"

The answering glitter in Joanne's eyes eased the comtesse's concern. The girl had to be free to be happy.

She had to face her demons.

"That is better. Now let us resume the lesson. Ah, there is Lord Humbolt-he would not make a bad husband-"

Ames fidgeted on the seat; tried to wriggle into a tolerable position. He pushed at the side cushion, Harrumphing mentally at the calm, relaxed features of the other, he closed his eyes. Sleep refused to come, despite his recent lack of it. Dr. Ames's thoughts turned to the cause of this mad, bone-rattling dash to London.

Returning to Kentoncombe the night of the departure of the two women, Ames had been greeted by a very distraught Mrs. Caern.

"Doctor, I am so glad you have come."

"What has happened?" he asked. Surely Kenton was not upset enough to-He could not complete the thought.

"Nothing-something. I don't know. What is one to make of it? After you left, his lordship ordered four bottles of his best port to be brought to his study. You know his lordship isn't a drinking man. What need did he have for four bottles?"

Mrs. Caern's gestures and expression almost made Ames laugh.

"I asked why and nary a word would he speak-like a great stone he was."

"Did you have the wine brought?"

"What else could I do? No one disobeys Lord Jason. Out of sight he has stayed since I set those bottles on his desk. He thanked me polite-like, but there was that look. I had not seen it upon him since-since he ended mourning for his wife, G.o.d rest her soul. He won't answer when I knock or call and he has locked the door."

"Have you another key?"

In answer she pulled one from the oversized pocket of her crisp white ap.r.o.n.

Ames took it. "I will see to him." Hurried strides took him to the study door. "It is Ames, my lord."

Putting his ear to the door, he heard no sound. The key clattered loudly to his ear as he turned it in the lock-the bolt thundered back. Ames pushed the door open.

"Why, Benjamin, how kind of you to come," Kenton greeted him softly, each word p.r.o.nounced with minute care.

On the desk before Kenton, Ames saw the four bottles-three and a half now stood empty. "Good eve, my lord." He advanced slowly while he pondered what to do. "May I join you?"

"Would ... you ... care ... for ... a ... gla.s.s ... of ... port?" In actions as slow and deliberate as his speech, Kenton reached for the half-empty bottle. He poured some into a second goblet, and refilled his own, not a drop spilled.

Taking a chair at the desk, Ames marvelled that Kenton was still conscious, much less lucid. For all expression betrayed the quant.i.ty he had imbibed.

"It is most sad, Benjamin," Kenton stated, staring ahead.

"What is, my lord?"

"That another should have her. And worse, you would have me go and witness it. I can be fool enough here."

With these words Kenton divulged the effect of the wine, for he would never have said such under usual conditions.

Curiosity prompted Ames to ask, "Why do you not woo her for yourself?"

"She thinks me too old-her father trusts me ... could not betray that." Kenton leaned forward, gripped Ames's wrist.

"You don't know what he did to her. He is worse than the renegade tomcat that devours its own young."

Ames drew back from the scathing contempt in the other's eyes. The tingling sensation in the wrist Kenton held turned his thoughts. "You are right, my lord," he soothed while prying at Kenton's fingers with his free hand.

Releasing his hold, seemingly unaware that Ames had spoken, Kenton's features were weighted with sadness. "I dare not harm her further in an attempt to gain my happiness."

"Mayhap her feelings have changed," Ames said, taking advantage of Kenton's state to broach the subject so long restrained. "It is true she once believed she felt toward you as a daughter, but that was months past. Her feelings have changed. You must speak-she cannot broach it."

"So ... sad," Kenton stated.

Ames realized he was too impaired by drink to understand. Somehow he had managed to get Kenton abed and stayed the night, certain the man would be taken ill.

In the morn Kenton did not have the grace to admit to even a headache. He asked Ames why he had stayed and apologized for any inconvenience in his usual calm, polite manner. Joanne's name was mentioned by neither then or any time until the letter from Furness.

Ames shifted on the golden velvet cushions again. Anything that looked so inviting had to have comfort somewhere within. To think he had despaired of Kenton's ever going to London. He thought back once more to that night of the three and a half port bottles, Kenton's one and only sign of distress. Through all the following clays he had followed his normal routines as far as Ames could discern-with one added element.

The time he would have spent with Joanne he now spent at Irwin Manor. The children enthusiastically welcomed his comings, for he always brought a treat-from sweets to rides in his open carriage. No one was left out or forgotten, but one in particular did Kenton seek out. One in particular watched for his daily comings-Ellen. The other children recognized instinctively that the two had a special need for each At times Kenton took Ellen atop Asteron and he toured his renters' cottages or checked stock and crops. Mrs. Caern and Ames, the two persons closest to him, found these days together eased the restless longing that showed only in his eyes when he thought he was un.o.bserved.

Neither knew that when Kenton was with Ellen, away from everyone, he spoke of Joanne. The child returned empathy. Kenton, with no fear of her exposing his words, spoke freely.

Three days before he left for London he had called upon the child.

"You are looking well this morn, Miss Ellen." He made an elegant leg to the young girl, who grabbed hold his neck as he did. "Happy to see me?" he asked, taking her up in his arms.

She nodded vigorously, then began going through his pockets. Finding the expected taffy, she hugged him and kissed his cheek before stuffing the candy into her mouth.

"She is doing well, Benjamin." Kenton threw a smile at Ames who had joined them.

"Very well. Her colour is good, she eats well-but you can see that.