With a jaw-stretching yawn Kenton drew on his breeches and sought the source of the noise. It was soon apparent that the commotion was coming from the coat-of-arms bedchamber. His guest had apparently awakened and not with the calm disposition he had antic.i.p.ated. Forgoing further clothing, Lord Jason dashed into the corridor and sprinted past the four doors of the chambers between his and the coat-of-arms. A loud crash against the door delayed his immediate entry.

During a lull in the action within he cautiously opened the door.

Nell saw him. "Milord, thanks be to G.o.d," she breathed in relief and then ducked as Lady Joanne threw another of the armorial shields that hung upon the far wall of the bedchamber. Sheathed swords, wrenched from the wall, littered the floor along with many of the shields.

Beleaguered, Meg strove valiantly to get close enough to Joanne to seize her. What she would do after that had not occurred to her.

Lord Jason thought the scene resembled too plainly a pair of hunting dogs who had cornered a prey beyond their capabilities. The humour of this pa.s.sed quickly as he realized that "prey" was exactly what Joanne thought she was. Her looks and movements were those of unthinking panick.

"Meg. Nell," he said loudly. "Out of here. I shall deal with this."

Both girls looked at their master askance but dashed for the door he held open.

"Good morn, my lady," Lord Jason addressed Lady Joanne calmly as he gave the door a push to close it. "We're are pleased to see you have awakened in such 'spirit.'" He smiled as he walked very slowly towards her.

Panting from her exertions, Joanne leaned against the wall, a small shield in her hands. Something about the man before her was familiar. His calm appearance and voice had a momentary subduing effect.

When a few feet from Joanne, Kenton held out his hand. "The shield," he said. "It must be uncomfortable to hold. Let me put it back for you."

Joanne's eyes followed his hand and then went down to the shield she held. She grasped for a decision and abruptly made it when she spied him take a step. Fearing he was about to grab her, she screamed and heaved the shield at him. you dislike this interruption."

His words caused Joanne, who was tearing frantically at another shield on the wall, to slowly turn and face him. She had expected the man to lay hold of her and was surprised to see that him walk to the door of the chamber.

"I shall leave you until you have recovered," he continued in a soothing voice. "You shall find your garments have been unpacked. Perhaps you wish to find a dressing gown. I shall return in a short while."

With a smile and a bow he withdrew.

The click of the door caused Joanne to run forward and pull on the handle. She gasped when it opened easily.

"You wish something, my lady?" Lord Jason asked. The door slammed in his face.

Inside the chamber Joanne leaned against the door, but no one tried to re-enter. When she cautiously pulled once more, it still opened easily. Secure in that knowledge that it had not been locked as she had feared, Joanne stepped over the articles strewn about the room where Mrs. Caern's neat order had reigned so shortly before.

The strangeness of her surroundings bewildered Joanne. She went to the windows and drew back the curtains.

The bedchamber faced the east and the reddish glow of the sun above the surrounding treetops bespoke a warm July day in the offing. The soft rose light cast by the rising sun illuminated the chamber. Turning from the wooded view Joanne took the chamber she thought to be her new prison.

The coat of arms name was given due to the collection of armorial shields on the far wall. Second in size only to the master's bedchamber, it was a large room which held the size of its decorations easily.

Despite the damage Joanne had done in her panic and fury upon awakening, the chamber's cleanliness and sense of order astounded her.

The unfamiliar odour of lemon and beeswax and the glossy shine of the dark, rich wood panelling and floor a.s.sailed her nose and eyes. Her gaze travelled from the deep-toned shimmer of the dark panelling of the walls to the Elizabethan frieze. A few swords and shields still hung in their proper places upon the far wall. On the west wall a ma.s.sive wardrobe, ornately carved, stood a short distance from the huge posted, draped bed. The reflection of the dawn's rays enhanced its beauty as the light gleamed off the cut surfaces. The last sputtering of a candle drew her eyes to the elaborate gilded sconces upon the third wall with their reflective mirrors and the large gilded, wrought-iron family crest that hung between them.

Joanne gave only a cursory examination to these, her main thought being that she must have been carried further. This was not the farmer's cottage at which the coach had halted. With a heavy sigh she trod back to the bed and drew back the remainder of the curtains before sitting down upon it. Fatigue a.s.sailed her.

She lay back and she slept once more.

Returning to his guest's chamber after having dressed, Lord Jason tapped lightly on the door and opened it slowly. The soft pink light flooding the room lay gently over Joanne. It gave her face the healthy hue it lacked and somewhat diminished the bruises' discolorations. went down for breakfast. The education of Joanne had begun.

Chapter Six.

The manor house was unnaturally quiet to Lord Jason when he entered near midday. Having seen to the work schedule, he had turned his mind toward his guest and determined to visit with her.

"Mrs. Caern," he called out.

In answer came a resounding crash of plate and silver followed closely by the higher-pitched crash of gla.s.sware. All issued from the floor above. This time no thought was needed to decide from whence the disturbance came.

Lord Jason bounded the few steps along the winding way to the coat-of-arms chamber.

Vile epithets sounded through the door. In her haste to leave the chamber Mrs. Caern trod upon his lordship's feet when Lord Jason attempted to enter.

"Truly, milord, you cannot expect us to serve the likes o' her. Why the chamber is a shambles," Mrs.

Caern protested vehemently.

"I shall see to her," he strove to calm the elderly woman. "Fetch a tray of tea and toast for Lady Joanne and a cold collation for me," he ordered, seeking to occupy her and thus distracting her.

"But milord, she will only ... the housekeeper protested.

"Have one of the serving girls bring it if you fear for yourself."

A glint appeared in her eye at this challenge. "Tea and toast. Aye, milord," Mrs. Caern answered with

smart crispness. With head up and shoulders back she walked briskly down the corridor.

A half-smile followed her briefly before Lord Jason turned and faced the half-opened doorway. Hisknock on the door's frame brought a crash as Joanne slammed the door in answer. What was it Furness wanted taught? Ah, obedience and respect, mused Lord Jason, slowly opening the door. The latter was certainly lacking.

"How good of you to bid me enter." he greeted Joanne with a smile.

Joanne hurtled a candlestick at him in greeting.

Catching it deftly, Kenton noted smoothly, "It is a bit early to have need of light. Mayhaps you mean you

have no wish for it after the sun retires? I will be pleased to return it to you upon your request." The emphasis upon the last word, indeed the man's demeanour, confused Joanne. Having seen only herfather and those select debauched few he allowed to come to Furness House, she had no means ofjudging the likes of Kenton. His manner was not that of a servant and yet the simplicity of the brown knitbreeches, the tall boots, a simple shirtfront and stock beneath the smooth-fitting coat, did not meet thestandards set by her father's intimates.

"I demand you take me to your master. I wish a coach immediately," she ordered, her voice rising to ward off hysteria.

"You are my guest. I would be considered a very bad host if I were to turn you out after such a brief visit, my lady. Why, you are hardly in a state to travel," he added, motioning at her degree of undress. A linen nightdress alone swathed her figure.

"I have sent for tea and toast for you, my lady. If you wish to dress we could partake of it on the north terrace. It is quite a pleasant view and well shaded," Lord Jason offered.

"Tea and toast," spluttered Joanne. "You call that food? I am famished! I demand food-beef, mutton-at once."

"Demand. Such a word does not become a lady, as well as a few others I have heard issue from you. I suppose we have your father to thank for that. As soon as we have imposed some order in your behaviour we shall have to see to your language," Kenton said as if to himself.

"Order in my behaviour-my language? Who are you to think to order me? I am the daughter of an earl. You must do as I say," she bluffed.

"I heartily doubt that I shall," he tossed back lightly. "No, indeed, it must be the other way for your benefit. You must learn."

"You-I will-report you to your master. Out of my chamber at once. How dare you to enter without my permission." Joanne ponderously swung about, searching for any object with which to make her point.

Ignoring her, Lord Jason opened the windows.

"I will catch my death," Joanne howled and dashed to close them. "Don't you know a draft has the worst consequences."

"I beg to differ, my lady," Kenton returned. He reached to reopen the windows. "Fresh air is what the const.i.tution needs and these windows are to remain open." His smile returned at her reaction; he could almost hear her tantrum brew.

Accustomed to screams and physical violence with any command, Joanne was uncertain how to view this calm firm tormentor who spoke with the authority to make his bidding followed ringing in his voice. Her consternation grew as he ignored her and surveyed the bedchamber.

"It is evident that this chamber is not to your taste," he said slowly, his expression very serious. "Therefore I will have all embellishments removed until such time as you can at least tolerate their presence," Kenton told Joanne when he turned back to face her. "You are my guest. I wish to provide all the conveniences at the command of Kentoncombe-for your enjoyment, not for your abuse."

Joanne did not note the hardening of the voice on the last phrase. Her mind had become keyed to the word Kentoncombe. "Then I am where he made arrangements to put me after all," the young woman said, bitterness in every word.

"And you are Lord Jason?" she asked with a sharp edge. Bowing, he acknowledged the fact.

"You do not seem to be of my father's ilk. What has he promised you to keep me prisoner?" Joanne

asked, her anger flaring once more.

"First," the steely voice belied the smile, "you are my guest-not my prisoner. Free to come and go as you choose.

"Secondly, Lord Furness has no hold upon me, now, nor ever will. I suggest you enjoy your visit here no matter what its duration."

"If I am free to go, why have you not ordered a coach to return me to Furness House?"

"I do not deem that wise. You need to rest and recover from the rigours of the journey here. We are not formal in our manner and have few visitors. You could be a welcome guest."

A knock at the door interrupted him.

"Enter," called Lord Jason.

Mrs. Caern cautiously pushed open the door. The disapproval on her features deepened when she saw