The matron and her underlings were startled into instant silence and protectively drew together.
Mrs. Brasmen, chosen as matron because of her size and voice as well as her skill, put her hands on her hips. "I say again that you cannot see the child, my lord. There is nothing she can tell you-she does not speak." The woman paused, then tried another tactic.
"Let us dry your cloak," she said more gently, "and make some hot drink to warm you."
During this exchange Ben and his men edged inside the open door, seeking shelter. Dripping water pooled about them and they shuffled their feet as they tried to buff some feeling into the cold numbness.
Kenton noticed them and his stance relaxed. "You are correct, Mrs. Brasmen. It would not be of any
value to frighten the child." He drew his soaked cloak from his shoulders and held it out. "I would appreciate your taking my men to the kitchen to dry themselves. For me, some hot chocolate, please."
His calm voice and aristocratic manner stayed Mrs. Brasmen"s objection. She had not counted upon a
host of wet grooms in her kitchen. "Miss Hampsen, have these men follow you. Instruct Cook to make hot chocolate. Bring it to the library please."
"Be seated, my lord," the matron continued after they reached the library.
halted her objection. "I do not intend her any harm."
Mrs. Brasmen"s jaw worked but she did not speak. Who was she to prevent his lordship in this? It was his generosity that provided the manor house. Summoning her most severe look, she spoke. "As you wish, my lord, but I take no responsibility for the consequences."
Small white feet peeked out from beneath the floor length bedgown. Ellen"s small head hung and her small
hand clutched a rag doll as she stood before Lord Jason.
"Leave us," he instructed the matron. "Come closer, Ellen," he spoke softly. "I have some hot chocolate.
Would you not like a sip?"
The small head nodded.
"Then come," Kenton urged gently. Like a toy, he lifted Ellen to his lap. Taking his cup he put it to the child"s lips. Her eyes never left his as she took a sip.
"What a pretty doll you have," he admired. "Is this the one Lady Joanne made for you?"
Her hold tightened about it. Fear came to the wide blue eyes. Ellen"s bottom lip quivered.
"Lady Joanne gave it to you today, didn"t she?" he asked.
Guilt mingled with fear upon Ellen"s face.
"Did Lady Joanne leave Irwin today?"
Ellen shook her head.
Lord Jason studied the little girl Joanne cared for so much. "Is Lady Joanne still in the Manor?" he
asked.
a.s.sured by his soothing voice and calm manner Ellen nodded.
"Could you show me where?
"Remain here," Kenton instructed Mrs. Brasmen and Miss Hampsen when he followed Ellen into the
corridor.
Fear nibbled through Joanne"s thin veneer of courage. She s.n.a.t.c.hed at thoughts to hold terror at bay. To her surprise her pleasant memories were connected with Lord Jason. His smiling face and calm voice appeared as clearly as a portrait in her mind"s eye. Unconsciously she let down the barrier she had constructed so tenaciously.
He always treats me with respect, she realized. The sound of his "my lady" echoed faintly in her mind.
Joanne"s smile grew as she recalled the slight inflection he used in those two small words when she was at her most unladylike.
Ragged lightning jarred the darkness. As it slashed through the night, a new thought came to her.
"Why, I never hated Lord Jason," Joanne marvelled aloud. "I never thought-I must-no.
"No, it is that he is a father to me."
Yes, she a.s.sured herself silently. It is just that he is more a father than my own ever was. Will I ever be
able to let him know- "Joanne! Joanne!"
She shook her head. Her imagination was too vivid.
"Joanne! Answer me, Joanne!"
Footsteps and a feeble flash of light beneath the door"s edge brought Joanne to the door. "Jason," she
cried pummelling it.
When it opened she flew into his arms; clutched him tightly. "You found me," she sobbed with relief.
"Ellen led me to you," he said softly as his arms closed possessively about her. He savoured the sound of
his name upon her lips. "I have found you," he murmured as he laid a kiss upon her tresses, his emotions
tumultuous.
Neither heard Dr. Ames"s call as they stood locked together. Lady Joanne naively certain of her feelings.
Jason Kenton revelling in and yet d.a.m.ning his own.
Chapter Thirteen.
The bobbing light and excited babble broke the mood that had enveloped Lady, Joanne and Lord Jason.
"You are unharmed?" he asked and stepped back but kept his hold upon her.
"I shall always be so with you near," Joanne answered and wondered at the strained look that appeared in his eyes.
"Thank G.o.d!" rang from the far end of the corridor. "You have found her," Dr. Ames exclaimed as he ran to them.
Behind him came Mrs. Brasmen and Miss Hampsen. The matron"s keen eye took in Lord Jason"s hold upon Lady Knoll and the young woman"s adoring eyes. "A fine business," she muttered, "getting herself lost on purpose."
More loudly she exclaimed, "Lady Knoll, oh, the wonder of it. You are found and unharmed. I should have been hysterical ages ago and here you stand so calmly. Surely you must rest. Come to my chamber-here, I have my vinaigrette." She forced Kenton to step back and put an arm around Lady Joanne"s waist.
"Let me help you," Miss Hampsen solicitously added, looking somewhat enviously from Lord Jason to Neither lady was misunderstood by the two men. Ames subdued a grin at the sudden awkwardness.
Kenton tightened his jaw.
"No, no," laughed Joanne, shrugging free from the two attentive ladies. "I am fine now that I am free,"
and shared the double meaning with Kenton. Turning to Ellen, Joanne scooped her into her arms. The
little girl responded with a choking hug.
The sight of the dishevelled Joanne and clinging child touched Ames deeply. He glanced at Kenton. The pain he saw behind the other man"s wan smile told him much.
"Let me take the child," Lord Jason said quietly, stepping forward. "She has done well. We must give
her a biscuit with lots of b.u.t.ter and jam-and the rest of that hot chocolate."
Ellen turned, her face wreathed in a smile, and reached out.
Taking her, Kenton swung her up in the air and around to his back. He retrieved the oil lamp as soon as
Ellen had secured a hold. "Dr. Ames, please take Lady Joanne"s arm. We wouldn"t want her to fall.
"Ladies," he nodded at the other two, "if you will follow me, let us return to warmth."
"So you see, it was not Ellen"s fault. When the door blew shut, the bar dropped accidentally. There was