his lordship and the "lady" dressed only in her bedgown. Did the girl have no decency?
Bearing laden trays, Meg and Nell followed, eager to catch a glimpse of the scene.
"Take those to the north terrace," Lord Jason ordered crisply, stepping forward.
"No!" shouted Joanne, her eyes bright at the sight of the cold beef, biscuits, and other foods upon Meg"s tray. She hurried forward to grab the tray but Kenton grabbed her arm and stayed her. When she made
to pull free she found her other a prisoner.
"To the terrace," snapped Lord Jason.
Joanne erupted. She writhed, kicked, and screamed.
The serving girls and Mrs. Caern left with all haste. The girls glanced fearfully over their shoulders. Mrs.
Caern thought this was only justice for his lordship"s lenience.
"Bring back that food! I demand it."
"My lady, to demand is to receive nothing," Lord Jason tried to tell her while he stayed out of striking
distance of her feet. "To ask politely is to receive everything."
Her senses befogged with anger, Joanne did not listen. From attacking she turned to trying to escape.
Sensing the change, Kenton released her.
Joanne dashed to the bed, heaved herself atop it, and dissolved into sobs.
When the blubbering slackened, he told her, "Since you choose not to break your fast, I suggest you formally here, as you may have noted. A day gown would be adequate this eve.
"Till then, my lady." Bowing, he left.
Mrs. Caern awaited him on the terrace. She poured his tea when he sat. "Milord, I must speak," she began.
"That will not be necessary," Kenton answered. "I know this is a trial for you and all the servants but one you must bear. There is no choice." His look confirmed his determination.
"Aye, milord," she answered tiredly, "but-"
"Resign yourself-matters shall improve. Now," he opened his napkin and placed it in his lap, "this afternoon while Lady Joanne is out of her chamber or asleep strip the room of everything. Leave only the bed and the wardrobe. Speak with the members of the household and instruct them to avoid the young woman. I wish no one to speak with her until I give permission."
"Aye, milord." She quizzically shook her grey head in acknowledgement of the orders.
"Also, Lady Joanne is to be given nothing to eat without my approval. No order of hers is to be obeyed."
"But, milord-"
"Mrs. Caern, in all of our years together I have never heard so many "buts." You have not questioned the wisdom of my actions in the past."
"If that is all, milord," she said in a subdues voice, "I"ll return to my work."
Dismissing her with a nod Lord Jason settled back in his chair. Neither the bright reds, yellows, and purples of the summer flowers edging the terrace nor the tempting food on the tray before him caught his attention. He seemed to stare at the sculptured shrubbery just beyond the terrace backed by the formal gardens, but his mind was fastened onto the last two conversations he had just completed.
Realizing he had unconsciously made the commitment to try to "civilize" the young woman, he wondered how it had come about. That question was soon overrun by the desire to learn more of Lady Joanne and the cause of her plight. If only there were some way to fathom the reasons behind her actions, he thought.
Her upbringing was strangely lacking, for she felt no need for nor displayed any ladylike modesty, and yet an innocence lay behind that. Her treatment of the servants, of everything around her was abominable. But-Lord Jason paused. But there has to be a reason for it all. She does not appear to act from spite. Only through a lack of knowledge of any other way to behave.
Certain of that, Kenton thought about what he sensed most clearly-an unsubdued bitterness and fear, more often than not ill-masked by anger. The fear hovered always in the depths of her eyes. He could not turn her away.
Furness had made it clear in his note that Furness House would be forbidden the girl. If Kenton arranged It was impossible to turn the child out-to put her upon the mercies of the likes of Furness. Lord Jason sighed and straightened in his chair. Perhaps he had uncannily taken the right direction. He hoped it was the proper course of action. But could he educate Joanne to the ways of polite society?
Chapter Seven.
A week had pa.s.sed. The longest week in Mrs. Caern"s memory. Expectation of the next explosion filled the manor and the minds of all except Lord Jason. The elderly housekeeper did not know if she should take pride in his lordship"s restraint and calmness or view it as early lunacy.
About Lady Joanne Mrs. Caern was not undecided. Never had such a wilful, arrogant, utterly spoiled tormentor been ensconced at Kentoncombe. Joanne"s adjustment to her new regimen was nonexistent. If there were no improvement soon, Mrs. Caern would not blame the servants for giving their notice, as a few had been heard to threaten in low mumbles.
Screeches and screams alerted Kenton of the latest outburst of his guest. Alone in his study, he indulged in a frown, something hidden from everyone at Kentoncombe. He reluctantly admitted to having made not even the smallest progress with the girl.
Not true, wry humour prompted. She has eaten little.
Since the meals she received were based on good behaviour, there would have been none except for the bending of the premise. It was discernible to the studious eye that the seams of Joanne"s gowns, though still strained, were no longer in danger of bursting.
But this is the only hopeful note in the entire dirge, Kenton thought sadly. A breakthrough must be found or I will be forced to admit defeat before I am properly begun.
Lord Jason turned around when he realized the commotion, rather than dying out, approached his study.
Before he could rise, the door was thrown open and a hapless Nell was shoved in by a livid Lady Joanne.
"What is the meaning of this?" Lord Jason asked calmly, the hardening of his eyes alone betrayed his anger.
"You will instruct this wench to answer me when I question her," Joanne shouted at him.
"You are not to raise your voice, my lady," he said.
"Nell, return to your duties." Kenton helped the shaken girl rise.
"No! She will go when I dismiss her!"
With a reprimanding glance at Joanne, Lord Jason took Nell"s hand and led her to the door. "Go on! I shall see this does not happen again," he rea.s.sured her. "Go now, everything is all right."
"You have no right to treat me like this. Order that girl back at once."
Stone-faced and silent he glared at her.
"I"ll get her then," Joanne snapped.
Kenton blocked the way.
"Stand aside!" Joanne slapped him across the face.
His features barely twitched but a livid red patch marked the blow.
Confusion battled with rage when he did not react. "What is wrong with you?" Joanne challenged. "Can you never act-like others? Why do you never show anger?" Tears of frustration streamed down her cheeks. If there had been a way to flee, she would have taken it; instead she was forced to face this seemingly unperturbed man who still barred her way.
Kenton"s stoic look and silence fanned Joanne"s flagging ire. A stream of vile epithets that showed she
had been giving no little amount of her idle time to the subject, poured out.
"d.a.m.n you. Can you not speak?" Joanne demanded, breathless and choked by half-sobs. "Why will no one speak to me? In my father"s house at least they spoke to me," she half pleaded.
"Speak to me."
His lack of response spurred her and, grabbing a bisque figurine from a nearby table, she hurled it at
Kenton, who did not move. "Are you not human?" Joanne asked through her tears. She took a step closer. "Speak to me or I"ll bring this room to shambles!"
Lord Jason stood quiet and unmoving.
In a last burst of frenzy Joanne pummelled his chest. "Why? Why do you torment me?" she sobbed, her
blows weaker. "You must speak to me." Frantic, she grabbed the collar of Kenton"s jacket. "Or at least let me send for my books."
No flicker of any emotion crossed Kenton"s face.
"What does it take? Tell me! Please!" Joanne"s head sagged. She dropped her arms to her sides.
Her "please" worked like a magic incantation. Kenton whipped his kerchief from his pocket, and put an arm consolingly about Joanne"s shoulder. He raised her face and gently wiped the tears away. "My lady,"
he said softly, "I have always been open to conversation. You must learn to speak with other than orders or demands.
"As for books, you may have all you desire from my library. All for the asking. You will find I have quite
a complete selection."
The tortured girl knew not what to make of this new tenderness in the man"s eyes or the gentleness of his touch. She had never experienced either.
"Come." Kenton guided Joanne to a chair. "I will pour you some Madeira. It will calm your nerves." He placed his kerchief in her hands. "Use this to dry your eyes." her. He pressed a goblet of wine into her hands. "Drink this, please, my lady."