The Education Of Joanne Part 10

"You and your gig are a welcome sight, Doctor," Joanne replied welcomingly. "The rains will make a mire of this road and everything else if they continue.

"No, do not step down. Take the basket and I can manage." Freed of its weight, Joanne lifted her skirts and took Ames's hand as she stepped up and sat in the hooded gig.

Dr. Ames glanced down at the neatly folded children's garments in the basket between them. "Surely you have not already completed the sewing you took with you on your last visit to Irwin?"

"There was little to do and I enjoy it immensely." She blushed modestly. "Mrs. Caern says I have learned to ply a needle with skill. I have her word the work is well done," she ended, proud of her success at the art.

"I am certain it is," the young physician replied. "You have been a great help since the beginning and now you are indispensable with the children. It does puzzle me though, why you trouble so over my little foundlings."

"There is no mystery in that. I too was a foundling-" Joanne paused as he glanced at her questioningly.

"But most of all it is the first time in my life that I feel useful-wanted, needed perhaps. The children are so willing to give of what little they have, be it only love.

"Tell me, do you still have hope Ellen will speak?"

"Her physical health has much improved since she came to Irwin-due in large part to your care," he smiled. "At times I wonder if she is not older than the four years we believe her to be. There is a sense of wisdom about her."

"Yes, she looks like a sad old woman at times as she sits watching the other children play," Joanne agreed.

"I fear her lack of response to others is a sign her mind may have been affected-by disease or misuse,"

Dr. Ames sadly noted. "Perhaps that is why she does not speak. If so, she may never."

"Oh, I hope not," Joanne said alarmed. "Mrs. Caern helped me make this rag doll." She reached into the basket and drew out a floppy creature dressed in sc.r.a.ps from her own new day dresses from beneath

"What gift from you would not please, my lady?" he answered, taking his eyes from the road to gaze tenderly at Joanne.

In her naivete she laughed. "You say the oddest things, Dr. Ames. Seriously, I do hope she will like it. I know I would have."

Dr. Ames's wry smile-caused by her first remark, was lengthened by the second. The daughter of an earl would have been pleased by a rag doll? Shaking his head, he flicked the reins, hurrying the horse onward.

What strange comments from this ever-prettier Lady Knoll, he thought. * * * *

"Where can she be?" Lord Jason asked for what sounded like the thousandth time.

"I do not know, milord," Mrs. Caern repeated. "She went out right after luncheon to take the sewing she had done back to Irwin Manor. I understood she was to return immediately after delivering it. Perhaps she stayed on a bit to visit with the new little girl, Ellen. She is quite taken with the child. Why, she even had me help her make a rag doll for her."

A smile appeared at Lady Joanne's eagerness over a simple doll.

"It will be dusk soon and rain may be coming in," continued Kenton's paternal rumblings.

"'Tis probably the doctor, Lord Jason," said Mrs. Caern. "If he is at Irwin he may have insisted Lady Joanne wait until he is finished so he can drive her home. After all, it is several hours before the guests are to arrive."

Worry creased Lord Jason's usually tranquil features. "I will wait only a half hour more-tell me if she has not come home by then," he instructed.

"Do not concern yourself overly-she is excited about the party and would not wish to be late," Mrs. Caern a.s.sured Kenton.

An unconvinced shake of his head answered her. Something was not right. He could feel it. "I will be in my study."

Seated at his desk, Lord Jason watched the low clouds tumble slowly, ever-increasing-signs that rain soon would be falling. Abstractedly he drummed his fingers upon the desktop, then unlocked and pulled open the centre drawer.

A smile replaced his frown when he removed a small, delicately carved oak jewel box. Unlatching the clasp, he gazed down at the simple golden rose nestled in the red velvet, its small gold chain draped across the smooth folds. Kenton's smile deepened as he wondered what Joanne's reaction would be to the coat-of-arms chamber this eve.

Over the past three months he had slowly ordered the return of various items of its decorations and adornments. This day he had seen the armorial shields and swords hung back in their places along the bare wall and the replacement of his family crest and the mirrored sconces. The rose so fragilely formed from gold which lay before him was modelled after the one found in his crest and repeated in the Elizabethan frieze about the chamber that Joanne had once remarked upon. Knowing she had no jewellery, Lord Jason had had the rose wrought for her. It would be the perfect complement to the simple blue gown she would wear this eve. Not even to himself would he admit how much he hoped she would be pleased by the gift.

"Milord! Milord!"

Kenton snapped shut the carved jewel box and put it back in the drawer.

Mrs. Caern stumbled and righted herself as she hurried in, ashen. "Milord, Dr. Ames is without. He says he just left Irwin and Lady Joanne was not there nor to be seen on the road."

His fears settled on Kenton. His steeled discipline and calm a.s.serted itself. "Is Dr. Ames still here?" he asked quietly.

"Aye, milord. He said he would await you."

"Fetch my cloak and gloves. Send one of the maids to order Asteron saddled and brought to the door at once." Kenton patted his housekeeper's broad back.

"Remain calm, now," he said as they entered the corridor and went their separate ways.

Pointed questions and quick answers from Dr. Ames added no light on Joanne's whereabouts. The doctor had taken her to Irwin but was certain she had taken her leave at least two hours earlier than he because of the dinner party. While the two men discussed the possibilities, Mrs. Caern appeared with a cloak and gloves. The warmth of the cloak when he swung it about his shoulders heightened Kenton's concern. The evening chill could be harmful to one not dressed properly.

Two grooms came from the stables leading Asteron.

"Ben," Lord Jason called to one, "fetch me a lantern." His attention swung back to the doctor.

"We are agreed then. You shall go back to Irwin and search there. I will search along the road and the paths she may have taken."

With a farewell nod Dr. Ames whipped his horse. The gig lurched forward as he set a swift pace up the hill.

At the door of Kentoncombe, Lord Jason swung into the saddle and took the lantern. "Ben, take three men-mounted-and search along the main road to Irwin for Lady Knoll who has not returned. I will search the footpaths she may have taken.

"If you find her, take her to the closest manor house and send word." He started forward but swung Asteron back in a circle to the doorway.

"Send messages to those invited to the dinner stating it will be held at a later date-with my apologies," he shouted to Mrs. Caern. Digging his spurs into Asteron's flanks, he and the stallion surged to the hilltop and were gone. Holding the flickering beam aloft, Lord Jason urged Asteron to a brisk walk.

If Joanne were along either path he could only hope she would see the light or hear him call and shout out in answer. If she were unconscious, it would be full light before they could find her. His heart tightened at the thought. She could catch a death of a chill or-Kenton stopped the wild racing of his thoughts and peered more steadily into the milky fog that was slowly engulfing everything.

Joanne would be found-found unharmed and probably up to one of her headstrong impulses, he told himself, attempting to find some humour in the situation. But, by G.o.d, she would be found. Long ago she had ceased to be a stranger, a mere challenge to his skill. She was more.

Yes, she was more, he realized. Only his heart admitted how much more.

Chapter Twelve.

Rain pattered lightly upon the dusty, smeared window of the attic chamber. Huddled in one of its dusty, web-filled corners, Joanne hugged her knees tightly as the rain drummed on the roof. The sound filled the darkness. Terror drove away all coherent thought.

Tiny feet scratched and scurried across the room. Joanne bolted upright, a terrified statue, then ran to the wall searching frantically for the door. It would not budge, as it had not done since the bar on the outside had crashed down with such thunderous finality several hours ago. She had cried for help till her voice was a raspy, useless thread.

I shall go mad, she thought and sagged against the door. Utterly mad.

You never did when that witch of a nanny locked you in as a child and you won't now, her mind heckled.

"I don't want to think of it," Joanne cried in a painful croak, despair ever nearer. "Please, I don't want to think."

"Are you certain there was no sign of her?" Lord Jason shouted at Ben through the bl.u.s.tering wind and squalls of rain.

"Aye, milord. Nothin' to be seen. We must wait till break o' day to search," the groom shouted.

"Look. Someone be comin'," another groom yelled.

All heads turned to the bobbing light coming from the direction of Irwin Manor. Kenton raised his cloak to allow the light of his shielded lantern to shine. The bobbing slowed. The men on the road moved to one side as a gig halted in their midst.

"Did you find her?" Dr. Ames called to Kenton.

Sidling Asteron to the gig's side, Lord Jason shook his head. "What did you learn?"

her ladyship was in a hurry on this occasion."

"Did anyone see her leave Irwin?" Kenton asked.

"No, none saw her even on the grounds. We have searched all the buildings several times over."

"The girl, Ellen. Did you question her?"

"The child? The matron said she was unusually upset and refused to eat, so I did not think it wise. There

could be little learned, for she has yet to speak a word."

"I will see that for myself," Kenton flung back. Handing the lantern to another, he urged Asteron toward Irwin at the fastest pace he dared in the treacherous muddy footing. The others followed.

Dr. Ames cursed, startling himself. It was impossible to turn the gig here. He angrily flicked the reins.

"Kenton is mad to think Lady Joanne is still at Irwin. The fool-why does he not search the paths? I would-" his voice died away. There was naught he could do but make for the junction so he could return to Irwin.

Mud splashed onto Lord Jason was washed away by the rain squalls as he galloped on the waterlogged road to Irwin. His usual concern for his steed forgotten in his urgency to find Joanne.

Ben and the other grooms sloshed up the steps of Irwin shivering in their drenched clothing. Their discomfort was forgotten when they heard a very unfamiliar sound-their master's upraised voice.

"Quiet all of you," Kenton roared at the babbling women surrounding him.