“I am thankful that you thought to send for supplies,” he said suddenly.
“I wish I did not have to,” Joanna replied. “I’m disappointed in my father. He should have known about the problems here. He adores these children so much that he will be heartbroken when he finds out what happened.”
She wanted to be angry with her father for not being more involved, but she knew he cared for the orphanage.
Kenneth opened his mouth, but whatever he had to say died on his tongue.
“It smells good. It will be lovely to dine here with the children,” Joanna commented while Sally and Judith kneaded the dough for a cake beside them.
“I cannot stay,” Kenneth said, robbing some of the warmth from her heart.
“You cannot?”
He shook his head. “There are things I must tend to.” He squared his shoulders. “In fact, I need to take my leave now.”
Disappointment settled in Joanna’s chest. They had hardly spent time together amid the chaos, and she found herself yearning for more.
“Oh, I see. I had hoped…” She waved a hand, unsure how to prolong the conversation.
Why was she so mournful over his imminent departure? This was dangerous territory she was in, and she knew it.
“I will call on you soon. We will… we will see one another.”
His words hung heavy, as she knew what he meant. They had to figure their situation out sooner rather than later.
Eager to know just when they might see one another, Joanna seized the opportunity to mention Judith’s cousin’s upcoming ball. “There is a coming out ball this weekend for Judith’s cousin. All of London will be there, even my father and many of his associates. Will you come?” she asked, a mix of eagerness and uncertainty in her voice.
Kenneth’s interest was piqued, and he inquired about the date. Learning that it was on Saturday, he eagerly agreed to attend.
“I shall be there,” he said. But something in the way he said it made Joanna think that there was more to his desire to attend the ball than just keeping her company.
Days ago, he’d not wanted to leave his house, thus she’d expected more resistance on his part. Yet, he appeared almost enthusiastic. Why was that?
As Kenneth took his leave, Joanna couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. Why was it that whenever she felt she was beginning to truly get to know him, he turned around and showed her yet another side of him she’d not seen before? Whywas it that something about Kenneth remained a mystery, no matter what she did?
CHAPTER 23
The following morning, Kenneth alighted from his carriage and stopped, suddenly struck by a strange panic as he looked at Barring Hall rising before him.
He hadn’t wanted to come here, but he knew he had to. He had to find out just what was going on at the orphanage, and Lord Barring held an important piece of the puzzle. Of course, he wasn’t alone. After leaving the orphanage, he’d at once consulted Leonard, and as always, his loyal friend had agreed to accompany.
Now, as Kenneth stood frozen in place, unable to move, Leonard put a supportive hand on his shoulder. “It must be difficult, being here,” he said in a low voice.
“It is. I never imagined I’d be here again,” Kenneth admitted, unable to take his eyes off the building before him.
The stately mansion loomed larger than he remembered, which was odd, given he’d been just seven the last time he’d been here. He’d expected it to look smaller somehow. Still, its imposing facade was a silent witness to the passage of time.
As he scanned the area where the fire had been, he saw no indelible mark left by the fire that had claimed Edward’s life. Of course not. Why should there be? Barring Hall had been renovated. Yet, somehow, it was almost offensive to Edward’s memory that there was nothing here to call attention to what had happened.
That is silly of me. Why should there be? Nobody wants to be reminded of what once was.
“Shall we?” Leonard prompted and took a few steps forward while Kenneth tried his best to banish the haunting image of flames and the acrid scent of smoke from his mind.
“I hadn’t expected it to look so different,” Kenneth murmured.
Leonard, sensing his friend’s inner turmoil, gently nudged him. “It’s been a long time, my friend. Things are bound to have changed.”
Kenneth shook his head, trying to dispel the memories that threatened to overwhelm him. “Twenty-two years, Leonard. I can see the fire, feel the heat, but the details of the mansion are like fragments slipping through my fingers.”
