She looked around the workroom. “You’ve not done much since you’ve been here.”

“I’ve had interruptions. Which I’m now trying to avoid.”

The woman ignored the broad hint. “Are you good at this making of glass?”

“I’m very good. I shall be much better.”

This time the smile was wider, revealing large, even teeth. “At least you don’t lower your eyes and stammer modestly. A woman should be confident. If she has something to say, she should say it. Did Gregor say your father was also a writer?”

“My father was a poet.”

“Oh, that’s right. I seldom read poetry.” She came over to the table. “I’ve never heard of him.”

“He had only one poem published five years ago. ‘Ode to an Autumn Day.’ It was lovely.”

She looked at her searchingly. “Was it truly?”

To her astonishment Marianna found herself telling the truth. “No, he wasn’t a good poet, but he was a very good man.”

“So you lied to him and praised him and made him happy.” Dorothy’s lips curled. “And put your neck beneath the chariot of the oppressor.”

“He was not in the least oppressive, and I see nothing wrong in making someone you care about happy.” She was growing weary of defending poor sweet Papa. “It’s time you left, my lady.”

“Dorothy.” She gestured impatiently. “I’ve offended you. You’ll find it’s a habit of mine. I’m not one to mince words.” She looked around the workroom. “I believe we’ll get on better than I thought. You’re no milk-and-water namby-pamby. I was afraid at the first put-down I’d have to catch you as you swooned.” She grimaced. “I have little patience for such nonsense.”

“You will not have to display patience… in Dorchester.” She paused. “I have no need of you here.”

“Gregor thinks you do, and Jordan would certainly never have invited me here, if he hadn’t had reason.” Her eyes narrowed on Marianna’s face. “Tell me, did he attempt you?”

Heat burned Marianna’s cheeks at the bluntness of the question.

“You don’t need to answer. Most unusual. Jordan has always determinedly avoided youngsters.” Dorothy smiled cynically. “What is more unusual is that he’s chosen to protect you from himself.” She walked over to the window and looked out at the hills in the distance. “I might make the ton accept you, but I will-”

“I don’t want anyone to accept me. I want to be left in peace.”

“And what of your brother? Children can be savages and follow their parents’ example. Do you want the village children to throw rocks and filthy words at him because his sister is a whore?”

“No!”

“Then you must not be a whore in anyone’s eyes.”

It was the argument Gregor had used, and the one she couldn’t refute. “And I suppose you can prevent this by your mere presence?”

“No, it will take a good deal more than that. Though I have a certain presence that tends to cow the easily frightened.”

And the not so easily frightened, Marianna thought.

“And, due to my father, who was a shameless gossip, I have a store of scandalous secrets on almost every family at Prinny’s court.”

“What good would that do?”

Dorothy’s brows lifted in surprise. “That’s the first hint of naïveté I’ve seen in you. One tends to forget how young you are. It is a weapon, my dear.” She drew herself up to her majestic height. “Now, we must come to terms. I have no intention of fighting the ton and you. Will you give me your cooperation?”

What else could she do if she was to protect Alex? she thought resignedly. Life at Cambaron was becoming increasingly complicated. “Within reason.” She added quickly, “And as long as it doesn’t disturb my work.”

“Done. We will work around it.” She frowned. “We must have a plan.”

“You mean a lie. You sound like Gregor.”

“Actually, Gregor did quite well, but we must do better. You are fifteen, not sixteen. It’s only one year, but considering everyone knows of Jordan’s dislike of young girls, perhaps it will help a little. We will say you are a bookish young miss interested only in her lessons and her hobby.”

“Working with glass is not my hobby.”

“It is now. Craftsmen are not acceptable to the ton.”

“Then all the more reason why I should not try to enter their ranks.”

“Your brother,” Dorothy reminded her.

Marianna’s hand clenched on the pen. “I will not spend one more minute than necessary on this nonsense.”

“Don’t worry, I could not trust you for long periods. You would ruin everything.” She frowned. “Now, when Jordan is here, there must always be guests. On no account must you be alone with him.”

“We are hardly alone with hundreds of servants and Gregor and-”

“It is not the same,” she said impatiently. “And I shall tell him in public he must be indulgent, perhaps even a little bored in his attitude toward you.” She shook her head in disgust. “I must be mad. What am I trying to do? They might believe it of some men, but not the Duke of Diamonds.”

“Duke of Diamonds?”

“One of the titles that’s not recorded as Jordan’s birthright. He earned it himself.” She saw Marianna’s interest and continued, “He left the university at sixteen and became the darling of the court, just as he was the darling of Cambaron. He didn’t come into his father’s money until he was twenty-one, but he had inherited a fortune from another branch of the family that he could use at once. He became a notorious womanizer and gambler, into every wickedness imaginable.”

It was essentially what Jordan had told her about himself. “What do diamonds-”

“One of the properties Jordan inherited was a diamond mine in Africa. He used to keep pouches of diamonds about for all those ghastly women with whom he cavorted.”

“Diamonds? Women usually like a bit of flash,” Jordan had said.

She had known he had spoken from experience, but this revelation was curiously hurtful. “He gave them gifts of diamonds?”

For the first time puzzlement crossed Dorothy’s face. “I… don’t think so. There was a good deal of laughter when the diamonds were mentioned.” She dismissed the subject. “At any rate, there was no doubt he was a thorough scoundrel for a number of years.”

“Until Gregor came?”

“Oh, and for a few years afterward. Jordan was not easy to tame. It was only when Napoleon did something to displease him that he settled down.” She held up her hand. “And I do not know what he did. I’m not concerned with the doings of that little Corsican. There are too many injustices committed at the fireside to go looking for trouble across the channel. However, we can be grateful Jordan is so preoccupied these days that he’s seldom at Cambaron, can’t we?”

“Very glad.”

“Then, smile, girl. You’re far too serious. One should be solemn only about the important things in life. Heaven knows, there are enough of those to weigh us down.” She started toward the door. “Now, I shall unpack and send my driver back to Dorchester. Which is your room?”

“The Blue Room.”

“Gracious, that won’t do at all. It’s fine for Jordan’s ladybirds, who never know whether it’s day or night anyway, but you wouldn’t be able to breathe in there. No wonder you’re clinging to this tower. I’ll see to the change. Something brighter and more open?” She saw Marianna’s bewildered expression and said, “If you didn’t like the room, why didn’t you move?”

“I thought all the chambers were like that. Alex’s is little better.”

“Does he mind it?”

“He doesn’t even notice. It’s only a place to sleep and play on rainy days. He spends most of his time at the stables.”

“But I think you notice everything about this place.” Dorothy studied her expression and then said quietly, “Listen, Marianna, this is a new world for you, and that’s frightening. Gregor tells me you have courage, but that’s not enough. I think, if you look at Cambaron as one of your glass windows that you can change and rearrange to suit yourself, you’ll be happier.”

“Change?” Marianna repeated, startled.

“Did you think Cambaron has stayed the same for the past six hundred years? As long as you do not tear down the walls, I doubt if Jordan will object. Perhaps he would be grateful if you did. He has no fondness for the place.” She smiled impishly. “Besides, he will not be here when you’re doing most of the alteration and will have only the agent’s report.”

A heady lightness swept through Marianna. She suddenly realized her unhappiness at Cambaron had not been caused by the place itself but her lack of control to change and mold it. It had been a prison, and now Dorothy was throwing open the gates. “It doesn’t seem possible. You’re sure he will permit it?”

“Jordan sent word I was to keep you contented. If this will do it, he won’t object.”

Why, Cambaron could be a giant panel of glass that she could shape to serve the sunlight. The joy that had been tentative was growing stronger by the second.

“And we will have an enjoyable time spending Jordan’s pounds. Better us than one of those doxies.” Dorothy opened the door.

“Wait! Why did you come when he sent for you?” Marianna asked curiously. “It’s obvious you don’t approve of him.”

“I like the rascal. Liking has nothing to do with approval. We are the same age and saw each other frequently as children. In spite of our quarrels, I find I miss him.” She grimaced. “Besides, Dorchester is monstrous dull, and life is never boring around Jordan.”

“And that is all?”

She hesitated and then shrugged. “No, I owe him a debt. He did me a great service at one time.” She changed the subject. “You may work here for another four hours, and then you must come with me to inspect and choose a bedchamber while there is still light.” She pulled the door shut behind her with quiet firmness.

For the first time since she had come to Cambaron, Marianna felt a burst of hope. Since that moment in the church at Talenka she had been walking on quicksand, not certain where to step, confronted by dangers and feelings she had never known before.