instead of sitting in a classroom , surrounded by little faces listening with rapt attention as she read them a story or taught them to walk decorously , she 'd landed herself in a strange , unfriendly country-trapped , defenseless , and completely devoid of the wit and courage on which she 'd prided herself , preparing to face a nobleman who , according to meg , would not be required by british law to govern his justifiable rage or delay his vengeance when she told him what had happened .