Page 62 of The Secret Life of the Elusive Governess
Caroline’s back met the rough red brick wall of the building that bordered the alley as four boys, dressed in ragged clothing and mostly barefoot, made a half-circle before her.
They were a rough-looking lot and two of them, tall and gangly, towered over Caroline. The one who had spoken had on an old bowler hat and was clad in worn-out boots. He was the leader, she supposed.
“I don’t want any trouble,” Caroline said, as her bravery wavered, “I just need to find the butcher’s.”
“Well, sorry miss, but trouble ha’ found you,” the leader said, “A little lady like you shoulda known better than to walk in these parts without a chaperone. You can hand over yer coin sack and valuables right about now.”
Visceral images of her being robbed and assaulted, her body broken and found in a ditch, ran through her mind with stunning clarity. “Please, you really don’t want to do this.”
“Oh no,” the leader jeered, “I think we do. A man named Albion Russ sends his regards.”
Oh God! My uncle knows where I am.
Her white-knuckled grip on her reticule drew the eyes of the boys and she desperately looked for a way to escape them. The boy on the left side, with a club foot by the way he was walking, was the smallest of the lot and possibly her best chance for an escape.
“So, what’s it gonna be, missy?” the leader taunted with an insidious smirk.
Clenching her jaw, Caroline braced one foot on the wall behind her for leverage and then, with a push, darted off, barging through the young boy with the lame leg and was nearly at the entrance of the alley when she was grabbed.
In fright, she spun back to have rough knuckles bash across her cheekbone. The pain that exploded in her face sent a surge of frantic panic through her and she yanked her hand away and ran, full tilt, down the street. She spotted the carriage just as Mr. Collins was coming out. Seeing her, he dropped his bag and rushed to her side.
“Miss Robins!”
“Ruffians! I barely escaped!” Caroline gasped, as her breath felt stuck in her lungs, “Home. Home now, Mr. Collins!”
She climbed into the buggy, falling onto the seat, with her heart pounding her ribs. The driver ran to get his discarded package and came back.
“Miss Robins, I really think we should involve the authorities,” said Mr. Collins.
It is a good idea, but knowing my uncle, those boys are nowhere to be found. Not now nor any time soon.
She shook her head, “I... I will talk to His Grace about it. He will decide on the proper course of action. Please, let us go home.”
Sinking into her seat, Caroline breathed deeply and forced her stiff fingers to release the strap of her reticule. Her fingers were numb and bloodless, and she had to massage them back to life. The buggy trundled into the drive of the mansion and Caroline’s senses were so sharp she imagined that she could fell the crunch of every stone under the wheels of the vehicle.
The rush of energy whooshed out of her in one breath and suddenly she did not have the strength to even reach out. Luckily, all she had to do was rely on Mr. Collins’ strength to get out of the buggy.
She took her reticule and entered the mansion’s foyer with relief. Intuitively, she knew that going to Moses this way, looking all frazzled and fearful, was not going to help her cause, so she went to her room and sat on the edge of her bed and reflected for a moment.
I think we do. A man named Albion Russ sends his regards.
Shivers ran down her spine. Her uncle knew where she was and who she was. Suddenly, her fist struck the bed as worried and aggravated tears sprung to her eyes. Why did this have to happen?
I have done all I could to put this behind me. Why, why, God, why now? Why now when fate has finally decided to give me some happiness?
She had run, for so long and so far, that she had hoped her past would have been left behind. She had created a new life for herself and had left Caroline Elizabeth Russ, daughter of Gregory Isiah Russ, Baron of Rowe, behind when her father had died.
Not died…her mind taunted.He did not just die and you know that!
Grimacing, she stood up, removed her coat, found some water, dipped a washcloth into the cold liquid and pressed the cloth to her face. She did not even try to look in the small brass hand-held mirror she owned as she had no desire to look into her deadened eyes.
Gathering the shreds of her dignity around her, Caroline left the room and made it to Moses’ study. Just as she was about to knock, the realization that saying his name so easily, something that had quickly come to be a natural reaction, was slightly shocking to her. Months ago, she could have never imagined even thinking of him by his proper name. She had barely knocked when the door was yanked open and she nearly fell forward.
Strong arms held her as the door was shoved closed. The panic in Moses’ eyes was something Caroline had never expected could be warranted for her. His hands framed her face and Caroline jerked away from the touch that aggravated the bruise on her cheek.
His hand then cupped the back of her neck and suddenly she was being kissed. She didn’t have time to think about it but allowed herself to fall into the soft caress. The soft press of his lips against hers wrung a sigh from Caroline, or was that a sob? The sweet touch dug deep inside her and warmed her cold insides with a heat that slowly spread to her extremities.
Forever, let it stay forever,she begged.
