Page 68 of The Secret Life of the Elusive Governess
The man jerked back and in the blink of an eye took out a flintlock pistol and fired. Moses lurched out of the way just in time for the lead ball to whistle past his ear and lodge into the wall behind him.
Instantly, Caroline kicked back and shoved the man into the wall where a loudthunktold them that he had hit his head on the wood behind him. Moses rallied up, grabbed the man by his lapels and landed a punch right into the stranger’s face and his head snapped back. He added two more for good measure and released him as the ruffian sank to the ground, like a limp rag. Moses the ran to Caroline who was clutching at her breast.
“Caroline,” Moses was frantic. He did not dare touch her in case of spectating eyes but stood close enough where she could lean on him if she needed to. “Thank God I came when I did, or you would have been assaulted!”
She suddenly slumped and Moses held her. The woman was trembling in his arms and Moses felt like turning around and giving the man another facer before handing him over to the authorities. Spinning around he saw the spot the man was in—empty. The scoundrel faked his unconsciousness and had run while he was preoccupied with Caroline.
The Duke cursed under his breath and pressed her face into the cook of his neck. “Hush, my love, hush, we will leave here and get you back home safe…”. He pulled back and dipped his head to look into wide, terrified blue eyes, “…but when we get there, you must tell me the truth. Who is the villain after you? Agreed, my love?”
The furious nod he felt on his chest told him she was in full compliance. Moses sighed and kissed the top of her head.
“I promised to keep you safe, Caroline, and come hell or high water, I will keep that promise.”
Chapter 25
Her fingers were bloodless as she clutched on Moses’ arm while he led her out of the washroom and back to the grandstand. The Duchess saw them come in and nearly dropped her fan.
Her eyes went wide, “Moses, what on Earth is happening?”
“Gather your things, Lavinia,” Moses replied curtly, “We are leaving. Nicholas and Josephine, please come now.”
“But, father, Lord Kelly’s horse just won!” Nicholas said happily, then truly looked at them, noticed his father’s strict demeanor and submitted, “Yes, father.”
Corralling Josephine under her wing, the Duchess asked again, with her eyes darting between her husband and Caroline, “What is happening, Moses?”
“I will explain at home, Lavinia,” Moses replied while beckoning for them to come. “I will make our excuses but we need to get you to safety.”
“Safety!” the Duchess was clearly appalled and stopped in her tracks as they were halfway down the grandstand’s stairs. “Tell me what is happening now or I will not move another step!”
Caroline saw the tick in Moses’ jaw and knew he was reaching his limit of patience. “I was nearly assaulted, Your Grace. That is why we need to leave.”
The Duchess pinned Caroline with her light blue eyes, “Assaulted! Why would anyone want to assaultyou?”
The underlying scorn was not missed by either Caroline or Moses. The Duchess was blatantly saying that she was not even worthy of being assaulted. Caroline would have normally felt belittled but she could not afford the mental strength to sink into shame.
“Please, Your Grace, we need to leave,” Caroline pressed. “Please.”
The Duchess huffed but gathered her skirts, lifted them and continued walking. With a sigh of relief, Caroline followed and they went to the open gateway.
“Moses!” A man’s voice called out and the party turned to see Lord Dalton running towards them, “I was just coming for you! A servant said a shot was fired at you!”
“It is true, Edward,” Moses replied, “But I was only defending Miss Robins from the blackguard.”
The man’s dark blue eyes ran over her and Caroline fought hard to not dip her head as his scrutiny continued. However, there was no judgment in his gaze and she was grateful for that.
“Is that so?” Lord Dalton said, “I cannot understand why or how a ruffian got into my grounds. I will investigate the matter, Moses, be assured of that.”
The Duke grasped his friend’s hand and shook it. “Thank you, Edward, but the villain has already made his escape. It was a wonderful outing, but we must leave.”
“I understand but if you need anything please don’t hesitate to call upon me,” Lord Dalton said. “Goodbye, Your Graces, My Lord, My Lady, and Miss Robins.”
With his farewell replied to, the five hurried to the carriage and thankfully, Mr. Collins was nearby so he hurried over. His expression was tinted with confusion and surprise. “Your Graces, are we back to home then?”
“Yes, Mr. Collins,” Moses said, as he helped Caroline and the children in, as they were seated at the back, then the Duchess entered, and finally Moses.
The Duchess snapped her fan open and fluttered it, “Are you going to tell me what is really happening, Moses? Why was thegovernessnearly assaulted?”
Caroline felt a heady mix of anger and frustration mix in her stomach while her mind sunk in despair. She could not focus on the scorn in the Duchess’ voice as her eyes were down on her lap and her mind was unearthing a long role of memories that she had hoped to carry to her grave.
