Page 71 of The Secret Life of the Elusive Governess
The love he had for Caroline had doubled in strength. There was no question that she was indomitable. Lavinia would have fainted with the very thought of sleeping outside and going hungry.
Forgive me God, and forgive me Lavinia for breaking my vows, but my heart is with one who I cannot bear to see hurt. I will gladly bear the consequences of my actions if the Old Accuser, the Devil, brings my fault up at Judgement Day.
Standing up, Moses considered the journey they had before them. He had a cabin, a little hideaway in the woods that he inherited from his father. Caroline could stay there while he sorted out this matter. However, the problem was that he needed someone to stay with her and he did not trust any of his people.
Edward promised to help if he could. I need to reach out to him. His people will be much less subject to betray her.
Weighing his options on how he could get to Edward, Moses felt a chill run down his spine at the mere thought of leaving the manor to go and speak with Edward. Could it be that the traitor was only waiting for him to be absent to attack Caroline?
Grimly, the Duke pulled out a sheet of paper and wrote out his plight to Edward.
Edward,
To answer your unsaid question, the reason we had to leave, aside from me nearly being shot, was that Miss Robins, our governess and the lady I am in love with, was almost assaulted. This is the third time someone has been after her Edward and I am not taking any more chances.
I am securing her life as if it was mine. I need you to lend me a trustworthy servant or two, a female for companionship and a male for guardianship to be with her in hiding. I cannot trust my own. This is of most importance, my friend. My courier will wait for your answer after you read this. If I cannot save her life, mine will be lost with hers.
Moses
Folding the letter, Moses sealed it and left to find Mr. Collins.
* * *
While packing the last of her things, Caroline still could not believe that her past, one that she had tried to forget for over a decade, was now known. Her legs suddenly felt weak under and she had to sit on the edge of her bed.
She felt pained that she had brought trouble to this house and the ones she loved within it. Looking around at the bare, unadorned wooden walls and furnishing, Caroline felt a stranger sense of nostalgia. These walls were her home; as bland as they were, had housed her over two years.
But now she had to run and leave all this behind. Caroline did not know how long she was going to be in hiding for, just as she did not know how Uncle Albion had found her. She was sure, however, that he wanted her dead. She was the only one who could damage him and rip him from the seat he had stolen from her father.
She got up and traced her fingertips over the plain desk, walls, wash-closet, and bed. Going back to the bed she took the packed portmanteau and settled it at the foot. The traveling clothes, a dress of hardier cloth, a cloak and a bonnet were already laid out for the journey tomorrow. She checked her shoes and placed them with the outfit. Her reticule had a pouch with all the money she had in the world, medicine, and tiny baubles she cherished.
With another look to make sure everything was in place, Caroline settled in for a sleepless night.
Chapter 26
The tight hug that Josephine had on Caroline’s person made Moses wonder if the child was hers instead of Lavinia’s. He didn’t pretend to not see the tears building in her eyes as she softly pried the child’s arms away.
“Don’t cry, poppet,” Caroline said softly, “I will come back. I just need to go away for a while.”
Josephine was hiccupping, “P-promise?”
The smile Caroline gave the girl was heart-breaking as she pushed back an unruly curl from the girl’s forehead, “I—” she shot a seeking look to Moses who understood that she did not want to make a promise that she couldn’t fulfil.
It was time for him to intervene, “I promise she will come back, little duck. Do you believe me?”
Josephine nodded, “Yes, Father.”
“I’ll be away for a while, Josephine,” Moses said, with both hands on the child’s shoulder, “Be a good girl for your mother, and you too, Nicholas, behave yourselves.”
The older boy was standing afar in the large bedroom that he and his sister used to share before he was moved to his further down the hall.
“Yes, Father,” he replied. “Come back safely, Miss Robins.”
The smile those words created on Caroline’s face made Moses even more assured that she loved his children as a mother would.
“Goodbye for now,” Caroline said and Moses heard the tears she was valiantly holding back.
With his hand on her shoulder, Moses guided her out of the room and into the hallway, pausing only as she looked over her shoulder.
