Page 27 of The Colonel's Ungovernable Governess
“How to say some French words, and we drew sketches of . . .” Their voices faded away as Vincent scampered to keep up with Mr. Darcy’s long strides.
The colonel had stood when his cousin had done so. Now, he looked off to where Mr. Darcy and the boy conversed easily. At length, he gave himself a sound shake, as if he too was learning a lesson. Finally, he turned to the waiting girl. “Come in, Annabelle,” he said as he gestured for the girl to proceed him. “There is a bit of a chill in the air this morning.”
“Will you not introduce Miss Lambert, Colonel?” Mrs. Darcy asked with a lift of her brows in apparent disapproval of the man’s actions.
Before he could turn to where Jocelyn still waited for his recognition, the girl wrapped her arm about the colonel’s arm. “I may greet the new governess later, after she sees both my brother and sister are properly attired for a midday meal and brought down to join the family.”
Jocelyn noticed how Mrs. Darcy rolled her eyes, but she ignored the young lady to say, “My younger sisters, especially our dear Lydia, often forgot their manners when greeting a new person within the household, but I am confident the colonel will wish to set the standard in his brother’s absence, will you not, sir?” Mrs. Darcy had expertly led both the colonel and the girl to where she wanted them. Jocelyn was beginning to understand why Mr. Darcy had come to worship the woman. “By the way, Lady Annabelle,” Mrs. Darcy said as the girl walked ahead of her, “I am confused by something you said earlier. How did you know Miss Lambert is the children’s ‘new’ governess if you did not receive Lord Vincent’s letter? You could have been ordering one of my sisters or even my husband and the colonel’s Cousin Anne to tend to the children.”
Jocelyn swallowed the smirk rushing to her lips. She had been blessed when Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy had befriended her.
“I just made the assumption—” Lady Annabelle began.
Yet, Mrs. Darcy kept control. The woman reminded Jocelyn of her mother in that aspect. Lady Romfield was always quick to assess a situation and set it right. “Assumptions, unfortunately, are often faulty. Mr. Darcy’s first impression of me and, likewise, mine of him proved in error. I am assured the colonel never entered any military confrontation with only assumptions available. Would you, sir?”
“No, Cousin Elizabeth. I would not,” the colonel responded immediately.
“I thought not,” Mrs. Darcy continued, undaunted, as Lady Annabelle and Lady Victoria shed their outwear to be placed away by the butler. “Mr. Torrence, please inform Cook of Lady Annabelle’s unexpected return and ask Mrs. Ross to have a maid air out her quarters. We will also require an extra setting today and going forward.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I could dine below,” Jocelyn offered.
“Nonsense!” both Mrs. Darcy and the colonel said together. Their response went a long way in allaying Jocelyn’s growing uncomfortableness.
“I wish you at the table to assist the children,” the colonel finished.
Feeling a bit better, Jocelyn said, “You will send Lord Vincent up, please, when he returns to the house with Mr. Darcy.”
“I will bring the boy to his quarters,” the colonel assured. “Elizabeth, might you see Lady Annabelle is settled in properly?”
“Gladly done,” Mrs. Darcy said with a knowing smile. “You should come with us, Lady Victoria. When we see your sister settled, you may change out your clothes for the meal.”
“I know my way to my quarters,” Lady Annabelle said with a bit of continued defiance.
“Yet, I must insist, my lady.” Mrs. Darcy continued her lesson in proper manners. Despite not being afforded the type of education Lady Annabelle had been provided, Mrs. Darcy’s instincts proved more valuable. It was a lesson Jocelyn required, as well. Mrs. Darcy slid an arm about the girl’s waist and led her away. Lady Victoria skipped along beside them, while asking her sister questions about school, as well as of her gown.
The colonel waited until the pair was out of sight and Mr. Torrence had withdrawn before he said, “Permit me to apologize for Lady Annabelle.”
“Should such not be your brother’s and Lady Lindale’s task?” Jocelyn asked.
“It should,” he said with a bit of annoyance in his tone. “But I doubt either would. Although they are not naturally ‘mean-spirited’ people, both of my parents and my brother are often assumptive. You should meet my aunt if you wish to look upon someone who believes no one should cross the aristocratic lines. She took to her bed for a week when Darcy married Elizabeth Bennet, a daughter of the gentry, rather than a noble family. Ironically, both my aunt and Lady Annabelle are the eldest child and are daughters of an earl.”
“I appreciate your concern, sir,” Jocelyn said softly, as the colonel closed the space between them. It was always the same with them when they were alone. Jocelyn held no idea why she was so attracted to this particular man. She knew men who were more handsome in the classical sense of the word and definitely of an easier nature. Perhaps it was the challenge she wished, she told herself.
“I would not have you abused,” he said in a husky voice as he studied her countenance. She knew what he was thinking: He meant to kiss her. “I would . . .”
She was not to learn if her instincts were correct, for Vincent pulled open the main door at that exact moment. The boy was followed closely by Mr. Darcy.
“We found another bullfrog!” the boy declared happily. “Mr. Darcy says it might be Horace’s wife,” the child disclosed.
The colonel swallowed the apparent desire pasted on his features only seconds prior. “A ‘she’ bullfrog? Is such possible, Darcy?” he teased.
“You know it is Colonel,” Mr. Darcy countered. “You had your own favorite pair down by the pond behind Pemberley House.”
“Did you, Colonel?” the boy asked.
“I did, son,” he said without considering his words. “My extra smart cousin likely already told you how you might tell the difference between the male and the female. Did he not?”
