Page 40 of The Colonel's Ungovernable Governess
Jocelyn swallowed the bite of egg she had taken before answering. “They are ‘more than an hour ahead of us’ according to the innkeeper. Perhaps closer to two hours.”
Vincent mused, “Even with how long it was for us to pack and leave, Annabelle is no farther ahead of us than she was when we left. Does that not mean we are gaining on her?”
“I fear I do not know the exact calculations and figures to determine if such is true, but your reasoning appears sound,” she confirmed.
“Thank you,” he said softly. It broke Jocelyn’s heart to think the boy had been made to believe himself incapable of strong opinions.
She set the egg and bread upon the seat. “I have something to discuss with you. I require your opinions.”
“Our opinions?” Victoria asked.
“Yes. Are you confident Annabelle said they were going to Scotland to marry?” Jocelyn inquired.
Even in the dark shadows inside the coach, she knew the girl frowned.
“Where else could Annabelle go to marry without Mama and Lord Lindale giving her permission?”
“Such makes excellent sense indeed. However, the innkeeper said he overheard ‘Mr. Bartholomew’ instruct his driver to continue on to Yorkshire.”
“Yorkshire?” Vincent questioned. “Why would they be returning to our father’s home?”
Victoria asked, “Could the innkeeper have erred?” To her brother, the girl said, “Likely Annabelle said something about being close to her home.”
Jocelyn did not agree, but she explained her reasoning, “What I do not understand is why now? Why did Annabelle return home to William’s Wood only to run off within a week of her arrival? If she wished so desperately to marry this particular gentleman, why not leave from Bath towards Gretna Green? Most assuredly, she and Mr. Bartholomew either came to a new relationship or renewed a previous one while still in Bath, for she and Miss Carlton were in Bath together. If I have it correct from the servants of several houses, Miss Carlton returned home in Annabelle’s carriage.” Jocelyn wished she had known this fact before the colonel left the estate, but their cook seemed to have come by that information when Annabelle came down to see the ducklings while Jocelyn was working with Victoria on the child’s French lessons. “The young man followed Annabelle to Lincolnshire, but was such planned?” she continued to voice her concerns aloud. “I am not convinced a marriage is part of the gentleman’s plan.”
“You think . . . Mr. Bartholomew . . . does not mean . . . to marry . . . our Annabelle?” Vincent asked. Evidently, the idea upset the child, for hesitations had reappeared in his speech, when moments earlier there were none. His speech pattern had proven to be a tool for the child to operate in an unsure world, providing him time to evaluate what he wanted to say before saying it.
Victoria protested, “Annabelle said they would marry.”
“I do not doubt your words, Victoria, nor Annabelle’s belief such is what is intended. Yet, my instincts say there is much more to this than we first believed.”
“What should . . . we do?” Vincent asked.
“We shall continue north as long as Annabelle’s trail tells us to do so. Yet, we must be prepared for other possibilities.”
“Is Uncle Edward . . . following?” Vincent asked. “I feel safer . . . when he is near.”
“As do I,” Jocelyn affirmed. “Your uncle is built to protect those he affects, and the colonel affects both of you, as well as Annabelle.”
“You, too,” Victoria declared.
Jocelyn prayed the child truly saw what Jocelyn did not. However, she said, “I am not part of your family, but I am confident the colonel would protect any in danger, including me.”
* * *
“Colonel!” Edward looked up to view his cousin’s approach. Darcy rode with his carriage driver, Mr. Farrin, though both were on horseback.
“How did you find me so quickly?” Edward asked.
“When she read your missive, Elizabeth insisted I come immediately. Mr. Farrin and I set out about seven of the clock.”
“Did Mrs. Darcy send Farrin to protect you?” Edward asked with a lift of his brows.
“My lovely wife says Farrin knows the roads in this part of the country better than I.” Darcy glanced to the man and grinned. “He is also known as a splendid shot, if necessary.”
Edward rolled his eyes. “Women are always the more practical lot.”
“With that being true,” Darcy countered, “Elizabeth also said you likely left Maitland Manor without your breakfast. She charged me with feeding you.” He nodded to the road off to the left. “Farrin claims there is a passable inn about three miles along. We require a plan and such proves easier on a full stomach.”
