Page 45 of The Colonel's Ungovernable Governess
“I have continuing to create the drawing as you showed me,” he admitted when she did not respond to his father’s promise. “The one of my family tree. Like the one in a family Bible. Mr. Darcy assisted me in finding the first Jennings in this area.” His eyes rolled upward as if he was reading a page he saw in his mind. “The peerage was originally a barony. It was an ancient Anglo-Norman aristocratic dynasty.” He looked to her. “Mr. Darcy led me to information about different factions of the family in Wales and Scotland, and even in Ireland.”
“I did not realize you had made such progress. That is amazing,” Jocelyn said in true admiration. “Mr. Darcy has proven to be a good friend and advisor for you. I would be happy to assist you further in the drawing if you have a need of me.”
“I would want to do it justice,” the child mused, “and your script is so much clearer to read than is mine.”
“Then, when you have it in your mind how you wish it to appear, you may seek me out.”
He smiled a secretive smile. “I must admit I spent more than a few hours looking for a special connection.”
“And what would that be?” she teased. Jocelyn enjoyed how the child’s mind worked. How anyone could consider him incapable of learning, she could not comprehend.
“Mr. Darcy showed me how I am related to both him, the colonel, and Lord Lindale. Far distant, but related, nevertheless.”
Jocelyn did not know whether to believe him or not, but she thought it a superb scheme by the gentleman for the child to learn something of his ancestors so the boy would find his own courage while facing the world. Being a member of the peerage is often difficult enough without being complicated by the type of upheaval this particular child had known. “How so?” she asked.
He smiled, as if happy to share what he knew with her. Unsurprisingly, the smile changed his features dramatically, and she made a private promise to assist the child to know how remarkable he truly is. “It deals not with the title of Babcock, but rather the family name. The Irish Jennings surname was Anglicized from the Gaelic surname of ‘Mac Sheoinin’,” he said slowly to make certain the pronunciation was correct. “‘Mac Sheoinin’ means ‘son of Seán,’ or ‘John’ as the English say it. Now, this is the ‘jump,’ but one I really liked, for it makes me connected to Lindale and the colonel. You see, one of the Irish Seáns is thought to refer to a man named John Burke, who was a Clan Chief from Connacht. The Burkes were of Viking and French ancestry. Just as Mr. Darcy’s name likely came from the French ‘D’Arcy.’ In France and later, in England, the Irish version of Burkes became the ‘of Burkes’ or de Burghs or even ‘de Bourgh.’”
Jocelyn attempted not to react to her mother’s maiden name on the child’s lips, but it was difficult. Thankfully, the boy was too caught up in his tale to notice.
“From Mr. Darcy, I learned how Lord Matlock’s eldest sister married a man named ‘de Bourgh.’ Lord Lindale, the colonel, and Mr. Darcy have an aunt whose name has the French derivation of the Jennings name. Their Aunt Catherine assisted in arranging the marriage between my mother and Lord Lindale. Is such not grand?”
“Grand indeed,” Jocelyn managed, but her mind was racing. “I am very happy for you.” She purposely glanced out the window once more before saying, “If Mr. Darcy’s directions were true, we should be at your family estate in a bit over an hour. The last fingermark said ‘ten miles.’”
“I am glad Uncle Edward is already there and so will be Mr. Darcy by the time we arrive,” the child said with uncharacteristic confidence.
“There are a few more biscuits in the basket if you would care for them.”
He grinned wider and set about choosing a treat while his sister slept. Meanwhile, Jocelyn attempted to slow her breathing. The man who filled her dreams with wanting to know his touch was likely the same one she ran away from weeks earlier. What would he say when he learned she was his intended? Would he scoop her up in his arms or read her the riot act? Unfortunately, she must wait a bit longer to discover if there was a chance they could claim a bit of happiness together. As she sat back into the squabs, Jocelyn was nearly as excited as was Vincent to watch the miles flash by the window.
Chapter Seventeen
Edward spotted Darcy’s approach before his cousin rode into the circle at the front of the house. He hoped Darcy had located the twins and Miss Lambert and sent them back to William’s Wood, though, in reality, it would do him well to look upon the woman. Odd as it would be to say so, he disliked the idea of her not being in the same house as was he. It was as if her presence eased the rumbling and grumbling of his soul.
He turned to meet his cousin at the door. From what Edward could tell, the staff for the estate had been cut drastically, which would make sense if no one was living in the manor, but only an idiot would believe such was true. Philip Jennings had moved his wife and children into Babbington Hall, likely as quickly as Lady Lindale had removed her family to William’s Wood. It also appeared Mrs. Jennings’s sister, Lady Marksham, and the woman’s two children were also living within. Where the lady’s husband could be found, only God knew with any certainty. If Edward was correct, the Marksham barony was in Cambridge or somewhere thereabouts. Lady Marksham’s presence at her sister’s side explained how Mr. Bartholomew Marksham managed to convince Lady Annabelle to return to the girl’s childhood home.
“Glad you joined me,” Edward said, but he heard someone on the landing, so he said, “Before we see you settled in, permit me to assist you with your horse. Many on the staff have been let go in the wake of the family’s absence. I have already sent someone to open up the room next to mine for your use.”
Darcy’s brows drew together in confusion, but he followed Edward’s lead. Catching the horse’s loose reins, the colonel led the way towards the stable. “Despite what I just said, the house is quite crowded,” he explained. “Philip Jennings, his wife, two children, Mrs. Jennings’s sister, Lady Marksham, her son Bartholomew and two younger children, but not Lord Marksham, for which no explanation has been offered. Mrs. Jennings has chosen to redecorate Lady Lindale’s favorite sitting room in this house, which indicates the Jenningses have been in residence for some time, though Philip Jennings swears they arrived to support Lady Annabelle’s return yesterday.”
“Then it is as we suspected,” Darcy surmised.
“I fear so. Moreover, there are several paintings missing from what appears to be part of the family gallery. Whether they were portraits or not, I cannot say with any confidence. When Jennings noted my eyeing the outline on the wallpaper, he said he had ordered them removed to be reframed.”
“Yet, they are not his to oversee,” Darcy argued. “Poor Vincent. The child is being robbed of his inheritance.”
“If one did not know better, he would think Jennings is the earl. What staff there is turn to the man for their instructions,” Edward explained as they entered the stables. He turned to the stable master. “This is my cousin, Mr. Darcy of Pemberley. He will be with us for several days.”
“I’ve heard of your estate, sir,” the man said. “Be an honor to serve you. Fine lookin’ stallion.”
Darcy nodded his gratitude. “There will be a coach arriving, perhaps an hour or so behind me. It contains Lord Vincent and his sister, as well as their governess. There will also be the young earl’s driver, as well as mine who is serving as an outrider.”
“That be pleasant news to hears, sir. I’ll see it be tended properly, as well as the drivers. I be Mr. Taylor, sir, if’n ye have a need of me.”
Edward did not speak to the news Darcy shared, but his breathing hitched a bit higher once he learned Miss Lambert would soon be where he could view her again. Even so, he feared for Vincent’s safety, for this “scheme” perpetrated by Jennings and his wife would place the boy in danger.
“You could not convince the children and Miss Lambert to return to William’s Wood?” he asked as they walked back to the manor house.
“I offered to hire outriders to protect them, but the twins worried for Annabelle’s safety.” His cousin smiled easily. “The boy insists it is his responsibility to protect Lady Annabelle. Such is why Farrin is riding with them.”
