Page 60 of The Colonel's Ungovernable Governess
Mr. Darcy said, “Come along, Mr. Romfield. I will show you to your quarters and introduce you to our Lord Vincent. It will be useful for all if I explain to the boy that his ‘Miss Lambert’ is really ‘Miss Romfield.’ Vincent will not understand without my explanation and my assurances all is still well with his governess.”
When they disappeared into the corridor, her father came around to assist her to her feet. “Easy, my girl,” he said as he braced her weight against his shoulder. “We do not wish you to know more harm.”
“Mr. Harwell, the surgeon, calls in the afternoon to change my bandages. You may pepper him with any remaining questions then, for I am confident you have many.”
“I would be highly interested in what the man has to say of the matter,” her father declared.
Her mother asked as she rearranged the bedding, “Do we know where Colonel Fitzwilliam is at this time?”
Mrs. Darcy responded before Jocelyn could right herself in the bed and do so. “Ironically, the last we heard from my husband’s cousin, the colonel was chasing Philip Jennings to Kent. He should be near your estate for the next few days.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Edward waited in the shadows, along with several men from the local militia. They watched the few people boarding the ship meant to set sail to eastern Europe. Realizing he could not do it all himself, he had asked for assistance from a militia colonel, and the man had agreed to permit Edward to employ some of his soldiers in obtaining information on ships and the Jennings family. Therefore, Edward had sent riders to all the possible ports on the English coastline, as well as to the first few ports on the Thames to ask of possible European-bound ships, but he was frustrated to learn nothing that would serve him in this matter, until the last rider returned with the information he required.
“A man and his wife and two children, sir. Staying at a small inn before you reach Tilbury.” Edward placed a number of coins in the man’s hand and thanked the colonel in charge and was off once again.
Late yesterday, after confirming what the militia lieutenant had provided, he had called on yet another local militia commander. Once he explained the situation as a man attempting to kill his brother’s son, the lieutenant-colonel was happy to assist him. Now, he waited for Jennings to make an appearance: He must apprehend the man and return to Yorkshire. The boy would never rest easy as long as his uncle was free, and Edward knew that Jennings would not soon abandon his madness.
“Colonel,” the man on his left whispered, and Edward turned to view Jennings walking behind his wife and children, as if he meant to use them as a shield. Edward supposed if Jennings was willing to kill his brother’s only son, he would not hesitate to use his own children to protect his life. Jennings was looking left and right, as well as over his shoulder.
“Hold,” he whispered when one of the men tensed in anticipation. “Steady on.”
As Jennings’s party crossed before them, Edward held his place in a small circle of empty barrels, stacked two high. At length, assured it was safe to do so, he ordered, “Now!” Rising up from his haunches, he strode forward to catch Jennings from behind. He placed a strong arm across the man’s throat and tightened his grip. Jennings bucked and kicked, attempting to be free, but Edward was strong, and his boots absorbed most of the man’s wildly executed blooters. The other soldiers encircled Jennings’s family and stood by while Edward wrestled the man into submission.
“A bit of a care!” he ordered Lieutenant Matthews. Immediately the man removed his pistol from the woman and her children and aimed it at Jennings’s head. “Should I order the bullet Matthews means to deliver to your head or to your heart?” he grunted as he continued to wrestle Jennings into submission.
Immediately, Jennings froze.
“Keep the gun on him, Matthews, and be accurate in the placement of the bullet,” Edward instructed as he wrenched Jennings’s hands behind the man’s back to secure them with a rope he had carried about his own neck.
“Aye, sir.”
“You have no right!” Jennings protested.
“I have every right as a colonel in the King’s Royal Army and as one of the guardians of the rightful Lord Babcock.” He tied the knots as tight as he could make them; then, he looked to where the others secured Mrs. Jennings and the lady’s children.
Jennings did the first respectful thing he had done when he begged, “My wife and children are no part of this. Permit them their freedom.”
“Such is not for me to decide,” Edward declared as he caught Jennings’s arm to lead him towards where a wagon awaited them. “The law will address your sins and theirs. It does not seem fair to me to permit Mrs. Jennings her freedom, while her sister and Marksham’s children are not permitted a like forgiveness.”
Edward tugged the man along beside him to secure Jennings in the back of the wagon. “Let us load them and the bags in the back. Matthews, if you would, have someone fetch the horses. We must set out for London to turn this family over to the proper authorities to oversee their case. Your commander has presented you permission for two days’ leave, meaning you will not be required back until Monday noon. For your assistance, I have promised you a proper room and meals for your trouble. Let us be on with it.”
He sighed heavily. Though he should have been more aware of the danger the boy was in, he had captured all the culprits in the matter. Even if, God forbid, Miss Lambert did not survive, he had found retribution in her name.
* * *
Her brother and Vincent knocked on her door shortly after the midday meal. Andrew ignored the fact her eyes were closed, but she heard Vincent order, “Wait! She is asleep.” Jocelyn remained very still to listen in on their conversation.
“Joce will not mind. She is a good egg,” Andrew declared. She could hear Andrew rummaging in the nearby drawer of her night stand. Evidently, her brother still wished to view the bullet that had struck her.
“Your sister is ill,” Vincent countered. “She is brave. Nearly as brave as is the colonel.” The pair stood together looking at her. Though she could not view them, she could feel their eyes on her. “My sister Victoria says the colonel affects your sister. That means he loves her.”
Jocelyn wanted to ask how Victoria could know such a thing, but she concentrated on not moving.
“My sister was supposed to marry the colonel. My mother’s aunt suggested the match to her brother, who is the colonel’s father,” Andrew explained. “Is this it?” he asked Vincent. “It is so small.”
Vincent declared. “It went through her shoulder, striking the bone, then exited to hit me. I was on the ground. They think it struck one of the paving stones and split.” The boy hummed under his breath, as he often tended to do when he was considering something important. “Then your sister will be my aunt. I like her as my governess, though. She treats me as if I am important to her.”
