Page 30 of The Colonel's Ungovernable Governess
Jocelyn made her way to the school room, though she would have much preferred to seek out Mrs. Darcy’s advice regarding how to think upon what just occurred, but the lady would likely demand the colonel extend his hand to Jocelyn, and, until she reached her majority, Jocelyn required her parents’ permission to accept, assuming the colonel acted honorably. She supposed they could cross into Scotland, not so long removed when in Lincolnshire than if in London, but she did not wish to be married over the anvil.
Despite wishing to remain in her quarters and consider what could and could not become of a relationship with the colonel, Jocelyn washed her face and hands and sought out the twins to instruct them on what would become of the ducklings. “When you return from the fair and and perhaps part of tomorrow, though it is a Sunday, you two are to assist whoever the colonel chooses to build an enclosure for the ducklings. The ducks cannot be underfoot in the kitchen. For now, they may be found in the barn. I have told your uncle we all would be happy to assist.”
“Was Uncle Edward angry with us?” Victoria asked.
“Not with you,” Jocelyn thought. “Of course not,” she assured the child. “The colonel understands children must be children, though he quite reasonably saw the danger of one of the kitchen staff falling over one of the ducklings and harming himself or herself to the point of not being able to earn a proper wage.”
“They might spill something hot on themselves or another,” Vincent reasoned.
It was not often the boy saw the danger for someone else, and Jocelyn took his words as a blessing. “You should be prepared to depart after the midday meal, so take your outer wraps with you when you go below. And do not forget a bonnet and gloves, Victoria.”
“Will you be wearing a bonnet also,” the girl asked.
Jocelyn explained, “I shall not be attending the fair with you. I am but a governess.”
“That is not fair,” Vincent declared. “You deserve . . . a day . . . of pleasure, too.” Evidently, the boy had come to depend upon her, which was a pleasing idea, but, for the first time since joining the Fitzwilliam family’s household, Jocelyn realized the obligations she had assumed. Would Vincent be capable of trusting another after she departed? In reality, she must do so sooner, rather than later, so as not to harm the boy.
“I am telling Uncle Edward we will not go without you,” Victoria declared.
Jocelyn knelt before them to say, “You will attend, as Mr. and Mrs. Darcy delayed their return to their home estate in order to spend the day with you. Moreover, your sister has returned, and you would not wish to disappoint her.” She straightened the line of their clothes as she spoke.
“It is still not fair,” Victoria said with a pout.
“It is how things are done. Now, we must go below for the meal. Be assured you have everything you will require with you.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Within minutes, she was directing the twins to chairs near where their sister would sit. Then she stood along the wall with the other servants.
Mr. and Mrs. Darcy entered together. They were laughing about something the lady must have said in the hall. The love they shared was evident in every little gesture they exchanged. In many ways, viewing them together made Jocelyn very sad, for she did not expect to know happiness in marriage. She had burned many bridges when she had run away from her parents’ home. Her father and mother would have no choice but to place her wherever they could find someone who would accept her impetuous spirit.
“What are you doing along the wall?” Mrs. Darcy asked.
“I am employed in this house, Mrs. Darcy,” Jocelyn said softly, so as not to make a scene of her choice.
The woman looked to her husband, who shrugged his response just as the colonel entered with Lady Annabelle on his arm. “Is something amiss?” he asked upon viewing Mrs. Darcy’s visible irritation.
“I thought,” Mrs. Darcy said, “it was settled that Miss Lambert was to eat with the children either in the schoolroom or at this table. Has something occurred of which neither Mr. Darcy nor I have been made privy? I would not mean to tell you how to run the estate, Colonel, but, as Miss Lambert is here at my suggestion, I would not have her treated poorly in my absence.”
“There must be some mistake,” the colonel said. “When were you told not to eat with the children?”
“Earlier, sir, you questioned whether I should remain as a governess, as you thought I did not perform as one. Therefore, I assumed I should practice the customary perceptions of how a proper governess goes on. Though the estate has, in my weak observation, employed several ‘proper’ governesses who did not encourage Lord Vincent and Lady Victoria to learn a variety of subjects nor address proper behavior. One must make up his mind as to which approach is required in their instruction. Am I or am I not required to create new experiences for them? To oversee not only their preparation for school but also their manners and decorum?”
“I want Miss Lambert,” Vincent said stubbornly.
Lady Annabelle said, “The colonel will know what is best.”
The gentleman presented Jocelyn a look that could strike a person dead, but she was accustomed to a variety of men who ruled countries, rather than a simple household, so she easily smiled demurely. “Until their parents return and overrule my orders, I will make the necessary decisions regarding the tending to Lady Lindale’s children. As I also hold duties to the Army, I must have someone who will consider both the education and welfare of Lord Vincent and Lady Victoria in my absence. In my opinion, Miss Lambert has demonstrated good sense in her approach in teaching the children and should be presented the opportunity to choose what and how to teach them. I will claim as part of my acting administration for this household the same latitude and ask you to join us at the table, Miss Lambert.”
“And at the fair today,” Vincent added.
“And at the fair,” the colonel said grudgingly. “Everyone sit. The meal is waiting. Mr. Torrence, please serve.”
“Yes, sir.” All the servants scrambled to place food on the table.
Meanwhile, Jocelyn circled the table to sit with the twins, while the Darcys sat beside Lady Annabelle, who did not appear, in Jocelyn’s opinion, to agree with the colonel’s decision. Had the girl arrived home early to take advantage of the colonel’s presence without her parents’ oversight or was something more intriguing on the horizon?
Chapter Twelve
