Page 37 of The Colonel's Ungovernable Governess
Jocelyn had had very little sleep the previous two nights, reliving every moment she had shared with Edward Fitzwilliam, and so, when she crawled into bed, she had been prepared for a full night’s sleep. The house had felt so empty without his presence, and even the twins had spent two listless days, only half-heartedly attending to their lessons. The man had been gone for what felt forever, and they three had suffered much in his absence.
She had attempted not to display her misery, but even Vincent and Victoria had asked to be excused to their quarters early after the evening meal. Lady Annabelle had yet to join them, though Jocelyn and the twins had repeatedly pleaded with the girl to do so.
Jocelyn had been considering writing to her mother and to ask her ladyship’s coach to be sent for her, but she did not wish her parents to know of the Lindales. She would wait until the colonel returned and then leave. She would find a room in a boarding house somewhere near and wait for her parents to fetch her home.
She did not know why someone had thought to enter her small quarters, nevertheless, someone tentatively shook her shoulder. Jocelyn did not wish to leave her dream of the colonel behind, so she swatted at the hand.
“Miss Lambert,” a child’s voice said. “Please wake up.”
Jocelyn bolted upright. “What is amiss?” she asked as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
“Vincent says I must tell you,” Victoria declared with a scowl directed towards her brother.
“Must tell me what?” Jocelyn asked as she pulled the girl down beside her on the bed, while reaching her other hand to where Vincent waited by the door.
Victoria again looked to her brother. “Annabelle swore me to secrecy.”
Jocelyn’s heart began to pound harder. “Why did your sister require your silence?”
“She left. That is why,” Vincent stated in angry tones. “Annabelle is not to leave the house without speaking to our mother.”
Victoria frowned. “Our mother is not here. She is never here. How could Annabelle speak to her?”
Jocelyn said in urgency. “Please, Victoria, you must tell me where Lady Annabelle has gone. Has she left the house?” Panic had officially arrived. “Is she still on the estate?”
“Mr. Bartholomew asked to marry her,” Victoria explained.
“Where was Annabelle to meet with this Mr. Bartholomew?” Jocelyn knew how dangerous such a venture as this could be. She must contact the colonel, but, first, she required more information.
Victoria looked away and crossed her arms over her chest in defiance. “I cannot say.”
Jocelyn slid her arm about the girl and gathered the child closer. “I know you mean to protect your sister, and I admire your loyalty and wish there was someone who cared for me as you do Annabelle, but your silence, my love, is not protecting your sister. None of us know anything about this young man. He has never officially called upon Annabelle. Never met her family. Never spoke his intentions to Lord Lindale or your mother. He hid from all of us at the fair, never approaching any among our party, even you or Vincent, who are Annabelle’s closest family. How are his actions to be considered honourable? He was at church on Sunday, but spoke to none of us. It is impossible for any among your family to believe he holds your sister in esteem.
“It is an unfortunate system that demands a family protect their daughters from those who would ruin them in order to force—force, Victoria,” Jocelyn emphasized, “the young woman’s parents to give their daughters over to an unacceptable mate in order to save the rest of the family.”
“I do not understand,” Victoria declared righteously. “How did he hide?”
“I saw two young men and a young lady following us through the fair. Such is the true reason I remained by the roped-off fencing. I watched as your sister boldly walked away with the trio. There are always many unscrupulous people at fairs and other large gatherings who would do harm to those not aware of their surroundings. I do not say this to frighten you against enjoying other entertainments, but, rather, to show you how we all must practice caution.
“I was on the road alone before Mrs. Darcy found me. Even innkeepers would not let me a room, though I had the funds to pay for one, for they feared a single woman would attract an unsavory company. Do you want such for Annabelle? I have seen much when I lived on the Continent and knew something of when to approach a stranger for assistance and when it was best to turn away. Our Annabelle does not possess those types of skills to survive alone. She is accustomed to presenting orders and expecting others to do as she asks. Such will not happen on the road, and we cannot guarantee this Mr. Bartholomew even has met her. What if he did not show up? Your sister could be alone and frightened.”
Victoria broke into tears. “I do not want Annabelle to be alone. I have Vincent, but Annabelle is off alone at school. She says she cries a great deal.”
“We shall bring her home where we all love her, but you must assist me in finding her.”
“Annabelle will be angry at me,” Victoria said through her continued tears.
“Yet, you cannot permit your sister to be in danger if you possess a means to prevent it. If Mr. Bartholomew truly affects our Annabelle, he will call upon her properly, not run off in the night.”
“They were going to Scotland to marry,” Victoria said as the ferocity of her tears increased.
“How do they travel?” Jocelyn implored.
“Annabelle’s coach.”
Jocelyn breathed easier. The smaller coach would require multiple stops to rest the horse. “I mean to go after her.”
“We are not going back to bed,” Vincent said stubbornly.
