Page 39 of The Colonel's Ungovernable Governess
“Aye, sir. Anything else, sir?” Mr. Arnold asked.
“Keep this crisis quiet until I have a better idea of what has transpired.”
“Yes, sir.”
With that, he was gone. Edward urged his horse into a full gallop before he had even reached the main road. “Bartholomew,” he thought, “I know of no one associated with the ton and of that family name with a young son of marriageable age.” Naturally, he could not know all the young men of the gentry and the aristocracy, but his position with the military had him aware of many of an age to fight for their country. There was one ‘Bartholomew’ associated with the Dubrow family, the youngest brother of Lady Dubrow by a different father; however, he prayed Annabelle was aware of the danger of associating with any branch of the Dubrow family tree. Unfortunately, she had not shown such sense to date. Yet, Edward knew an elopement between the younger Mr. Bartholomew, who likely had no fortune of his own, was possible. Even still, such did not explain the unnamed young man who appeared to be a friend of Mr. Anthony Dubrow. Edward did not think the fellow favored the Dubrow family, for he was lighter of skin and hair; yet, he supposed the fellow could have been a classmate from Oxford. There were too many questions remaining without answers, and the idea frightened him, as the children were traveling with Miss Lambert and likely into a situation none of them thought to see. If it was Bartholomew Dubrow, the fellow would, without a doubt, not permit Miss Lambert to prevent a marriage to Annabelle’s fortune.
She and the children were in danger.
“The lady could be walking, or should I say, riding into a poorly-designed melodrama, when she simply means to protect my family. I cannot permit her to know harm.”
Chapter Fifteen
The twins slept on the opposing seat: Their arms wrapped about each other. Odd as it would be to consider her own feelings on such things, Jocelyn was sorry to admit, she had never been as close to Andrew, as she had observed between Vincent and Victoria. Jocelyn knew the fault rested with her. She had always been a bit jealous of how her brother was the “blessed child,” the one who would secure her father’s barony, while, though being the eldest, she had no real value. In fact, even her marriage would cost her father a hefty dowry. “I imagine Annabelle must have felt something. similar,” she mumbled just as Mr. Jessie directed their carriage into yet another inn yard. This was the third one this night.
“I’ll change out the horses, miss,” he said. “The Lindales have horses kept here, for it be one of the larger inns in this area. I’ll be sending these forward once they be fed and watered and rested a bit.”
They had been on the road for nearly three hours and had yet to learn anything of a sighting of Annabelle and her gentleman friend. She and Mr. Jessie had been attempting to estimate where the pair might be stopping. Annabelle’s coach was a single horse carriage; therefore, the girl and whoever was driving the coach, likely the gentleman with whom Annabelle had eloped or, mayhap, he hired someone local to do the deed, would be required to stop more often than would she and the twins. She trusted Mr. Jessie to know the roads and the inns, but she doubted either Annabelle or this “Mr. Bartholomew” would be as fortunate.
“Might we have some biscuits?” Victoria asked.
“I shall see what is available,” Jocelyn assured. “It is still the middle of the night, so we must be grateful for what the innkeeper has available.”
“I should prefer to relieve myself,” Vincent stated.
“I shall ask Mr. Jessie to accompany you,” Jocelyn explained. “Permit me to learn what I might from the innkeeper first.”
Jocelyn started off for the inn. She despised being placed in this position. It was admirable that Lady Lindale attended her sick husband; yet, from what Jocelyn had been able to discover from the estate’s servants and her own observations, the woman’s children were feeling lost and ignored—set upon a sea too stormy for them to navigate alone. She was beginning to realize how blessed she had been and how selfish she had acted by leaving without notice.
“Yes, ma’am,” a sleepy older fellow said when she entered the inn. “May I be of service?”
“My daughter and her husband were traveling with us, but we had trouble with our carriage, and somehow we were separated. I was wondering if they had stopped here. I am attempting to estimate how far ahead they are. We are traveling so late because we just received word of the severe condition in which the family patriarch finds himself.”
The man eyed her suspiciously, but he responded in a necessary manner. “Young couple more than an hour earlier. Maybe closer to two hours. I heard the gent ask his driver if they be set for Yorkshire. He called the girl ‘Anna,’ I believe.”
“Ah— I am glad they are safe. I owe you for the charges my driver incurred for the horses, and I would be pleased to purchase whatever you might have available in the realm of food. I have two more children in my carriage.”
“Pardon my saying so, ma’am, but you do not appear old enough for so many,” he said with a lift of his brows.
“You have found me out,” she declared with a small chuckle to seal what she would say next. “I am Colonel Clarkson’s second wife, but I adore his children by Mrs. Mildred Clarkson. I am hoping to know my own children soon. That is, if our dear God is willing and thinks me up to the task.”
“We be ready when you are, ma’am,” Mr. Jessie said from somewhere near the door.
“Thank you, Mr. Jessie. Might you see Vincent has an opportunity to know the privy?” she responded. “I shall see to Victoria.”
“Yes, ’em.”
The innkeeper dropped his suspicious nature. “I’ve several boiled eggs in the cold cellar, cheese, and bread. Would that do?”
“Any cakes or biscuits?” she asked.
“I’ll check. Should I prepare a separate bag for you?
“No sense in multiple bags for my family,” she assured. “However, if you would prepare a separate one for my driver, that would be most helpful. While you do that, I shall see to my daughter and then return to pay you.”
Another quarter hour later, they were again on the road.
“Did you learn if Annabelle came this way?” Vincent asked.
