Page 44 of The Colonel's Ungovernable Governess
“It was my idea to leave William’s Wood,” Annabelle stated in firm tones.
“And it was merely convenient that the young man staying in the neighborhood with the Dubrows, who is a cousin to you of sorts, was some four miles removed when you came to this revelation?”
“There is no reason to make accusations,” Jennings said in critical tones. “Annabelle would naturally turn to Bart for assistance. They are, as you say, cousins of sort.”
“Naturally,” Edward said with a challenging lift of his brows.
“Will Vincent and Victoria arrive soon?” Annabelle asked.
“I have no means of knowing,” he stated boldly. “All I know is what Miss Lambert shared before she and the twins set out on the Great North Road to recover you, Annabelle. Alone. With only Mr. Jessie to protect them.”
“But I told . . .” she began in refutation.
“Told what?” Edward demanded. “And to whom? Did you not want your brother and sister to chase you all the way to Scotland? Was such not what you led them to believe?”
Annabelle looked about sheepishly. “You must be mistaken, sir. I told Victoria I wished to return to our father’s home.”
“Poor Victoria. You will blame her for your manipulations!”
The footman returned at that exact moment and looked between them uncomfortably. “Your horse has been delivered to the stables, sir.”
“Thank you, kindly,” Edward said. “As you appear to be in charge of the house, I will require a room for the evening.”
Tellingly, the man looked to Mr. Jennings, who nodded his agreement, before saying, “Yes, sir.”
“Now, Annabelle, as you are the mistress of the house, perhaps you might choose a room where we may sit and discuss how we must proceed. Did not your mother have a favorite sitting room when your family was in residence?”
Again, Annabelle looked to Jennings for permission. The situation was becoming more obvious by the minute. Jennings had taken over the house and had gained Lady Annabelle’s cooperation. The man wished to do the same to Lord Vincent, but such would not occur without a fight on Edward’s part.
“You might use my wife’s favorite sitting room,” Jennings offered.
“Very kind of you, Uncle,” the girl said. “Hopefully, you and Aunt Carolyn might join us.” Obviously, Annabelle was afraid to go against Jennings and required his support.
“How convenient,” Edward declared as he followed the girl along the hall. “Mrs. Jennings has a favorite sitting room set aside for her in two country houses.”
“This one was my mother’s favorite when she was in residence,” Annabelle said happily.
“I see,” Edward remarked upon entering the room.
“What does ‘I see’ mean?” Annabelle asked with a frown.
“Nothing,” he assured before choosing a chair where there would be no one sitting behind him. “Although I am not often enough in Lady Lindale’s company, I must admit, I cannot consider your mother selecting this decor, nor do I think she would choose such bright colors. Yet, I must be in error, for the room is, as you say, Lady Lindale’s favorite.”
“Naturally, with Lady Elaine’s absence, my Carolyn made some changes,” Mr. Jennings said as he sat across from Edward.
“As I said previously, I see.”
* * *
Jocelyn looked out the coach’s window. “This part of England is quite beautiful, but rather rugged.”
“It is a good place to ride one’s horse,” Vincent said as he also slid closer to the window. Victoria was curled up on the bench and asleep.
“Do you miss riding? I must apologize: We have not spent as much time riding as we had wished.”
“I love my pony,” he admitted. “Lord Lindale purchased it for me, but, before he died, my father promised me a ‘real’ horse. We were to ride out so I could see all I would inherit.”
Jocelyn thought the late earl’s death had left a large hole in the boy’s life.
