Page 52 of The Colonel's Ungovernable Governess
“And so, you did Jennings’s bidding?” Edward asked.
“If Uncle Philip was the earl, it would be easier for him to protect my mother. My father is simply a baron, and his barony is only recently created. He is the 3rd Baron Marksham. Uncle Philip promised to lead others to deny my father’s petition for divorce. In that manner, my mother would remain a baroness and be entitled to her widow’s portion when he passes. He might send her off or go to Scotland himself and live there for six months and seek a divorce in that manner, but he could not deny either her or me. I promised I would protect her, no matter the consequences.”
“Should I bring Mr. Jennings in and have him corroborate your story?” Edward asked without sympathy.
“I imagine he, his family, and my mother and younger siblings are on their way to Hull by now. They were to retrieve me from the village. My dressing, as such, in these clothes, was so you would not recognize me.”
“I recognized you,” Mr. Jessie declared. “Seen you at church services at home before yer leavin’ with Lady Annabelle. I be suspicious of how the young mistress watched ye. I’d say yer disguise not be very good. Your hair bein’ more red than yellar made ye conspicuous.”
Marksham sighed heavily. “Anyway, such was the plan. To take passage to Italy. If it fell through, Uncle Philip agreed to see to my mother’s welfare. He has been preparing for our exit for weeks, while I was in Bath setting the plan to be rid of young Babcock. Such is the reason my uncle released the majority of the Babbington staff, so there would be no witnesses to the boy’s death. Most within the house now are his servants.
“It was I who insisted, even after your arrival, that we continue with his plan. I was to set out to encounter the coach the boy was in and do away with him on the road or when he stopped at an inn. However, your family coach arrived earlier than any of us expected. Those within must have discovered Lady Annabelle’s true destination earlier than we anticipated. Lady Annabelle was to instruct her younger sister not to tell her brother of our coming to Babbington until after the turn towards Easingwold, so they would be further north on their way to Scotland and would be required to turn back to reach the estate. We thought it would be several days before the twins appeared.”
“All very convoluted,” Edward remarked, but he realized how fortunate they had all been to have surrounded the boy. The colonel held no doubt Miss Lambert would have fought to keep the children alive. They might all have been left for dead on some less traveled road while they simply meant to seek Annabelle in the northern shires or the border between England and Scotland.
“It was my uncle’s suggestion that we kill the boy quickly, especially after you and your cousin arrived unexpectedly.”
“Mr. Jessie,” Edward said with a huff full of resignation, “would you fetch ointment and bandages for Mr. Marksham’s wrists. Afterwards, I will require you to stand guard over him until we might turn him over to the proper authorities. Tie up his legs also. He can sleep on the floor.”
“Aye, Colonel.”
The man rose to do Edward’s bidding. “And ask Mrs. Murray to find me.”
“Yes, sir.”
“What becomes of me?” Marksham asked.
“Such depends on whether your loyalty remains with Philip Jennings or not.”
For the next few minutes, neither Edward nor Marksham said a word. The colonel stood where he might look out of the window, but he saw none of the estate. He held no choice: He must pursue Philip Jennings. However, he feared if he went too far or was gone too long, Miss Lambert might lose her life with no one who loved her to watch over her and hold her hand in her final goodbye. Assuredly, Darcy and Elizabeth would see to the lady’s physical care, but who would care for her dreams? Who would worry for her future? He could not go against his father’s wishes, yet . . .
“You wished to speak to me, Colonel?” the housekeeper asked after opening the door with an introductory knock.
“Yes.” He turned to address the woman. “Am I correct in assuming you were employed by the late earl, rather than Mr. Jennings?”
“Yes, sir. I was engaged to Babbington Hall since I was a girl of fourteen years. I have long served the Jennings family, but, mainly, I served Lord Stephen Jennings as the 11th Earl of Babcock.”
“Good to know. Now, may I ask you to speak to how many others currently on staff were employed by the late earl?”
“Less than a dozen, I fear. Mostly those in the kitchen. Mr. Jennings brought a little over two dozen servants with him when he returned to the Hall after Lady Babcock departed for Lincolnshire. I am confident you are aware many of the positions were left open. We are seriously understaffed.”
“I understand perfectly,” he assured. “Are there many in the area who would care to return to employment at Babbington? I cannot imagine there are enough businesses to support such a large withdrawal of services.”
“There are, sir, though some departed for the larger cities in hope of work in the factories.”
“Then, I wish you to do the following: First, gather every staff member who was brought to Babbington by Mr. Jennings, including those in the stables and those responsible for repairs and such, in the servant hall in, say, a half hour. Is such possible?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Mr. Darcy and the young lord will address them at that time. Meanwhile, send a note to the land steward that he is to speak to Mr. Darcy and Lord Vincent tomorrow morning,” he instructed.
“Might I have permission to ask Mr. Purdy to return?” she asked.
“Who is Mr. Purdy?” he inquired.
“The house’s butler for some five and twenty years. He would be an asset in setting things right again. Mr. Jennings let him go without references, for Mr. Jennings ‘objected’ to Mr. Purdy’s ‘objections.’”
“Yes, definitely ask Purdy to speak to Darcy and the boy. Lord Vincent should be surrounded by those he recognizes and trusts.”
