Page 64 of The Colonel's Ungovernable Governess
“What did he say?” Jocelyn asked.
“It is all forgotten. A giant misunderstanding on both our parts,” Mrs. Darcy said with a large smile. “Yet, someday I shall tell you of Mr. Darcy’s first proposal. It was a true disaster, but he improved with practice.”
Their conversation was interrupted by Mr. Purdy. “A carriage on the lane, Mrs. Darcy. Chad says it is your husband’s, ma’am.”
Mrs. Darcy stood quickly and smoothed the wrinkles from her dress. “Bennet shall be thrilled to view his father. Our son asks for him often.”
“And you do not miss Mr. Darcy when he is away?” Jocelyn teased.
“I am guilty as charged,” Mrs. Darcy admitted with another grin.
They all trailed after the woman to wait for Mr. Darcy’s and Lord Vincent’s return. The gentleman stepped down first and turned to set Vincent on the ground. When he stood again, Mrs. Darcy jumped into his arms. One would have thought the man would know embarrassment, but he simply bent his head and kissed his wife. In some ways, Jocelyn was embarrassed to view their intimacy, but, in truth, she was more envious than anything else.
Mr. Darcy broke the kiss, but did not release his wife. “Pardon our thrusting our reunion upon you. It was poorly done.”
“Nothing to pardon,” her father declared. “Your wife has entertained us for several days by singing your praises. Anything less than her show of adoration would have been a disappointment.”
The sound of another visitor’s arrival drew their attention. It was Vincent who announced the identity of the incoming rider. “Colonel!” The child darted away to greet the man. “Colonel! Uncle!”
Everyone except Jocelyn drew closer to welcome their relation. She could not move. She looked to where Mrs. Darcy still held on to her husband’s hand, but the woman was studying Jocelyn in anticipation.
The colonel dismounted and leaned over to present Vincent a “male embrace,” stopping to ruffle the boy’s hair while accepting the child’s adoration.
Then the man’s gaze fell upon her parents. “Lady Romfield,” he said as he bowed, though Jocelyn was confident his deference was engrained, for he appeared confused.
“My husband,” her mother said softly, and the colonel bowed a second time. “My lord.” No one moved to break this tableau until Mrs. Darcy suggested, “We should all go within and permit the colonel and Jocelyn to discuss this matter with a bit of privacy.”
Edward Fitzwilliam’s eyes remained on her, and Jocelyn drove back the urge to squirm. Her mother kissed Jocelyn’s cheek as she passed her. Andrew and Vincent jabbered away as they entered the house. Mr. Farrin directed the Darcy coach towards the stables, and Mr. Jessie hustled out of the barn to claim the colonel’s horse, but neither she nor the gentleman moved. She could view the confusion crawling across his expression.
Mr. Darcy moved to his cousin’s side and said something Jocelyn could not hear beyond the words “listen” and “future” and “listen” once again. Meanwhile, Mrs. Darcy came to stand beside Jocelyn. “Speak the truth. Remember the colonel loves you.” Then she and Mr. Darcy followed the others into the house, though Jocelyn suspected more than one set of eyes was watching them from the nearby windows.
“You have recovered,” he said but did not approach her.
“Not completely healed,” she responded, “but well enough to welcome your return.” She paused when he did not respond. “You are well, sir?”
“I am,” he said with a frown and looked to the house. Jocelyn made herself not to turn and look also. “I prayed each day for your recovery.”
“And I prayed each day for your safety,” she countered.
They stood in silence for an elongated minute.
“Lord and Lady Romfield . . .” he stated as confusion crossed his features.
“My parents,” she explained. Her heart beat wildly, but she forced her legs not to buckle.
“You are not Miss Rose Lambert?” he said with a bit of irritation in his tone.
“‘Rose’ is a middle name.”
“You lied to me and the children.” His anger had arrived, as had hers. “I do not appreciate games.”
“I did not wish to marry a stranger any more than you did,” she countered. “I ran off when my mother took my brother Andrew to school.”
“Your mother claimed you had measles,” he accused.
“And you were so worried about your intended that you did not call upon her again. Weeks have passed, Colonel. Did you even consider the fact that you had an intended while you were kissing me?” she charged.
“Of course I considered my betrothed; otherwise, you would have been . . .” he stopped himself before saying the obvious.
