Page 55 of The Duke and the Enigmatic Governess
“There’s a note for you, My Lady. Your cousin arrived an hour ago and asked to see you. Your brother said you were indisposed,so he wrote you a note. I’ve got it here.” Millicent handed Audrey a scribbled note.
“Dearest Coz Audrey, something havey cavey going on here at Rowton. Ethan tells me you are to be married this evening, and I’ve been invited as witness. Says you’re marrying old Cedric Batton. Don’t believe a word of it. I didn’t want to take sides between you and Ethan, but he’s not behaving in a rational way. He’s lost his marbles. Never fear my dear, I shall get you out of this marriage, and without any blood being shed. You know what a fearful coward I am. Your ever devoted, Coz Rupert.”
Audrey smiled to herself. She was not alone. She had the loyalty of the servants, and her cousin had declared he would help her. She went to her writing table and rummaged for a pen and ink and jotted down a quick reply to Rupert.
She turned to Millicent. “Listen carefully. I need you to give this note to my cousin. Can you tell the servants not to leave the house, but stay in the kitchen and block the door? I might need aid. Tell Mr. Jeffries to send to Brunston Hall and ask Sir Nigel to call the constables. I think that’s everything. I’ve had enough of being bullied by Ethan, this has to end.”
“Very well, My Lady. No one is to leave, he has to send a message to Sir Nigel and block the kitchen door.”
“Good girl. Now off you go. Remember to give that note to my cousin Rupert.”
Maybe, just maybe there was a way out of this.
When Lady Caroline’s maid returned to dress her hair she went through the motions, allowing her to pin the veil in her hair. “There,” said the maid, “you look lovely. It’s always nice when brides wear their mother’s dress.”
Audrey nodded and smiled, thanking the maid for her help. The door opened to reveal Lady Caroline, dressed in a heavy silk gown, diamonds sparkling in her brown hair.
“You’re ready. Excellent. The parson has arrived, and we will meet the Duke of Batton in the chapel. Remember little Sasha. She is relying on you for her future happiness.” She looked at Audrey, checking the dress and veil. “We don’t have flowers, but you can carry a prayer book, that’s quite appropriate. Now follow me downstairs and remember about the child.”
Audrey nodded and dutifully followed Lady Caroline down the grand staircase into the hall, the long train of her dress flowing after her. She saw Rupert standing next to Ethan and breathed a sigh of relief. She was not alone.
They formed a procession to walk the short distance to the chapel. Rupert offered her his arm and she took it gratefully, noticing the look of surprise on her brother’s face. As they walked across the pathway Rupert whispered in her ear.
“The parson’s a decent man and I’m going to declare an impediment. Even if that doesn’t work it gives you the opportunity to run away, though how you’ll run in that gown, with that train is beyond me. No, it’s best if I declare an impediment. I’ll tell them you're already married or something. It’ll take them ages to prove me wrong.”
“Very well,” she whispered.
There didn’t seem to be another option and she noticed Ethan had burly footmen, none of whom she recognized, positioned around the castle courtyard and by the drawbridge over the moat. Rupert’s impediment to the marriage was her best hope.
Audrey entered the chapel clutching her prayer book and looking at the stained-glass window above the altar. This was a special place, and she had to put her trust in her cousin. All would be well. She flinched as she touched her brother’s arm, ready to walk down the aisle towards the parson and the Duke of Batton.
She barely glanced at the Duke, who stood flanked by several friends. He smiled at her encouragingly, and she didn’t believe he knew anything of her reluctance. As the parson asked if there was anyone with any just cause or impediment why the marriage should not take place, her cousin Rupert stepped forward, quietly drawling that he knew of an impediment.
The parson stopped, looking around him for the first time. “What did you say?” he asked with confusion.
“Erm. I know of an impediment,” repeated Rupert.
“This has never happened before!” exclaimed the Parson.
“You’re supposed to ask me what it is,” suggested Rupert, yawning as he spoke.
“What’s this about?” asked the Duke of Batton.
“Continue with the ceremony,” barked Ethan.
“She’s already married,” said Rupert. “She can’t marry you, Cedric old chap. Her brother’s coercing her and it ain’t right. I can’t stand by and watch my favorite cousin forced into a marriage against her will.”
The Duke of Batton looked stunned. “Is this true?” he asked her gently, hardly audible over the noise of Ethan and Caroline urging the parson to continue.
“My cousin is right in that I’ve been kept prisoner and forced here today. It isn’t true that I’m already married, though I am betrothed to another.”
The Duke of Batton took her hand in his. “If what my bride says is true then there will be no marriage today.”
At that moment the heavy oak door was flung open and Jude, Robert, Barton, and his men burst into the chapel. “Audrey,” called Jude. “Please tell me you’re not married.”
The Clairville contingent were closely followed by Mr. Jeffries, her loyal Rowton servants and a man Audrey assumed must be Sir Nigel, the magistrate, with three constables.
Jude was beside her in an instant and she fell into his arms. “She isn’t married,” said the Duke of Batton, in an authoritative tone. “Her brother has some questions to answer. There is no way I’d marry a lady forced into marriage against her will.”
