The Colonel's Ungovernable Governess : A Pride and Prejudice Vagary

Chapter Six

“Mrs. Darcy,” Jocelyn called as she searched for the woman. She had spent more than an hour with Lord Vincent, now she meant to assist Lady Victoria, but, first, she must address the use of the word “governess.”

“In here!” the woman called.

Jocelyn turned on her heels to enter the morning sitting room. “What are you doing still in here?”

The woman chuckled. “Reading a letter from Mr. Darcy. The man will likely be at William’s Wood tomorrow, but I miss him desperately when we must be apart. One would think that after two years, our ‘obsession’ with each other would wane,” she admitted with a blush.

“Yet, it has not?”

“Not in the least. Do you know the first personal letter my Fitzwilliam received was at my hand? Not from his sister or either of his parents. Plenty of letters of business and notes from relations, but not a letter expressing admiration of his person.” The woman shrugged in a bit of continued embarrassment.

“I understand,” Jocelyn confessed. “I, too, have never experienced a letter of admiration—not even a badly-written poem from a supposed admirer.”

“When you do,” Mrs. Darcy assured, “something very elemental to your soul will be stirred.”

They both remained silent for several seconds before Mrs. Darcy asked, “You wished to speak to me?”

Jocelyn reluctantly gave herself an internal shake of reality. She would likely never know such affection, even if she returned to Kent and accepted the arranged marriage awaiting her. There would be no guarantee her new husband would love her in the manner Mr. Darcy adored his wife, nor she in return. “Lord Vincent told me of how Mrs. Peyton struck Victoria when the girl attempted to protect her brother. Mrs. Peyton had referred to Lord Vincent as ‘dumb.’ If I am to remain at William’s Wood, I believe it should be as we discussed. I am your ‘friend’ and I will also be a friend to the children. Someone they can trust to keep her word. I shall be here on a trial basis, one in which the children will have a say. If I am to provide them a ‘safe place,’ I believe I can do so better if they view me as a person who will advocate for them.”

Mrs. Darcy said nothing for a minute or more, but her expressions spoke of how she had “digested” the idea. “What occurred with Vincent earlier?” the woman asked at last. “Mrs. Ross says the boy’s hand required bandaging. I do not wish to sound as if I am making an accusation . . .”

“You do not,” Jocelyn declared, though she quickly realized what Mrs. Darcy was attempting to explain. “As you had suggested, I insisted his lordship walk beside me rather than before me as we visited the stables. Hoping to reinforce what was expected of a gentleman. Unfortunately, once we neared the stalls and the paddocks, there was a horse in great distress. Lord Vincent and I assisted a ‘Mr. Jessie’ in tilting the horse enough that it could no longer ‘attack’ one of the flat rails. His lordship rubbed some skin from one of his palms.” She paused before adding, “You think it is important that the children view me as their ‘governess’ rather than their ‘friend,’ especially if I am to make decisions for them.”

Mrs. Darcy smiled, “I knew you would come to a decision on your own, though I see no reason you cannot be both their governess and my friend at the same time. Their friend, as well. No one says a governess cannot be both the person in charge and someone who genuinely cares for her charges.”

“Yet, you do not know this to be a fact,” Jocelyn stated. “You had no governess.”

Mrs. Darcy declared, “As you well know, our mother never bothered to employ such a woman. Truthfully, I doubt one woman could have met the needs of five such boisterous girls. I guess I am saying, all of the Bennet sisters could have benefitted from a governess’s guidance, but we could also have benefitted from a bit of individual attention. Much of our upbringing, until we were older, was performed as a group. Usually, we did what either Jane or Lydia suggested, because those two were my mother’s favorites.”

Jocelyn took a moment to think upon Mrs. Darcy’s unspoken suggestion. By silent assent, she again permitted the woman “gently” to have her way. “If I am also to meet some of Lady Victoria’s needs as a young lady of English society, I thought to assist her with her needlework, something she mentioned while she watched me soak Vincent’s hand in warm soapy water before Mrs. Ross bandaged it. I was thinking we might begin with creating letters or simple leaves. However, I have no idea where to find cloth or thread in this household and neither does the child.”

“We may ask Mrs. Ross. I would imagine there is some cloth and thread about for patching clothing and the like. If necessary, we will send someone in the village for the necessary items. You will require multiple needles and thread.”

“That would be lovely. Might I also impose upon you to use a pencil and sketch a drawing for Lady Victoria’s practice?”

“Gladly done.”

* * *

“We should be at William’s Wood by midday tomorrow,” Darcy told his cousin as they dined together at an inn marking their journey.

“I imagine you are eager to reunite with Mrs. Darcy,” Edward teased.

“I have not tired of the woman, as you well know,” Darcy remarked around a bite of ham. “Are you worried on the lack of marital felicity with Miss Romfield?”

“I would be concerned for felicity in any marriage I choose to undertake. I am a man set in my ways. I do not believe I could tolerate a woman who is not capable of adjusting to constant changes in her life. After all, most of my adult life, I have been a soldier. My time is never my own. Between the War Office and my parents, I have no life of which I can honestly say bears my stamp upon it. Now, I am to oversee my brother’s stepchildren, while wooing a bride chosen for me without my knowledge. No one considered I have duties to the King I must perform.”

Darcy paused to look upon Edward seriously, and Edward was suddenly aware how his complaining must sound. “I am your ally in this matter. Whatever you require, I will not fail you. I will stand against both Matlock and our Aunt Catherine, if such is your decision.”

Edward shrugged to release the tension always present between his shoulders. “I do not doubt your loyalty, Cousin, nor your resolve, but I am in foreign waters, and you know how I worry about a leaking boat.”

“You were never much of a sailor,” Darcy remarked offhandedly. “But this next venture is on dry land, and who is to say Miss Romfield will not capture your disinterested heart with an enticing glance and a smile.”

* * *

“Mrs. Darcy, look!” Elizabeth and Jocelyn turned together at the bidding of the maid.

Jocelyn thought the woman would know delight, for her son took three lunging steps forward before dropping to his knees.

Instead, the woman rushed to scoop the child up in her embrace. “No, no, my love!” She kissed the boy’s cheek and ran her fingers through the child’s thick, dark hair to straighten it. “Not until your papa arrives.”

“Must he wait for Mr. Darcy’s approval?” Jocelyn asked. “Should not Mr. Darcy simply be happy for the news?”

Unexpectedly, Mrs. Darcy chuckled. “Explain something of Mr. Darcy’s nature to Miss Lambert, Hannah.”

The lady’s maid smiled as well. “As my husband Mr. Sheffield has served Mr. Darcy as both his tutor and later his valet, I likely know more of the true nature of the master of Pemberley than most. No detail at the estate or regarding his family is beyond the master’s notice. Mr. Darcy would be heartsick to think his son took his first steps without his presence at that exact moment in time. There are so few firsts in this world. I know Mr. Sheffield would be devastated if he does not witness our Marshall’s first steps.”

Jocelyn still was not convinced it would make a difference, but she kept her opinions to herself.

“Then, we three must pretend we have not viewed Bennet’s progress these last two days. My son will walk into his father’s arms later this afternoon,” Mrs. Darcy declared. “Are we placing a bet on whether there will be happy tears in Mr. Darcy’s eyes?” she asked the maid.

“If we were at Pemberley House,” the maid stated, “Mrs. Reynolds, Mr. Nathan, and my Alfred would know tears of joy, as well, so a bet is not necessary. They are guaranteed.”

* * *

Darcy sighed with contentment when his carriage entered the gates of William’s Wood. “Have you considered where you and Miss Romfield will reside once you are married?”

“I suppose much will be determined by when my brother claims his last breath and what arrangements will be necessary for Lady Lindale’s children,” Edward mused. “I assume when Lindale passes, if there are still minor children, Lady Lindale and her children will reside in either the dower house at William’s Wood or at Maitland Manor. For my purposes, it would be best if Miss Romfield and I could claim the Oxfordshire estate promised me through my mother’s family, but Lady Matlock’s youngest brother is still alive. Until my maternal uncle passes, Oxfordshire is not an option.”

“I am assured Mrs. Darcy would not object if you and Miss Romfield, or any wife of your choosing, would wish to make use of Pemberley’s dower house, especially now it has known appropriate repairs and refurbishing. The dower house would provide you more privacy than either the Wood or Maitland. Moreover, you could join me regularly and learn more of land management and estate expenses than if you were being thrust into the position after Roland’s death. At Pemberley, you would know less arguments than under the earl’s tutelage.”

Edward chuckled. “I revere my father and am quite proud to be the son of such a prominent statesman, but he will know great umbrage to hear me say I am not built in the same manner as is he.”

“Perfectly acceptable,” Darcy declared. “My father would not have understood some of the changes I have made in regards to how Pemberley is run nor would he have considered Elizabeth Bennet a suitable wife for me. His pride would have stood in his way in both matters. Yet, I continually receive praise for how efficiently Pemberley has moved forward and few who know my wife could think of any better suited for me and for Pemberley’s future. You and your wife must carve out your own path in a world Matlock would not recognize as England.” They were crossing the bridge leading to the drive and the front door of the manor. “By the way, how long before a brigadier or major general appointment becomes available? I know such was always your goal before you left the service.”

“There is a brigadier one available now that could lead to a major general appointment in six to nine months, and a full out major general one also, but I do not have the funds to purchase either, and, as you are aware, a brigadier general position is always meant to be temporary. If I claimed that position, I must be prepared immediately to claim the other, but the major general one, currently available, is more expensive by itself than the two placed together.”

“Why did you not say so?” Darcy questioned. “I would be proud to advance you the funds or, better yet, present them to you as a wedding gift or a ‘Hell no, I will not marry the chit!’ gift. Whichever you choose. “

“I did not wish to ask you for more assistance,” Edward admitted, “for that is two commissions in less than a year.”

“However, if you accept the funds from me, there will be no means for Matlock to use the purchase as a means to force you into a marriage to which you object.”

“I will consider your offer,” Edward said as the coach rolled to a halt before his brother’s estate. “And thank you, Darcy. A man could not ask for a better friend than you.”

“Good day, Colonel. Mr. Darcy,” the butler greeted them as they stepped down. “I pray you had a pleasant journey.” Edward glanced to the manor house and noted several small repairs which should be addressed.

“Darcy?” he asked without saying the words.

“I see them also,” his cousin assured. “We will examine them more closely after we greet our families.”

Edward nodded his agreement, but, privately, he was quite proud of the fact his instincts regarding the manor house had not failed him.

Mrs. Darcy came galloping out the door to catch her husband’s hand. “Come, William,” she urged, pulling him along behind her. “You, too, Colonel,” she called.

“What is the disaster?” he asked in amusement.

“No disaster!” she chirped happily. “Just Bennet Darcy’s first steps.”

Darcy pulled up to stop her progress. “Are you confident?”

The woman tugged on her husband’s hand again. “Do you wish to miss this moment by arguing, Mr. Darcy?”

A heartbeat passed before Darcy took the lead. “Where to?” he demanded of his wife who now double stepped to keep up with Darcy’s long strides.

Edward permitted them their special moment, pausing long enough to provide the butler orders regarding rooms and learning Mrs. Darcy had already addressed the need for quarters for both of them. Evidently, Darcy had sent word of their travel plans.

When he entered the house, he paused at the door to a nearby sitting room to take in the scene. Elizabeth Darcy sat on the floor some ten feet away from Darcy. She kept her arms out before her and very stiff to permit the child to pull himself upward and stand. The boy, who was Darcy remade in looks, at least, looked about tentatively to the others sitting in a loose circle in quiet anticipation.

“Come to me, my boy,” Darcy coaxed. Edward’s cousin stretched out his arms to the child.

“Go to your papa, Bennet,” Elizabeth Darcy encouraged. She turned the child slightly so the boy would have a straighter line to reach Darcy. With a grin of pure delight, the child gurgled the beginnings of what would someday be the word “Papa,” both syllables now closer to together to distinguish the actual word, which was quickly followed by several lunging steps, quick stepping his way—knees high—to his father.

Darcy caught the boy before Bennet fell, scooping the child into his embrace. The twins, Elizabeth’s maid, and Elizabeth all applauded. Despite being a bit sad at not knowing the pure elation showing on his cousin’s countenance, Edward was happy for Darcy, while wondering if he too would ever know such contentment.

“Put down that silly sword and come join us, Colonel,” his cousin instructed. “Permit my son to greet his godfather.”

Edward thought to protest, but Victoria scrambled to her feet to catch his hand. “Come sit by me, Uncle Edward.” He permitted the child to tug him towards the circle, pausing only long enough to place his sword on a nearby table.

He was on the floor and adjusting his seat and crossing his legs when another female voice said, “Hopefully, I am not too late for the fun.” She squeezed in between him and Lord Vincent. Edward was about to warn her that the boy was particular about who sat beside him. Yet, to Edward’s surprise, the child reached up to brace the woman’s descent to the floor. Edward belatedly realized it should have been him who extended his hand.

“Go to your godfather,” Darcy instructed his son and turned the boy in Edward’s direction.

Edward quickly removed his gloves and extended his arms to the child. “Come along, Bennet. I have you,” he coaxed.

The boy grinned at him and began his lunging style, half run and half walk, all knees passage. Unfortunately, Edward was further away from Darcy than had been the distance between his cousin and Mrs. Darcy. The first seven or so steps were pure delight, especially for the child, but his momentum caused Bennet to stumble and to pitch forward. Edward rose up to reach Bennet Darcy just as the child lost his battle with gravity. He caught the child’s hand just as the unfamiliar woman wrapped her hands about Bennet’s middle. Between them, they managed to maneuver the boy into Edward’s loose embrace. “Very good,” Edward announced, lifting Bennet higher to place a kiss on the child’s forehead before turning him around in his arms.

Surprisingly, the boy leaned towards the lady, who kissed him, much in the same manner as had he, and, briefly, the idea their kisses had intermingled crossed Edward’s mind. It was long enough for Darcy to remind Edward to send the child back to him. He assisted the child to a standing, though somewhat wobbly, stance, before coaxing the child’s return to his father. “Go to your papa, boy.”

Darcy scooted forward so Bennet’s journey would be shorter. “Come along, Bennet,” his cousin ordered in a voice expressing Darcy’s pride in this moment.

Before Edward could form an opinion regarding the importance of such life lessons, the lady leaned closer to say in a whisper, “We all have a bet on whether Mr. Darcy will know happy tears.” The scent of roses wafted off her skin and filled Edward’s lungs with something he could not name, but very much wished to know again.

Edward’s gaze traveled from his cousin’s teary-eyed bliss to the woman close enough for them to share a breath. She was definitely a beauty—fine of countenance, enough so she could stir the soul of the devil himself. He was no devil nor was he a saint. She was too young for him, but a man could still enjoy a pretty face, no matter the circumstances. He was sorry to acknowledge that the girl’s promise of womanhood would never be known by him, assuming she might consider him acceptable. Which he seriously doubted. More importantly, he could not consider this obvious “friend” of Mrs. Darcy, for he was, unfortunately, engaged elsewhere.