Chapter Seven
Jocelyn had not realized the effect the officer would have on her. Instinctively, she knew the man’s identity, for Mrs. Darcy and the twins had mentioned Lord Lindale’s brother often; yet, none of them had mentioned the oddly attractive face only inches from hers. The man’s countenance was not conventionally handsome, as was Mr. Darcy’s appearance, whose look of pure adoration for his family was fully displayed upon his features.
No, the officer’s features could obviously change from a quick survey of the situation to that moment of brief contentment in the kiss he had placed on the child’s forehead. Jocelyn thought his sun-dusted features were a pathway to his soul, one she might enjoy exploring. Without considering her actions, she leaned closer to say, “We all have a bet on whether Mr. Darcy will know tears.”
“My cousin can be as hard-nosed as the best of them,” he said in the biting tone she suspected he often used with new recruits, “except when it comes to those who hold his affections. Darcy would be a formidable opponent for any who would be foolish enough to bring harm to his family.”
“And you, Colonel?” she asked. “Would your family know your wrath or your protections?”
Jocelyn was not to know his response, for the twins claimed the man’s attention. “Will you stay for a while?” Victoria asked just as Vincent made a request. “May . . . I view . . . your sword?”
Jocelyn sighed internally, as the man turned first to Victoria to say, “I plan to be here, at least a sennight, though I will be out some days visiting the neighboring shires,” and then to the boy, “I promise to permit you to hold the sword later, but you are not to do so without supervision. The sword is a weapon of war, not a toy for the schoolroom. Understand.”
“Yes, sir,” Vincent said dutifully, but a bit of his ego knew deflation.
“Show the colonel your hand,” she instructed the child.
“What is this?” the colonel asked as Vincent extended his bandaged hand for the man’s inspection.
“A horse . . . sir,” Vincent explained, “was attacking . . . a rail. I assisted . . . in tilting him.”
The colonel examined the bandage. “That was quite brave of you,” he told the child, though a slight frown marked his forehead. “Were you alone?”
“No, sir,” the boy answered. “Mr. Jessie . . . and . . . Miss Lambert. Tied the horse’s . . . legs.”
The frown remained when he asked, “I am assuming you are Miss Lambert?”
Mrs. Darcy answered for Jocelyn. “This is my friend, Miss Rose Lambert, Colonel. I apologize for not performing a proper introduction as the joy of Bennet’s first steps and your arrival had us all too excited.”
The colonel smiled upon the lady, his admiration for the woman fully on display, and, like it or not, a scowl formed on Jocelyn’s forehead. “Lord Vincent was telling me of his escapade with the horse.”
“Yes,” Mrs. Darcy continued as she placed her son in Mr. Darcy’s waiting arms. “If not for Rose’s quick thinking, the horse would likely have known a severe injury. Miss Lambert fetched lunge lines to hobble the horse long enough for it to know calm. We are all quite proud of Lord Vincent’s participation and the way he supported her.”
The boy smiled widely, and the colonel rightly followed Mrs. Darcy’s lead. “As am I, Lord Vincent,” he announced. “Although I admit, if I had viewed this venture, I might have known an apoplexy.” He turned to Jocelyn. “Thank you, Miss Lambert, for protecting both my nephew and my brother’s prize horses.”
Mr. Darcy stood and reached a hand down to his wife while still cuddling his son, who babbled “pa...pa” again, much to the delight of the child’s father. The boy could already say “mama,” thanks to Darcy’s coaching the lad to do so. “I agree with my cousin. Your actions were exemplary, Miss Lambert. Yours, as well, Lord Vincent.”
Jocelyn noticed how Vincent beamed with pride. Tears thought to mist the boy’s eyes, but he swallowed them. “Thank you, sir. You, as well, Colonel.”
Mrs. Darcy slid her arm about Mr. Darcy’s waist and snuggled into the man’s side, while the colonel rose with complete grace and reached a hand down to Jocelyn as the child’s latest accomplishment was evidently “in the book,” so to speak.
When Jocelyn accepted his hand, she recognized her mistake immediately. The colonel was a handsome, while rugged-looking, man. He possessed thick chestnut-colored hair that shone with deep copper highlights. His skin was tanned from spending hours in the sun, and his large brown eyes, set off by dark arched brows, sparked with a bit of a “question,” for he had obviously experienced the same “zing” of recognition as she when their bare hands had touched. A small scowl appeared and escaped within a matter of seconds.
His nose had a Roman arch, likely from some sort of confrontation, and his lips were large, with slightly-noticeable smile lines on each side. He was tall and boxy shouldered, which were quite wide. She imagined he could, quite literally, shoulder a world of trouble on them. He possessed a strong muscular body that rippled with power when he moved. She thought being held by him would make any woman feel precious and protected, which was something Jocelyn had not experienced since she was young.
“It is near time for a midday meal,” Mrs. Darcy announced. Rose admired the woman’s easy take control manner of operating in such situations. She could learn much from the woman, for the lady was rarely flummoxed by anything or anyone. “We should each refresh our clothing. Rose, might I impose upon you to oversee the children?”
“We may eat with you?” Victoria inquired. The girl appeared to be quite excited.
“I hold no objection,” Mrs. Darcy stated, obviously leading the way.
“None from me,” Mr. Darcy agreed.
The colonel looked as if he wished to comment, but he said, “It would be good to spend time with the children.”
With that, Jocelyn bobbed a curtsey and caught the children’s hands. “Let us dress for a welcome for your uncle,” she encouraged as they all three charged the steps together.
* * *
Edward waited until the woman and the twins had disappeared before saying, “This is the woman of whom you wrote to Darcy?”
“Yes,” Mrs. Darcy confirmed. “According to the lady, Miss Lambert’s parents are both deceased. She was on her way north to find a position as a governess. Thankfully, her skills in connecting with the twins have proven superior to her making her way through the world alone. She was near complete exhaustion or worse when we came across her. Mr. Bingley’s estate was some fifteen miles removed when we rescued her from where she had collapsed.”
“Explain to me more of her family,” Edward instructed.
“If I understand what she said correctly,” Mrs. Darcy shared, “her father was killed in the war, while her mother succumbed to some sort of illness contracted when the lady served in the hospitals. When she first told me her mother and a few others assisting with the wounded had died, I thought she meant by a military action, but she meant by exposure to some sort of disease. I am not confident which one. Miss Lambert says she has no other relations. I assumed her parents were part of the gentry because she is well educated, but, if part of the gentry, she should have family who would take her in. Naturally, many families are dying out because of this war that has gone on for nearly twenty years. Perhaps her father was from trade, such as was Mr. Bingley and his sisters. Obviously, Miss Caroline Bingley was more well educated than was I in certain subjects. Miss Rose did speak of her father as an officer. Would such be possible?”
“An officer commission, depending on whether it is a lieutenancy, such as was Mr. Wickham, or even a captaincy, is possible for those not from the gentry or aristocracy, but not easily achieved, especially if there are those of higher rank socially who wish to purchase it. The army still assumes a man with a wealthy family can shoulder the cost of an officer’s needs—uniforms, weapons, and so forth. Many who could afford the commission are passed over because they have no one to support them.”
Darcy said, “No matter how educated the lady might be, we should determine if she would make a good governess for the children. Though the twins appear fond of the woman, we do not wish to install an opportunist in the position nor employ an unreasonable caretaker who holds no sympathy for the pair’s situation, especially as both require some sort of stability in their lives.”
* * *
Edward had less primping to do than did his house guests. If he knew Darcy, and the colonel was confident he did, his cousin was at this moment claiming a private reunion with his wife. Edward would be proven correct if Mrs. Darcy arrived at the table still a bit flushed. The idea both pleased him and caused a bit of envy at the same time. He was undoubtedly happy for Darcy, who had discovered a woman who stirred his cousin’s soul, but Edward was also jealous, for he expected never to know such bliss. The idea of bedding a woman not of his choosing soured his stomach.
With another sigh of resignation, he sought out the housekeeper, Mrs. Ross. “Might you elucidate, ma’am, on what occurred with the children’s last governess?”
The housekeeper motioned him into a nearby empty room before responding. “Mrs. Peyton, sir, took the absence of your bother and Lady Lindale as an indication she was not only in charge of the children, but also the household. Mr. Torrence and I generally ignored the woman’s posturing until she became more antagonistic towards the young lord and lady. Mrs. Peyton was particularly unkind to Lord Vincent, who we all agree, other than his stuttering, is quite intelligent, though more than a bit singular in his approach once an idea is set in his mind.”
Edward remarked, “As are most young gentlemen.”
The housekeeper smiled, indicating she believed the characteristic applied to more than male children. “As you say, sir.”
“What exacerbated the last incident?” he inquired.
“Young Lord Vincent corrected Mrs. Peyton regarding some species of flower in the garden. As he often is prone to do, even after Mrs. Peyton corrected his ‘supposed’ error, Lord Vincent insisted he had not misspoken. The boy offered to fetch a book in the library to prove his point. Instead, Mrs. Peyton took her bamboo walking stick to the child. When Lady Victoria defended her brother, Mrs. Peyton slapped the girl twice with an open hand, once on each cheek. This all occurred before I could reach the schoolroom and put a stop to the woman’s continued abuse. I missed viewing the actual slap by seconds, but I heard the sound and could view the red handprints on the child’s face.”
“Continued?” Edward asked.
“Mrs. Peyton was often harsh with Lord Vincent. A pinch of his cheeks which often left a small bruise. A slap of a ruler across the back of his hand,” the housekeeper explained. “A reprimand and going without a meal is one thing. Purposely causing harm to a child is inexcusable, in my opinion, sir. If I am in error, I humbly apologize.”
“You are not in error,” Edward confirmed. “Was my brother and Lady Lindale aware of this situation?” The idea did not sit well with him. He had often presented a soldier a nasty duty, but not for speaking from turn. A warning would generally suffice. Only if the man did not take the situation seriously, did Edward resort to more “extreme” measures.
“His lordship and her ladyship have been much from home of late, and Mrs. Peyton threatened worse if the children spoke out against her.”
“I see. And Miss Lambert? Though she is a friend to Mrs. Darcy, my cousin’s wife has suggested we employ Miss Lambert in a governess position, for the lady has no other family to whom she might turn. I am not fully convinced. I do not wish to bring someone into the twins’ lives who will remain only a few weeks and abandon them.” In truth, Edward realized he would likely be spending more time at William’s Wood than at Maitland Manor, and the woman was an untouchable temptation.
“Miss Lambert carves out time to spend with each child individually, as well as time together, during her day. Though her position is not yet official, she is quite attentive to their needs. At the moment, she is still housed in the guest rooms and so she has not interacted with all those below stairs, but the ones who speak of her, do so with admiration.”
The woman’s affirmation was not what Edward wished to hear, but he was glad the children were safer with Miss Lambert than they had been with Mrs. Peyton. “Thank you for your honest observations, ma’am. They have proven most beneficial.”
As he walked away, Edward knew he had to act in the best interest of the children. However, like it or not, a sudden rush of desire caught him off guard, and he paused to suck in a steadying breath. “Ridiculous!” he murmured a self-chastisement. He was a man in his early thirties. He did not lust after young girls, though, in reality, his promised bride had not yet reached her majority. Miss Lambert was far too young to be a governess. “She is a ‘miss,’ not a ‘missus,’ for God’s sake,” he grumbled, though he knew often women in a prominent household assumed the “missus” honorific when they were employed in such a house. “What does Miss Lambert know of children?” Again, he had no children, only his instincts as to what was prescribed, but he chose to ignore the hypocrisy of his opinion.
“Colonel!” Two young voices echoed in the hall as the children barreled towards him, followed at a distance by Miss Lambert. “Would you . . . take us . . . out riding . . . later?” Vincent asked. “We have . . . missed riding.”
“Has your new saddle arrived, Lady Victoria?” he inquired in a poor attempt at ignoring the young woman waiting nearby.
The child frowned her displeasure. “No, but I can ride astride. Miss Lambert’s saddle is made for a man.”
Edward looked up to the woman for confirmation. “Is such true, Miss Lambert?”
Rather than being ashamed, the chit’s chin hitched higher. “It is, sir. A woman must claim what she may to survive. For example, despite having adequate funds for a room upon my journey north, I was required to sleep in open fields due to men’s rules. I ride astride for long distances,” she answered smartly, “as a sidesaddle is not so comfortable in those situations.”
“Come then, instead of riding this late afternoon, let us take a gig into the village instead,” he instructed the children. “It will be too late for a proper ride. We may check on Lady Victoria’s sidesaddle and claim a bit of sugary treats at the bakery.”
“May Miss Lambert come with us?” Victoria asked.
“I am confident Miss Lambert has other things to accomplish,” he suggested.
The chit’s smile grew larger. “And I am confident I might find something to entertain me in your absence, Colonel. Yet, I will remain behind and feed the ducks as we planned to do today.”
“I wanted to feed the ducks,” Victoria whined.
“Yet, you require a proper saddle if you are to go riding with your uncle,” Miss Lambert reasoned.
“May we visit the ducklings when we return?” the child asked.
Miss Lambert looked to him for approval. “Such would be your uncle’s decision. Perhaps Mrs. Darcy might also bring Master Bennet down before the child’s and your bedtimes.”
The children looked to him. “If all is well, I imagine a visit with the ducklings can be arranged.”
Miss Lambert smiled knowingly, and Edward felt an unexplainable urge to pull her into his arms and kiss the smirk from her lips. She was far too pretty to be a governess. If she was in a different household, the master would be claiming her innocence before a flipped coin could hit the ground. At least his brother Roland would not treat the woman thusly, but could Edward say the same of his own honor? This was absurd! Extremely intolerable! “Damnation!” he groaned.
“Pardon . . . sir?” Vincent asked.
Miss Lambert bit her lip to keep from bursting into laughter. She was obviously aware of his misery. “Nothing important,” he told the child. “I just recalled another task I must perform in Lord Lindale’s absence.” He turned to the woman. “Might I ask you to attend me in my brother’s study this afternoon, Miss Lambert? Before we go forward, we should speak of responsibilities and amenities. We must come to an agreement on specifics before you are installed in an official capacity at William’s Wood.”
* * *
Jocelyn knew her way around men. She was, most assuredly, not a loose woman, but she was aware of the effect of her countenance on even the most hardened character. She had, in fact, been pleasantly surprised to realize her appearance had had no effect upon Mr. Darcy, but it had definitely awakened something in the colonel’s hard veneer. She enjoyed a challenge. Even so, she managed a bit of decorum. “Gladly done, sir.”
Victoria looked off to where Miss Lambert walked away, without even a “by your leave.” The child said, “She is quite perfect, Uncle Edward. Please say Miss Lambert might stay with us.”
“I cannot . . .” he began, but the child’s protruding lip had Edward swallowing his words. “I cannot,” he started over, “promise until I speak to the lady regarding ‘responsibilities’ and ‘amenities’ and so forth, just as I said to her.”
“She . . . does not . . . think me . . . dumb,” the boy said in defense of both the lady and himself.
“She knows things that Mrs. Peyton said I was too young to learn, but Miss Lambert showed me how to do my needlework and something on how to play the pianoforte and to dance. She truly is quite perfect for us,” Victoria said with a lift of her chin in challenge, while Edward considered the woman might be his downfall, for, uncharacteristically, instead of summarizing what the children had shared, he was musing over what he might teach the lady.