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

Chapter Twelve

The fair proved both loud and colorful. Jocelyn watched Vincent as the boy walked sometimes very close to Mr. Darcy’s side and then, later, next to the colonel. The child held back rather than to rush from tent to tent, as most children would, but, though he occasionally shivered in obvious uncertainty, he bravely faced his fears.

“Vincent is doing quite well,” Jocelyn observed aloud as Victoria walked beside her and holding her hand.

“He found a bottle belonging to our mother in one of her drawers. He is using his finger to cover and uncover the opening,” Victoria explained.

“A bottle?” Jocelyn questioned.

“One of those small ones. Like those used for smelling salts,” the girl said. “Mr. Darcy told Vincent how he used to carry a coin in his pocket when he took tests at school and the like. The coin was one his mother had given him before she passed. Mr. Darcy would rub the coin over and over again to keep himself calm so he could study or make speeches to take his orals and the like.”

“Interesting,” Jocelyn murmured.

Obviously tired of defending her brother, Victoria asked, “Might we see the bear?”

“Permit me to ask your uncle,” Jocelyn told the girl. “Colonel!” she called.

He paused to look back to her and waited for her to catch up with him and Lady Annabelle. “Lady Victoria believes she would like to view the dancing bear now. Otherwise, according to the sign, if not now, it will be another two hours to wait.”

“Then it should be now,” he declared. “Are you prepared, Annabelle?” he said good-naturedly.

Lady Annabelle’s eyes darted to a group of young people who had been following their party for some time, but then looked quickly away. “I do not believe I care to view a smelly old bear. Might I not simply browse through some of the stalls?”

“I do not think such is acceptable,” the colonel stated.

“I do it all the time in Bath,” the girl argued. “The head mistress at school permits us the freedom to move about the town as is required. I promise to remain in this small circle of tents.”

The colonel’s face scrunched up in apparent denial, but, at the last second, he changed his mind. “This small circle only. Earn my trust, Lady Annabelle, or you will live to regret your choices during your stay at William’s Wood.”

The girl laughed nervously. “I promise.”

“Very well,” he announced.

Jocelyn thought he had made a mistake, but neither the colonel nor Lady Annabelle would appreciate her opinion. Therefore, she followed the others into the fenced off ring designed for the bear’s performance, but when she reached the seating, she encouraged Victoria to join Mrs. Darcy rather than to sit with the others.

“You should come,” Victoria insisted.

“I am a bit afeared,” she told the child in excuse.

“You should have said so,” Victoria objected.

“I shall stand along the fence. You may view me there. Go on now and join Mr. and Mrs. Darcy.” The girl was not best pleased, but she performed as instructed.

Jocelyn watched as Vincent and Victoria huddled together between the colonel and Mr. Darcy. She knew Vincent must have shivered because the colonel draped his arm around the boy’s shoulders, but the child did not look away from the bear. Mrs. Darcy motioned for Jocelyn to join them, but she shook off the gesture. She wished to stay by the fence. She wanted to watch Lady Annabelle. She did not trust the girl, for she had known many such spoiled young ladies on the Continent.

The colonel and the Darcys were barely out of Annabelle’s sight when the two young men and the girl who had been following them surrounded Lady Annabelle. Annabelle laced her arm around one of the young men’s arms, and he leaned down as if to kiss her cheek, but thought better of it.

The four stood together in the middle of the circle of tents with people stepping around them. The other girl motioned to where many were streaming along the pathway between the tents to where the skill games were set up, but, fortunately, Lady Annabelle appeared to oppose the idea. Otherwise, Jocelyn would have been forced to call for the colonel’s intervention.

Finally, when those inside the bear’s enclosure began to clap and cheer their pleasure, Jocelyn turned her head briefly to look upon the colonel’s handsome profile and to sigh contentedly, and, for a second, she forgot about Lady Annabelle, but her dreams vanished when said man turned towards her and frowned.

Victoria skipped over to Jocelyn. “Did you see how the bear danced, Miss Rose? Even Vincent dances better.”

“I did, sweetheart.” She caressed the child’s cheek. She belatedly realized she had already become too attached to the children.

“Are we prepared to continue onward?” the colonel asked.

“I am hungry,” Vincent announced.

“Then let us gather Annabelle and find ourselves something worth our time and money,” the colonel declared.

“If you do not mind,” Mrs. Darcy said, “Mr. Darcy and I will return to William’s Wood. I am a bit weak in the stomach.”

“I could, with your permission, go with Mrs. Darcy,” Jocelyn offered.

“I appreciate your kind gesture, Miss Lambert,” Mr. Darcy said, “but I will see to my wife. We will take the small coach and leave you my larger one. Do you wish me to send it back afterwards?”

“I imagine two adults and three children—” the colonel began.

Jocelyn warned, “I doubt Lady Annabelle would appreciate being considered a child.”

The colonel eyed Jocelyn peculiarly. “Three adults and two children,” he offered, “can tolerate being in a carriage for less than four miles to the estate. We will be well.” The colonel leaned forward to kiss Mrs. Darcy’s cheek. “Take care of yourself, Elizabeth. Darcy is harder to control than that dancing bear when you are in distress.”

“Yes, he has proven himself ‘necessary’ time and time again.” The lady claimed her husband’s arm, clutching it rather than walking casually at his side.

“Shall she be well?” Jocelyn asked in concern, as the pair walked away.

The colonel directed Vincent and Victoria to lead the way before he responded quietly, “Darcy believes his wife is again with child. The lady had similar symptoms when she was carrying Bennet. He worries extensively regarding her carrying another child.” He continued in hushed tones. “His mother was never well after his birth and lost her life after his sister’s appearance.”

“Was the previous Mrs. Darcy always weak?” Jocelyn asked.

“Lord, no!” he chuckled. “My Aunt Anne taught Darcy to swim, to shoot both a bow and a gun, and many more activities.”

“Your aunt?” she asked.

“Yes, Darcy and I are related through the Fitzwilliam line. His Christian name is ‘Fitzwilliam.’ Aunt Anne Darcy was my father’s youngest sister.”

“Youngest?” Jocelyn asked, interested in the man.

“Yes, there is an elder sister, who is a widow. Father was the middle child, and Anne, the youngest. Darcy’s father had no title, but he came from a noble line tracing their roots to the Norman Conquest. He is the master of one of the largest estates in England.” There was no time for more, for the children stopped in the middle of the area they had visited earlier.

“Where is Annabelle?” Victoria demanded.

The colonel turned in circles. “She promised she would not leave the area,” he hissed. “This place is too dangerous to wander about alone. There is always an unsavory element who follow these traveling fairs.”

The displeasure in the colonel’s tones had Victoria and Vincent hugging Jocelyn’s sides. Between wondering on their sister and the colonel’s apparent growing anger, they were both quite upset. “She must have unknowingly wandered off,” Jocelyn began in a soothing tone while stroking the head of each child. “Lady Annabelle was speaking to another lady of comparable age and two gentlemen while you all were watching the bear.”

“Are you confident such is true?” the colonel pleaded.

“I watched them from where I waited for your return by the opening in the roped off area. The trio has been behind us or in the vicinity through much of the fair.”

“This was planned?” he asked in urgency.

“I cannot say with any security,” Jocelyn said softly. “I simply noted the trio previously and then viewed them speaking to Lady Annabelle.”

“But not bothering to converse with her until the Darcys and I stepped away?” he summarized. He had come to the same conclusion as she, but Jocelyn did not wish to discuss the situation in front of the children.

Before they could say more, Lady Annabelle came rushing into the circle, stumbling to a halt when she spotted the colonel.

Jocelyn hid the smile rushing to her lips, when the colonel folded his arms over his chest and leveled a well-honed glare at the girl. Jocelyn assumed many a soldier feared that look, but Lady Annabelle did not tread lightly. Foolish, foolish child.

“Miss Lambert,” the colonel said politely, but not in easy tones, “might I impose on you to escort Vincent and Victoria to the tent where they might enjoy a sweet treat of their choice?” He fished in his pocket and handed over his purse. “Lady Annabelle and I will join you in due time.”

“Come, children, let us find something scrumptious. I am quite famished. Are you not?” Jocelyn caught each child’s hand, but before they set out together, she kissed the top of their heads. “It shall all be well,” she whispered. “Nothing bad will come of this. Your uncle simply means to remind your sister of his expectations when we are out in a public place with people we do not know.” She gave them a gentle tug. “What is your favorite treat, Victoria?” she asked, infusing her voice with a bit of lightness.

The girl sounded still unsure, but she said, “Lemon cakes.”

“Oh, that sound scrumptious. I believe my stomach would thank me if I presented it a lemon cake. What of you, Vincent? What would tempt you?” The child walked beside her, but he kept looking back to the colonel. “Vincent?” She tugged gently on his hand and stopped to gather both children in a tight knot before her. She leaned over to speak to them privately. “What your sister did has worried your uncle because the colonel is responsible for her in your mother’s absence. Would it not be awful if your sister’s choice brought her harm?”

Jocelyn swallowed hard. Despite disagreeing with her own parents’ choice, she held no doubt they loved her and were likely quite distraught due to her leave-taking.

“Annabelle was . . . only speaking . . . to her . . . friends,” Vincent protested.

“Friends she appears to be hiding from your uncle. The colonel is not an unreasonable man. He would have granted permission for Annabelle to join the group if the two young gentlemen and the young lady had first presented themselves to him. I viewed the trio following us closely, and your sister occasionally waved to them. If there was nothing secretive going on, they would have caught up with Lady Annabelle and asked for an introduction. Because of how this set of circumstances has progressed, the colonel has no choice but to take the situation in hand.”

The boy listened carefully and finally nodded his agreement. “I do not . . . want Annabelle . . . harmed.”

“Then we permit your uncle to address the problem.”

* * *

“Uncle,” Lady Annabelle said tentatively, “it is not as you believe it.”

Edward had not moved. “I am glad to hear it, for I believe my niece has attempted to manipulate not only me, but her siblings, as well as the Darcys. I distinctly recall saying you were not to leave this area: Explain to me what you heard that contradicted my orders.” Heaven help the girl if she had been one of his soldiers. She would be shoveling out the latrines.

“I did not think . . . you meant . . . this actual circle,” the girl hem-hawed. “I was looking . . . you see . . . for a small gift . . . for both Vincent and Victoria.”

“Hand me your reticule,” Edward demanded, extending his hand, palm up.

“Pardon?” the girl asked.

“As you have no such gift currently in your hands, I wish to view whether you have enough coins actually to purchase gifts for your brother and sister,” he countered.

“Such is ridiculous,” Annabelle declared with a flip of her head to emphasize her disdain. “I am not required to answer to you.”

Edward chuckled. “If something happens to my brother, you, Lady Lindale, and your siblings come under the care of the Fitzwilliam family.” He reached in his pocket and retrieved a small pen knife. “Shall you present me your reticule or should I pretend I am one of the thieves who haunt such places as a country fair and cut it from your wrist?”

They stared at each other in a battle of wills for several elongated seconds before she said, “I do not possess enough coins, but I did wish to find a gift for the twins.”

“Why did you not ask one of the two gentlemen with whom you left the area for the loan of a few coins?” he asked, switching his tactics to catch her in another falsehood. “I would have stood good for the funds.”

“Two gentlemen?” she asked nervously.

“Yes, and a young lady, whose countenance was familiar, but I cannot yet name her, though I am confident I will recognize her when she attends services with her family on Sunday. Mayhap even the young gentlemen will be among this week’s parishioners.”

“You saw them?” she asked, no longer offering him another prevarication.

“I am not blind, though you obviously think my age indicates senility,” he warned.

“I bet Miss Lambert told you,” Annabelle said stubbornly. “She is jealous that I have friends, and she does not.”

Edward moved in closer to lord over her, forcing her to look up into his anger. “I imagine Miss Lambert did take note of your ‘friends,’ for part of the woman’s charge is to protect your brother and sister. Believe it or not, as your brother is the heir to the earldom, his life holds value. Though you are the eldest, in the aristocracy, females are often dispensable. Miss Lambert understands the unspoken necessity of not permitting Vincent to know harm, what with Mr. Jennings hoping to replace him. Your brother stands between you and poverty. Do not flatter yourself, nor should you consider abusing the lady for executing her position with care. I shan’t tolerate it. Bring your wrath to my door if you dare.”

She thought to speak again, but quickly changed her mind.

“We will join your brother and sister for a quick treat, during which you will convince Vincent and Victoria that any ‘misunderstanding’ between us is resolved,” he ordered.

“And if I do not,” she challenged.

Edward smiled. “Please defy me. I hope you do, for I have the means to discover not only the names of your so-called ‘acquaintances,’ but also something of their parents. Do you have even an inkling of how powerful the Matlock earldom is? Only my brother and our family could have kept your mother, you, and the twins safe. Your uncle would not have hesitated in doing away with all of you without my father and the Matlock earldom offering you and yours protection. I would not doubt that Mr. Jennings has paid some young gent to seduce you.” She blushed thoroughly. “You should be thankful that Matlock is determined to see each of Lady Lindale’s children well-placed. Therefore, I must insist you do not frighten your siblings.”

“What if I do not wish to marry where your father chooses?” she challenged.

“When my parents and the Lindales return to England, I will provide you permission to express your opinions to them. In fact, I will insist that you do so. Until then, I am in charge of the manor house and all who dwell under its roof, and you will follow my rules. Otherwise, I will have you confined to your quarters.” He noted her disapproval. “Now, put a smile on your lips and perform as I have asked or know my full ire. I am not beyond dragging you through this fairgrounds kicking and screaming. No one will think to stop me, for many of the fair goers owe their living to my brother’s estate and to members of my family who have resided in this area for more than one hundred and fifty years.”