Chapter Seventeen
Edward spotted Darcy’s approach before his cousin rode into the circle at the front of the house. He hoped Darcy had located the twins and Miss Lambert and sent them back to William’s Wood, though, in reality, it would do him well to look upon the woman. Odd as it would be to say so, he disliked the idea of her not being in the same house as was he. It was as if her presence eased the rumbling and grumbling of his soul.
He turned to meet his cousin at the door. From what Edward could tell, the staff for the estate had been cut drastically, which would make sense if no one was living in the manor, but only an idiot would believe such was true. Philip Jennings had moved his wife and children into Babbington Hall, likely as quickly as Lady Lindale had removed her family to William’s Wood. It also appeared Mrs. Jennings’s sister, Lady Marksham, and the woman’s two children were also living within. Where the lady’s husband could be found, only God knew with any certainty. If Edward was correct, the Marksham barony was in Cambridge or somewhere thereabouts. Lady Marksham’s presence at her sister’s side explained how Mr. Bartholomew Marksham managed to convince Lady Annabelle to return to the girl’s childhood home.
“Glad you joined me,” Edward said, but he heard someone on the landing, so he said, “Before we see you settled in, permit me to assist you with your horse. Many on the staff have been let go in the wake of the family’s absence. I have already sent someone to open up the room next to mine for your use.”
Darcy’s brows drew together in confusion, but he followed Edward’s lead. Catching the horse’s loose reins, the colonel led the way towards the stable. “Despite what I just said, the house is quite crowded,” he explained. “Philip Jennings, his wife, two children, Mrs. Jennings’s sister, Lady Marksham, her son Bartholomew and two younger children, but not Lord Marksham, for which no explanation has been offered. Mrs. Jennings has chosen to redecorate Lady Lindale’s favorite sitting room in this house, which indicates the Jenningses have been in residence for some time, though Philip Jennings swears they arrived to support Lady Annabelle’s return yesterday.”
“Then it is as we suspected,” Darcy surmised.
“I fear so. Moreover, there are several paintings missing from what appears to be part of the family gallery. Whether they were portraits or not, I cannot say with any confidence. When Jennings noted my eyeing the outline on the wallpaper, he said he had ordered them removed to be reframed.”
“Yet, they are not his to oversee,” Darcy argued. “Poor Vincent. The child is being robbed of his inheritance.”
“If one did not know better, he would think Jennings is the earl. What staff there is turn to the man for their instructions,” Edward explained as they entered the stables. He turned to the stable master. “This is my cousin, Mr. Darcy of Pemberley. He will be with us for several days.”
“I’ve heard of your estate, sir,” the man said. “Be an honor to serve you. Fine lookin’ stallion.”
Darcy nodded his gratitude. “There will be a coach arriving, perhaps an hour or so behind me. It contains Lord Vincent and his sister, as well as their governess. There will also be the young earl’s driver, as well as mine who is serving as an outrider.”
“That be pleasant news to hears, sir. I’ll see it be tended properly, as well as the drivers. I be Mr. Taylor, sir, if’n ye have a need of me.”
Edward did not speak to the news Darcy shared, but his breathing hitched a bit higher once he learned Miss Lambert would soon be where he could view her again. Even so, he feared for Vincent’s safety, for this “scheme” perpetrated by Jennings and his wife would place the boy in danger.
“You could not convince the children and Miss Lambert to return to William’s Wood?” he asked as they walked back to the manor house.
“I offered to hire outriders to protect them, but the twins worried for Annabelle’s safety.” His cousin smiled easily. “The boy insists it is his responsibility to protect Lady Annabelle. Such is why Farrin is riding with them.”
“You were correct then,” Edward said. “Showing the child something of his heritage sparked a light in him.”
Darcy paused before they entered the house. “As you well know, my father set me a similar task. Once I realized how much my ancestors suffered for Pemberley House and the estate, I no longer despised the time and devotion it would require.”
“Did the boy show you how he had traced the lines to the de Bourghs in Kent. Sir Louis is not on the child’s chart, but some of those Sir Louis once spoke of to us when we were young lads are,” Edward observed.
“The children were too focused on Annabelle to consider the depths of their family tree. Both were quite distracted,” Darcy explained. “Victoria grieves for her participation; yet, I do not believe she understands the ramification of her actions. Though the boy is awkward at best with people, he is not as gullible as is Lady Victoria. He would have questioned Annabelle until the girl’s ears bled before he would have agreed to such a scheme.”
The door opened to expose Philip Jennings. “Welcome, Darcy,” he called with a well-rehearsed smile on his lips. “I did not expect you.”
“Why should you?” Darcy said with an aristocratic lift of his chin. “Or perhaps I should say, why should you not? My Cousin Lindale’s family was in distress. Naturally, I offered my assistance.”
“Naturally,” Jennings said with a bit of sarcasm in his tone. “Such is the reason we rushed to Babbington Hall when we learned of Annabelle’s arrival. Family ties, and all.”
“Really?” Darcy asked with that “cutting” tone his cousin had perfected when speaking to those he did not respect. “If your nephew escorted Lady Annabelle here, how did you not know ahead of time? I pray the manor’s staff would not have permitted the pair to remain alone in the house. I understood from your gatekeeper that your nephew had escorted Annabelle home from school, which I supposed he did, for I was at William’s Wood when she arrived unexpectedly, but that was without your nephew anywhere in sight. Would it not have been beneficial for the fellow to renew his acquaintance with the twins? Assuredly, it would not have appeared so suspicious if Mr. . .”
“Marksham,” Edward supplied, as he enjoyed watching Darcy in all the man’s glory.
“How did Mr. Marksham think to escort her to the manor, rather than your home or even his? Do the Markshams live nearby?”
Edward kept the grin from his lips. Matlock always said the Commons could use a large dose of Fitzwilliam Darcy’s style of reasoning, for Darcy could twist the real truth out of any statement. Edward wholeheartedly agreed.
“I imagine such was Lady Annabelle’s idea,” Jennings said lamely.
“Odd that,” Darcy remarked with a lift of his brows. “For when he was in Lincolnshire, your nephew told those with whom he stayed of his intentions to deliver Lady Annabelle to her brother’s manor. Anthony Dubrow confirmed your nephew’s plans, as did Miss Mannington. They were part of the young people with whom Lady Annabelle associated while in Lincolnshire at the local fair and, again, at church services. We all assumed as Miss Mannington attends the same school as Lady Annabelle, they met often in Bath.”
Edward stood in awe at Darcy’s boldness. His cousin told Jennings what they “suspected,” but did so as if they knew their suppositions to be facts. His father had sketched Darcy’s character correctly.
Jennings sputtered, “I was unaware Bart had encountered Annabelle in Bath when he decided to take the waters.”
“A young man requiring the mineral waters found at Bath? Surely neither you or his parents believed such a tale.” Edward nearly burst into laughter: Darcy quickly managed to back Jennings into a corner.
“Let us go inside,” his cousin gestured for Jennings to lead. “I am exhausted after my ride. Without a doubt, we may learn the truth of this tale from the young people.” Edward walked comfortably, yet still in a bit of awe, beside his cousin. “Ah, it has been more than a handful of years since I was last at Babbington.” Edward looked on while Darcy pretended to be interested in the architecture. “I remember how much I admired the entranceway. Nothing like my beloved Pemberley, but it possesses a sense of classic grandeur and order, two qualities I cherish.” A frown formed easily on Darcy’s forehead. “Oh, I am sorry to see some of the metal works and paintings have required repairs. I hope they are knowing expert care.”
“Absolutely,” Jennings said with a strained smile. “I pray they will be restored soon, but that type of work can be quite time consuming.” Jennings looked at Darcy suspiciously. “I did not realize you were so familiar with my family’s manor.”
“Your late brother consulted with me on crop rotation and a few business opportunities I have been exploring over the years. Of course . . .”
Whatever else Darcy meant to say was interrupted by Annabelle’s entrance. “Mr. Darcy.” She curtsied nicely. “It is good to see you again. Is there news of my brother and sister?”
Darcy glanced to Edward, and the colonel nodded his permission to speak of the children. “Though I encouraged them to return to William’s Wood, both were concerned with ‘your’ safety and insisted on viewing you personally. They were in tears when I last saw them. Hopefully, you will assure them you never meant to frighten them.”
“I shall,” the girl said softly.
“You must understand how unsettling this experience was for both, though they traveled with Miss Lambert, it was a dangerous undertaking for all, for they had no man to accompany them and to offer his protection.”
“I never . . .” Annabelle began.
“Young people,” Jennings interrupted, “often do not consider such matters when they are caught up in their enthusiasm. Neither Annabelle nor young Marksham meant to cause such a stir.”
“Yet, do you not think, Jennings,” Darcy asked, “that it is up to those who oversee the instruction of ‘young people’ to instill a sense of selflessness, rather than selfishness?”
* * *
“We are at Babbington Hall,” Jocelyn told Vincent when she shook him awake. The boy glanced around in confusion for a few seconds before he realized where they were. He turned to his sister to shake her shoulder. “We are home, Victoria.” The girl opened her eyes quickly, which told Jocelyn what she had suspected was true: Victoria had pretended to sleep rather than address her part in this escapade.
“I have missed this road,” Vincent said sentimentally.
“Somehow one’s home always feels superior to any other place you have ever been,” Jocelyn said to ease Vincent’s sigh of longing, before she reached for his sister. “Tell me which one of the follies yonder was your favorite.” She drew the girl down beside her.
“The smallest,” Victoria said softly.
“How so?” Jocelyn whispered close to the girl’s ear.
“It has the carvings of fairies on it. Though fairies are not real, it was nice to pretend.”
“Our mother liked that one best also,” Vincent shared, “though Papa had the larger one built for her.”
Jocelyn made no comment, but she enjoyed sharing the moment with the children. She had never considered herself the ‘mother’ type, but she was truly enjoying these tender exchanges.
Within minutes, Mr. Jessie was circling the coach before a 16th century-style home. “Is it not spectacular?” Victoria asked.
“It is, sweetheart,” Jocelyn assured.
The first person out the door of the manor house was Mr. Darcy. The gentleman opened the carriage door to lift the children down and then assist her on the steps. Before Jocelyn could claim her bearings, Annabelle bounded from the front door to scoop her siblings up in a grand embrace, which Victoria had readily accepted, but Vincent had stood stiffly and did not return the gesture.
However, there was no time to soothe the boy’s anxiety before a well-dressed man, sporting a toothy smile exited and also spread his arms as if he expected a warm greeting. Victoria scampered into the man’s arms, but Vincent held his ground. Jocelyn stepped up beside the child, and, as if he also understood, Mr. Darcy joined the boy on his other side and placed a hand on Vincent’s shoulder in solidarity.
“Too old to hug your uncle?” the man asked, and Jocelyn immediately comprehended Vincent’s stern stance. She did not know the man, but she also feared him, nonetheless.
“It has been a long journey,” Jocelyn said. “I believe Lord Vincent is simply thankful to be able to stretch his legs.”
“And you are?” the man asked with a frown of disapproval.
“Miss Lambert,” Lady Annabelle responded. “The twins’ governess.”
“Ah,” the man said. “I have heard much of you.”
“Hopefully, someone spoke to my affection for the late Lord Babcock’s children,” she defended herself.
Thankfully, Colonel Fitzwilliam exited the house at that moment. “The twins adore her, and, if Lady Annabelle said otherwise, she is sadly mistaken.” He stopped before Jocelyn and bowed. “I am pleased you and the children arrived safely, Miss Lambert. I worried excessively for you and felt quite guilty for returning to my duties before you were completely settled at the Wood. It was very brave of you to set out to discover Lady Annabelle. I must apologize for my niece’s lack of contrition in this farce.”
Jocelyn noted how he chastised himself as much as he did the girl. “It shall sort itself out, sir. Thank you for sending Mr. Darcy after us.” She wanted to tell the colonel none of this was his fault, but there were too many people about to speak to the matter.
“Let us go inside,” Mr. Jennings instructed and turned to lead the way, but neither the colonel nor Mr. Darcy nor her nor Vincent moved. Perhaps it was Mr. Darcy’s hand still on the boy’s shoulder or that bit of readable stubbornness in Vincent’s stance that brought everyone to a halt. “Is something amiss?” Jennings asked.
Mr. Darcy responded, “Should we not practice precedence. This is the seat of the Earl of Babcock, not specifically that of the Jennings family. Fortunately, the current Earl of Babcock is among us and may lead us within.”
“The boy has not been named the earl by the House of Lords,” Jennings argued.
“Such is simply a matter of procedure. Lord Matlock has expedited Lord Babcock’s petition for succession; yet, even if Lord Vincent does not appear before the Lords for many years, he is still your brother’s son. Lord Stephen Jennings desired his son’s assumption of the title. Such is the wish of any man from the simplest shoemaker to kings. We all wish to leave behind something for our children.”
“What does a child know about a peerage?” Jennings demanded.
“My Lord Vincent,” Mr. Darcy prompted.
Vincent swallowed hard and his voice squeaked, but he said, “One claim of the Babcocks in England says the family was founded in A.D. 449 by a Saxon warrior serving with Horsa and Hengest, who assisted the English against the Picts and the Scots. Most of the people with the surname of Babcock are found in Essex.”
“Yet, our last name is not Babcock,” Jennings said with a slight snarl, indicating he tired of Darcy’s interference. Yet, the boy proved himself the better “man.”
Vincent huffed his displeasure, as if the child had lost his tolerance for his uncle’s lofty manners. “Until I claim my majority, marry, and produce a male heir for the earldom, you are my heir, and, therefore should be more aware of the familial lines so the Jennings’s claim to the earldom remains in place.”
“And you already know this history?” Jennings challenged.
“I set my mind to learn it,” the boy responded in tones that spoke of his quick irritation with this show of wills. “The grant of the original barony came about in the late 12th century. There were three brothers. One died in the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland. Another became a bishop. From the oldest, William Babcock’s son and grandsons inherited in succession. His efforts gave rise to a prominent Anglo-Irish family, but when one of William’s great-grandsons produced no heir, the barony went into abeyance.”
Jocelyn knew the boy was simply reciting what he had memorized, but she knew great pride in how he was facing one of his greatest fears. There was surely hope for him to have as normal of a life as the rest of them.
“In the 1500s,” the child continued, “the Babbington faction of the family had surfaced when John Babbington was made an earl. His son Ulick received a new creation in Yorkshire, but suffered a penalty for fighting on the side of James II. The earldom was not restored until 1705, a second creation occurred with the Jennings family becoming the lords of the Babcock earldom.”
“You learned all that?” Victoria asked with a bit of awe.
Vincent nodded his appreciation of his sister’s praise, but Jocelyn knew he blushed. “And more,” he said softly.
“Well, we have all been properly schooled by a boy,” Jennings said with a sweep of his hand in the direction of the house. “May we now go in out of the sun? As Mr. Darcy has suggested, you must lead the way, Vincent.”
Jocelyn heard the boy gulp. “Just as if we are walking to the stables,” she said under her breath.
There were tears misting his eyes when he looked up to her. Yet, he performed as they had previously practiced. “Miss Lambert,” he managed to say, though his voice was not as clear as when he spoke of his family history, “would you care to view my family home?”
Jocelyn curtsied. “I would be honored, my lord.”
They walked through those gathered outside. All stepped to the side to permit them passage, that is to say, all except Mr. Jennings. However, viewing the others in their party had followed precedence, he turned to offer his arm to Lady Annabelle. Mr. Darcy caught Victoria’s hand, but Jocelyn noticed how the colonel appeared to wait for the others to proceed him. She knew that to be something of his nature, but as the son of an earl, it should have been him following directly behind Vincent.
Jocelyn was considering asking of the infamous “Mr. Bartholomew’s” absence, when a movement off to the right drew her attention. “No!” She reacted just as a shot rang out. Instinctively, she leaped to the side to cover Vincent with her body, drawing him before her as she spun. A heat like she had never experience previously entered her back and traveled upward through her shoulder to exit as she collapsed on top of the boy.