Excerpt from The Governess -- Chapter 17:
“Where did they go, Joe, did you see? This woman does not understand taking precautions!” Creighton was beside himself with worry. “Does she not heed fear?” He did not realize that she truly did not understand the depths of the community’s worry over the kidnappings.
On a daily basis, Creighton made available to himself the locations of the outings that Lady Blakemore took the children on, but this one had evaded him. “Where are they? Were they walking about the grounds?”
“Yes, milord. I saw ‘em not an ‘our ago walkin’ in the direction o’ the cottage, sire. I ‘ave tried to be watchful with all the trouble ‘bout, sire. In fact, ‘Enry an’ George are following them as instructed.”
A look of great relief showed upon Lord Huntington’s face with this news. “Good, good.”
“But ‘ee know little ones, milord; they love to explore places. Do not be too ‘ard on them now, sire; they are, after all, only children.” No one would ever convince old Joe that Lord Huntington had anything to do with the awful rumors going about, for he was a good, honorable man with worry written clearly on every feature of his face.
“Thank you, Joe.” Striding off in the direction of the cottage with anger diffusing, if only a little, he thought of another week gone by since the incident at the lake. But here and now, he had worried that she had gone and done it again; taken the children off without anyone to help her if trouble were to arise. It angered him that she would even need to take such precautions. He sighed heavily, slightly relieving his stress.
And then, even more discouraging to him, to have their outing occur at a place that he loathed so completely. It made his stomach churn. His stress was instantly re-fed.
“Why have I not torn it down?” he asked himself in self recrimination.
He was getting tired of following her around telling her what not to do. Knowing he was being overprotective, that he frightened her, just like all the other governesses, he could not seem to restrain himself.
As he walked into the clearing and approached the door, he could hear the children talking excitedly and Lady Blakemore answering in her soft, sweet voice. Stopping to listen for a moment to what they were saying, he was surprised at what he heard.
“Chief Jumping Horse says you must trade flour and sugar supplies or he will not let you free.”
“Oh! Please do not harm us! What will my poor family eat?”
“You can get your white man food easier than any of us Indians can,” Creighton heard Elspeth giggle as she playacted.
Creighton smiled as he realized that they were playing house—or more accurately, Indians—and Jonathon was actually joining in on the fun. What a breakthrough! Listening again, he heard Lady Blakemore pretend to struggle, hearing her make grunting noises. Then he heard Jonathon say, “Me capture you, make you squaw.” Chuckling to himself, he thought, how can I interrupt this fun playtime? I was going to come bursting in here a minute ago. Elspeth probably would have started crying again. What are they harming?
But he knew. Worrying about their safety first, he looked around to see Henry sitting under a nearby tree watching him. Just then, Henry must have decided that it was best to address his master on his feet as he scrambled to do so. Nodding, Creighton stepped closer, and quietly asked, “Where is George?”
Children playing Indians. Governesses tied up. Hmmm... Where is George, and why should it matter? Stay tuned for more of this scene on Friday.
Ellise
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