Page 92 of Yours Truly, the Duke
The butler nodded and turned away. Fredericka didn’t recognize the tall, rotund man with thinning brown hair, or the younger, simply dressed woman standing beside Jane, but she walked over to join them.
“Aunt Jane, what did you bring us today?” Bella asked excitedly.
“It’s in my carriage,” she said with a bright smile. “And you are going to love it. My spaniel, Rosebud, had puppies not long ago, and today I brought one for you to see and hold.” The children squealed with youthful delight. Jane looked at Fredericka. “My maid will take them to the carriage to see the puppy. You don’t mind, do you?”
How could she? Elise, Bella, and Charles were thrilled at the prospect of seeing and touching a warm and precious little puppy. “No, of course not.” She looked from the maid to the man who hadn’t spoken a word. “No need to go back through the house. There’s a gate to the left side that will take you to the front street.”
“I’ll s-show you,” Charles said and took off running.
His sisters and the maid followed close behind him. Jane seemed to always know what to do to make the children happy as chirping larks. As soon as they rounded the corner Jane’s smile faded. Fredericka looked from her cousin to the stranger. Her skin prickled. Something didn’t feel right.
“Your Grace, may I introduce Constable Hartford,” Jane said in an unusually somber voice as the man bowed. “He’s here on official business at the behest of the Lord Chancellor.”
A foreboding shiver crept slowly up Fredericka’s spine. Her breath hitched with apprehension. “I don’t understand. What official business does he have here?”
Jane clasped her hands together in front of her. “After I returned home this morning and talked with Nelson about what I’d witnessed, we both agreed we should have his brother solicit the Lord Chancellor.”
Fredericka felt as if her stomach was sinking to her feet, but she forced herself to remain calm. “What did you have the viscount talk to him about?”
“The incident involving the children this morning, of course,” Jane remarked impatiently.
“Why? The official hearing is next week.”
“I didn’t feel we should wait, and after everything was explained to the Lord Chancellor, he agreed it’s in the best interest of the children if they come live with me immediately. The constable and his men are here to see that’s accomplished.”
A chill shook Fredericka. “His men?”
“Yes. They were told to wait on the street until the children were in my carriage to see the puppy. I didn’t want them to come with the constable for fear of frightening Bella, Charles, and Elise.”
Frederick looked toward the side of the house leading to the gate. Two men appeared, blocking her path to the children. Her hands clutched into tight fists at her sides. She swung toward the constable. “You can’t do this. My husband, the duke, isn’t home, but he’ll talk to you about this as soon as he returns.”
“It’s not up to me, Your Grace. I’m carrying out instructions from the Lord Chancellor. I was told the children were in danger. I’m here to see they go with Mrs. Tomkin.”
“Danger? No,” Fredericka insisted. “They were play acting.”
The man remained stone-faced. “I’m following orders, Your Grace. Your argument isn’t with me.”
“Jane, they were never in danger.” Wyatt’s words came rushing back to Fredericka. “They were only doing what normal children do when imitating adults.”
“You can make this easy or difficult, Fredericka.” Jane gave the constable a nod.
“The children will have to come with us, Your Grace.”
“No, they will not,” Fredericka said defiantly. “They will remain here. The duke will be home soon and confirm there was no harm done to the children. Tell him, Jane.”
“Bella was sick,” she answered with a huffing breath. “You heard her say as much. We have no idea how much brandy she ingested. It had been spilled down the front of her dress.”
“She told us she didn’t drink it.”
Jane held up her hand to stop Fredericka from saying more. “You were as horrified by what we saw as I was, if not more so.”
“Yes, of course I was, but I’ve talked to the children and they are fine. They know what they did was wrong and apologized.” Fredericka turned to the constable. “I’m sorry your afternoon was interrupted, but as I said, the duke isn’t here. I’m going to have to ask you and your men to leave.” She then turned to Jane. “I must ask you to leave too.”
“Yes, I am, and the children with me. Though you’venever thought I knew anything about children, I know everyone loves a puppy and that would get them in the carriage with no fear. When I join them, I’ll explain we are going to my house to see the rest of the puppies. They will be delighted. I trust you’ll have their clothing packed and sent over later.”
“What? No, Jane, you can’t do this!”
“I know it’s heartbreaking, but under the circumstances I can’t leave them in this house another night. There is no telling what they might get into next.”
