Page 67 of A Governess' Unbridled Passion
“You should not have done that, Your Grace,” the constable said to the duke. “I would have liked to question everyone in the house at the time of the crime.”
“Yes, we have a list of them somewhere, but I do not see the point of that now,” Phillip snapped, starting to lose his patience with the constable. “We know who has the children, and we must get there in haste. If we do not, she will be arranging passage on a ship for America, along with the children. Do you hear me, man?”
“What is that you said, Lord Phillip?” Miss Alice questioned as she arrived by his side. “Are you saying the children are to be taken to America?”
He handed Miss Alice the letter, which she read through quickly. “Oh, my goodness!” she declared. “What are we to do? What if she has already gone with them?”
“Well, she no doubt realises that I will not marry her, so she cannot be waiting for an answer to that,” Phillip pointed out.
The groom had arrived, and the constable was questioning him.
“No, Lord Phillip, you must send word at once and agree to the marriage,” Miss Alice said, her brow creased with lines of worry.
“Yes, you could be right,” Phillip agreed. “That will at least delay her. Though I doubt getting the children will be that easy.”
“Lady Davina will have caused us all to panic on purpose,” Miss Alice accused. “She is the kind of person who thrives on being the centre of attention. Oh, dear, I do hope the children are not too frightened. They do not like her. That much I do know.”
“Right then, Your Grace, the constable said as he approached them. “I will be going to this address to speak with Lady Davina. But I understand that she is the children’s aunt; is that correct?”
“Yes, but rather she is their step-aunt,” Phillip sighed.
“Ah … I see … then I cannot go banging on her door demanding them back,” the constable said, looking as if he’d changed his mind. “We can’t go accusing her of kidnapping when she’s related to them, can we now?”
“Are you saying you will not be bringing the children home, Constable?” Miss Alice asked, her voice reaching a higher pitch as she stared at him in shock.
“I am saying that, Miss, and who are you?” the constable asked.
“I am the children’s governess, Miss Alice Evans,” Alice replied, waiting patiently to hear what the constable would do. “And I need to know if you are going help us.”
“Well, Miss Evans, I am, as it happens. But I only have the authority to be putting my eye on the children,” the constable replied, putting his hat back on to go outdoors. “When I sees them and knows they is safe, I shall advise her to take them home. I can do no more.”
“What? Then I will go with you and demand that she hands them over straight away!” Miss Alice yelled at the policeman.
“I wouldn’t be advising such a thing, Miss Evans. You see, she is their aunt, and you are not related to them,” the constable explained, looking smug at his ability to work it all out. “There is no crime committed here, Your Grace. But as promised, I will ride to this address and see the children myself.”
“Thank you, Constable, that will be helpful,” Phillip replied. “Would you first oblige me by coming to my study so I can give you a letter for Lady Davina? It will help to bring closure to this terrible situation.”
“You cannot let him do that, Lord Phillip; it is not enough,” Miss Alice said, her distress peaking yet again.
“You and I know that the children are safe, Miss Alice,” Phillip said, attempting to calm her. “And I do not wish them to become alarmed by us turning up and making demands. I am going to write and agree to her plan, that way we buy ourselves some time. I will explain that we will see her in the morning. Meanwhile, I suggest you get some rest now that we know the children are safe.”
“Rest? I do not want rest; I want the children,” Miss Alice cried out.
Phillip could see she was excitable, but this was not the way to get the children back. Leading Miss Alice away, so that he could speak to her in private, he attempted to explain his tactic.
“Can I ask that you trust me on this matter?” Phillip said.
“Davina will receive a letter informing her that I am considering her offer because the ball was chaos without her. That is enough to keep her at the house a little longer. I am arranging to see her in the morning. That means that you and I can rest and collect the children when we are all calmer. I hope that she will believe she has achieved what she wanted.”
“I do not think she will be fooled, not for one minute; that woman is far too wily,” Miss Alice said. “What if she has already booked passage on a ship and is gone already?”
“Then the children will be gone too,” Phillip answered. “I want my niece and nephew returned; they are my kin. I do not want them to feel they are in any danger, which they will feel if we go barging in. Once we are more level-headed, that will be the time to go and visit Davina.”
“What if she will not hand them over once you tell her the truth? Or is it that you intend to marry her?” Miss Alice said, looking up at him with a wide-eyed stare.
“If I could embrace you right here and now, I would,” he said quietly but with pleading eyes. “I promise you, Alice, I do not desire Davina in any way whatsoever,” he assured her. “Now, please, my love, go and rest so that you will be refreshed when we collect the children and bring them home.”
“Erm … Your Grace,” the constable interrupted. “Can you write that letter? I would like to close this matter as soon as I can. I have other crimes to attend to.”
