Chapter 1 #2
She scuttled around him like a mouse avoiding a cat, but after the reception he’d given her, he couldn’t blame her.
He should have known a lady in a satin pelisse would hardly steal from the vicarage.
Then again, when a mind was unwell, who knew what it might rationalize?
Hugh had certainly heard stories of the previous duke, and Tyneham had had its share of misfortune.
In the last five years, they’d lost three dukes, including Georgie’s husband, leaving the current duke, his patron, with the duty to support the three duchesses: Claudia, Georgie, and Sophia.
Hugh followed her back through the dining room and into the sitting room now, but he made sure to take the seat as far away as possible from her place on the sofa that flanked the hearth. Of course, that only gave him a clearer view of her.
He had already determined that she had changed little since they’d become acquainted in London.
She had been making her debut later than generally expected, at the request of her father, Colonel Bancroft.
But even undertaking the many activities expected of a young lady entering Society had not stopped her from spending some time each week at a private orphanage near Covent Garden.
The smiles she bestowed on the two other widows who called Tyneham Manor home were as warm as those she’d given the orphaned children. The laughter he heard when she wasn’t aware of his presence never failed to lift his spirits. And that face and form were still as lovely as a spring morning.
She shifted on the worn sofa as if aware of his study.
“Forgive me,” Hugh said. “We haven’t had time for much private conversation since I arrived, yet I find myself wondering what topic would please you.”
She dropped her gaze to her hands, which were fiddling with the ribbons of her bag. “You needn’t feel you must entertain me. I’m sure you have things calling for your attention.”
Nothing more important than discovering why she’d taken such a dislike of him.
Her father had made it plain that Hugh was in every way unsuitable to continue his courtship years ago, but Georgie had known where he came from and never given him any indication that she disdained his illegitimate birth, until the end.
“You are a member of my congregation,” he said. “I would not wish to stand on poor terms with anyone, yet I seem to have offended you.”
Now she tugged at the fingers of one glove as if the black leather had grown too tight. “I am not offended, sir. I was merely surprised you accepted this position. I had thought you firmly fixed in London.”
Hugh grimaced. “My work in London was not what I had hoped. I was one of two deacons at Saint Martin-in-the-Fields, and the junior one at that. I didn’t mind tending to the aging members of the parish or taking care of the church itself, but I had thought to make more of an impact with the children.
I was told it was doubtful I’d ever advance without the proper patronage.
So, when His Grace approached me, I accepted. ”
There. He could not state the matter more plainly.
They didn’t need to recall her father’s arguments against their match, claiming Hugh, as an orphan of no family, was beneath her.
She didn’t need to know the hours he’d prayed about the position, struggling over whether he could treat her with the proper attitude of servant rather than equal, friend instead of suitor.
She lifted her gaze to his then, and he knew he’d have more prayers to say this evening.
“Then I hope this position is more to your liking,” she said. “I have found living in Dorset to be very congenial, and everyone in the village is so helpful! I cannot understand who might have taken your things. Someone must be in terrible need to resort to theft.”
“You can think of no one in such a situation?” he pressed. “I only want to help.”
She dimpled. “Of course you do. You were always the first to step in when others needed help. It’s one of the reasons you were called to the church.”
The main reason, the other being he had had no funds of his own to contribute to worthy causes. “Well, if you hear of anyone, please let me know. Mr. Wellman, our Supervisor of the Poor, assures me that he has had no call to distribute the funds from the poor box in Tyneham for quite some time.”
“I imagine not,” she said. “Tyneham generally cares for our own. At the moment, the greatest need in the village is a school. So many of the children grow up with no hope beyond farm labor. Being a farmer is a noble calling too! But not everyone is so called, and I’m sure it would be nice to have choices.
Besides, how can one read God’s word if one cannot read? ”
“Precisely!” Hugh beamed at her. “I can only commend your intentions, Your Grace, and promise to do everything I can to help.”
“And I promise to do all I can to help you uncover this person who must steal to survive. I’ll speak with the staff at the manor. Perhaps one of them knows of someone.”
Every moment in her company only reinforced what he’d gleaned by watching her.
She was still the sweet-natured, kind woman he’d originally loved.
Yet, if he’d had nothing to offer her then, he had little more now.
Even a vicar with a living could not compare with the wealth, standing, and privilege of a duchess.
But renewing these feelings for Georgie would make his position here even more challenging than he’d feared.