Chapter 12 #2
“He is,” Hugh assured the boy. “But sometimes, we must talk through our issues before we can resolve them. The first step is admitting we’re wrong and saying we’re sorry.” His gaze moved to Georgie. “Very sorry to have hurt the one we care about.”
This wasn’t about Pip anymore. Once more, hope and fear chased around each other inside Georgie. She pushed the fear away and nodded toward the kitchen door. “Would you mind checking on Anastasia and King Saul, Oliver? Pip will likely be down by the time you come back.”
Brow still furrowed, Oliver hurried from the room as if he could make time fly.
“I am sorry, Georgie,” Hugh murmured, closing the distance between them. “I have come to value our friendship. I should not have presumed upon it.”
“I didn’t mind,” Georgie said, then cringed at the words. “That is, I value our friendship too. It was merely my impression that you wanted more than a friendship. Forgive me if I misunderstood.”
He rubbed the back of his neck again. “You didn’t misunderstand. I have always loved you, Georgie. I thought I’d put all that behind me, but coming here merely brought those feelings back to the forefront. You needn’t worry I’ll pester you. I know my place.”
His profession of love should have brought joy, but she only felt more confused. “Your place? What are you talking about?”
“I’m the vicar,” he said patiently. “You’re my patron, or at least one of them. Feelings between us are unseemly.”
She could not have been more chilled if he’d dumped cold water on her head. “Only if we both find them unseemly.”
He blinked. “You would entertain the notion of me courting you?”
Something fluttered inside her, but she knew the answer. “Yes.”
He stared at her. She knew the moment his own conflicted feelings cleared, for a grin split his face. “Georgie, darling, I… I don’t know what to say.”
She started laughing. “Clearly. So, I will say it for you. Thank you very much, my dear Georgie. I promise to be courteous and kind and chivalrous and quite sweep you off your feet.”
“Exactly.” His hand came up to cup her cheek in warmth. “I hope that I am generally courteous, kind, and chivalrous, but I’ll have to work at the sweeping part.”
She leaned closer. “You’re off to a good start.”
He met her halfway and brushed his lips against hers. All of her trembled, with happiness, with hope.
He drew back, grin now lopsided. “What would you have me do? Shall I slay a dragon for you?”
“I like dragons!” she protested. “So fierce, so intelligent.”
Hugh chuckled. “Unless they’re roasting farmhouses.”
She swatted his arm. “I prefer tame dragons, sir, who understand their duty to God and country.”
His mouth quirked. “Of course you do. Then shall I climb a mountain and plant your standard on the top to prove my love?”
“Too far to travel,” she said with a shake of her head. “But I can think of a way you can prove yourself.”
His eyes lit. “Tell me.”
She leaned closer again. “Let me help you with Pip.”
* * *
Hugh shook his head. What an amazing woman! Not only was she willing to consider his suit, but already she sought to lift his burdens. What a future they might have together!
He took her hand and led her back to the sofa, though he was careful not to sit too close. Her reputation must still be maintained.
“I went to the church this morning to pray for our congregation and God’s commission,” he explained. “When I checked the church afterward, I noticed the poor box lay open.”
She frowned. “Had it recently been emptied?”
“By a thief.” When she gasped, he hurried on. “I don’t know how much it contained. I try not to notice who contributes. Usually Mr. Wellman comes in Monday afternoon to count it and see it distributed.”
“Our Supervisor of the Poor would not have left it open,” she agreed. “I have found him very conscientious.”
“Which means someone stole the money.”
She shuddered. “Surely there’s another answer.”
Hugh shook his head, feeling as if every word weighed on his heart. “The shopkeepers notified me of other thefts. This latest incident appears to be part of a pattern.”
“But anyone might have taken the money,” Georgie protested, though her gaze went to the ceiling, as if she could see Pip pacing about upstairs.
“Not anyone. As head of the Vestry Committee, Mr. Pritchard has a key to the church. The ladies who come in to clean share one as well. I highly doubt any of them would steal. And I generally check the church before locking the front door of the nave at night. The box was closed then. The only other way into the church when the door is locked is through the vestry.”
“Which opens into the vicarage,” she remembered. “Leaving you, Pip, and Mrs. Hallet the most likely suspects. I know you didn’t do it.”
He hid a smile at the tone of her voice, as if she’d fight anyone who’d suggest otherwise. “I cannot see my cheerful housekeeper dipping her hand into the box.”
Georgie sagged. “Which means it could only be Pip.”
Hugh nodded. “I confronted him, of course. He bridled, denying he’d had anything to do with the matter. He’s still angry, as you saw. He’s never denied his wrongdoings before, though he’s tried to rationalize them. I don’t know what to think or how you can help.”
“Perhaps we should believe him,” Georgie murmured, hands clasped in her lap. “He’s a bit rough around the edges, but he seems to have a good heart.”
“The kindest heart. I saw that immediately. But he’s stolen before, though generally only food and blankets. I can’t imagine why he’d do it now. He has everything he’s been looking for—friends, family, home.”
“Are you certain he feels that way?” Georgie asked, cocking her head. “Maybe Pip doesn’t trust his good fortune.”
Hugh had left Pip once before. The boy had call to question his permanence now. But the stealing had to stop. It was unkind to everyone, and Hugh could not be trusted as a minister to his flock if he harbored a thief in his home.
He set a hand over Georgie’s. “I would understand if Pip doubts. I’m having a difficult time trusting my good fortune too.”
She dropped her gaze to their hands. “As am I, Hugh, but I begin to believe we can have a future together.”
Hope surged through Hugh anew, but a sound from above had him pulling back. Footsteps clumped on the stairs a moment before Pip appeared in the doorway. His eyes were red, his face blotchy.
“I’m sorry I got upset,” he told the carpet. “I guess I’ll stick around.” He glanced up at Hugh. “But I didn’t do it. I wouldn’t do it. I wish you’d believe me.”
Georgie gazed at Hugh imploringly.
He was saved a response by the opening of the kitchen door. Anastasia and King Saul trotted in with Oliver on their heels. The boy glanced from Pip in the doorway to Hugh on the chair. “Is everything settled?”
“Better,” Pip said with a look to Hugh as if daring him to disagree.
Georgie rose, and Hugh joined her. “We should go and leave you two to talk,” she said.
“But I haven’t had a chance to visit with Pip,” Oliver protested.
“Perhaps Mr. Caddington can bring him up to the manor tomorrow,” Georgie suggested.
Could he trust the boy around so many rich things? Georgie had said to have faith in Pip. Trust started small. Besides, he had to work on sweeping her off her feet. He couldn’t help his smile.
“Very well,” he said.
Pip nodded to Oliver as if they’d reached an agreement, and Hugh walked Georgie and Oliver to the door.
“Perhaps three?” Georgie asked as she stepped out. “In time for tea.”
“We’ll be there,” Hugh promised.
Beyond her, a coach and four trundled through the village with a rattle. Oliver wrinkled his nose, likely at the noise.
But Hugh froze at the glimpse of the sole passenger—an older man with a ramrod straight posture and a glorious mustache.
Georgie brightened. “Why, that’s Father! He must have come to visit!”
Just in time to put a stop to Hugh’s courtship.
Again.