Chapter 12
Peter stood at the pulpit, looking over his congregation before continuing with his sermon.
“I’m not immune to the difficulties in life that many of you face.
However, if there is one thing to remember, it’s this.
God’s love is not given to only a few; our Lord has love for everyone.
Let us try to emulate an all-forgiving and loving God and apply that lesson to our own lives,” Peter said.
He saw many nods of agreement and hoped his message was being received in the spirit with which he preached.
One of his core beliefs was that everyone should help their fellow man when they could and not discount a person because of their station in life.
Everyone deserved to be treated fairly and with respect.
He’d been in Reading for a little over a fortnight, and it made him happy to see many familiar faces.
The church attendance had picked up, slowly at first, but now he could count on the church benches being mostly filled.
The fact that he had toned down Mr. Randolph’s two-hour fire-and-brimstone sermons had helped refill the church pews.
Even Mr. Randolph had agreed with the change.
He’d said his previous sermons were written at the request of the old vicar, and that he was then so used to that style that he didn’t change it even after the old vicar died.
“And so, good people, go in peace. The Lord be with you. Amen.”
His parishioners answered, “Lord be with you.”
Peter smiled as he walked down the center aisle. He caught a glimpse of Grace before he went out the door, and she smiled at him. This was his favorite part of Sunday services, when he could personally greet everyone. The parishioners started exiting the church and stopped to briefly chat with him.
“Mr. Wallings, a lovely sermon, indeed,” Mrs. Harding said, leaning heavily on her cane.
“Mrs. Harding, a pleasure to see you today. How are you faring?”
“Quite well. Ever since my roof was repaired, things have much improved, and it’s all because of you.”
“Well, I believe it’s thanks to Mr. Brighton, who was able to repair the roof.”
“Yes, of course, but it was you who actually paid him. I’d lost faith that it would ever be repaired under the old vicar.”
“I’m glad you’re safe and dry now.” Peter had been so appalled at Mrs. Harding’s living conditions that her roof was the first project he spent money on.
“Thank you again, Mr. Wallings. Good day to you,” Mrs. Harding said.
“I shall stop in for a visit soon. Good day, Mrs. Harding.”
Peter continued to greet folks as they exited the church.
“Good day, vicar. I enjoyed your sermon,” Lord Dudley said.
“Thank you, Lord Dudley. I’m pleased to see you. Is your father not with you today?”
Dudley frowned before smoothing his face. “No, he’s under the weather today.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I shall come by to see him again. Would this week be convenient for a visit?”
“Yes. I’m sure my father would appreciate a visit.” Dudley leaned closer to the vicar. “I must warn you, though, his mind tends to wander more these days.”
“I understand.”
“Good day, Mr. Wallings.”
“Good day, my lord.”
Mr. Randolph and Mrs. Stillman were next in line, and he was pleased to see her with her children in tow.
“Mrs. Stillman, how are you faring today?” Peter asked.
“Very well, Mr. Wallings. Thank you. I don’t believe you’ve met my two oldest children. This is George and Alice”
Peter gave them a bow. “It’s lovely to meet you both. I trust you two are helping your mother with the younger children.”
George frowned, but Alice poked him in the ribs. “Yes, vicar. We try to do what we can.”
“Excellent. Glad to hear that. Everyone needs a little help. I look forward to seeing you both in school this week.”
Alice seemed more excited than George at the prospect of attending school, but Peter didn’t prod him any further. Instead, he turned his attention to his curate. “Mr. Randolph, I have no need of you for the rest of the day. Enjoy the afternoon with your family.”
Mr. Randolph nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Wallings. I shall see you tomorrow.”
Peter continued to greet the parishioners until only the Fletcher family was left.
“A fine sermon today, Mr. Wallings,” Fletcher said.
“Good day, Lord Fletcher, Lady Fletcher, Miss Parker, Miss Mia, Lady Kathryn.”
“Good day, Mr. Wallings,” Grace chimed in after Audrey had greeted the vicar.
After chatting for a moment, the family started to move on, walking toward their carriage.
Peter wasn’t usually the nervous type, but today wasn’t a normal day. “Lord Fletcher, may I have a moment of your time?”
Fletcher nodded. “Go to the carriage, my darling. I’ll be with you momentarily,” he said to Audrey.
The ladies all headed toward the carriage.
“Peter, what may I do for you? Do you have another request on behalf of your parishioners?” Fletcher asked.
Peter gave him a sheepish smile. “It’s actually a request that concerns me personally, my lord.” He looked around to make sure their conversation would not be overheard.
“Oh?”
“Yes, well… uh…”
“Peter, spit it out. I don’t bite,” Fletcher said with a chuckle.
Peter took a deep breath, and the words spilled forth. “I would like your permission to court Miss Parker. She’s a lovely young woman and has a zest for life that I greatly admire.”
“I see,” Fletcher said as he looked over to his carriage, where the ladies stood. Grace was watching them intently. “What about Miss Parker? Does she share your sentiment?”
Peter looked over to the carriage and smiled. “Yes, my lord. I do believe she does.”
“I see. My sister-in-law is supposed to have her Season next spring. Did she mention that to you?”
“No, not exactly, although she’s mentioned that she’s not fond of London’s foul air.”
“Well, I see no issue in granting my permission for you to court her, as long as you realize she may decide she wants a Season after all.”
“Thank you. I will, of course, acquiesce to whatever Miss Parker desires, whether it is to stay in the country or go back to London for a Season’s entertainments.”
“You’d be willing to let her go to London?”
“Not willingly, no, but her happiness is paramount to me. I would never want to cause her any upset or unhappiness.”
“Good, then we understand each other. As long as the choice is left up to Miss Parker, you may court her,” Fletcher said, extending his hand.
Peter grasped his hand in a firm handshake. “Thank you. Good day, Lord Fletcher.”
“Good day, vicar.”
Grace watched Fletcher and Mr. Wallings talking, trying to determine from their body language what they were talking about. Neither seemed upset, so she could only hope that it was something good. At least Peter was smiling. That had to be good, right?
Jacob walked to the carriage and started handing the ladies inside.
“Jacob, is something amiss?” Grace asked.
“No. Why do you ask?”
He stood with his hand out to hand Grace inside, but she hesitated and instead whispered, “You and Mr. Wallings seemed to be having a serious conversation.”
“My dear Grace, it could be nothing less than a serious conversation when a man asks to court my lovely sister-in-law,” he whispered back.
Grace gasped. “Mr. Walling… asked to court me?”
“He did. Does that please you?”
“It does indeed. Excuse me a moment, please.”
Fletcher chuckled as Grace ran back to catch the vicar before he headed back inside the church. “Mr. Wallings.”
Peter turned and smiled when he saw who’d hailed him. “Miss Parker, may I help you?”
Now that she was standing in front of the man she loved, she didn’t know what to say. “Um… I wanted to say that I’m so very pleased you asked Fletcher’s permission to court me.”
“You are?”
“Yes, very much so.”
“That makes me happy. May I call on you this week?”
Grace nodded. “That would be lovely. Good day, Mr. Wallings.”
“Good day, Miss Parker.”
As Grace headed back to the carriage, she could hardly wait to tell Kathryn her good news. Now that Jacob had given his permission, she hoped to see a lot more of Mr. Wallings, and not just at Sunday services and an occasional ride around the estate.
Jacob was still standing outside the carriage, waiting to hand her up. “Are you happy, Grace?”
“Yes. Thank you for granting your permission. Mr. Wallings is a good and honorable man.”
“Indeed he is,” Fletcher said, helping her inside before taking a seat beside Audrey.
Grace took a seat next to Kathryn, who looked puzzled. She leaned toward her and whispered in her ear, “Mr. Wallings asked Jacob’s permission to court me.”
Kathryn smiled and squeezed her hand.
Grace couldn’t help but smile all the way home. When they reached Dandridge Manor and she stepped out of the carriage, she asked, “Kathryn, may I show you something in the garden?”
“Of course,” Kathryn said, and they walked into the manor and out the drawing room French doors.
Grace could hardly stop herself from jumping with joy. When they reached their favorite bench, she could contain herself no longer. “Oh, Kathryn, I’m overjoyed that Mr. Wallings wants to court me. He’s such a fine gentleman.”
“He is indeed. Have you thought further about what exactly that means?”
Grace frowned. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re implying.”
“You said you’re happy because the vicar wants to court you, but courting someone usually leads to a marriage proposal. As a newly appointed vicar, Mr. Wallings’ place is at St. Mary’s.”
“Yes. I realize that.”
“Are you willing to live in Reading if he does propose?”
“It’s a lovely town.”
“And what about love? You’ve not said whether this is a love match or not.”
“I find myself falling more deeply in love whenever I see him, and I believe he feels the same way.”
“That’s wonderful to hear, but how will you feel when your family returns to London without you? Will you be happy staying here with Mr. Wallings and foregoing your Season?”
“I’m not sure I want a Season, especially given your experience.”
“You mustn’t decide solely based on that. My situation is very different. You’re so beautiful, men will be tripping over themselves to catch your interest.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“I do. I’m only suggesting that you think about everything before you make any rash decisions.”
“Thank you, Kathryn, for your wise counsel. I will think about everything you’ve said.”
“Good day, ladies,” Sam Clifford said, walking by their bench.
“Mr. Clifford, good day,” Kathryn said with a shy smile.
Grace saw the look that passed between them. “Well, I have some letters to write. If you’ll excuse me?” she said. “Good day, Mr. Clifford.”
Mr. Clifford bowed. “Good day, Miss Parker.” He turned his attention to Kathryn. “Lady Kathryn, may I show you something?”
Kathryn nodded and walked beside him along the path. “Mr. Clifford, today is the Lord’s day. There’s no need for you to be working.”
“I know, but I enjoy being in the garden.”
“As do I.”
“Yes, I noticed that. I was hoping to see you today.”
“You were?”
“Indeed, my lady. I’m always pleased to see and talk with you.”
Grace stood in the drawing room watching her friend and Mr. Clifford as they walked along the path. She could see that Kathryn was enjoying herself, spending more and more time with Mr. Clifford. She wondered if she was developing a tendre for him.
While she was happy that Kathryn was relaxing and enjoying herself at Dandridge Manor, she couldn’t help but worry about what her parents would say when they arrived in August if they knew their daughter was spending time with and possibly falling in love with a commoner.