Chapter 15
Now that Grace had discussed the letters with Peter, she felt better, but she was still a bit unsettled. How could she tell Audrey? Did she even want to reveal the letters’ contents? It was all in the past, but she couldn’t help but think that her sister had a right to know about them as well.
“My darling, I can see your mind churning. What can I do to help?” Peter asked, handing the letters back to Grace.
“If you have no engagements at present, would you care to join us for tea?”
“I would be happy to. Are you planning to share the letters with your sister?”
“Yes, after talking with you, I think it’s best if she knows our mother was the wonderful and pious woman we knew growing up,” she said, slipping the letters in her reticule.
“I think that’s a wise decision. Lady Fletcher has a right to know about the letters, although I’m glad it was you who found them first.”
“You are?”
“Indeed. And most especially that you came to talk with me about them instead of following whatever your first instincts might have been.”
“I’m thankful I had enough courage to come here. My first instinct was not kind to my mother, but after talking with you, I can see the sacrifice she made for the family. My sister should know this as well.”
“Why don’t you rest a moment while I go and hitch Belle to the cart?”
“Thank you. That would be lovely.”
After thinking through everything and finishing her tea, Grace went outside to wait for Peter.
Her nerves were still on edge, even though she believed she was doing the right thing.
She planned to ask Jacob and Audrey for a private moment after tea and hoped that Kathryn and Mia would believe it had something to do with their courtship. That would be for the best.
It didn’t take long for Peter to bring the cart around. He jumped down from the bench and handed her up. “You mustn’t worry. All will be well.”
“I wish I had your confidence. The last thing I want is to hurt my sister, but I cannot keep this secret from her.”
“I understand. How would you like to handle it?”
“I’m not really sure. Could you ask both my sister and brother-in-law for a word in private after tea?”
“I can certainly do that. They’ll probably think it’s related to our courtship.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
Jones opened the door when Peter stopped Belle in front of Dandridge Manor. A groom came and took Belle to the stable.
“You can unhitch her. I’ll be staying for a bit,” Peter said.
“Very good, vicar,” the groom said, leading Belle away.
“Hello, Jones,” Peter said.
“Mr. Wallings,” Jones said with a bow.
When Grace and Peter strolled into the drawing room, Mia was playing the pianoforte while Kathryn turned the pages and offered encouragement. “Yes. That’s it, Mia. You’re doing wonderfully well.”
Mia smiled when she finished the piece. “You’re a good teacher. I never had much enthusiasm for it before, but with your help, it’s very entertaining.”
Grace and Peter had clapped when Mia finished. Everyone turned to see who had clapped as Grace and Peter were standing in the drawing room.
“You’re much improved, sister,” Grace said. “That was lovely.”
“Thank you. It’s all thanks to Lady Kathryn’s help. I find I don’t mind practicing so much anymore.”
“Well, bravo to both of you ladies,” Peter said.
“Mr. Wallings, how lovely to see you,” Lady Kathryn said.
“Lady Kathryn, Miss Mia,” Peter said with a nod.
“Shall I play another song?” Mia asked.
“Yes, if you like,” Grace said while she and Peter took a seat on the sofa.
Halfway through the tune, Jacob and Audrey strolled into the room. They listened until Mia finished and gave her a round of applause. “Bravo, dearest. That was excellent,” Audrey said.
Jacob extended his hand to the vicar. “Mr. Wallings, good to see you.”
“Thank you. Miss Parker invited me for tea,” he said, grasping Jacob’s hand in a firm handshake.
“Mr. Wallings, you’re always welcome,” Audrey said.
Peter bowed. “Lady Fletcher, you’re too kind.”
“Shall we all take a seat? The tea tray will be delivered soon,” she said.
While the ladies took a seat, Peter turned to Jacob. “Miss Parker and I would like a private word with you and Lady Fletcher after tea.”
Jacob nodded, and the men took their seats.
Betsy soon brought in the tea tray, and Mia offered to pour.
“The garden is much improved,” Peter said, looking out the French doors to the garden beyond.
“Yes. Mr. Clifford and his workers have done a marvelous job clearing out all the weeds,” Kathryn said.
“We’re now in the fun designing stage,” Grace chimed in.
After chatting for an hour, Lady Kathryn excused herself. “I have some letters to write, and then I’ll rest before dinner. Good day, Mr. Wallings.”
Peter stood. “Good day, Lady Kathryn.”
Mia also took the chance to leave the drawing room and closed the door behind her.
“So, I’m curious about why you need a private word,” Jacob said, looking between Peter and Grace.
“I’m going to let Miss Parker explain,” Peter said.
“Grace, is something amiss?” Audrey asked. “Why are you wringing your hands?”
“Um… I have something to tell you, but I don’t want you to be upset, Audrey.”
“I’m sure I won’t be. What is it?” Audrey asked.
Peter reached over and squeezed Grace’s hands. “All will be well. Show her.”
Grace nodded and reached into her reticule. If her sister had thought it strange that she still had it with her during tea, she hadn’t said anything. Grace pulled out the letters and handed them over.
“I found these quite by accident earlier today when I was looking for paper,” Grace explained.
Audrey looked at the stack of letters tied with a blue ribbon. “What are these and where did you find them?”
“In the desk over there. I wanted to sketch something for Mr. Clifford and was opening all the drawers, looking for paper. I found those hidden in a secret compartment in the bottom drawer.”
“I see.” Audrey held the letters but made no attempt to untie the ribbon.
“When I read them, I was upset initially, so I went to talk to Mr. Wallings about them.”
“You’ve read them?” Jacob asked Peter.
Peter nodded. “I did, but only so I could offer counsel to Miss Parker.”
Audrey nodded and untied the ribbon. As she read each letter, she handed it to Jacob. Her face showed a measure of shock as she continued to read. “Hugh? she asked.
“We believe it’s Lord Berkeley, and that’s why he thought you were Mama,” Grace said. “I was initially thinking Mama wasn’t who we thought she was, but Mr. Wallings explained that she was exactly who we thought.”
Jacob read the last letter and handed them back to Audrey. “I believe Mr. Wallings is correct. Your mother was a good and pious woman who thought of nothing but taking care of her family, despite any personal feelings she may have harbored for Lord Berkeley.”
Grace nodded. “Yes, although it’s quite tragic as well, don’t you think?”
“Indeed,” Jacob said.
When Grace glanced at her sister, Audrey had tears streaking down her face. “Oh my dear, I’m sorry to have burdened you with this. I wrestled with whether I should share them with you.”
Jacob handed his wife his handkerchief, and Audrey wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Dearest, I’m not crying because I’m upset only for the situation Mama found herself facing.”
“Do you think Papa found out about their attachment, and that’s why he would never bring us here?”
“Could be. I’m afraid we’ll never know now.”
“If I may say something?” Peter said. “It’s clear that Lady Fletcher was a woman devoted to her family, but in my humble opinion, I don’t believe it would be wise to share the letters with Miss Mia.”
Audrey nodded. “My thoughts exactly. I wouldn’t want her to dwell on Mama’s sacrifice.” She retied the letters with the blue ribbon. “I’m not sure what to do about them now. Do you have any thoughts on that, sister?”
“I don’t believe these letters should be shared with anyone else. Perhaps it would be best if we burned them,” Grace said.
Audrey lovingly held the letters in her hand. “Perhaps. I want to hold onto them for a moment longer, and then I will do as you suggest and burn them.”
“I do hope I did the right thing in sharing them with you,” Grace said.
Audrey nodded. “You did, dearest. I’m just not ready to part with them yet.”
Jacob cleared his throat. “Wallings, perhaps you’d like to share a glass of something a little stronger than tea?”
“I would enjoy that.”
Jacob and Peter left the ladies to talk about the letters and how sad it was that her mother had to face such a predicament.
Once inside Jacob’s study, he went to the sideboard, poured two glasses of brandy, and handed one to Peter.
“I must say, when you asked to talk with me privately, I thought there was another topic on your mind.”
Peter took a sip of brandy before answering. “As a matter of fact, there is.”
“Oh, and pray tell, what is it?” Jacob asked. “I’ve not seen you come to see Miss Parker lately. Have you decided to call off the courtship?”
Peter shook his head. “No, that’s the furthest thing from my mind. The truth is, I thought she was developing a tendre for Lord Dudley and felt it best to stand back and see if she would choose him.”
“And?”
“She’s told me she has no interest in Lord Dudley, and I must tell you that made me very happy. We are of the same mind, and I would like to ask for your permission to propose to her.”
“What about London? Did you ask her about that? I wouldn’t want to deny her the opportunity if she wants a Season.”
“Nor I, and I did specifically bring up the subject. She told me that she has no desire to go to London for a Season.”
“Do you love her?”
“With all my heart, and I promise that I will do everything in my power to make sure she’s happy in our marriage.”
“Well, then, I see no reason why you shouldn’t propose,” Jacob said, extending his hand in friendship. “Welcome to the family, Wallings.”
“Thank you, Fletcher. I can’t tell you how overjoyed I am,” he said, shaking Jacob’s hand.
“I shall have the wedding contracts drawn up.”