“No,” he insisted. “As Matt, I suspect Stillwaite was behind the attack on you. The moment he started harming someone he ceased being my client. Besides, I was only to help him purchase land, not commit a man to Bedlam or murder his daughter.”
“Thank you.”
“This entire situation has gotten out of control, Grace,” Lord Crew stated, his light hazel eyes boring into hers.
“What do you mean?”
“I was in town before I came here. There are some unflattering rumors floating around with regard to you and Vicar Trent.”
Her face began to heat. She could only imagine what Mrs. Montgomery was telling everyone. Someone had to speak the truth before Vicar Trent was ruined in the eyes of the community.
“Audrey will dispel the rumors. She was here with her mother.”
“I am not sure even Miss Montgomery can stop the innuendos and what people are beginning to believe.”
There was no hope for it. She needed to distance herself from Vicar Trent before the entire town turned on him, though they should know better than to listen to anything Mrs. Montgomery said. “I am afraid I must ask you to leave, Vicar Trent.”
“Pardon?” He stood and turned toward her.
“You heard me.” She pointed to the door. “I thank you for the assistance you have been the past few days, but I want you to leave now. It is for the best.”
He stepped toward her. “We did nothing wrong.”
Grace moved back. “It doesn’t matter. It is best that you distance yourself from me. I will not have your name sullied further. Please go.”
Vicar Trent glanced around the room as if looking for help from someone, but even his brothers nodded their head in agreement with Grace.
“Very well.” He turned and stomped from the room. The sound of the front door shutting reverberated through the house. She felt the loss of his presence immediately.
Matthew settled behind his desk to work on his sermon and stopped. What he had already written and his books were at the Cooper household. Was that a good enough excuse to return? He had missed Grace last evening. After he returned home he bathed and had a light meal, but had nothing to do until bedtime. For most of his adult life he had lived alone and never was without something to occupy his mind, but he was at a loss and it took everything in him not to ride to her home and check that she was safe. Despite how tired he was, it had taken hours for him to fall asleep. He tossed and turned; worrying that someone would get into her house and do her harm. It didn’t matter that John and Elizabeth were there to protect her, he should be the one.
This morning hadn’t been much better because he found a note on his table that the young woman he had hired to clean, cook and do laundry resigned her position. Her parents thought it best that she not spend time in his home, despite him being a vicar.
It didn’t really matter because soon he would be living with Grace in her home, as her husband. Perhaps the marriage would repair any damage Mrs. Montgomery caused. He could only pray that was the case.
“I thought you might need these.”
Matthew glanced up to find Jordan standing in the door with the items he had left at the Coopers. “How is Miss Cooper and her father this morning?”
“They are doing well. Mr. Cooper is awake more and has even eaten food.”
“Miss Cooper must be relieved.” Matthew took the books and foolscap from Jordan. “Nobody tried to break in?”
“John and Elizabeth said it was a quiet night.”
As much as Matthew was pleased that Grace was safe, it galled him that she didn’t need him.
Jordan settled into the chair before his desk. “What are your plans?”
“What do you mean?”
“The people in the town have nothing better to talk about but the fact that you remained in the household two nights.”
“Did you explain?”
“I tried, but they want to believe the worst.”
Matthew sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I will speak with Lord Crew. I already decided, after Mrs. Montgomery came to the house, that I would need to marry Grace.”
“I am glad to hear it.”
Matthew and Jordan turned to the door. The man was entering the room. What was it about this town that nobody knocked on doors and seemed to appear when they were being spoken about? It was happening far too much and Matthew vowed to keep every door locked even in the middle of the day.
Jordan stood. “I will leave the two of you to work out the details. Do let me know when the marriage is to take place.” He grinned and left the room.
Matthew stood. “Can I get you anything, Lord Crew?”
“No, I am fine.” He settled into the seat Jordan had vacated. “Are you marrying Grace because of rumors and her reputation?”
“Yes,” Matthew answered without pause.
The man leaned forward. “Do you care for her?”
Matthew thought for a moment. “Yes, I do.”
“Do you love her?”
Love? It was such a strong word. He liked her well enough. Desired her like no woman before. Thought of her constantly and worried that she was safe, or how she would get on if something happened to her father. He wanted to take her burdens away so she could have comfort and be cared for. He wanted her to have servants so she didn’t need to worry about the cows and chickens, or how she would have enough money to get by. Was that love?
“I don’t know,” he answered honestly. “I do care for her deeply, however. I am not sure I’ve known her long enough to love her.”
Lord Crew smiled. “I think you do. You have my blessing.”
“Aren’t you worried that I can provide for her and her father?”
The man chuckled. “I knew your father, disagreeable fellow, and how financially set you are. That is the least of my concerns.”
“Then perhaps I should ride to the next town to engage the vicar in performing the ceremony.”
“Lad, I suggest you ride to Gretna Green posthaste and not give this town any more time to add gossip to the already growing inferno.”
“Miss Cooper will not wish to leave her father. Even if we do not stop along the way, it will take at least two days to get to Scotland and even longer to Gretna.”
“You don’t have to be married in Gretna Green. Anywhere over the border will do.”
“I don’t think Grace will wish to be away for the better part of a week, which it will take even if we only stop long enough to be married and return.”
“I will convince her it is for the best.” The man stood to take his leave.
“Please, let me speak with her first, and at least ask for her hand.” The least he could do was to actually ask her to marry him since nobody else had bothered to do so.
Grace wandered the house on Saturday, trying to find something to keep her busy. Her father was on his way to recovery and Mr. and Mrs. Trent had taken up residence and doing all manner of repairs, when Mrs. Trent wasn’t in the kitchen.
She corrected their names in her mind. They were John and Elizabeth, which they insisted she call them. It seemed odd that these two practical strangers had taken control of her home, but she could not find it in her to discourage them. It was a relief to not have to worry at the moment.
The back door had been repaired by Mr. Thomas before she retired last night and John had put new locks on almost every window and door. She didn’t understand the necessity, but she did feel safer for them being there.
It was strange milking the cows this morning on her own as well. She had done this for the past two years without anyone else about, yet in just two days Grace had become used to Vicar Trent’s presence in the barn. What was he doing today? He hadn’t returned since she asked him to leave yesterday. It was unkind given he had done nothing except take care of her and help these last days. He could have left that first night, but he stayed to help watch over her father and on the second night to protect her.
A shiver ran down her spine. Had he not been there the assailant might very well have succeeded in murdering her. She shook the thoughts from her mind. She didn’t want to think about that now. In the cold dark of the night it had been bad enough. Thankfully she had suffered only one nightmare. Elizabeth had come to check on her. Grace had felt silly after that. Grace would have much preferred it to have been Vicar Trent who came to her room, but that would never be again.
It was best if she distance herself from him. Enough damage had been done. He was a pillar of the community and had other parishioners to see to. They had gone without his counsel for over two days and it was unfair of her to demand more of his time and attention. Besides, if he remained in her company his reputation might never recover, though she doubted it would suffer as much as hers. Not that Grace cared. The people in this community had known her since she was born and if they chose to believe Mrs. Montgomery over her than they had never been her friends.
Of course that was easy to say now, but what if they shunned her when she went into town?
No, they wouldn’t.
“Excuse me, Miss Cooper there is a delivery for you.”
Grace accepted the letter from Mrs. Thomas and walked to the window where she tore the seal and unfolded the parchment.
Miss Cooper,
We regret to inform you that you are being relieved of your position as Sunday school teacher. Word of your recent activities, questionable company and behavior has been brought to our attention and we no longer feel you are a proper role model of high moral character for the children.