A Perfect Gentleman(41)
A few of those in the pew sat forward, as if listening to every word, taking it all in.
“Early in the morning she had finally fallen asleep by his bed and I dozed in a chair across the room while Perkins did as well. When she woke the next morning she set about her chores of milking the cows and gathering eggs. I helped her so that she might return to her father quickly, and because she was exhausted and fraught with worry.”
His voice was rising, but he didn’t care. Those before him needed to know the truth and hopefully they would tell others and Grace’s reputation would be repaired.
“It was upon leaving the barn that a certain member of the community, whom shall remain nameless, came across us and assumed the worst and wasted no time in telling others what she believed. In truth, given our appearance, most would assume the same since neither of us had repaired our appearance before seeing to the cows.”
He paused and looked at them. They still listened with rapt attention, more so than any sermon he had ever delivered.
“I did not leave the Cooper household that day. I feared I would be needed as Mr. Cooper had not yet recovered enough to be certain he would live. It wasn’t until later that night that I realized I should have sent into town for someone to stay with Miss Cooper so that I was not in the house another night. Thankfully Mr. and Mrs. Thomas visited and decided to sleep in a room down the hall from Miss Coopers.”
There were a few murmurs and surprised looks. Clearly Mrs. Montgomery had forgotten to mention there were others in the house. Perhaps she didn’t even know. Matthew was certain he would never know as well. “I remained in the parlor in the event Mr. Cooper needed me and as a guard. Unfortunately I fell asleep and someone did get by me. I woke to sounds coming from upstairs and went to investigate. What I found was a man bent over Miss Cooper trying to smother her with a pillow.”
There were more gasps and murmurs.
“The attacker got away from me and I still do not know who he was. But, at least Miss Cooper survived, and I don’t believe she would have had I not been there.”
Some people nodded.
“I know you all heard that I was sleeping in her room when the same member of this community came to visit.” He paused and looked at them. Some leaned forward, as if waiting to see if he admitted to being there. “I was.”
The murmurs the congregation exchanged were louder this time.
“Following her attack Miss Cooper was frightened, and rightly so. The assailant had broken the back door into the house and it could not be sealed tight. As someone had gotten into the house before, I remained in her room to protect her. I slept in the chair in front of the fireplace. The door to her room remained open and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were in a chamber one door away.” Matthew knew he wasn’t giving a full accounting of the night and hedged on the order of events, but he didn’t care. To tell them the truth would see Grace shunned from society. What happened between them was private and nobody need know. Especially since they would soon be married.
He focused his next words on Grace, speaking directly to her. “I apologize if I am speaking out of turn, but I wish everyone to know the truth about that night.”
She nodded.
“Did I show poor judgment in remaining in your room? Yes, I did. But my only concern was for your safety, I never meant for my decisions to bring harm to you in anyway.”
Her smile was gentle and she nodded.
Matthew once again focused on his parishioners. “Because I have failed in bringing this community together, because my actions have made several members of the congregation pass judgment on me and because I do not possess the desire to be a vicar, I will be writing my superior when services have concluded and resign my post.”
There were audible gasps from most in the room.
“Shall we pray.”
Grace couldn’t focus. She knew she should be paying attention to Vicar Trent’s prayer and pray herself, but she could not stop thinking about his words. He could not quit being a vicar. It wasn’t fair. What was he going to do? Where would he live? If he gave up the post, he would no longer be allowed to live in the vicarage. Where would he go? How would he support himself? Would he return to London? She might never see him again. She had to make him change his mind. Even though she vowed not to see him outside of church, she didn’t want him gone. The thought of never seeing him again was almost too much to bear.
This was so unfair and Grace wanted to march over to the Montgomery household and give Audrey’s mother a piece of her mind.
The prayer must have ended, not that Grace noticed until everyone around her began to stand. Vicar Trent was already gone. Was he waiting outside to greet the parishioners like he did each Sunday morning or had he already returned to the vicarage to write to his superiors? She had to stop him before he did something he would regret. Vicar Trent could not have thought this through. He was simply upset and perhaps tomorrow he would rethink the matter. He was a perfect vicar and this community needed him.
The few people that had attended the service were filing out through the doors and Grace grabbed her reticule and rushed down the aisle. Audrey stepped into her path.
“I am sorry. I must go.” She really didn’t want to be so rude to her friend, but she had to speak with Vicar Trent.
Audrey looked crestfallen. “Are you angry at me because of my mother?”
Grace stopped and took a deep breath and turned to her friend. “No, of course not.”
“I am truly sorry. I tried to make her stop, but mother would have none of it.”
“Nobody can control your mother, Audrey.” Grace grasped her friend’s hand. “Nobody blames you for what happened.”
“How is your father?”
Grace felt herself smiling. “He is going to recover. He is awake more and eating.”
“Oh, that is so good to hear.”
Grace glanced to the door. She didn’t wish to be rude, but she and Audrey could talk anytime. She needed to stop Vicar Trent. The few parishioners were lining up and she breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn’t left, thank goodness. There was still time to change his mind. She waited until everyone else had left their seats and took the last place in line. Audrey stood beside her.
“What would your mother say if she saw you talking to me?”
“I am sure I would get a lecture. She tried to keep me from attending services but I pointed out that as a good Christian, I should be here regardless of the circumstances.”
Grace fought not to giggle. Audrey had invented more reasons than she could count to avoid attending services. She hated having to sit for so long. “She believed you?”
“Mother sees and believes what she wants.”
“Clearly,” Grace offered in a dry tone.
When they reached the door, Grace stood back so Audrey could go before her. Vicar Trent greeted those ahead of them, nodded his head, said thank you a few times, but she couldn’t quite hear all of the conversation. Hopefully those who had been listening to him today would spread the facts instead of innuendo and he might be able to retain his position and good reputation in the community. Hers would be forever ruined, but Grace couldn’t find it in herself to care. All that mattered was that Vicar Trent escaped this madness unscathed. He had done nothing wrong but come to her aid and for that he was being punished and she would not stand for it.
“I wish to apologize for the damage my mother has caused,” Audrey said to Vicar Trent.
He simply chuckled. “I know well enough how hard it is to live with a difficult parent. Do not worry, Miss Montgomery. All will be well in the end.”
How could he believe all would be well when he was leaving? He was abandoning her.
Audrey moved on and Grace stopped before him. Their eyes met and held. Breath lodged in her chest. Why did this man have the power to make her speechless? One look into his clear blue eyes and all thoughts left her mind. She wanted to cling to him. Kiss him. Hold on and never let go.
“I would like a word with you Grace, if you can spare me a moment.”
“Of course, but I don’t wish to cause you any further trouble.”
He lifted her hand and put it through his arm. “You are not the one who has caused the trouble, as you well know.”
“Yes, but others… “
“Hush, forget about the others.”
A few parishioners still stood in front of the church watching them. She shouldn’t have stayed to speak with him. This would only fuel the gossip. Lord Crew moved among them, directing people to their carriages, as if he wished to leave her and Vicar Trent alone. Surely he knew the damage such a situation could cause and he was her guardian. What was he about?
When it appeared that almost everyone was on their way home, Vicar Trent led her to a bench beneath a tree, which still held a number of its golden and red leaves despite the winds from the other night.
“I wish to speak with you as well.” She settled onto the bench and he took a seat beside her.
“What do you wish to tell me?” Humor lit his eyes and he smiled at her. He was at ease in a way that she had never seen him before. He was more handsome now that his face was relaxed, as if all tension had been washed away. How could he be so calm? Wasn’t he worried about his future? He almost looked happy and she had never seen Vicar Trent happy before.