Page 84 of Snowfall and the Duke
The vicar had not been present during the volunteer work, no doubt hiding in his office while his parishioners drank too much and indulged in a little too much revelry.
Jonas liked Vicar Temple because he was not one of those righteous moralists. He understood that sometimes a little sin was permissible, for the world was too often a bad place and people needed a release from the torments of their daily struggle.
“Vicar Temple, I have something important to ask you.”
“Come into my study, Your Grace. It is not nearly as fine as yours, but more than adequate for my needs. Here, let me clear off this pile of books from the chair. Please, do have a seat.”
Once they were both comfortably settled, the vicar opened the conversation. “Now, Your Grace, what is it you wish to ask me?”
“Well, vicar…”
The night wascold and a stiff wind was blowing by the time Jonas left the vicarage and walked to the Marble House Inn to meet his guests, who had only now finished their elegant supper and were ready to return to Langford Hall.
His mother and brother were the first to walk out. The Tenneys and Montroys stumbled into the cold night soon after them, none of them feeling the chill, since they had obviously imbibed too much. Carstairs and his daughter came out last and did not bother to acknowledge Jonas while they climbed into the last carriage of their small caravan along with Pomeroy.
Only his mother and brother dared to climb into his lead carriage. “How was your supper?” Jonas asked, not really caring but knowing he ought to allow for some conversation.
“Terrible,” his mother responded as his pair of matched bays got underway. “The food was excellent, but Viola was insufferable. Her father does no good by indulging herpetulance. Of course, Pomeroy fawned over her all night long. He will have Carstairs approving of his match to Viola by tomorrow.”
“And Whitcomb? Has he had any success with Willa Montroy?”
Edward shrugged. “Most likely. Neither of those young ladies will get offers from a serious gentleman. Willa’s father knows he will get no one better than Whitcomb stepping forward. If his only choice is to pick the best of the fortune hunters lined up in queue at his door, then Whitcomb wins out handily. And how was your night?”
Jonas shrugged. “Good.”
Edward laughed. “That’s it? Just good? Did you spend the entire evening in Miss Temple’s company?”
“It was a madhouse, but all the preparations are now done. The vicar is holding an early morning service tomorrow and then the fun and games begin. I’ll have the Langford carriages available for anyone who wishes to attend his service, and for the later festivities as well.”
“Pies and games? Sounds dull.”
“Edward! Show a little respect,” their mother said. “We shall be there, Ramsdale. It is our duty to attend the service and the charity affair. Ignore your brother.”
“Yes, ignore me. Everyone else does,” Edward muttered.
Jonas caught the undercurrent of hurt in his brother’s voice. “Well, take heart,” he said, casting him a wicked grin. “I’m sure the Tenney sisters won’t mind cheering you up.”
“Yes, they are a most enthusiastically bouncy pair.”
Their mother sighed. “I have raised heathens.”
Jonas winked at his brother. “Join me for a drink in my study before you retire for the evening. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
“You are not going to lecture me about my moral decay, are you?”
“No, you clot. Join me, all right?”
Edward nodded. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with Miss Temple, would it?”
Chapter Sixteen
Jonas had stayedwell up into the night talking to his brother.
Both of them could hardly keep awake the following morning while Vicar Temple, an eloquent but soft-spoken orator, delivered the lengthy sermon on the topics of forgiveness, sacrifice, and rebirth. Since Jonas and his family occupied the first pew, he and Edward dared not yawn or close their eyes.
Ailis, looking lovelier than ever in a festive gown of darkest green velvet trimmed with lace and silk, quietly stepped in through a side door as the sermon was well underway and stood partially hidden in one of the small alcoves along the side. She must have kept some extra fabric when sewing her gown, for she had used a remnant of it to fashion a sling for her arm out of the same green velvet material.
She acknowledged him with a generous smile when he glanced at her.
