Page 26 of These Violet Delights
“You were right,” he said, rocking back on his heels and appraising the sky, which was threatening rain. “I’m not good enough for Miss Graddock.”
Alasdair was very tired, expecting more long hours at Clafton before supper. “It’s nice to see you’ve joined us in the world as it is.”
“But Ishallbe good enough. You’ll be happy to know I’ve decided on a profession, and it will please Mother even more, for I’m to join the clergy. Why, today I will write to the chancellor for a recommendation. It will be merry indeed to take the living at Anselm, and it will mean we are always near as family.”
Alasdair removed his spectacles and pinched the bridge of his nose. “When, may I ask, did you decide upon this?”
“Just now.”
“I see. There is the small problem that Mr. Danforth already has the living, Freddie.”
“Some…reason for his removal can be devised, and Mother will see to it.” Freddie frowned and waved both hands around at nothing. “Surely, she would choose her son over that man!” he added, dissolving into nervous laughter. “Wouldn’t she?”
Alasdair didn’t have an answer for him. “Bathe,” he said. “Before she realizes you’ve returned.”
The subject of Freddie’s future was tabled until supper, when Alasdair returned from the build on sore, aching feet. Gordon was not the sort of man to stand on ceremony and gladly let Alasdair pitch in as much as he wanted; for that span of time, he had done precisely as Gordon instructed and was put to hard work, so much so that he had been grateful for the way it obliterated any thoughts of his wayward brother and the even more bothersome thoughts of Violet Arden.
But the work concluded eventually, and it was suggested by Mr. Danforth that Lady Edith would fall into despair if her sons continued eschewing her company at dinner. Peace around the braised venison did not last long. Alasdair busied himself with eating as much as he could, starving once more after so much backbreaking effort at Clafton, noticing new calluses rasping against his cutlery while he tried to ignore the eyes of the paintings looming just beyond the tight halo of candlelight surrounding them.
“I’ve made some important decisions,” Freddie began, puffing up and preparing to drop his news. “In fact, I—”
Lady Edith, practically in another parish due to the size of the table, squished around under her shawl and skewered anasparagus with her fork. “That reminds me. Danforth has some employment for you tomorrow.”
“To be sure,” Danforth murmured, smiling beatifically over his vegetables.
“Right. But just this afternoon I’ve written to—”
“It is very bad, very bad indeed that they will not hear advice from Mr. Danforth at the Florizel,” Lady Edith continued, undaunted. Freddie might as well have been trying to speak to her from the bottom of a distant well. “But for their edification, and the edification of all who might require it, Mr. Danforth has produced a marvelous pamphlet.”
Alasdair reached for his wine.
“It urges us to reconsider Commonwealth ideas regarding public theater, and what is fit to display,” said Danforth, visibly satisfied. His smile widened as he beamed at Freddie, then Alasdair. “Lady Edith has suggested you would both enjoy the subject and aid me in seeing these pamphlets distributed among the townsfolk.”
Sitting back, wine in hand, Alasdair snorted. “No. I won’t be doing that.”
“I beg your pardon?” Danforth shifted.
“I sincerely doubt our feelings about secular art and its merits align, Mr. Danforth,” he continued, short.
“Even so, Lady Edith assures me that—”
“Your time would be better served with Freddie, who has decided to join the clergy,” said Alasdair. He looked down the table toward his mother, whose mouth was hanging open. “He’s written to the chancellor, and I intend to do the same.”
Everyone was silent, barely stirring.
“You…y-you do?” Freddie burbled with hope to his right.
Anything to make Danforth shut up.
Danforth glared at Alasdair through a gap in the candelabra.“What a wholly unexpected pivot, Mr. Kerr. Would to God we all in this house might consider such a renewed commitment!” His smile widened, his gaze upon Alasdair unflinching.
“Meaning?” Alasdair held his look.
“Meaning that the good people of this parish, however pure their hearts, are not immune to the contagion of filth and folly. No better demonstrated than by an unmarried man escorting a single lady without chaperone while both of them are, heaven forgive us,woefullyunderdressed.”
So. Word had spread about more than just Freddie’s reprobate activities.
Lady Edith coughed strangely behind her hand. “Of what does Mr. Danforth speak?”
