Page 23 of Snowbound Regency Christmas
They stopped before a pleasant structure of light-colored stone, with white shutters. Everything was orderly and soothing. ‘Because you and your mother have come to help us, my aunt can return here.’
To Andrew’s relief, the wary look left Matilda’s face, replaced by the wonder of it all. ‘Wedid that?’
‘Yes. You and your grandmother are a Christmas blessing to someone I love, and who raised me. You are our Christmas heroes.’
Andrew pushed his own turmoil—probably kicking and screaming—into the back of his mind as he saw goodness, even in this time of war and uncertainty. He nodded, and touched Matilda’s head. ‘Believe her,’ he said, not minding that his voice had some command to it.
She nodded. ‘Aye, sir.’
They continued down the street, until they stood in front of St. Timothy’s, soon to have a new vicar, once the older man was cast overboard like so much flotsam. As the unfairness of it struck him, Andy felt his face harden.No, no, he told himself.Let Matilda see only peace right now. He calmed himself. This was not the moment to look like a sailing master directing a ship toward a fleet action.
He couldn’t help glancing at Rose for reassurance. As he watched, she started to smile.You have an idea, he thought, relieved. ‘What?’ he asked, startled at how well he already knew her. You would think the matter was engineered.
Glory be, she understood him. ‘Let’s pay a visit to Vicar Ewing. I expect he is feeling low. You might be able to help him.’
He hoped she had a good idea; he didn’t. Andrew felt the full weight of despair that he thought only came to the Royal Navy and the British Army, fighting to wear down a relentless foe bent on destruction. What a fool he was; everyone faced challenges. No one was immune, even if Vicar Ewing’s trials were pale, compared to his.
She led them to the vicarage and told Matilda to knock. The vicar opened the door, his serious expression changing in an instant. ‘Come in.’ He looked down the street. ‘I was expecting…’
He didn’t need to tell them who. Andrew knew he was looking at someone girding himself for bad news. This was a man expecting eviction.
He led them to a pleasant sitting room with its view of the church, a sturdy building that had weathered several centuries of joy and sadness, no doubt. Introductions and explanations went around.
‘Rose, your aunt will be returning to Chandler Street? I call that a blessing.’
‘It is.’ Rosie put her hand in the vicar’s hand. ‘She has been so kind to me, and now it is her time for her long-overdue reward.’ She leaned forward. ‘I only wish your own fate was different.’
Andrew watched as the vicar waved away her concerns. ‘The Church of England has approved everything regarding my successor, and I will have a pension.’
‘Where will you go?’
‘I have no idea, but I am to leave tomorrow.’ He sighed and watched Matilda pet the old dog on the hearth.
‘This is too soon,’ Rose said. ‘Surely you can be here for Christmas.’
‘Alas, no.’ He looked at Matilda and lowered his voice. ‘There is this as well. As I was acquainting him with his duties here, the new vicar told me there will be no more parish school.’
‘No!’
‘He sees no point in educating the poor above their station in life.’ He glanced at Andrew. ‘Hard times everywhere, eh, Master Hadfield?’
Andrew watched Rosie struggle for composure, and put his hand over hers. It was a forward gesture; he didn’t care.
She mastered her emotion, and said in an offhand way, ‘Master Hadfield, since he must go, you might be interested to know that our dear vicar is so good at comforting the sick. I wonder where he could do that again?’
He could have slapped his forehead at his own density. Rose did have a plan. What a woman. He knew what to do. ‘Vicar, I have a solution to your dilemma.’ He gave Rose the benefit of his own gratitude and raised her hand to his lips. ‘She reminded me just now.’
Andrew had everyone’s attention, even the dog’s. He waited a moment for this idea to slink away, but it did not. ‘I spent two months recently in Stonehouse Naval and Marine Hospital. We were treated well, but there was something lacking, at least in the block where I recuperated.’ He smiled, more sure of himself. ‘Even the chief surgeon noted it. Let me lay this before you.’
He looked at the vicar and saw all the goodness being evicted, so a worthless cleric’s uncle could pay his brother and nephew out of ruin. ‘Come with me to Stonehouse. I know Block Four needs someone with the time to comfort fearful tars and Marines. Someone to sit with them by day—’ he glanced at Rose ‘—and comfort them by night. What say you? I know there is assigned housing in Stonehouse, or in the block behind it. Furnished rooms, even.’
Reverend Ewing stared at him, and Andy’s heart sank.Please, please, he thought, wondering if he was praying, something he hadn’t done in far too long.
To his immense gratitude, the reverend’s expression mellowed. Andrew felt Rosie’s hand on his arm and he covered it with his own. ‘Please consider it, sir,’ he said, overjoyed when Rose added, ‘Please.’
‘I will.’ It was simply said, then, ‘I mean, I will do more than consider it. I will do it. Tell me when.’
‘As soon as I receive my orders from the Navy Board, I will let you know. We’ll go together.’ He glanced at Rose. ‘If you are evicted, no matter. I have bumbled about at Fred’s farmhouse, and there is room for another until my letter comes. Right, Rosie?’
