Mr. Raeburn blinked rapidly, as though debating if this were a permissible revelation. “Two.”
Solomon’s eyebrows flew up. “And yet you would appear to have a knowledge and understanding that goes far beyond a mere two letters.”
“I do, as it happens, but most of my experience is not from Sutton May. When I was a very young curate in the north, our parish was plagued with a spate of such spiteful letters. They caused a lot of ill feeling, a lot of fear and distrust, even tragedy. To be frank, I find it hard to forgive such plain nastiness.”
There was genuine distaste and an echo of old anger in his voice.
“Did you ever find out who sent them?”
“Oh, yes, eventually. A spiteful spinster who had constituted herself the arbiter of parish morals.”
“What happened to her?” Constance asked.
“Once she was unmasked, everyone turned their backs on her. She left the area soon after—to live with family, I believe. Though whether she truly repented her sins, I do not know.”
“Do you think that is what would happen here? If the culprit is ever discovered?”
“My hope is that my next sermon will deter any further letters and lead the perpetrator into shame and repentance. And there will be no more letters.”
“Given your experience,” Solomon said, “and your knowledge of the community, do you have any idea who might be responsible here in Sutton May?”
The vicar steepled his fingers. “I have thought about it a great deal and prayed. But no one comes to mind. I would say it is almost certainly a woman—women being in general less powerful and resorting to such methods that men do not needto. Women bear grudges that men do not even notice. Generally against other women.”
Interesting,Constance thought.He doesn’t know about Nolan’s letter. Is he even aware that the Keatons’ letter was addressed to them both, or is he just making assumptions?
Solomon said, “What can you tell us about the women in Sutton May? Who might constitute herself the arbiter of village morals?”
The vicar’s wife,Constance thought suddenly.
“It is so hard to judge,” Mr. Raeburn protested. “Our northern culprit did not reveal her spite in any other way until she was caught, literally, with her hand on the letter she was delivering. She was merely nosy and full of gossip. Like many women.”
“And men,” Constance said mildly. “Who is the biggest gossip in Sutton May?”
Mr. Raeburn shifted in his chair again. “I could not say. We are all guilty of it to some degree, are we not? There is a fine line between interest and gossip.”
“What of Mrs. Gimlet?”
“Less of a gossip than most. Poor creature. Despite her grief, I am sure she would not lash out in such a way.”
“Nell Dickie?”
The minutest curl twitched at the vicar’s lips. “I scarcely know her. The Dickies rarely come to church. Except to have their children baptized.”
“Are the women friendly?” Solomon asked.
“Mrs. Gimlet and Nell? Not particularly, though they must know each other.”
“What about the other women? Are there feuds? Even those you and I might find ridiculous. Say, between Mrs. Keaton and someone in the village?”
“I really could not say.”
Hewouldnot say. “What about the men?” Constance asked. “Are there particular enmities or ill feelings?”
“Good grief, no. None that would lead to such spiteful letters.”
“Really?” said Solomon. “I have heard disparaging remarks against Mr. Dickie. And against Mr. Ogden.”
“The Dickies tend to be scapegoats,” Mr. Raeburn admitted. “Ogden doesn’t drink at the Goose or attend parties when he’s invited, but I never heard of ill feeling toward him.”
