Rosa shrugged. “Have you ever prayed and prayed for something and your prayers went unanswered?”
“Yes.”Oh yes.
“I prayed so faithfully, but he did not ... It did not happen.”
Anne sympathized. “And you were ... angry with God?”
“At first. Then I realized I had lost my right to expect God to hear my prayers, let alone answer them. After what I’ve done, I’d be foolish to expect anything but disappointed silence.”
“Rosa...” Anne stepped closer, heart aching for the girl. “We have all made mistakes. All sinned. But God is merciful and will forgive us if we ask.”
The younger woman slowly shook her head. “Not all sins are so easily forgiven or forgotten.”
“As far as the east is from the west,” Anne said, paraphrasing the psalm. “That’s how far He removes our transgressions from us.” She spoke the words in all sincerity, hoping her own mistakes were included in that number.
“I wish that were true.” Rosa straightened. “Now, off with you. You had better hurry and finish dressing for church.”
Anne laid a gentle hand on Rosa’s arm and returned to her own room.
As she put on her spencer and gloves, Anne found herself pondering the “unforgivable” thing Rosa had done. And she felt quite certain that whatever the details, Jude Dalby bore the lion’s share of the blame.
Sharing a pew and a prayer book with Miss Birt as before, Anne glanced around the nave to see if Dr. Finch was in attendance this week. No sign of him. Dr. Marsland was there, and Colonel Paine and Miss Fitzjohn sat in the family box near the front, once again representing Painswick Court.
Ernest Finch entered during the call to confession and repentance, and Dr. Marsland sent him a dark look and shook his head.
During the litany, the curate made a series of petitions, including “And we pray for the health of our sister, Lady Celia Fitzjohn....” After each petition, the congregation responded, “We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.” Anne was glad she had pushed aside old resentments and could sincerely add her voice to the others.
Later, when the service ended, Dr. Finch rose to quickly depart, but Joe Webb and his family stopped first him and then Anne to thank them again for their assistance. Mr. Pallinggreeted each of them as well, then lingered in the aisle to speak to Miss Fitzjohn.
At that point, Dr. Finch tried to slip out again, but an old man hailed him near the door and appeared to be asking him to look at some growth on his neck.
Anne bit back a grin, and perhaps thinking the gesture was directed his way, Dr. Marsland approached her with a warm smile of his own. “A pleasure to see you, Miss Loveday. How fares our patient this morning?”
“She is feeling somewhat better—and was sitting up writing letters when I left.”
“That is excellent news. I shall stop by later to see her myself.” He then turned to acknowledge Miss Birt, asking her to pass along his greetings to Miss Lotty, expressing his hope that she might be able to join them all at church one day soon.
Anne returned a few other greetings directed her way as she moved in Dr. Finch’s direction, finally catching up to him in the churchyard.
“Dr. Finch! I was glad to see you in the service today.”
“Oh, em, yes. I cannot always get away.”
“Do you and Dr. Marsland takes turns being available should an emergency arise?”
“Well, no, not exactly. Someone has to ... Goodness, you are inquisitive. Are you so very worried about my spiritual condition?”
“Forgive me. I should not pry. I only meant to say that I was glad to see you. And that Miss Lotty wishes me to pass along an invitation to join us for dinner again, if you are free.”
“That is kind of her, but—”
“She is kind,” Anne said, “but she also sincerely wishes you to join us. And ... so do I.” Embarrassed by the admission, she added quickly, “It will only be Miss Lotty, me,and Miss Birt, who enjoys filling our ears with all the latest village gossip.”
“Towngossip, Miss Loveday,” he corrected, a teasing light in his eye. “Painswick is a town and not a mere village. A point I have been corrected on more than once since my arrival.”
“You are quite right. I have too.”
“All the latest gossip, ey? Then perhaps I would be wise to come and defend myself.” His lips quirked in a rueful smile.
