“Why in the afternoon?”
“From my understanding, her daughters want to see her and fasten her dancing sisters cameo at her neck.”
“They’ve forgiven their mother!” Cecilia exclaimed.
“I assume so, for the vicar appeared happy early this morning when I went by the church to check on the pulpit rebuild.”
“Good. Have enough pallbearers been recruited?”
James laughed. “There was no recruiting; there are more than enough volunteers. Mrs. Jones was well-liked and greatly missed.”
“I count on our plans for Squire Inglewood incriminating himself tomorrow to work,” Cecilia said, determination reflected in her expression.
“From what you have told me of your plans and my observations of Squire Inglewood, I know you have a high chance of success.”
“We have ensured that the entire parish is aware of the gathering here, and it is here because you are the acting church warden and sexton until replacements are named.”
“Ah, that is another piece of good news. The vicar said he received condolences from the Archbishop yesterday. With the letter of condolence came his approval for a curate. In addition, he told the vicar that he needed to press the parish board to fill the churchwarden and sexton roles. The tithes defend the expense.”
“That is good news! But we’ll have to convince the vicar not to ask Mrs. Hull to move into the middle almshouse and give her residence to a new curate. She likes her end location.”
James’ eyes narrowed. “I’m not satisfied with the latitude the earl has allowed Inglewood. I suspect Inglewood is holding something over him. I will request Mortlake to build a curate’s residence as a thank you,” he suggested, his lips kicking up on one side.
Cecilia’s eyes lit up. “I agree with you. There is something. Didn’t the earl say that they were at the university together for one year? Perhaps Inglewood knows of another indiscretion. Regardless of what it is, I imagine he will be amenable to that idea. Wonderful notion. Mention a new curate’s residence to him when he is here this afternoon. With the parish invited, it will be easy to see the need for a curate.”
“Ifa large portion of the parish comes, not simply the landed gentry,” James cautioned.
“Mrs. Hull believes they will. And with that in mind, I need to meet with Mrs. Vernon now to review our plans for food and drink for the event. I have to tell you, I laughed when she told me she informed her nephew he was supplying the ale—for free.”
This wasone day when James felt grateful for his acting churchwarden duties. Those duties kept him at the churchwhile village men carried Mrs. Jones’ casket to her final place of rest. He didn’t do well with burials. Dying soldiers and burials brought back too many memories of Spain, memories that caused sleepless nights. He’d suffered the night after he’d found Mrs. Jones. Today, if he stayed away from the actual burial, he might save himself another restless night. He saw the funeral procession stop by the new grave. He turned away before they lowered her casket. He entered the church office and methodically recorded the official date of death, the date of burial, and the other details wanted in the church record.
When he came out of the office, he found Squire Inglewood standing by the church, watching the burial. He turned at the sound of James’s approach.
“You’re not with the funeral party,” he noted.
“No,” James said.
“Why not? I thought Mrs. Jones was a particular friend of yours and Lady Branstoke’s.”
“I could ask you the same question in reverse. Why are you here? It is known you were not fond of Mrs. Jones.”
“Meddlesome woman didn’t know her place. Poking her nose where it did not belong. Spreading gossip…”
“She did much for the parish and was well liked,” James countered. “So, again, why are you here?”
“Not for that witch. I figured you would be here. I came to see you.”
“Me?” James crossed his arms over his chest and canted his head as he regarded the squire.
“Stay away from my son,” Inglewood growled, his hands clenched at his sides.
“Stay away from George? I have encountered him twice, both times at the Sheep’s Head Tavern. A public place.”
“You took him to your estate and got him doing servants’ labor.”
“I do not understand you, Inglewood.”
“He came home last evening with tales of sweeping a terrace, hauling tables, and other demeaning work an Inglewood does not do!”
