She dipped a proper curtsey. “Good morning, Mr. Blackwood.”
“Miss Inman.” He gave a sharp nod.
“Please have a seat. May I offer you some tea?”
Please say no. Pleasedon’t stay.
“None needed. I shan’t stay long.”
She breathed freely, but only for a moment. The longer he stood there staring at her, the more she fiddled with the ring. “Did you have a matter you wish to discuss with me, Mr. Blackwood?”
“I believe the matter has been resolved without any discussion whatsoever. I came to see for myself if you were alive and well, being that your pew has remained empty these past two weeks.” His aquiline nose bunched. “My sister is worried about you.”
His sister? As shepherd of the parish flock, ought he not have been concerned? She slid the ring on and off her index finger, composing a less snappish response.
“It is kind of Mrs. Mortimer to have noticed my absence, though she needn’t suffer any anguish on my account. The truth is that Penelope suffered a cough the Sunday before last, and more recently our only horse to pull the pony cart got into the hemlock and came down with a case of colic. I fully anticipate, though, that my sister and I shall make this week’s Sunday service.”
“Hmm. And yet neither of those occurrences directly affected you.” He lifted his nose. “Neglecting the gathering of the saints is no small thing. The consequence of such abandon not only reduces the church rates but hinders your spiritual health.”
Hah! Church rates indeed. There wasn’t a single rain bucket catching leaks beneath the roof of All Saints Church. Nor did the rectory suffer in any way. She forced a smile. “I shall take that into consideration.”
“Very good. But I am curious, Miss Inman, what is it you’re so preoccupied with this morning?” His gaze shot to her hands.
Her fingers froze. How many times had she scolded Penny not to fidget when entertaining a guest?
“It is nothing of consequence, sir. Just something my farmhand unearthed out in the field.”
He held out his hand, palm up, the lift of a single brow commanding her to pass it over. Which she did. One ought not to refuse a man of God such a simple request. So why the anxious twist to her belly?
“Hmm.” The sound rumbled in his throat as he studied the tarnished ring. “Very interesting. Where was he digging?”
“The back corner of the estate. Why do you ask?”
“Clearly this is a historic find, possibly even church related.”
“I assure you my man only did as I asked. He wouldn’t have ventured to plow on any property other than my own.”
His blue eyes skewered her. “I implied no wrongdoing, Miss Inman.”
Oh dear. She’d gone and indicted a clergyman. Perhaps missing services truly had impacted her more than she realized. “I beg your pardon, Mr. Blackwood.” But then just as quickly, she jerked up her chin. “What do you mean, church related?”
He held up the ring, observing it with one narrowed eye. “I cannot be sure, of course, but this engraved fish, while admittedly much more ornate than I’ve ever seen, might be an ichthys.”
“A what?”
“Ichthys. The Greek word forfish. It is claimed Christians used the inobtrusive symbol to silently identify one another at a time believers faced persecution by the Roman Empire. Though what it would be doing buried in your farmland is anyone’s guess.”
Now that was interesting. She paced a tight circle on the rug, each step adding to her excitement. If that ring was of historical significance, it just might bring in the funds she needed. This could be an answer to prayer!
She stopped in front of Mr. Blackwood, disregarding her usual caution about the man. “Might you have a connection with anyone who would be interested in purchasing that ring?”
A frown darkened his face. “How can you sell an item if you don’t know what price to collect?”
“Point taken.” Selling the ring might not be as easy as she’d thought. She held out her hand. “Thank you, Mr. Blackwood. I appreciate your insights.”
“I am happy to help, Miss Inman. I shall get this appraised for you.” He pocketed the ring and wheeled about. In two long strides he was at the door.
Eva scurried after him, and though it was not proper or probably even holy, she sidestepped the man and planted her body directly in his path. Clergyman or not, there was no way she’d let him take what might be a valuable antiquity from this house. “While I appreciate the offer, I should like my ring back now, Mr. Blackwood, and will trouble you no further.”
