“And now you have a handsome, wealthy man who adores you. The way I see it, you are on your way to having a happy life.”
“What are you talking about, Sally?” Tabitha shook her head. “I donothave a handsome, wealthy man who adores me.”
The maid arched an eyebrow. “Lord Hawthorne isn’t wealthy and handsome?”
“Well of course he is, but he doesn’t adore me, and I for certain don’t believe his flowery words are sincere. It’s very hard to trust that man.” She flipped a hand through the air. “Besides that, he is only acting this way because nobody here knows him. When he’s with his friends again, he’ll turn back into the accomplished rogue we remember.”
Sally’s gaze narrowed. “Are you certain? He certainly acts sincere.”
“That’s why he’s anaccomplishedrogue. He knows just what to say to make a woman swoon.”
“Yes, you are probably right.” Sally’s gaze dropped to the tulip. “I suppose I’m still wishing for a man to take notice of me and fall in love with me.”
“It will happen.” Tabitha patted her friend’s shoulder. “Be patient and things will happen for you.” She gestured her head toward the house. “But let’s put our worries aside for now and help my aunt and Mrs. Stiles prepare the luncheon tomorrow. I invited Mr. Jacobs and his daughter to join us, as well.”
Sally’s eyes enlarged. “Mr. Jacobs? Why did you invite him when you knowwhyyour aunt is having this luncheon with Mr. Woodland?”
“That’s exactly why I invited Mr. Jacobs.” Tabitha grinned. “Because I don’t want my aunt or Mrs. Stiles to think there’s a chance that me and the clergyman…” She grimaced. “No, I’m sorry, but it will not happen that way. Not if I have anything to do with it.”
Laughing, Sally kept in step beside Tabitha on the way to the house. “Poor Mr. Jacobs. Does he know what he’s in for?”
“Probably not, but let’s not tell him. I fear he’ll run away and never return.” Tabitha snickered. “But it will be entertaining, nonetheless. I, for one, cannot wait to see Nic’s reaction.”
“Me, either.”
Tabitha grinned all the way to the house. Perhaps she shouldn’t be toying with these two men’s affections the way she was, but she couldn’t help it. Indeed, tomorrow afternoon would be most entertaining.
Chapter Seventeen
“Where have youbeen?” Nic raised his voice to his cousin. Standing in the kitchen, Nic folded his arms across his chest and glared. “I haven’t seen you for over twenty-four hours. I was beginning to suspect something terrible had happened to you.”
With one elbow leaning on the table as his hand held up his head, Frederick gripped his coffee cup with the other hand. “Forgive me, dear cousin, but I had thought I found a clue and I was hot on the suspect’s trail. Unfortunately, it turned out to be nothing.”
“What did you find?” Nic asked in a calmer voice as he walked closer to the table.
“The Griffin’s houseguest—whom I’d suspected—left and I followed. Their houseguest had been with them for a few months, and I had begun to wonder about this strange man. When I saw him packing his carriage bright and early yesterday morning, I decided to follow.” Frederick shook his head. “Apparently, the man was just returning home. He didn’t meet with anyone, and he traveled directly home—which, by the way was nearly a half-day’s journey up the coast. I stayed and watched his house for a few hours, but when I realized nothing was going to happen, I left to come home.” Frowning, he shook his head. “I’m beginning to believe I will never find the true thief.”
“Why did you suspect him?”
“Because he was limping as if he’d sprained his ankle. Right now a man with an injured leg is the only lead I have.” Frederick sipped his coffee cup.
“David Griffin had a broken ankle. Don’t you recall that’s what the doctor had found?”
With his eyes closed, Frederick nodded. “Yes, but I still don’t believe he did it. He has no reason to steal from the church.”
Grumbling, Nic sat in the chair next to his cousin. “Perhaps we should look at this from a different angle.”
Frederick gave Nic a dubious stare. “Pray tell, my dear cousin, what angle are we supposed to look at it?”
“Do you know for certain that it was a man? Or, by chance, do you think it could have been a woman?”
Frederick rolled his eyes. “A woman? Why would a woman want to steal from the church?”
Nic held up his hand, palm facing his cousin. “Just listen to me.” He took a deep breath. “Today I had Miss McFadden come into the church to confess her sins to me.”
Frederick gasped and shook his head “Oh, please tell me you didn’t give her any guidance.”
“Of course not. I had no idea what to say to the poor girl.” Nic scratched underneath his ear where his beard had been bothering him since he grew facial hair. “But what she told me made me start looking at this theft situation in a whole new light.”
