Page 6 of Discovering Grace

When the song drew to a close, Jacob pushed the door open and entered. “Mother, you play like an angel.”

His mother, tall for a woman and as elegant as any duchess, cast him an affectionate glance from where she sat beside the window. The room was dim, thanks to the weather, and she had not lit any candles.

“You are a sweet flatterer, Jacob.” She stilled the remainder of the vibrating strings, their almost inaudible humming stopped. “Why are you back so soon? Given when you left, I did not expect to see you until dinner.”

Even with having six children to keep after, his mother always seemed to know where they were and what they were about. As a child, he had wondered if she possessed some sort of supernatural ability to track them.

“I was met with some unexpected news when I arrived at the Everlys’.” He came into the room, his hands tucked behind his back. “And they were too busy to keep company today. Actually, I am surprised we did not hear of their news until now.”

Arching an eyebrow at him, his mother folded her hands in her lap. “What news is this? You certainly are not pleased by it.”

“Have you heard the Carlburys are to go back to the West Indies?” he asked, stopping a few feet from where she sat. Her deep brown eyes searched his, her blonde eyebrows drawn down. He had inherited his coloring from his mother, as had most of her children.

“I had not. I suppose that would send the Everly girls into something of a fit. They rather dote on Miss Carlbury.” His mother seemed puzzled, obviously aware such news would not be the reason he had cut his visit short.

“The Carlburys are taking Hope with them,” he said, the words escaping from him in a horrid rush. He looked away before he saw his mother’s reaction, anticipating pity though he hoped for something more comforting.

She remained silent for a long moment before she stood, the swish of her skirts against her stool bringing his eyes back to her. Mother reached out a hand to him, laying it on his cheek. “I can see this is a blow to you, dear boy. You have not told Hope a word of what you feel for her?”

He shook his head slowly, not wishing to dislodge his mother’s reassuring touch. “I have not dared. I wanted to secure the living first. She hasn’t any idea—” He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. At least he wasn’t crying. As upsetting as the news was to him, it had not broken him. More than anything, he was overwhelmed by a sense of disappointment. “I will not say anything now. It would not be fair to her, for many reasons, to burden her with my feelings before she goes away on a grand adventure.”

“Usually one does not view affection as a burden,” his mother said, giving his cheek a gentle pat. When he opened his eyes and met hers again, she offered him a gentle smile. “But you are right. Telling her now would put you both under an obligation until she returned, to at least think on the possibilities of what could be. Perhaps it is best that she goes, and you take time to accustom yourself to your position as a vicar. Your calling is a demanding one, my dear.”

His hopes further deflated, leaving Jacob nothing but weariness and disappointment. “You may be correct.”

“I usually am.” She reached out to offer him an embrace, which he readily returned. “You are a good man, Jacob. Any woman would do well to have your heart. Take this time to learn more about yourself and your duties. It might be that when Miss Everly returns you will both be ready for a conversation on the matter of marriage and love.”

Though it was not what he wanted to hear, Jacob accepted his mother’s words. She knew him better than anyone, and she knew Hope quite well, too. The fact that she did not encourage him to try and speak to Hope right away, perhaps even try to talk her out of leaving with the Carlburys, showed that she had judged the situation as he had. Hope Everly would never give up the chance at a true adventure, no matter who asked or what they offered.

When his mother released him, she kept her arm around his waist, and he put his around her shoulders. “When will Hope leave?”

“Next week,” he answered, his mother walking in the direction of the door.

“So soon.” She shook her head, a blonde curl dislodging itself from the lace cap she wore. Though fifty years old, his mother appeared as elegant now as she did in the wedding portrait hanging in his father’s library. “I am certain she will have a marvelous time. What I wonder,” she added, her voice lowering, “is how Grace will do with the departure. Those two have ever and always been at each other’s side. Grace will have to stand on her own.”

“I worry for her.” It was a relief to say so. The vision of Hope and Mrs. Everly consumed with Hope’s journey, practically ignoring Grace’s obvious upset, disturbed him. “They have always been different, and expressed themselves differently, but there was a balance with the two of them together.”

His mother’s lips pressed together, and her eyes narrowed. “You mean that Grace kept Hope in check, while Hope dragged Grace into all manner of trouble.”

Although Jacob had not thought exactly that, he nodded. “Sometimes, yes. They are the best of friends.”

“You know,” she added as they went down the hall, “Some say the reason neither of them has married is because they will not be parted.”

Jacob barked a laugh at that. “I think no man has been brave enough to attempt dividing them.”

Releasing her hold on him, Jacob’s mother went to the library door and paused. For a moment, she regarded him in a most puzzling manner, as though she debated with herself what her next words would be. “Now circumstances will prove they survive well enough apart. I wonder if any gentleman in the county will take notice of Grace?” Then she shrugged the matter away and opened the library door. “Come, I wish to show you a new ladies journal I have received.”

Jacob, somewhat amused by her thoughts on Grace’s status as a single young woman, followed with steps less heavy than when he had entered his family’s home.

Chapter 2

Obliged as Grace was to accompany her sister on visits, she had forborne to maintain a pleasant countenance and manner while Hope took her leave of the neighborhood. Hope and the Carlburys were bound for London in three days, and the Everly sisters had visited nearly every house in the county, or so it felt.

Again, and again, Grace listened to her sister speak effusively about her coming adventure. It seemed Hope had no regrets for anything or anyone left behind. The more she spoke of islands, potential storms at sea, and the unknown situations she might face when confronted with new people and places, the more excited Hope grew. Though it had been difficult to hear at first, Grace could not deny the joyful anticipation in her sister’s eyes.

After visiting with the Kimballs, Grace stepped into their low phaeton with a lighter heart. How could Grace deny her sister anything that brought her such happiness? As Hope had said, this was the very adventure she had waited for her whole life. They could not always be together, though Grace may wish it. The time had come to part and lead separate lives.

“The Kimballs are such lovely people,” Hope said as she took up the reins. They had two little ponies pulling them today, walking with high steps for their short legs. “I shall certainly have to find a gift to bring for them on my return.”