Page 28 of The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth
9
“Icannot remember the last time I attended church.”
Charlotte smiled at Elliot’s confession as he glanced up at the bell tower and winced. The big, brave private investigator looked almost frightened.
“Hopefully, the roof will not cave in when you step through the door.” She handed him the bowl of pea salad before she exited the carriage and linked her arm with his. “Although from what I understand, there was an occasion when that did happen. The story goes that the man had spent his life in debauchery and sin and was attending church for the first time in years.” She sighed and shook her head. “The floor collapsed. They say the devil came up from Hades and welcomed him with open arms.”
Elliot smirked, then leaned in close to her ear. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll watch the ceiling, if you watch the floor.”
They followed the steady stream of congregants into the hall adjoining the church to drop off her food contribution.
“Good morning, Mrs. Pennyworth, Mr. Baker.” Miss Garvey stood at the entrance to the hall with Mr. Conrad and Mr. Talbot.
“Good morning to you, as well, Miss Garvey, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Talbot.”
Mr. Talbot immediately stepped forward. “Mr. Baker, if you would be so kind as to take Mrs. Pennyworth’s offering to the table, I will be happy to escort her to church.”
A stunned silence fell at the man’s machinations, but with a smirk, Elliot stepped into the building. Mr. Talbot moved forward and offered his arm.
“Thank you very much, Mr. Talbot, but I will wait for Mr. Baker. But, please, do go on ahead to church, I don’t wish to delay you.” She offered a polite smile, but Mr. Talbot’s possessive attitude was beginning to concern her.
He bowed. “As you wish.” He turned to Miss Garvey and offered his arm. The three of them followed the stone path from the hall to the church.
Within minutes, Elliot joined her. “Talbot seems to think he has some sort of a claim on you.”
“Yes, I know, and it’s quite trying. I know what you’re thinking, but I cannot honestly see Mr. Talbot leaving decapitated animals on my front steps.”
Their conversation ended as they entered the church. This was to be the first service conducted by the new vicar, Mr. John Spencer. The parishioners had been waiting for weeks since the last one had passed away. They’d had several visiting curates conduct services, but a community as large as St. Michael’s needed a full-time vicar.
Mr. Spencer had been living in the cottage connected to the church for two weeks but had insisted he was not yet ready to guide the flock. Rumors had spread of him lecturing the women who came to welcome him on what he’d considered improper behavior. The church members so far had not been impressed, and the service this morning could change minds, or solidify prior opinions.
As he took the pulpit, all eyes were on the new man. He was short, with a full beard and mustache. While not exactly obese, the threads of his jacket strained to keep the vicar clothed. He had a sharp pointed chin—perhaps he hoped the beard would hide it—and dark eyes very close together, with round spectacles perched on his nose.
Much to Charlotte’s dismay, Mr. Spencer’s sermon was all fire and brimstone. He even had the audacity to criticize, from the pulpit, a young woman’s attire. It was a shame because St. Michael’s had always been a lively, happy place to worship, very welcoming. If this was the sort of service to expect, Charlotte would be forced to find another church.
Finally, the painful service ended, and they all trooped to the church hall. Mr. Spencer made a point of visiting each table, sitting for a while. When he settled next to Elliot, Charlotte braced for criticism. She was not disappointed.
“Mrs. Pennyworth, how lovely to finally meet you. I have heard so much about you from the ladies who have visited.”
“It is nice to meet you as well, Vicar. Welcome to St. Michael’s.”
“Thank you.” He leaned in, his breath strong, and patted her hand, his palm damp with sweat. Charlotte swallowed the bile that rose from the back of her throat. When he continued to hold onto her hand, she eased it out from under his as he spoke. “I wanted to visit with you at length, my dear, but I believe another time would be more suitable. Perhaps you may call at the vicarage one afternoon?”
“Perhaps.”Not a chance, Vicar.
“I see you decided to come out of mourning although your husband has recently passed to his final reward.”
The man seemed to know a bit too much about her. She offered a tight smile. “It’s been a year, actually.”
He shook his head and tsked, his eyes boring into hers. “Young women are so very anxious to cast off widow weeds and move onto the next man.” He turned to Elliot. “And are you Mrs. Pennyworth’s young man?”
Oh, good grief. She nudged Elliot with her foot, hoping he would take the hint and merely ignore the man. The look on his face was not encouraging. “I am sure you did not mean to ask such a personal question, Mr. Spencer, so I will forgive your lack of manners.” He turned to Charlotte. “Are you ready to leave?”
She scrambled for her belongings, and followed him out of the building, noticing that most of her friends had already left. If it had been Mr. Spencer’s intention to close down the church she had been married in and had enjoyed for the past year, he was certainly on the right path.
She felt as though her head would burst as they settled into the carriage. “The nerve of that man! I can’t believe he has been approved by the bishop for this post. I shall write to him this very afternoon and demand he remove him. He is vile, self-righteous, and opinionated. I have never encountered such a rude man of the cloth in my life!”
“I agree, but more than that, I am interested in the fact that he arrived only a couple of weeks ago. He seemed to have a great deal of information about you, yet this is the first time you met him, correct?”
