“I’ve already done so, but apparently you weren’t listening. If I haven’t made it clear, let me try again. I don't agree with your views on withholding help for the less fortunate. Don’t bother asking for a donation as I won’t be handing you any money. And I will continue to advise my father against it as well.”
“You would do well to listen to your father,” the reverend suggested.
“You mean you wish I wouldn’t protest every time he gives you money.”
“It shows how narrow your mind is if you can’t appreciate the higher purpose of my church and its followers.”
“Perhaps you could provide a detailed list of how the funds are used. From what I can see, they appear to only go in your pocket.”
“You overstep yourself, Garland. You don’t know of what you speak.”
“It’s odd how much you protest but still don’t answer my concerns. If you’re not assisting the poor, then who are you aiding?”
Joseph saw movement out of the corner of his eye and looked over to see a startled Harriet with wide eyes. Of all the people who might have overheard him, he wished it hadn’t been her.
“Pardon me,” she said then turned to go.
“Don’t bother,” Henderson said and then looked back at Joseph. “We will speak of this again later.”
“No, we won't.” Joseph had no desire to argue with the man. Clearly, doing so solved nothing. He watched as Henderson stalked to the stairs, then hurried toward Harriet who had turned to walk down the corridor.
“I’m sorry you heard that,” he said when he caught up with her.
She looked at him as if to gauge his mood, a hint of worry in the depth of her eyes. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
“You weren’t. The reverend seemed determined to air our differences.” He shook his head and attempted to put aside his frustration.
“May I ask why you have such strong feelings toward him?”
Joseph drew a deep breath, wondering how much, if anything, to tell her. Yet he didn’t want her to think poorly of him. He glanced around, not wanting to share any of what he had to say where it could be overheard.
“Would you join me in the library for a moment?” He’d almost saidourlibrary. He needed to take care since he didn’t know if she was the author of the notes.
“Of course.” She followed him into the empty room.
He couldn’t help but note how her gaze lingered on the box as he closed the door behind them. Surely, that suggested she was the one writing the messages.
“My father has always been a strong Christian.” The topic was difficult to share, yet the empathy in Harriet’s expression compelled him to explain. “He was very strict and tended to use Bible verses to justify his actions or as a way to force my siblings and me to behave.”
He glanced again at her, hoping she didn’t think poorly of him. “Our childhood was a challenge as my father found fault with nearly everything we did.”
He shook his head, realizing he hadn’t answered her question. “Suffice it to say that after the way he used love and religion in that manner, when I come upon anyone with strong religious tendencies, I view them with suspicion.”
“That’s understandable,” Harriet said.
“Reverend Henderson has persuaded my father that donations to his church should be numerous and significant. He’s also convinced him that charitable donations to the poor hinder the forces of evolutionary advancement.”
Harriet’s puzzled look had him shrugging.
“He believes that Great Britain’s duty is to civilize other countries, and that meant our country’s population must be strong. Providing aid to the poor weakens all of us.” He shook his head. “It makes no sense to me either. Rather than assist those in need as he used to, Father donates to Henderson and his church.”
“How does Henderson use the donations?”
“That’s the question I keep asking, much to Reverend Henderson’s dismay. Why does a church need money if they don’t help the less fortunate?”
“How odd. I did ask Frances why he was on the guest list, but she isn’t sure. She said she’d ask her mother. I’ll remind her to do so.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.” Joseph stared out the window. “I’m hoping to speak with Mr. Melbourne about an idea for an investment opportunity. But Henderson’s presence makes that difficult. I feel as if I’m no better than he, asking for money.”