“Jacob, I don’t know what to say. You cannot imagine how helpful this will be.”
“I’m glad to be of help. Now, let’s go see Mr. Swifton.”
Peter nodded and followed Jacob out to the stables.
“My lord, how may I help you today?” Mr. Swifton asked when the two men reached the stables.
“This is Mr. Wallings, the new vicar at St. Mary’s. I wish to gift him one of the carts, and he’ll need a suitable horse to pull it.”
“Of course, my lord. I would recommend he take Belle. She’s a sweet mare and would be quite suitable for the task.”
“May I see her?” Peter asked.
“She’s in the last stall.”
Peter walked down to Belle’s stall while Jacob conversed with the stablemaster. When he reached the last stall, he held out his hand so the horse could sniff him. “Hello, sweet girl. You and I are going to have some great adventures together.”
The horse snorted as if in agreement, and Peter rubbed her neck.
“What do you think, Mr. Wallings? Is she suitable?” Mr. Swifton asked, walking up to the stall.
“She’s perfect.”
“Excellent, glad that’s settled,” Jacob said. “Wallings, would you care to join the family for tea?”
“Yes, thank you. I’d be delighted.”
Jacob turned to Mr. Swifton. “Mr. Wallings will be here for a bit longer; please have the horse and cart ready for his departure.”
“Of course, my lord.”
Peter and Jacob walked back to the manor and into the drawing room, where Lady Fletcher, Lady Kathryn, Miss Parker, and Miss Mia had already gathered.
“We have a guest for tea,” Jacob announced.
Audrey looked up and smiled. “Mr. Wallings, what a pleasant surprise. Welcome to Dandridge Manor.”
Jacob went to Audrey and kissed her cheek. “Wallings, you may not have heard, but this dear sweet lady and I were married a few weeks ago.”
Peter bowed. “I had indeed not heard. My heartiest congratulations, Lady Fletcher.”
“Mr. Wallings, you’re a vicar now?” Grace asked, eyeing his cassock.
Peter turned to her, and his heart swelled at the sight of her. She was as beautiful as ever. Her green eyes lit up with wonder, and a few wisps of her strawberry-blond hair had escaped her chignon and framed her face. She was perfection in his eyes. “I’ve been newly assigned to St. Mary’s parish, Miss Parker.”
Grace clapped. “How wonderful!”
Peter didn’t know if she really thought it was wonderful to have a familiar face in town or if she was actually happy to see him. “Lady Kathryn, Miss Mia, a pleasure to see you again,” he said.
A knock on the door interrupted their greetings.
“Come,” Audrey said.
A maid carried in the tea tray and placed it on the table. “Lady Fletcher, will there be anything else?”
“No. You may go.”
The maid curtseyed and exited the room.