Chapter17
Grace sat fidgeting in thepew at Sunday services. Today would be the first reading of the banns for her and Peter. She had no idea why she was so nervous… except she hoped his parishioners would be pleased with their vicar’s choice of a bride.
Audrey took hold of her hand. “No need to fidget. All will be well, dearest,” she whispered.
Grace nodded and waited.
“Before I give the sermon today, there are a couple of announcements I’d like to make. First, I would like to congratulate the children on all their hard work with their studies. These past few weeks, they’ve shown tremendous progress. The school will stay open until it’s time for the harvest to be brought in and then will resume after Christmastide. We’ve also placed three older students in apprenticeships, and they are thriving. Our most sincere thanks to Lord and Lady Fletcher for sponsoring these endeavors.”
Many heads were nodding.
“I now have a personal announcement to make. I publish the Banns of marriage between Mr. Peter Wallings of St. Mary’s parish and Miss Grace Parker of St. Mary’s parish. If any of you know just cause or impediment why these two persons should not be joined together in Holy matrimony, you are to declare it. This is the first time of asking.”
The congregation erupted in applause.
Grace breathed a sigh of relief.
“See, dearest, I told you all would be well,” Audrey said, patting her hand.
That morning, Kathryn haddeclined to attend Sunday services with the Fletcher family. She was going to take Audrey’s advice. It was time to be bold. She went in search of Mr. Clifford and found him sitting on the garden bench near the French doors of the drawing room.
“Mr. Clifford?” she asked.
Mr. Clifford looked up. “Lady Kathryn, you didn’t go to Sunday services with the family?”
Kathryn shook her head. “No. I needed to talk to you.”
He stood and held out his hand. “My lady, you look unsettled. Please have a seat beside me. How may I be of service?”
Kathryn took a deep breath and reminded herself to be brave. “My family will be here tomorrow.”
“I’m sure you missed them this summer,” Sam said. “I’ll be very sad to see you leave Dandridge Manor when it’s time for you to go home.”
“I did miss them, but…”
“My lady, what is it?”
“Sam, um… oh dear, I didn’t think this would be so hard.”
Sam took her hand and raised it to his lips for a light kiss. “My dear, whatever you have to say, please know you may confide in me. I would never betray your confidence.”
“Sam, I don’t want to leave here.” She saw his eyes widen. “I wish there was a way we could be together,” Kathryn continued, blinking furiously to keep the tears at bay.
“You want us to be together?”
“Yes. I’m afraid I’ve fallen hopelessly in love with you.”
“My darling Kathryn, you must know I feel the same, and I would propose to you in an instant, but I don’t see a way forward for us. You’re the daughter of an earl, and I’m the second son of a baronet.
Kathryn reached up and caressed his cheek. “Not a lowly second son to me.”
“I don’t believe your father would approve of us,” Sam said, taking Kathryn’s hand and bringing it to his lips once again. “Know this, my darling, I will always love you until my dying day. No one will ever be able to fill the void in my heart when you depart.”
Now her tears came in earnest, spilling down her cheeks.
“Please don’t cry.”
“I cannot help it. My heart is breaking. If I were a milkmaid, there would be no impediment to us marrying.”