Kathryn nodded before kissing Sam. “Yes, my darling, and in three weeks, we shall never be parted again.”
He swung her around. “I’ve never been so happy.”
“Neither have I. Will you kiss me again?”
“My pleasure,” he said, kissing her with all the pent-up passion he felt.
A fortnight later, aknock on the vicarage door interrupted Peter while he was looking over the expense ledger. He wasn’t expecting anyone and had purposely not made any appointments. It was the day before his wedding, and he wanted to get everything in order for Grace’s arrival tomorrow after the wedding breakfast.
Her trunks had been delivered earlier in the day, and he could hardly believe he’d be holding his beloved in his arms tomorrow and would never have to let her go. Grace made his life perfect. He could ask for nothing more.
He walked to the door and was surprised to see a footman in the Berkeley livery standing on the doorstep. “Vicar, I was told to put this in your hands right away.”
Peter tore open the seal and read the note.
Mr. Wallings,
My father has taken a turn for the worse. It would give him great comfort to have you visit.
Dudley
“Let me gather my prayer book, and I shall be with you at once.”
The footman nodded and went to stand by the carriage. He opened the carriage door when Peter walked out of the vicarage. Peter climbed into the back. This wasn’t how he had expected to spend his last day as a bachelor, but his duties to administer to those in his parish knew no restrictions. He’d seen Lord Berkeley a few days earlier and noticed that he seemed more confused than ever. The poor man was so addled that he hadn’t recognized him, although he had seen comforted when Peter recited a few prayers.
The driver whipped the reins against the horses’ rump to get them moving and set a fast pace to Berkeley Manor.
The front door was open when they pulled up. Dudley was waiting for him.
“Thank you for coming so quickly, Mr. Wallings,” he said.
“Of course. How is your father?”
“The doctor says he won’t last very much longer.”
“What happened? He didn’t appear ill the last time I was here.”
“The fever came on him suddenly the day before yesterday, and he’s only gotten weaker since. The doctor has said there’s nothing more he can do for him.”
“I’m very sorry to hear that. Please take me to him so I may attend him.”
Dudley led Peter up the stairs to the earl’s bedchamber.
The doctor looked up when they walked in. “I’m afraid there is no change, my lord.”
“The vicar has come to see him.”
“Of course. I’ll wait outside,” the doctor said.
Peter noticed the drapes were closed, and when he looked at the bed, the earl seemed to be drowning in a sea of pillows. His eyes were closed, and his face was flushed.
Dudley went to a bowl on the nightstand, wrung out a cloth, and placed it on his father’s forehead. “The doctor has given me laudanum to keep him as comfortable as possible.”
Peter took the chair by the bed where Dudley had evidently been keeping vigil and opened his prayer book. He recited several prayers, emphasizing God’s steadfast love, eternal life, and redemption through Christ, then read a few passages from the Bible and ended with the prayer, “Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Hugh Walker.”
When Peter finished, Berkeley began to cough, and Peter tried to help him sit up a little, but to no avail. A vicious sneezing fit took hold of him, sending a rain of spittle across Peter’s face.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Mr. Wallings,” Dudley said, handing him a drying cloth.
“There’s no need to apologize. I only wish he weren’t suffering so,” Peter said, wiping his face.
“Thank you, Vicar. My father’s health has been failing for some time now, and I hope that he will finally find some peace soon.”
Once the earl’s breathing became a little easier, Peter thought about the earl’s life. He’d been denied being a life with his love due to a cruel twist of fate, and Peter wondered if Lady Berkeley had ever known of her husband’s love for Mary Parker. There was no way to know, and ultimately, it was no one’s business except the earl and his wife.
This was one of his duties as a vicar that tugged at his heartstrings. He hated to see anyone suffering and could only pray that Lord Berkeley would find a peaceful end to his torment. He stayed the night, praying and keeping vigil over the sick earl. As he sat beside Lord Berkeley, he hoped that his presence would provide some comfort.
When Lord Berkeley breathed his last, Peter gave Lord Dudley his condolences before stumbling back into his house inthe early morning hours. He fell into bed, exhausted but with the promise of a bright tomorrow in front of him.