“I’ll fetch them myself, once I talk to the ostlers about getting your horses ready to go with your things.”The woman took the bandboxes and walked away quickly in the direction of the stables.
Sunny pulled out a chair at the nearest table for Mantheria.She raised her eyebrows as she sat down.The small round table was clean, but there was no tablecloth on it.As he took a seat next to her, Sunny realized how out of place Mantheria seemed in a taproom, even with her mud-splattered dress.There was something about her that spoke to her confidence and quality.Something intangible.
Mantheria waggled her eyebrows at him.“You thought I was going to make you leave without your breakfast.”
“I did fear that,” Sunny said, unable to keep back a chuckle at her playful eyebrow movement.His blood warmed that she knew him so well.“But I do not wish to slow you down in your search for your son.”
She reached her hand across the table and took his.“You couldn’t.You have been my strength and support throughout this entire ordeal.In fact, you’ve comported yourself so impressively that Andrew and I might take you on our next adventure.”
“Can that adventure please include servants and fresh clothing?”
Mantheria smiled at his sally.“What sort of an adventure is that?”
“The comfortable kind.”
She laughed, and he joined in with her mirth.Sunny could almost imagine Andrew sitting at the table with them like a little family.They would all laugh together about their adventures—or rathermisadventures.He’d never really pictured a child in his many imaginings of being with Mantheria, but she came with a son.And he found himself warming to the thought of having an instant family.All his life, he had wanted one, and despite having a mother, he’d always felt alone.
The proprietress brought two steaming mugs of coffee to their table and two large bowls of gruel.Sunny wasn’t particularly fond of oatmeal slop, but he was hungry enough not to care.The strong coffee helped to wash it down.Across the table, he watched Mantheria drink tentatively from her mug and wrinkled her nose as if she did not care for the taste.
“Not used to coffee?”
She shook her head.“Only hot chocolate.This bean concoction of yours is vile.It’s like drinking dirt.”
Sunny gulped down the rest of the hot liquid in his own glass.“It might taste vile, but you’ll be glad of the energy it gives you on our ride this morning.”
Mantheria wrinkled her nose again, looking adorable and doubtful as she took another sip.Sunny had to laugh once more at the expression of disgust on her face.He could have gazed at her lovely features all day, but as his stomach reminded him, he needed to eat while he could.Mantheria would not wait for him much longer.He spooned in the gruel as quickly as he was able to swallow it.Then he stood up and used the remainder of the coins he had on hand to pay their shot at the inn and a little something extra for Nick, who had so kindly ridden to the manor to seek out information about Andrew.
Hatless and with her hair down in a braid, Mantheria waited for Sunny to help her onto her rented horse.For the first time, she looked as if she might be an adventuress.And she didn’t flinch when he touched her waist, nor when he hoisted her into the air.Sunny hoped that it was a sign that she was trusting him more.He swung up into the saddle of his own horse.
The proprietress pointed down the road.“St.Mary’s Church is just that way, and you’ll find the rectory on the other side of the cemetery.”
Sunny thanked the woman again and turned to see that Mantheria had already urged her horse in the direction of the church.She waited onno man.A smile growing on his lips, he followed her.
15
The country roads were still wet from yesterday’s rain, and there were many puddles.Mantheria was forced to keep her horse to a steady trot when they both wanted to run as fast as they could.The proprietress was correct.It was impossible to miss St.Mary’s Church.It was by far the largest building in the village and quite literally tumbling to bits.The old church needed massive repairs at the very least, or perhaps to be pulled down and rebuilt.If she found her son, Mantheria pledged that she would contribute generously to the rebuilding fund.
They passed the church and cemetery and reached a tidy stone house that was in good repair.At least the vicar and his family weren’t living in ruins as well.Although, she couldn’t imagine living next to a graveyard and always being surrounded by death.The family burial plot at Hampford Castle was in a lovely spot, away from the house itself.
Sunny got off his horse and lifted her down.Mantheria did not want to admit it, even to herself, but she was growing fond of his touches.Of being held in strong, safe, and gentle hands that didn’t pinch or grab.They quickened her heartbeat and made her nerve endings tingle.Sunny tied their horses’ bridles to the hitching post and knocked loudly on the wooden door.It was several moments before a housekeeper who was nearly as old a relic as the church opened the door.
“Might we speak to the rector, Mr.Terrence?”Mantheria said quickly.
The older woman with a wizened face narrowed her eyes at their mud-splattered clothes and focused on Mantheria’s hair that was not politely covered by a bonnet and worn down in a long braid.“What business do you have with him?”
Mantheria was about to snap impatiently at the old woman when Sunny placed a reassuring arm on her shoulder, or perhaps a restraining one.“We have heard that Barney Potts brought a boy here last night.He is the Duchess of Glastonbury’s son, who has been missing and who we’ve been searching to find for many days, as you can see by our attire.”
The older woman brought one finger to her nose.“You’re not trying to gammon me, are you?”
“No, we are not,” Mantheria said hotly, a jittery feeling rising in her belly.“Now, if you would please lead us to the rector, I promise to give a healthy donation to your church’s rebuilding fund.Which your parish is obviously in need of.”
The woman’s face instantly brightened, and she opened the front door wider.“This way, Your Grace.”
Mantheria raised her eyebrows at Sunny and then followed the woman through the dimly lit, narrow entry into a crimson parlor with antique furniture.Perhaps the most antique item in the room was the rector himself.He looked to be at least one hundred years old.His hair was pure white, and there was a whitish film over his eyes.
“Forgive me if I do not stand,” he said.His face was directed toward them, but Mantheria was all but certain that the rector was blind.
Sunny bowed in deference to the man’s age and position.“There is no need, Mr.Terrence.We shan’t be here for long.This is the Duchess of Glastonbury, and she is hoping to find her son in your home.”