“My love,” Andrew said, “don’t you have a gown you wanted to wear for the service?”
“I’ll wear it for the party Mama’s planning. Right now, I just want to be your wife. She smiled. “Besides, he might agree to come to theSong Bird.”
The four of them trudged up the path and, just as Mrs. Leonard’s drawing depicted, at the top of the hill there stood the squat stone church that was St. Michael’s. Despite the hot morning, when they entered the church was cool. Pews lined each side of the aisle. Tall, glassless windows with their shutters pushed open gave views over Cane Garden Bay. There was no sign of the vicar.
“He’s not here,” Cicely said in a shaky voice.
Eugénie squeezed her friend’s hand. This vicar couldn’t be gone as well. “Perhaps he’s at the rectory.”
“We’re not giving up yet,” William added.
He led them out through a side door to a small wooden house not far from the church. The scent of cooking spices made Eugénie’s mouth water, reminding her she hadn’t eaten since early this morning, and then not much.
An older white woman with a pleasant expression, dressed simply in a faded blue gown and pinafore, answered the door. “May I help you?”
William bowed. “I am Viscount Wivenly. My betrothed, Miss Villaret, and our friends, Miss Whitecliff and Mr. Grayson, are looking for Reverend Petherick.” Will’s glance included Eugénie and their friends. “We’d like to discuss our marriage ceremonies with him.”
The woman nodded. “I am Mrs. Petherick. Please come in, my lord. My husband has gone along the ridge, but he should be down any time now.” She smiled. “You’ve come at a good time. He never misses his breakfast. Please have some tea while you are waiting for him.”
Eugénie and Cicely breathed sighs of relief.
“Thank you.” Will ushered Eugénie through the door, and Mrs. Petherick led them to a parlor off the main hall.
Once they were settled, a servant entered with tea, cool water, and cakes.
“You are not the only couples to have visited us lately.” Mrs. Petherick’s lips formed amoue. “Not that we mind, but I do wish I knew what Mr. Stewart was doing.”
A quarter hour later, after they finished the tea and Mrs. Petherick told them about the church, the sound of boots could be heard coming from the back. Her face lit as she announced, “Here is Mr. Petherick now.”
A handsome, tall, raw-boned man with a ruddy complexion and steel-gray hair pulled back in a queue entered the room. He glanced at his wife with a heat almost unseemly in a man of the church. “Mrs. Petherick, I hear we have visitors.”
They all stood.My goodness.With his dark breeches, turned-over boots, and frock coat, he looked like a pirate from the previous century.
“My dear”—his wife took his arm and smiled up at him—“these nice young people would like to marry.”
After she made the introductions, his gaze focused on Will. “Any relation to Nathan Wivenly?”
“Yes, sir.” Will’s hand rested on Eugénie’s waist. “He was my great-uncle. Miss Villaret is his step-daughter.”
The man rubbed his chin. “I was sorry to hear of his death.” He turned to her. “Are you one-and-twenty?”
It was a good thing she didn’t have to lie. She wouldn’t have been at all surprised if the man could immediately discern a falsehood. “Yes, sir. My mother and Miss Whitecliff’s parents are here as well.”
“Very well. When would you like to have the ceremonies?”
“Immediately,” Cicely and Eugénie said at the same time. Cicely continued. “Would you consider coming to the ship for the service?”
“If you would, please,” Eugénie added. “All my younger sisters are with us.”
The vicar rubbed his chin as he studied them. “I don’t see why not. I’ll meet you there in two hours.”
Will held out his hand, and Mr. Petherick shook it, adding, “Bring a donation. We are a poor parish.”
Mrs. Petherick smiled. “If you’ve finished your tea, I’ll send our maid of all work to show you out.”
A few minutes later, their little party was on the path, walking down the hill.
“Well,” Cicely said, “he’s certainly the strangest vicar I’ve ever seen.”
