We heard the clopping of horse hooves, and a gentleman appeared out of the fog. I thought I recognized him from the tearoom, though I didn’t know his name. He glanced at us as he was passing, and his gaze stuck on Harker. The man reached for his hat, like he would tip it, but instead he pulled it down lower and clucked to his horse to move on.
Harker seemed lost in thought, and I didn’t bring the man’s behavior to his attention. But it left me uneasy. Had he guessed who Harker was based on the stories going round in the village? If so, the stories had apparently also convinced him that Harker was best avoided.
“Are you feeling anxious about seeing Father Kelly?” Harker asked as we drew near the parish church.
I glanced at him. “Do I seem so?”
“You’ve gone unusually quiet.”
I laughed. “I wonder whether you’ve had a chance to think about the effect I will have on your peaceful sanctuary.”
He smiled. “Peaceful sanctuaries cease to be either when one wakes up alone in themevery day.”
“So you saynow. I’m sure Jack would have a word or two to offer that would make you think twice about that.”
On that thought, I sobered, and Harker squeezed my hand. “I hope we’ll find Father Kelly in,” he said. “It’s only the middle of the week.”
“He’s there most days. You can often glimpse him on the grounds through the windows at The Magpie. I think he has a fondness for the dead.”
Harker’s brows lifted. “Indeed?”
“I can’t think why else he would spend so much time among the gravestones. I don’t imagine it’s a requirement of the position. Mum always believed he could speak to them.”
“Interesting.”
We had come to St. Gomonda’s gate, and we stepped onto the path that led alongside the sanctuary to the main entrance. The churchyard, with its big trees, was all but lost to the thick fog.
Before we reached the entrance, a figure approached us from the grounds. I held my breath, hoping it might be Jack. But we soon discovered it was the other man we were seeking.
“Mina,” said Father Kelly as he joined us, eyes moving over Harker with a look of polite curiosity.
“Father Kelly,” I said, “this is Mr. Harker Tregarrick, of Roche Rock.”
“Ah,” he said, smiling, his surprise plain, “Mr. Tregarrick. It’s a pleasure meeting you at last. I have often wondered whether you were in fact real.”
“Thank you, Father,” Harker replied graciously. “I confess I wonder myself sometimes.”
The priest laughed, and then his gaze moved between us. “Is there something I can do for the two of you?”
“Indeed, there is, sir,” replied Harker. “I know we properly owed you this notice last Sunday, but Mina—Miss Penrose—and I have come to notify you of our wish and intention to marry. I wondered whether you’d be willing to read the banns for us this Sunday, so we might conclude the business before the month is out?”
The priest’s brows lifted high on his forehead. “Allow me to congratulate you both.”
Harker and I murmured our thanks.
His keen gaze settled on me. “Forgive me, but in situations like these, I feel compelled to ask—is there a particular reason for haste?”
I believed I understood what he meant by “a particular reason,” and it brought a rush of heat to my face. I gave a quick shake of my head. “No, Father.”
“I’m afraid we haven’t been as discreet as we might,” added Harker. “I hope to spare Mina from gossip by formalizing my intentions as soon as possible.”
This was a clever way of stating things, as it was mostly the truth.
The priest gave us a knowing nod. “In theory, I have no objection. I see no reason to make young people wait when I believe they know their hearts. But the only thing I know of you as of yet, Mr. Tregarrick, is that half the village believes you to be some kind of monster. I don’t mean to suggest I agree with them, and I hope you won’t take offense at my frankness.”
Harker looked down, but he shook his head. “On the contrary. I respect you for looking out for the interests of your parishioners. I am happy to offer any reassurances you require.”
“I am a reasoning man,” continued the priest, “and you appear to be a respectable and rational gentleman. Nevertheless, I do feel I owe it to Mina’s parents, rest their souls, to ask a few questions.” His gaze now came to rest on me. “Do you trust me, Mina?”
