Page 13 of Discovering Grace

Chapter 6

Although Jacob’s mother had cautioned him in terms of showing his growing affection for Hope too soon, he had no wish to leave her alone on the very day Grace departed for London and the West Indies. The poor woman had lost enough without being left friendless as well.

He took extra time dressing, though most of his clothing looked the same. The last several purchases he had made had been with his new position in mind. While it was not actually required that vicars wear all black, the somber and practical color was expected. He livened up his wardrobe only with waistcoats in blues and grays. Today, thinking of Hope’s eyes, he chose blue.

Briefly he contemplated inviting Isaac to come on the visit with him. Isaac Fox, a baronet, and Silas, the Earl of Inglewood, were nearly as close friends with the Everlys as Jacob. Isaac’s younger sister, Esther, had recently married the earl which made her part of their special circle of friends, too. Silas and Esther were in London in order for Silas to finish out the current session of Parliament. Isaac remained at home, putting things in order after his return from military service.

Though it was selfish, Jacob rapidly decided against asking Isaac to visit Hope with him. Perhaps, he told himself, it would be best to go alone and take her measure. He would invite Isaac another time, once Hope had adjusted to the thought of remaining at home.

Jacob took his brother’s horse again, the fine golden gelding his favorite in their limited family stables. All the animals belonged to his brother, as Matthew had inherited everything five years past when their father passed away from a complaint of the heart. The vicarage and its attached farm would not support an animal of leisure, though Jacob meant to see about a few horses to pull a plow.

Thinking on the vicarage and all his plans for his future there made him lighthearted once again. Hope had remained, allowing him to dream of her company in the gardens on warm summer evenings. Surely he could have her cheered up and charmed before summer came to an end.

The tall, gray-stoned Refuge welcomed him as it always did, with glittering windows and its sweeping green lawn. Jacob rode up to the front doors, tied his horse to the hitching post, and took off his hat and gloves at the door.

Garrett answered, not so much as a black hair out of place. “Ah, Mr. Barnes. Good afternoon.” The butler took his things as he stepped aside.

“Hello, Garrett. Is Miss Everly at home to visitors?”

The butler’s eyebrows pulled down and he lowered his chin slightly. “She is home, sir, but I am not certain if she is permitted visitors. Would you care to speak to Mr. Everly on the matter?”

It had not occurred to Jacob that part of Hope’s punishment might include restricting visitors. Hadn’t keeping her from acting on one of her dreams been severe enough? Perhaps he would feel differently about it if he ever became a father.

Jacob followed Garrett to the library, where Mr. Everly greeted him with a book in hand.

“Ah, Jacob. Welcome. I suppose you have come to look in on Hope?” The man peered over the rims of his spectacles at Jacob, raising his gray eyebrows.

“Yes, Mr. Everly. If you will permit it.” Jacob kept his face neutral, waiting for the verdict. He had never done anything to give the Everlys reason to distrust him or dislike his association with their daughters. When they were much younger, he had been attached a time or two to Hope’s mischief and some of his own, but it had been years since he had done anything to earn a reproof from anyone’s parents.

Narrowing his eyes, Mr. Everly tucked his hands behind his back. “As you are about to take orders and be our ecclesiastical leader, it would be foolish to deny you. Please, Jacob, as Hope’s friend, do not let her bemoan her fate. I would have her grow from this, become a better person, and learn. By all means be kind, but do not allow her to act as though she is a martyr.”

With the subject broached between them, Jacob dared to ask, “How is she taking it?”

“She has not spoken two words to me since breakfast. I believe she is in the gardens.” Mr. Everly took a step back, ready to settle into his chair, and opened his book. “You may see her.”

“Thank you, sir.” Jacob took his leave and went through the house to a rear door that opened into the gardens. The gardens were not extensive. They did not stretch far from the house at all, as they might on a grander estate. He easily found Hope, sitting with her back to the house upon a stone bench, a book in her hands and a wide straw bonnet upon her head.

He walked slowly toward her, admiring her slender figure. Ever since he learned of her sentence to remain at home, Jacob had tried to decide what would be the best thing to say when he met her again.

He saw the moment she became aware of his approach. Her spine stiffened and she turned, peering over her shoulder with wide blue eyes. Almost as if she were afraid, or guilty. The poor woman. Jacob raised his hand and offered her his most charming smile—and she jumped to her feet, drawing the book in front of her like a shield.

Strange.

“Hope,” he said, slowing his step once he was at an easy speaking distance. “How are you?” He tried to keep his voice gentle. “I know you cannot be entirely happy. I have come to see about offering you some company.”

“Oh,” she said, drawing the book against her middle. “I see. That is most kind of you, Jacob.” There was no evidence of tears, no immediate storming about her situation. Had her spirits been so terribly shaken? Normally Hope acted with passion, speaking her mind and rarely withholding her feelings. She swallowed and then squared her shoulders. “It has been terrible, being sentenced to stay behind while Grace takes my place. I cannot believe Papa thought such an extreme measure necessary.” Her chin tilted up, a touch belatedly.

Her actions and words were not quite what he expected, which made his response uncertain. “I am sure he did what he thought best. I hope Grace wasn’t too frightened.”

She tilted her chin higher and pulled her shoulders back. “Grace did not wish to go at all. But I am certain the Carlburys will take good care of her.” Then she turned away from him. “You are a good friend to worry after us both.”

“That is what club members do, is it not?” he asked, invoking the memory of their childhood fun. “We look after one another.” He came closer to her, studying the gown she wore, the tendrils of hair that peeked out from her sun bonnet. “Hope?”

She peeked over her shoulder at him. “Yes, Jacob?” Something about the way she said his name was wrong, even for a disappointed and sullen Hope. She always spoke his name with a laugh, or with exasperation, as though she never quite took him seriously. That lilt to her voice was missing.

Could her spirits have been crushed that terribly? And if they were, what was she doing outside? Hope was rather famous for shutting herself away when in a morose frame of mind. Her reaction to the false news of their friend Isaac’s death had been to drape herself in black and shut herself away until practically dragged out by Grace. Though no one had purportedly died this time, to see Hope appear so unaffected confused him. True, the roses had gone out of her cheeks, there were dark circles beneath her eyes, but she acted more skittish than sorrowful.

“What book are you reading?” he asked, taking a step closer.