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“And now?”
She sighed again. “Do you think I would make a proper curate’s wife? Although, if I were to marry him, I would need to ensure he climbed the ladder quickly. Bishop in five years? Who knows what Louis could be with my help?”
He threw back his head and laughed. “You’re right,” he said when he was able. “Trying to rehabilitate your reputation is a waste of time.”
She gave him a sideways smile. “You know that Margaret needs your help, too? As I had said, if the pair of them ever married they would be miserable. They need partners like us, brother, who can bully them into thinking of themselves rather than others. Some of the time, anyway. They are the sort of ‘good’ souls others prey on. Just look at that dreadful Lady Strangeways and the vicar. Margaret and Louis need our help, and I don’t think either of us should feel guilty about giving it.”
Dominic gave her an admiring glance, reaching out to open the door of the inn for her. “You are very good at justifying our actions. I approve. And I agree, I think.”
“So you should. Now tell me, have you worked your magic on Margaret yet? Is she ready to throw her lot in with you? I know something has happened, for you are in very good spirits, even if Margaret had a hunted expression on her face at luncheon. That is, when she wasn’t gazing at you with that love struck look.”
He gave a crack of laughter. Mrs Black looked up from dusting the mantelpiece in their private parlour, smiling a greeting. Dominic leaned close to his sister, lowering his voice. “I appreciate your help, Sib, I really do. But I have a plan of my own.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Do you? Actually, I don’t think you have a clue, Nic. Without my help you will never have your own happy ever after.”
He knew there was a reason he had missed having his sister by his side all these years. Despite their different life paths, up to now at least, they were very much alike. She understood him and he her.
“There is one thing I would ask of you,” he said innocently.
“What is that?”
“Keep an eye on Mrs Willoughby. I believe her sister will be arriving soon, but until then she is still at the mercy of her odious husband, and I fear Margaret would never forgive me if anything happened to her mother.”
Sibylla’s eyes narrowed. “Why can’t Margaret keep an eye on her? Ah, I knew you were planning something!” Then, with a snort of laughter, “I have underestimated you after all, haven’t I?”
“In my own bumbling way I have come up with a plan,” he said with fake modesty. “I’m not sure it is perfect, but I’m hoping it will work. It was always Margaret’s mother who was the sticking point.”
“What about living in disgrace?” Sibylla asked. “I can attest that it is not very nice to be the family scandal, although my skin is far thicker than Margaret’s.”
“Honestly? I don’t think she gives two hoots for being in disgrace. I am hoping that I can teach her to rather enjoy it.”
“Hmm. If anyone can, then it is you. Very well, I will stay here and keep an eye out for Mrs Willoughby.”
“Thank you, Sib,” he said quietly. “You are one of the few people who understands how much it means to me to have found my true mate at last.”
She squeezed his arm. “If anyone deserves happiness it is you. In the meantime, perhaps Louis will teach me how to be a perfect curate’s wife? Or should I ask him to elope?”
“Sib,” Dominic said with a frown, “don’t do anything too outrageous until I come back, will you?”
But she only smiled.
The next morning, Dominic visited his great uncle’s solicitor in Alnwick and finalized the details of the house and the monies he wanted to place in trust. He also dealt with several other matters, including a tidy sum he donated to the Denwick church to help with its repairs. He didn’t expect the vicar would ever like him, just as he would never like the vicar, but he was Margaret’s father.
Sibylla was over at the vicarage, helping Margaret sew the costumes for the Christmas play. When she returned for luncheon at the inn, she informed him that Mrs Willoughby had kept to her room most of the day.
“I sat with her for a little while,” she said. “Just to see what was needed. And Louis took me to visit one of the worst cases of poverty in the parish. I can’t say I enjoyed that, but he seemed pleased with me for not turning faint at the sight of such squalor.” She looked thoughtful. “I think I am developing a conscience, Nic.”
“You always had a conscience,” he retorted. “Between the two of us I think yours is more developed than mine.”
“At least I won’t have to speak to Lady Strangeways.” She leaned closer. “Since she learned the
vicar is leaving, she has been in high dudgeon and nothing he can say will bring her round. I’m not sure why he would want to bring her around, but Margaret says she has a great deal of influence in the parish. Anyway, she has declared she is setting off to York to visit some relative or other.”
“Shame, she and the vicar seemed to be well matched.”
Sibylla snorted a laugh. “A match made in heaven? Never mind, without her the vicarage is much calmer. Even the vicar seemed quite subdued. Margaret was subdued too.”
“I expect she’s preparing to give me another lecture on all the reasons why we can’t be together,” he said thoughtfully.
