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Once outside, Sophia watched Jeb close the door to the church and felt as though a huge weight had just been taken off her shoulders.
“Because she hasn’t gone out recently, hopefully, nothing else has been taken. The longer she can refrain from stealing the less likely she is to go back to it once I have gone,” Sophia whispered.
Jeb looked at her, his face somewhat solemn. “Then you had better stay in the village for a long time yet.”
Sophia wasn’t sure how to answer that. While she wanted to remain in Framley Meadow and spend some more time with Jeb, she needed to see her father again.
A small voice warned her that she would have to cut the strings eventually and make her own way in the world, but the thought of staying with Delilah for the foreseeable future was something she just couldn’t contemplate. She doubted Delilah would agree to it anyway.
Still, it was thrilling to see how reluctant Jeb was for her to go.
“Delilah has already started to make noises that I should go home,” she replied quietly. “I cannot help her now that the stolen items are out of the house. I should leave Delilah’s problems to my father to deal with. I have to confess that my time here has been difficult to say the least.”
While they weren’t able to discuss the future just yet, namely because of the Star Elite business that had yet to be resolved, he was determined to do whatever he could to persuade Sophia to remain in the village for a while longer. He was just at a loss to know how to go about it without resorting to outright seduction.
“Where are we going now?” she asked when she realised that she had no idea where they were.
“To a place I know that is perfect for a picnic,” he replied with a smile.
“Oh, how delightful,” she gasped minutes later when he led her to a small clearing beside a tiny stream.
The gentle trickle of the water sounded melodic amongst the noise of the woodland creatures and the rustling of the leaves. It was a haven of tranquillity that was simply manna from Heaven, and a perfectly intimate setting for their picnic.
“I thought you might like it. It is just on the outskirts of my father’s land,” Jeb explained as he led her to a spot in the sunshine and settled down beside her.
Sophia savoured the last of her wine nearly an hour later, and looked at him hesitantly. It seemed scandalous to lie with him, even with the picnic basket contents scattered between them, but when he tugged her down to lie down beside him she didn’t object.
“What happens now?” she whispered.
Jeb considered that. “Well, although taking things slowly would probably alleviate any doubts either of us might have, I don’t think Delilah would be happy to accommodate you for several more months to allow for a proper courtship.”
“I didn’t mean that,” she replied with a smile. “I was asking about the murders. What happens next?”
Jeb contemplated how to answer, but was still searching for the right words when Sophia spoke again.
“Do you really think Delilah will continue to steal once I have gone?” She frowned at the thought.
“I think her greed will grow along with her confidence the more she manages to take. She has lost some of her hoard today, but that is not likely to thwart her. While I am in full agreement that it is best if the items are not in the house while you are there, I think that by getting rid of them we may have pushed your aunt to steal more now. She will not only have to steal the usual amount to get the money she has become used to, but she will also have to take more to replace the goods she lost today.”
“Heaven’s above,” Sophia whispered. “Do you think I should just report her to the magistrate and be done with it?”
Jeb shook his head. “Now that we have left the stolen goods in the church we have no proof your aunt has actually done anything wrong. If she steals again while you are there, then I think that is a question you need to ask yourself very carefully. It might be best if she was reported to the magistrate, who would then serve her a prison sentence. She would then disappear completely from the social circles she struggles to keep up with. You could claim she is ill and has gone away to recuperate or something. A brief stint in jail might be the jolt into reality she needs to understand the laws apply to her too. However, it will mean you are going to be tarnished with gossip for a while if anyone does find out what she has done. Having said that, I am sure that once the locals realise it was you who reported her they will be more than willing to forgive you.”
He didn’t add that her connections to him and his father would be more than enough to quell any suspicion of Sophia’s involvement. People would upset the likes of Delilah to spread nefarious gossip, but too many of the locals relied on the Lord for their wages, and wouldn’t want to be caught spreading wicked gossip that could cost them their jobs.
“How much longer do you think you will stay here?” he asked quietly. He sat up and leaned over her until they were mere inches apart, and stroked her cheek gently.
“I am not sure,” Sophia replied. “Another week, maybe? I have yet to receive a response from Hooky to any of my letters, so I shall have to wait here to see if he either writes or visits like I have asked him to do. If I don’t get a response soon I suspect Delilah will throw me out, and I will have to catch a post-chaise home by myself.”
“You can’t do that unchaperoned,” Jeb protested with a scowl.
“I will have to if I am thrown out on the street,” she replied.
Not if I have anything to do about it, Jeb mused wryly.
“You must not catch a post-chaise alone. Tell me if she does throw you out. You can come to stay at Briggleberry. Promise me, Sophia, please?” His voice was harsher than he intended but no less pleading.
“I promise,” she said, profoundly touched by his concern for her.
