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To no avail.
“Miss Stapleton, Miss Mannering.”
Theo straightened. “Hello, Mrs. Cleever.”
“Those are rather pretty feathers.”
“We are trimming some bonnets,” Becky explained.
Theo waited. Mrs. Cleever never spoke to Theo without having something to say.
“I have just come from a visit with Lady Bellingham.” Mrs. Cleever drew a gloved hand down a particularly fine length of silk.
“I trust she is well.” Theo caught Mrs. Crouch’s look of sympathy in the background.
“Very well,” Mrs. Cleever said. “Although a trifle perturbed.”
Judging from the look being cast her way, Theo knew it had to do with her. “I hope it is nothing too serious, ma’am. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
“Miss Stapleton,” Mrs. Cleever held up a hand. “I must beg for a moment longer of your time.”
Why did those words never fill her with joy? “Of course. What can I do for you?”
“What you can do is to explain precisely who the young man residing in your house is.”
Theo froze, her mind racing through a dozen possible explanations before she settled on playing the woman’s game. “I’m afraid I don’t take your meaning.”
“It is most plain. Frederick Bellingham told his mother there is a strange man residing at Stapleton Court.”
“Did he indeed?” Theo said, with a warning look at Becky.
“Yes.”
Conscious there were other ears around and that whatever she now said would set a precedent for future interactions and conversations, she spoke with care. “It seems odd that Frederick would mention such a thing.”
“How so?”
“I did not think he would say anything. In fact, he expressly told me he would not share the news.”
Mrs. Cleever blinked. “Are you telling me that there is indeed a young man residing in your house?”
“I am.”
The older woman gasped. “How scandalous!”
“I would think the greater scandal would be to let an injured man fend for himself.”
Over near the counter, Mrs. Crouch nodded, as if agreeing.
“Do you not even know who this young man is?”
Oh, her family knew very well. But something prompted her to tease. “I should think the minister’s wife would agree that it is important to take in strangers. Is there not a verse in the Bible, Mrs. Crouch, that speaks about entertaining angels?”
The minister’s wife glanced between them, her wise eyes seeming to take in the situation. “That verse is quite an inspiration to be hospitable, is it not?” She moved to Theo’s side, offering a smile to Mrs. Cleever. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Cleever.”
“Er, yes. Good afternoon.”
“I’m sure you remember Mr. Crouch’s sermon the other day. I should think that our Lord’s encouragement to tend to the Samaritan should be example enough,” she said, her tone mild.
