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“And not merely the Samaritan,” Theo said, “but all those who we can so quickly dismiss. Including strangers.”
“Such is the role of a Christian.” Mrs. Crouch patted her arm and, with a small smile that hinted she knew more than she let on, moved past several village women to the other side of the establishment.
Mrs. Cleever’s look of disconcert drew Theo’s ill-timed amusement. The solicitor’s wife had never been able to fence appropriately with the mild-mannered woman with a social pedigree that ranked higher than hers. Not that Mrs. Crouch ever spoke about her connections. She didn’t need to. It was evident in her poise and grace and kindly treatment to all.
Mrs. Cleever seemed to take offense at Theo’s smile, her brows drawing together like curtains closed against the end of day. “Yes, well, be that as it may, one can be a Christian without doing such outlandish things.”
“Outlandish things like caring for the poor, or feeding the hungry, or helping those without a home?”
Mrs. Cleever gasped. “You have taken in a vagrant?”
Theo’s chest grew tight, and she was half-tempted to search the nearest highways and byways to find someone who truly fit that description.
“Do you not mean to furnish me with a name?”
“Why?” Her fingers clenched. “Did Frederick forget to mention it?”
Mrs. Cleever drew herself up. “Miss Stapleton, your manner to me is not displaying the respect to which I am accustomed.”
“Am I being disrespectful in wishing to keep private matters private?” How dare Frederick break his word? How dare this woman pry and gossip and insinuate in ways guaranteed to leave a stain? “I must inform you, Mrs. Cleever, that your manner toward me in wishing to pry into our affairs shows no respect and little courtesy.”
She gasped. “You are being most insolent.”
“That is not my intention.” She drew in a breath, told herself to calm down. While she was glad to combat idle speculation, Mrs. Cleever was not worth losing her temper. “I simply do not comprehend why you are so interested in the identity of a man who is merely to escort poor Miss Mannering here back to London.”
“Frederick claims the man is a servant.”
“Aren’t we all?” Theo said, pasting on pleasantness as anger rippled inside. “If not serving God, then one would hope serving the King. And of course, a wife must be supposed to serve her husband, or so the sermons I hear seem to suggest, is that not right, Mrs. Crouch?” she called, as the minister’s wife completed her purchases.
“We are all to serve God and each other, as best we can.” She moved to Theo. “Please give my good wishes to your dear mama. I hope to visit her soon.” She gently squeezed Theo’s arm.
“She will be most grateful.”
“Take care,” she murmured, inclining her head to the others present as she made her exit with her wrapped purchases.
Mrs. Cleever seemed impervious, inching closer, her scowl now etched as in stone. “Miss Stapleton, I do not understand why you are being so obstreperous. Surely you can see it is but natural to be concerned when a vagrant takes up residence with two unprotected ladies.”
Unprotected? The captain a vagrant? Torn between tears and temper, Theo settled for speaking in a low voice. “I can assure you that you are utterly mistaken.”
“But—”
“Was there anything else, Mrs. Cleever?” Theo armed herself with a tight smile. “Perhaps you’d like to know what we ate for dinner last night. For that I’m sure you can apply to Miss Mannering here. She has a most excellent memory, whereas I, it seems, fail to recall what should be made known to the village at large, as it is clearly in their best interests to be informed.”
“I did not mean—”
“As I said to Frederick Bellingham, who no doubt will bemostgratified to learn a conversation I believed was private is now being discussed in the marketplace, if there is anything else you wish to know, you could speak to the general. I’m sure he would be able to tell you what you need to know in a manner that will not be completely disagreeable.”
“Well!”
Theo turned from the outraged matron and clasped Becky’s arm with a shaking hand. “I believe we are late for our appointment, my dear. Shall we pay for this and be on our way?”
“Yes, please,” Becky whispered.
And after a nod to the villagers who watched them still, Theo paid for their goods and led Becky outside to their gig. Emotions still raged inside, begging her to dissolve into either tears or tantrum. But no. She must keep a tight rein on herself. It wasn’t fair to Becky otherwise.
Poor girl. She looked as shaken as Theo felt. She placed a hand on the girl’s arm. “You must forgive me, my dear. That was not at all seemly.”
Becky blinked rapidly and shook her head.
