Page 81 of Gentleman Jim

It had taken ten years to effect the transformation. A complete one by outward appearances. But one small part of Nicholas Seaton had resisted the change. A piece of his heart had remained, beating as strongly as ever, pure and true and steadfast for Maggie Honeywell.

No matter how long it takes, I will come back for you.

“I never forgot her,” he said. “She’s the only person on this earth I’ve ever loved.”

“Love. You bandy that word about a good deal in relation to your Miss Honeywell.” Lord Allendale reached for his glass of wine. “Perhaps it’s time she and I made each other’s acquaintance.”

Beasley Park

Somerset, England

Summer 1817

“You’ve been vicar here for some time, it seems.” Lionel Beresford’s tone was deceptively lazy, but there was no mistaking the glint of alertness in his gaze. Seated beside his mother on the scrolled-arm silk sofa in the Beasley Park drawing room, he’d long given up any pretense of casual conversation.

“Going on four decades,” Mr. Applewhite replied from his place near the dwindling fire. “Isn’t that right, Miss Honeywell?”

Maggie glanced up from her embroidery. She’d been attempting to sew ever since they’d removed from the dining room. A fruitless occupation. She had no skill with a needle. “It is. Mr. Applewhite was vicar here before I was born.”

Aunt Harriet snored softly from her chair across from the vicar. She’d drifted to sleep almost as soon as she’d sat down. Across the room, Jane tinkled quietly on the keys of the pianoforte, mindful not to wake her.

Fred stood nearby, flipping through a stack of sheet music. He was incredibly proud of his singing voice and had threatened to entertain them after dinner.

“Four decades?” Mrs. Beresford tittered. “Such a long while! I daresay you know the people here better than anyone.”

“I expect I do,” Mr. Applewhite conceded. “Though not as well as my wife did, God rest her soul. She could recite chapter and verse on everyone in the county.”

Maggie never thought she’d live to see the day when she regretted the passing of Mrs. Applewhite. The vicar’s wife had been a font of local knowledge. She’d also been the bane of Nicholas Seaton’s existence, and a great critic of Maggie’s behavior, too.

In his wife’s absence, the vicar had seemed like the next best person to question about the mysterious Father Tuck.

Maggie had wanted to call on him at the vicarage, but after returning from Mr. Entwhistle’s, and finding that Fred and the others had come back early from their visit to town, there had been no possibility of getting away. Not alone. She’d had to settle for inviting Mr. Applewhite to dinner the following evening.

Unfortunately, between Fred and the Beresfords, she’d scarcely managed to get a word in edgewise, let alone a moment for private conversation.

“I wonder if she ever knew my cousin?” Lionel asked. “John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare. A strapping blond fellow. Quite tall.”

Maggie’s muscles tensed. The past week had been one long fishing expedition on the Beresfords’ part. Abetted by their sneaking servants, the two of them wheedled and probed, casting about for any scraps of information that might reveal some connection between St. Clare and Somerset.

“Was he a resident here?” Mr. Applewhite asked, frowning. “I don’t seem to recall the name.”

“Indeed not,” Maggie replied. “Lord St. Clare has never been to Beasley Park, or to anywhere hereabouts that I’m aware.”

Fred scowled. “Must we speak of him? This is meant to be a merry party.”

Mrs. Beresford affected not to hear him. “I believe the viscount must have visited the region sometime or other,” she said. “Perhaps he used an assumed name? Young gentlemen will have their pranks. To be sure, his father indulged in many such amusements when he was a young man. And blood will tell, they always say. Like father, like son.”

“An assumed name?” Mr. Applewhite appeared utterly perplexed by this line of inquiry. He turned to Maggie. “Who did you say this fellow was again?”

“It’s not important. Quite the opposite.” She set aside her needlework. “It’s late, Vicar. Shall I call for your carriage?”

Mr. Applewhite gave her a look of relief. “Yes, thank you, Miss Honeywell. You are very good.”

Maggie rang for a footman. And when, a short time later, the same footman returned to announce that Mr. Applewhite’s carriage was ready, she insisted on accompanying the aged vicar out herself.

“I’m obliged to you, Miss Honeywell,” he said as they descended the curving staircase and passed through the entry hall. “Such hospitality. You’re to be commended for the fine meal. And the wine—from your father’s cellar, I collect. A splendid vintage. I haven’t tasted—”

“Mr. Applewhite,” Maggie interrupted. “There’s something particular I’ve been meaning to ask you.”