Page 54 of Discovering Grace

Miss Keyes stuck her nose in the air and left, defeated for the moment. Though she held her ground, Grace’s enthusiasm for the evening waned. If Miss Keyes had dared to bring up the issue to Grace, the gossip ran strongly about Grace’s actions.

“Ah, Miss Everly.” The new voice rasped with age. Mr. Spratt had found her. “Would you do me the honor of a walk about the room?” he asked, before glancing at the others. “If your friends would excuse you, that is.”

“Of course, Mr. Spratt.”

“It is a party in your honor, sir, your wishes must be granted.”

He beamed at the young people, all of whom had grown up listening to his sermons. Grace would not be surprised if he had been the one to christen each of them.

“Thank you.” He offered Grace his arm.

Although Mr. Spratt knew everything, indeed he had been ready to announce her public apology had her father required it, nothing in his manner indicated he thought any differently of her than he always had. “Miss Everly, thank you for humoring an old man.”

“I enjoy your company, Mr. Spratt,” she answered truthfully. “I always have. I must admit that I am sorry to see you go, though I do hope you are happy with your daughter and her family.”

“I am certain I will be. There are grandchildren and great-grandchildren to distract me from any cares I may have.” His wrinkles deepened with his delighted expression. “I have done what I love for most of my life, but it is time to give the parish into a younger man’s hands. I am grateful to know that it is Mr. Barnes who will take my place. He is a very good man. A particular friend of yours, too, if I am not mistaken?”

“We have known each other for the whole of my life, yes.” Grace lowered her eyes to the ground, thinking of Jacob’s visit at her home, his request to dance with her. “I have confidence he will make a most excellent vicar.”

“As do I. Though inexperienced as he is, he will make mistakes. We all do, from time to time.” Mr. Spratt was about Grace’s height, stooped as he now was with age. When he looked at her, it was squarely in the eyes. “My dear girl, you have been very good to this parish as well. Do you remember my late wife?”

Everyone remembered Mrs. Spratt. “I have never known anyone to show love more beautifully than she did,” Grace said.

Mr. Spratt stopped their walk and turned to face Grace, taking both her hands in his. When he spoke, it was with almost the same reverence he used when speaking of matters holy. “Grace Everly, you remind me of her.”

Her throat closed and she had to swallow to answer him, so taken was she by the sincerity of his words. “Thank you, Mr. Spratt. That is the highest compliment I have ever been paid.” And it did not matter what anyone else in the room said, or thought, because she held no one in higher esteem than kindly, compassionate Mr. Spratt.

The old vicar bestowed a warm look upon her, and there was a twinkle in his eyes. He turned and nodded to someone just behind Grace. “Mr. Barnes, have you come looking for a partner?”

Grace started but did not move.

“Only if I may have yours, Mr. Spratt.” Jacob’s familiar voice, courteous as ever.

“You must appeal to the lady, dear boy.” Mr. Spratt turned her about with no more than a gentle touch on her arm. “As I am old, and therefore permitted to speak my mind on occasion, I will tell you that if she agrees you will be the most fortunate man in the room.”

A hot rush from her chest went directly into her cheeks. Grace lowered her eyes, touched and uncertain. There were others nearby. Had they heard?

“I am well aware of that, Mr. Spratt.” The tenderness in Jacob’s tone brought her attention back to him, to search his expression, certain she would see only the usual friendly look upon his face. “Would you do me the honor of dancing the next set with me, Miss Everly?” The smile was there, but it was different. There was a question in the tilt of his lips and in the depths of his eyes.

“Yes, Mr. Barnes.” Grace took his offered arm, uncertain of her friend for the first time she could remember. In her flustered state, she nearly forgot to take her leave of Mr. Spratt. “Oh, Mr. Spratt—”

He waved his hand at her. “Go on, child. Do not stand on ceremony with me.” He tucked his hands behind his back and nodded deeply to them. “Good evening to you both.”

Jacob swept her away, into the line forming for the next set. The dance was called: a lively reel. Nearly all the dances had been brisk and merry, the simplest of forms used so that all may participate regardless of station or grace.

Given that the way Jacob stared at her made Grace’s heart beat at an abnormally fast tempo, she was grateful there would be no long, lingering moments to face him.

They were not able to converse easily. The room was loud, and the dance required fast hands and feet as partners exchanged clasps, twirls, and skips. Jacob did not try to speak to her, though from time to time his broad grin would change back to the inscrutable expression.

The next set was called, and Jacob spoke at last. “I have not enjoyed myself this much in ages.”

“Neither have I,” she admitted. When had she last felt as she did in that moment? Free and happy, content with her place in the world.

Probably not since the first time she caught Jacob staring at Hope, when she realized she had lost something precious. Her step faltered, but Jacob caught her hand anyway, as the dance forms required.

“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice low.

Grace tucked away the memory. “I am well.” He cared for Grace as a friend, and nothing more. No matter how she wished she did not imagine the gentleness in his eyes as he gazed at her.