Page 13 of The Case of the Curate

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Good. ’Cause the master wouldn’t understand.”

*

“How is Mr. Bancroft this morning?” Rupert asked civilly of the vicar’s wife over breakfast.

“Much the same. He was wakened by some dreadful clattering on the stairs after midnight.”

It had been just on midnight, and Rupert had crept up as quietly as a mouse. “Sorry,” he said meekly. “I was later than I intended.”

“I trust you behaved with becoming modesty at Chadbon Court, as the vicar bade you.”

“So do I,” Rupert murmured.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Nothing. Will Mr. Bancroft be up to receiving me this morning? Just to see if he has particular commissions—”

“Really, Mr. Grande, if you have not familiarized yourself with your duties by—”

“Besides my duties,” Rupert said gently.

In the three weeks since he had arrived in the parish of Chadleigh, he had managed to allay many of the vicar’s suspicions that Rupert sought to replace him. Mrs. Bancroft, however, appeared to be immune to his charm and actions alike.

He finished his tea and rose his feet. “I believe I will just stick my head around the vicar’s door, and he may dismiss me at his convenience.” He inclined his head. “Mrs. Bancroft.”

He found the vicar, propped up on several pillows, still pale and weak looking, although a spark lit up his eyes when he saw Rupert in the doorway.

“Ah, come in, my boy, come in. Sit if you can find a space.”

Since the visitors’ chair was piled with books, Rupert sat at the edge of the huge bed. “You’re looking brighter this morning.”

“Looking forward to coming downstairs for tea. Still as weak as a kitten, but I won’t get better by lying in bed.”

“Rest is good too,” Rupert reminded him.

Bancroft waved that aside. “How did you get on at Chadbon’s last night? Not too daunting, I hope? He keeps dull company for a young man’s tastes.”

“It was a most interesting evening. Unfortunately, there was a bit of a domestic crisis, as one of the housemaids collapsed. Do you know Dinah Fenn?”

“Pert, pretty little thing. She’ll lead all the young men in the village in a fine dance, but there’s no spite in the girl, by all accounts.”

Trust Bancroft to know everyone, from the highest to the lowliest. Rupert admired that. It was also useful, because although Dinah had confided her trouble to him, he doubted she’d told him everything.

“Does she have a young man in particular?” he asked.

“I think she’s too busy playing them off against each other.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“Mrs. Thornfield at the court will keep her in line,” Bancroft said comfortably.

Too late for that. Rupert wished he had not agreed to Chadbon’s demand for secrecy. They’re going to cover it up, Rupe…

“Does she have any friends locally?” Rupert asked. “I thought I might go and see them if I could…”

“I don’t think so, apart from the court servants. No family here either. She isn’t from these parts—the Chadbons brought her down from London. She is not seriously ill, is she?”