Страница 34 из 70
CHAPTER NINE
Maria
"It probably was Violet," the Duchess said. "She will become accustomed to you in time. I know I can trust you, my dear, to greet her with no show of surprise or distaste."
With her mind at ease on this point, Maria
The Duchess was ready for her when she came downstairs, and they started off without waiting for any of the others. Maria
The village was small, with only an i
Maria
Seated as they were at the very front of the church, under the pulpit, Maria
The Duchess shifted position and coughed. Maria
If Helen's face had launched a thousand ships, with all-male crews, this man might have inspired an equivalent female effort. His was the classic beauty of a face on an antique coin. To be sure, Maria
She could never remember the content of that first sermon. She only knew that his solemn exhortation made her yearn to attain the Christian virtues he urged – whatever these might have been. Her suppressed feelings of guilt about so many of her recent actions would have made her receptive to any sincere sermon. The combination of male beauty, religious appeal, and a warm, passionate voice was almost too much for her. If the meeting had taken place in a revival tent, and the pastor had urged all si
The dignified Church of England service allowed no such catharsis, so Maria
Once again she had to run the gauntlet of staring eyes, for the other parishioners waited for the lady of the manor to exit before they left their places. Maria
Well, that is done," the Duchess said. "Mr. St. John gives a good sermon, don't you think? But I fear he is over the heads of most of his hearers."
Mr. St. John. Maria
"Oh, I don't doubt his ability, or his fervor. They tell me he has made quite an impression on the congregation, particularly the young women." The Duchess smiled indulgently. "Ah, well, I would be the last to deny that truths are more palatable when they are pronounced by such well-shaped lips. I do hope he decides to take a wife soon, though. I do not believe in a celibate priesthood, and a bachelor clergyman is unsettling to the neighborhood."
It had never occurred to Maria
"I suppose I must ask him to dine one day soon," the Duchess continued. "Tomorrow evening, perhaps."
It was as well for Maria
When she awoke next morning she could not at first understand why she felt like leaping out of bed and dancing around the room. Then she remembered. Today the clergyman was coming to dine!
Though he could not be expected for hours, she took forever over her morning toilette and snapped at A