“What’s wrong?” she snapped when she caught Hosea staring at her as she shook out her skirt. “Go ahead and say it.” She braced for a comment on the gown’s impropriety.
“Susanna?” He found his voice.
She was surprised to hear him say her name. “What?” she said a little less harshly.
His serious expression melted into a smile. “Red is your best color.” His heart was racing. “What I mean, Susanna, is you look perfect. I’m proud to be seen with you. You make me want to be a better man to deserve to be seen with you.”
Her irritation faded. “That’s the sweetest compliment anyone has ever paid me.”
Hosea stepped closer. “It’s my intention to pay you more.”
“Vicar, you know how I feel about debt,” she said.
“I know.” He reached into his pocket for the ring. “Which is why—”
“There you are!” a voice interrupted him. “As fashionably late as you are fashionable,” Sir Simon trotted down the steps to meet them. “We could not start the dancing without you, if you do not object to me stealing your wife, Vicar?” He didn’t wait for a reply and led her away. “My dear, you look perfect. I’m proud to be seen with you. I always did get more attention with you by my side.”
Hosea put the ring back in his pocket and followed them into the house.
Without giving her a moment to primp in the ladies’ dressing room, Sir Simon pulled Susanna into the drawing room. “You still can turn the heads of an entire room,” Sir Simon said in her ear. “I should have invited more doctors. Every female is ready to fall over in a fit of envy.”
“They have nothing to envy,” said Susanna.
“Nonsense,” he said. “Who could not envy the woman who bedded a baronet and a vicar?”
“You’re disgusting.” She turned to see if Hosea heard.
“Did I say something wrong?”
The musicians struck up the Grand Promenade. Sir Simon led Susanna around the room as couples fell into place behind them. “Smile, darling. You don’t look as if you’re enjoying yourself,” he said.
“I wouldn’t want to give the impression that I am,” she snarled as they went round and round the room. “This infernal music makes me feel like I’m marching to war.”
There’s no reason to make war with me,” Sir Simon cooed. “Anyway, I’d much prefer it if you didn’t try to kill me again.”
“I make no promises,” Susanna replied.
Meanwhile, Hosea stood against the wall wishing it was him leading her, even though it wasn’t proper for husbands to dance with their wives. He wasn’t the only one watching her. All eyes were fastened on this shocking woman.
“It’s disgusting how they flaunt their indiscretion in front of everyone,” Mrs. Sneed whispered to her friends. “My Emma saw them embracing in the woods. The poor vicar. If he finds out what she is, it will break his heart.”
“You say they knew each other before she met the vicar? They conducted business together?” Mr. Biddle pressed Charles Henry for more information. “What sort of business?”
Susanna danced with one gentlemen after another in order to avoid dancing with Sir Simon. Most of them weren’t from the village, but all were eager to hold the ravishing Mrs. Honeywell.
Hosea made his way around the room chatting with people, all the while hoping for the opportunity to spend time with Susanna. As it happened, he was cut off with each new dance.
“Vicar,” Dr. Smith approached him. “I see you’ve discarded the sling. Good, good. Keep moving your shoulder. I know it’s painful, but you must exercise the muscles.”
“I do try,” said Hosea.
Dr. Smith stood there as if he wanted to say something more. “How is Mrs. Honeywell adjusting to living so far from home?” he finally spoke.
“Very well, I suppose,” said Hosea.
Dr. Smith nodded. “Is she happy in her new role as vicar’s wife?”
“It’s been an adjustment, but she seems in good spirits,” Hosea replied nervously.
“Mm,” the doctor nodded again. “I am curious to know how Mrs. Honeywell learned to stitch wounds. Has she medical training? Was her father a doctor?”
“I’m not certain how she came by her knowledge, but no, her father is a minister,” Hosea squirmed.
“I understood she has no family.”
The room suddenly felt very warm to Hosea. “She doesn’t.”
“What else do you know of her background?” asked Dr. Smith.
Hosea looked sharply at him. “To what do these questions pertain?”
“I mean no offense,” the doctor held up a conciliatory hand. “You are a doctor of the soul as I am of the body. I am simply making a diagnosis as to yours and Mrs. Honeywell’s happiness, which, as you know, has a profound effect upon the physical.”
“Have you cause for concern for our happiness?” asked Hosea.
The doctor frowned. “Perhaps I do.”
Hosea felt it would be unwise to continue the conversation. “Thank you for your concern, but it is unfounded. If you’ll excuse me, I must attend to my wife.”
At that moment, Susanna excused herself from yet another dance partner and escaped to the refreshment room. Taking a cup of punch, she sat down to rest her feet when Sir Simon came up behind her and nuzzled her neck.
She jerked away. “How dare you,”
“Quite easily,” he dropped into the chair next to her. “How does it feel to be the most wanted woman here?”
“Depends on who wants me.”
“I’d say just about every man. Half of them want to dance with you because you’re so beautiful and the other half because you’re so scandalous,” he said.
Susanna felt cold. “Why would they think that?”
Sir Simon put an arm around her waist. “Rumors, darling, simply rumors.”
She shoved him away. “What rumors?”
He shrugged. “Ones that can ruin a man’s reputation.”
“Why do you hate the vicar so much?” she glared. “Why can’t you leave him alone?”
“I can, but it depends on what you are willing to do to help him,” he said.
Susanna didn’t have to ask what he meant.
“Vicar!” Sir Simon frowned at Hosea’s untimely appearance. “I say, that is a fancy cravat for a clergyman. You’re not getting worldly, are you? I was just keeping your wife company. She provokes the most stimulating conversation.”
“I didn’t realize my cravat was worldly,” said Hosea. He noticed how closely Sir Simon sat next to Susanna and wondered what they were discussing. “Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked her. “You’ve danced every dance.”
“Yes,” she replied. “I haven’t had a moment to catch my breath. Where were you?”
“I stopped in the hallway to speak with Mrs. Ellis and Mrs. Mullins. I should like to introduce you to them.”
“If I had a wife such as yours, I wouldn’t be caught gossiping in hallways with other women,” said Sir Simon.
“Not at all,” Hosea said. “Mrs. Ellis was telling me of her youngest son who will be studying the law, and the Mullins are going on a tour of the Lake District.”
“Fascinating,” said Sir Simon. “I, however, have heard the wildest rumors this evening, the wildest. Have you heard them? Shocking, quite shocking.”
Susanna paled.
“I avoid gossip,” said Hosea. “Proverbs says—”
“The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down to the innermost part of the belly,” Susanna thrust her cup at Sir Simon and stood. “I’d like to meet Mrs. Ellis and Mrs. Mullins. Where are they?”
Sir Simon jumped up and grabbed her arm. “We haven’t finished our conversation.”
“I’m sure we have,” she said firmly.
His grip tightened. “As hostess, I insist you join me in making sure our guests are enjoying themselves.”
Before she could make up an excuse, the opening chords of the Viennese Waltz floated in
to the room.
“May I have this dance?” Sir Simon and Hosea asked at the same time.
Hosea ducked his head. He recalled the other time he asked her to dance and she turned him down. It was a breach of etiquette to ask her now, and he took it for granted she would refuse, but he couldn’t help himself.
Suddenly, her hand was in his. “There’s nothing I want more,” she replied.
“Dance with your wife?” Sir Simon exclaimed. “You can’t be serious.”
“I am,” said Hosea.
“Think of how it will look,” Sir Simon protested.
“I know how it looks,” Susanna said, detaching herself from Sir Simon. “I’ve seen him dance with the best of them.”
Hosea led Susanna onto the dance floor under shocked stares and gasps. He placed his right hand lightly on her back and painfully extended his left arm to take her hand.
“You haven’t been stretching like Dr. Smith told you,” said Susanna. She brought their hands close to their sides. “We’ll do this our way.”
Hosea forgot they were in a crowded room as they twirled around it, so happy was he to be dancing with her. He didn’t realize how big his smile was or how his eyes shone, both of which made Susanna feel guilty.
“I hope I’m as good a dancer as Edna,” she said to take his mind off her. “She dances better than she sings.”
“When I taught Miss Edna how to waltz, I assured her the gentleman always guides the lady in the right direction. I hope I’ve not led you astray.”
Susanna laughed. “I forgive you.”
“Thank you, my conscience is eased,” he said, pleased to see her smile. “I’ve never seen you look so happy. Are you happy?”
“At the moment, yes,” she said. “As happy as I can be.”
Hosea assumed he was the caveat. “I sometimes wonder what my circumstances would be had I not chosen the church for a vocation.”
“I think you’re a fine minister,” said Susanna. “You practice what you preach, you’re always helping someone, and you obey the Lord, even when it causes you problems and spends your money on red silk.”
“I don’t mind red silk,” said Hosea.
“You could have used the money to add to your library.”
“I could have,” he conceded, “but as someone once told me, it’s time to get my nose out of books and have a look about.”
“After getting an eyeful at the Spoke, I’m surprised you haven’t barricaded yourself in your study,” Susanna said.
“I may have doubts about my calling, but I no longer wish to hide from my fears. It does no good,” Hosea said. “What about you? If your circumstances had been different, what do you wish for your life?”
“I don’t know who I’d be had I not been a preacher’s daughter,” Susanna said. “When life seemed more hopeless than usual, the girls and I talked of opening a boarding house somewhere no one knew us, but that plan was always contingent upon saving enough money while paying off our contracts, and you know how hard Judson made that.”
Hosea grimaced. “A female boarding house?”
Susanna laughed. “No, just a plain old boarding house.”
“I do hope they’re able to make a go of it,” said Hosea. “They deserve a better life than the one they have.”
“They do,” Susanna agreed. “If they succeed, you’ll have to stay there on your next sabbatical. Maybe they’ll name a room in your honor. How does the Honeywell Honeymoon Suite sound?”
Hosea gulped. “It may be years before the bishop allows me to take another sabbatical.”
“Do you mean you won’t be dancing with entire brothels any time soon? Where did you learn to dance so well anyway?” she asked.
“My sisters made me practice with them when I was a lad. I brushed up on my skills when Miss Edna asked me to teach her to waltz.”
“Private lessons with the vicar, was it?” she teased.
“Only a few and not entirely private,” he assured her.
Susanna smirked. “You made quite an impression.”
“Did I?” Hosea asked. “Miss Edna’s a very persistent student.”
“And a persistent teacher, from what I’ve heard,” she eyed him.
“Thank the Lord I’m a poor student.”
They were laughing as they waltzed by Emma and Violet. “I can’t believe her dance card is full,” Emma pouted. “Look at the way the men are falling over themselves to dance with her. If it wasn’t for her, we wouldn’t be sitting here.”
“Did you notice how I styled my hair like hers?” said Violet, ignoring her sister’s woes. “It’s very flattering, don’t you think?”
“I do not. You look silly,” Emma turned away in disapproval. “Oh! There’s Ethan Carson. He’s coming this way. He’s going to ask me to dance.”
Young Mr. Carson bowed to Violet. “May I have the pleasure of dancing with you?” Violet whirled away, leaving her sister in tears.
When the waltz ended, Sir Simon called for everyone’s attention. “I am remiss if I do not acknowledge the lady who made this evening possible in the absence of Lady Godfrey. While I am sorry my dear mama and sister aren’t here, I am not sorry to have had the pleasure of working alongside a most willing and lovely partner. Ladies and gentlemen, join me in thanking the hostess of our ball, Mrs. Susanna Honeywell.”
He gestured to Susanna, who stood against a wall with Hosea. The crowd turned to them and clapped with polite restraint.
Susanna glared at Sir Simon, who inclined his head in acknowledgment. She knew his announcement was meant to exert his claim on her and humiliate Hosea. She was on the verge of saying something cutting when she glanced at Hosea. Instead of being humiliated, his eyes were shining with pride.
Bolstered by his silent support, Susanna took his hand. “You shouldn’t mislead everyone, Sir Simon. I can’t take credit for any of this. In fact, I haven’t had time to help because I’ve been too busy helping Mr. Honeywell attend to his duties.” She smiled at Hosea, who thought he would burst with happiness.
The room was thrown into confusion. People didn’t know whether to applaud because she had spoken or refrain since she accused Sir Simon of lying.
“You are too modest,” Sir Simon said. “But we would not like you so much were you not. I speak for everyone when I say West Eastleigh is a brighter place since you arrived. Though America’s flag is deprived of one of its stars, England’s crown has gained a new ruby.”
The crowd again applauded reluctantly, not knowing his gracious words disguised a heart plotting revenge. It came a quarter of an hour later in his study.
Susanna shut the door behind her but didn’t move away from it. “Your friend Mr. Henry told me it was in my best interest to meet you here. I imagine he meant it’s in your best interest, since it’s all you ever look out for.”
Sir Simon swallowed the last of his brandy. “You’re wrong. I only wish to advise you to leave my home at once.”
“Gladly. What’s the rush?”
“You must pack. We leave for London before dawn.”
“What?”
Sir Simon rose from his desk. “We leave for London in a few hours.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she spat.
“You can’t stay here.”
“Why not?” she demanded.
He winked. “Rumor has it you aren’t a nice wife for the nice vicar.”
Susanna’s heart fell. “What have you done? What did you say?”
He moved toward her. “I said nothing, but if someone from the village saw you in a passionate embrace with a certain baronet and overheard you discussing your vocation, it’s hardly my fault. Considering my rank, no one will think less of me for indulging in fleshly pursuits. Honeywell is not so lucky, though. You have the power to ruin or save him. If you stay, he’ll be thought a scoundrel and lose his position in the church. If you leave, he’ll have the pity of a village that thinks you imposed on him.”
Susanna trembled. “I’
ll tell him.”
Sir Simon reached out and twirled one of her long curls around his finger. “By all means, do. He may thank me. He’ll be rid of an embarrassment and you’ll get what you want: a life in London, the finest clothes and jewels, and seeing the world without having to sell yourself.”
“I’ll never marry you,” said Susanna.
He moved closer. “Who said anything about marriage? You’ll be a kept woman. It’s the only way to save yourself. Is my offer so bad? Is there any other choice?”
Susanna punched the spot where she shot him. “What guarantee do I have you won’t turn me over to the law? You’re asking me to throw myself on your mercy, which is something I know you don’t have.”
Sir Simon laughed. “Did he show you mercy by marrying you? Pulled you out of the gutter like a Good Samaritan? Don’t you see it’s a mercy to take you away from here?” He traced her jaw with a finger; she jerked away. He smiled at her stubbornness. “All right; I promise never to turn you over to the authorities. There, happy?”
She tried to stare him down but looked away in shame.
“Ruby, darling, I am your only hope of being restored to your former glory. You know it’s true and you know it’s what you want.”
He reached behind her and opened the door. “I’ll be waiting in the lane behind the church at four o’clock.”
Chapter 11: Rivers of Babylon
LATE the next morning, Hosea stepped out of his room with the pearl ring. His hopes were high. He would propose to Susanna before they went down to breakfast. He no longer based his proposal on her acceptance by the gentlefolk of the county, for they had been cold and distant. It was the warmth of their dancing together and her refusal to dance with anyone afterward that caused him to believe she had formed a better opinion of him. It wasn’t the soundest reason for offering his hand, but it was all he thought he had.
He boldly strode three steps to her door and knocked softly. “Susanna?” he called. She didn’t answer. He knocked again, a little louder. “Susanna, are you awake?” Nothing. He cleared his throat loudly and, in his greatest pistological move since train jumping, opened the door.
The Vicar Takes a Wife Page 17