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H eaviness weighed on Nic’s chest, but then so did relief.

Church was over now, and he headed back to Frederick’s house.

Although Nic felt he’d memorized his cousin’s sermon well enough, it definitely drained him and made him want to sleep the remainder of the day.

After all, didn’t the Lord say that Sunday was a day of rest ?

He opened the door and walked in, closing it behind him. As he shrugged out of his raincoat, a voice from the corner of the room startled him.

“Splendid sermon, if I must say.” Frederick walked up to Nic and clapped him on the shoulder.

Confused, Nic arched an eyebrow at his cousin. “You were there? I thought you’d be sleeping.”

“I shall sleep soon enough.”

“Where were you? I didn’t see you.”

“I hid in the back classroom. Don’t you think I want to make sure you are presenting yourself as a man of God?”

Nic rolled his eyes and carried his coat to the fireplace, hanging it on a nearby chair to dry.

Today’s weather was horrendous before church, and it surprised him to see so many people in attendance.

Nevertheless, he was grateful they had turned out for the sermon his cousin had prepared.

They needed the uplifting words of comfort.

“Of course I’m representing you well enough. Why do you continue to have doubts?” Nic walked into the kitchen to fix himself some tea. “Have I not succeeded in proving I can play your role?”

Frederick followed. “Actually, there were a few times you stumbled.”

“Yes, and I picked myself up, didn’t I?” Nic snapped.

Frederick chuckled. “Only when someone saved you.”

Nic stood by the counter and stared out the window. The rain pelted the glass pane, creating a relaxing rhythm. Indeed, someone had saved him, and that one act of selflessness had warmed his heart so much he was beginning to have different feelings about Tabitha.

For three days, he’d tried to convince himself he was just grateful for Tabitha’s help, and nothing else.

But in the back of his mind, he knew it to be different.

Had he actually come to care for the servant woman who lived a different lifestyle?

He still hadn’t heard from Trey or Tristan to discover why Tabitha had changed her status, but she certainly didn’t act like a servant any longer.

Not that she ever had. From their first day of meeting, he could see she was far too bold to be a servant.

In fact, her boldness was what captured his attention. Well…that, and her beauty, of course.

Now it didn’t matter about her station in life.

He had indeed come to care for her, and he couldn’t shake the feeling no matter how hard he tried.

She was the last thing on his mind when he fell asleep at night, and she was the first thing he thought about when he awoke.

Out of all the women he’d charmed over the years, none of them had taken up residence in his mind quite like Tabitha had.

Another thing that bothered him was knowing she resembled someone he knew.

Sometimes her smile would have a familiar tilt to it, or her eyes would gleam in a certain way that made him think he might know her family.

If he could only figure this out, perhaps then he’d know why she didn’t act like a servant any longer.

Maybe her family did have noble blood running through their veins.

That would explain why she acted the way she did sometimes.

The constant rattle of Frederick’s voice pulled Nic out of his thoughts. He quickly concentrated on what his cousin was talking about now. Never had he known another man who jabbered so much.

Nic lit the stove and placed the tea kettle on top. “Tell me you have discovered some clues,” he said over his shoulder. “Shouldn’t you have found something by now?”

Groaning, Frederick plopped down in a chair as a frown claimed his expression.

“The only thing I have discovered is that there are many townsfolk who aren’t on the up and up.

Some lead double lives.” He pushed his fingers through his hair.

“Unfortunately, this discovery hasn’t led me to the true thief. ”

“What about David?” Nic asked. “Do you think he was really part of the robbery?”

“Deep down in my heart, I don’t think he was.

I’m beginning to understand why the constable said what he had about David’s death covering up the truth.

I honestly think that whoever the culprit is, killed David—for some unknown reason—and then buried an item of what had been stolen to make the constable believe he was the one responsible. ”

“Indeed, this case is most baffling.” Leaning against the counter, he folded his arms. “But I’m surprised you haven’t found even one little clue yet.”

Frederick shook his head. “Don’t get me wrong. I have found dozens of clues, but because I have discovered so many, this has confused me more. I don’t want to be making accusations before I know for certain if that person is the thief.”

“I understand completely.” Would Nic ever forget when he’d wrongly accused Tabitha of murder? “But I also know because of David’s death, these people need you.” He took the kettle of water and poured the hot liquid into a teacup.

“I have just the thing for you.” Frederick tapped his finger against his chin. “There is a book in my study that will help you sympathize with these people more. I’ll go get it.” He stood and moved toward the kitchen door.

“But Frederick, you are the clergyman. They need you !” He didn’t want to admit that playing the clergyman’s role had become boring. He was eager to step back into Lord Hawthorne’s boots again.

Frederick stopped at the door and met Nic’s gaze over his shoulder. “Have patience, my dear cousin. Our charade will soon come to an end, but not before we find the true thief. With any luck, it’ll be the same person who killed David.” He walked out of the door.

Nic fixed his tea and sat at the table. Once again, his vision blurred as a stare took over.

Anger swirled inside of him, looking for a way out.

He had agreed to help his cousin, but because things were worse, he felt it was time to find the thief a different way.

Perhaps they should try to set a trap. All he knew was that he wasn’t qualified to assist the grieving townsfolk in their time of need.

The clergyman’s lifestyle was quite dull. Of course, the rain lately had kept him from getting out and asking around, and now with the murder, it might be harder than before to dig into people’s minds.

Grumbling, he massaged his head. It aggravated him that he couldn’t be himself, except around his cousin. He couldn’t even be himself around Tabitha, because his charming personality seemed to turn her away. In fact, she’d been nicer to him when he was the clergyman.

He felt torn, knowing he should help his cousin because he made a promise, but at the same time, he wanted time to be himself to just breathe.

The old Nic screamed inside of him to get out and do something enjoyable.

Even playing a good game of cards would be nice.

But Frederick wouldn’t allow that, saying that a card game was one of Satan’s tools in corrupting good people.

“Here it is.” Frederick brought the book to Nic and placed it on the table. “Read this and it will help you know what to say when the occasion arises.”

Nic sighed in frustration. “One more week, Frederick. That’s all I can handle is one more week.”

His cousin scowled and shook his head. “You cannot push me. I’m doing everything I can to find the right person.”

“Exactly, which means that after one more week is over and you still don’t have enough evidence to have someone arrested, then there’s nothing more you can do and we must bring this charade to an end.”

Huffing, Frederick stormed toward the door. Just as he reached it, he snapped, “I’ll think about it.”

“Where are you going?”

“To my room to sleep.”

Nic jumped to his feet, knocking the chair over. “How can you accomplish thinking this over if you’re sleeping?”

His cousin didn’t answer, just continued hurrying up the hall and up the stairs.

Nic grumbled and propped his chair back in place before sitting and finishing his tea.

He glanced at the book. Dealing with Grief .

Nic rolled his eyes. He wasn’t in the mood to read a book like this.

For certain, reading this would put him to sleep quickly.

He was wise to give his cousin one week to fix things. But now Nic even wondered if a week was too long. He’d go insane from living this kind of life before the seven days were up, he just knew it!

*

Tabitha had been surprised to see how many people attended church today because of the heavy rain.

But what shocked her even more was hearing Mr. Woodland’s sermon, which happened to be very spiritual and moving.

Tabitha knew it was because Nic’s cousin had written it.

But she was happy to see Nic delivering the speech with confidence and empathy.

Aunt Clara and Mrs. Stiles had mentioned a few times during church that Mr. Woodland looked at Tabitha a little differently than he had the other single women in the congregation.

Although she didn’t want to believe it, as she had studied him during the sermon, and especially afterward when he mingled with the townspeople, Tabitha noticed his gaze kept wandering back to her, and sure enough, his eyes lit up with that familiar twinkle.