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“W here have you been?” Nic raised his voice to his cousin. Standing in the kitchen, Nic folded his arms across his chest and glared. “I haven’t seen you for over twenty-four hours. I was beginning to suspect something terrible had happened to you.”

With one elbow leaning on the table as his hand held up his head, Frederick gripped his coffee cup with the other hand. “Forgive me, dear cousin, but I had thought I found a clue and I was hot on the suspect’s trail. Unfortunately, it turned out to be nothing.”

“What did you find?” Nic asked in a calmer voice as he walked closer to the table.

“The Griffin’s houseguest—whom I’d suspected—left and I followed.

Their houseguest had been with them for a few months, and I had begun to wonder about this strange man.

When I saw him packing his carriage bright and early yesterday morning, I decided to follow.

” Frederick shook his head. “Apparently, the man was just returning home. He didn’t meet with anyone, and he traveled directly home—which, by the way was nearly a half-day’s journey up the coast. I stayed and watched his house for a few hours, but when I realized nothing was going to happen, I left to come home.

” Frowning, he shook his head. “I’m beginning to believe I will never find the true thief. ”

“Why did you suspect him?”

“Because he was limping as if he’d sprained his ankle. Right now a man with an injured leg is the only lead I have.” Frederick sipped his coffee cup.

“David Griffin had a broken ankle. Don’t you recall that’s what the doctor had found?”

With his eyes closed, Frederick nodded. “Yes, but I still don’t believe he did it. He has no reason to steal from the church.”

Grumbling, Nic sat in the chair next to his cousin. “Perhaps we should look at this from a different angle.”

Frederick gave Nic a dubious stare. “Pray tell, my dear cousin, what angle are we supposed to look at it?”

“Do you know for certain that it was a man? Or, by chance, do you think it could have been a woman?”

Frederick rolled his eyes. “A woman? Why would a woman want to steal from the church?”

Nic held up his hand, palm facing his cousin. “Just listen to me.” He took a deep breath. “Today I had Miss McFadden come into the church to confess her sins to me.”

Frederick gasped and shook his head “Oh, please tell me you didn’t give her any guidance.”

“Of course not. I had no idea what to say to the poor girl.” Nic scratched underneath his ear where his beard had been bothering him since he grew facial hair. “But what she told me made me start looking at this theft situation in a whole new light.”

Nic continued to tell Frederick about what happened to Miss McFadden.

As he explained, his chest tightened as he thought of the poor girl’s circumstance.

In the back of Nic’s mind, he hoped he’d never had to put a woman through this.

Then again, if he had, the woman should have had the decency to come tell him.

He would have done the proper thing, even if he didn’t love the woman.

Which made him realize he’d better not be doing that with a woman unless he wanted to marry her.

Frederick squeezed his eyes closed and shook his head but didn’t say anything.

Nic waited a few seconds in silence before adding, “I tell you, Frederick, I really believed she could have killed David Griffin—although I had no idea how she could have buried him in the sand. Nevertheless, the idea struck me as odd that perhaps we haven’t been looking in the right direction. ”

Opening his eyes, Frederick stared at Nic. “So have you seen any woman limping around lately?”

Nic held his breath as his mind skimmed over everyone who had been at church last Sunday. He frowned. “Actually, no, but that still doesn’t mean it wasn’t a woman. All that means is that if the thief is indeed a woman, she doesn’t attend your church.”

Frederick groaned and stood, taking his cup to the sink. “No, I honestly believe the thief is a man. I know it was dark, but the figure that I saw leaving the church was that of a man. He was tall and large, but not really fat, and neither was he muscular. Perhaps a mixture of both.”

“So tell me,” Nic propped his leg over his knee, “if you did see a man and he sprained his ankle…and he knew you saw him…why would he show himself at all? He would know you’d be looking for a man with a limp. What if the thief is still in hiding for fear you’ll see him limp when he walks?”

Slowly Frederick turned and faced Nic. His eyes grew wider. “You know, that does make sense.”

Nic shrugged. “Thank you. Every once in a while I will say something noteworthy.”

Chuckling, Frederick shook his head. “So true, cousin.”

Nic left the chair and strode to his cousin, and then rested his hand on Frederick’s shoulder. “Don’t get discouraged about not finding the thief. This is a pretty big area, and some of the neighboring towns are closer than you think. Anybody could have done it.”

“But why steal from a church?” Frederick sighed. “That just doesn’t make any sense.”

“Apparently, this person doesn’t fear God like the rest of us. And, after all, if he’s thieving, he’s not a good Christian person, anyway.”

“Every criminal has a reason.”

“Then I suggest,” Nic said, “we look at everyone. Men and women.”

“Fine.” Frederick rubbed his eyes. “But I’m exhausted and need some sleep. I fear your guest yesterday morning kept me from receiving a sound sleep.”

Nic’s attention perked and he froze. “My…guest?”

“Yes.” Frederick threw Nic a curious stare as he made his way to the stairs. “A woman, if I’m not mistaken. I didn’t have the energy to wander downstairs, but I suspect it was Miss Paget. After all, what other maiden would be coming to the clergyman’s house alone?”

Clearing his throat, Nic nodded. “Yes, Tabitha did visit me yesterday morning. We had much to talk about.” He flipped his hand. “The visit was very important, and we were finally able to talk about our feelings for each other.”

Frederick grasped the railing on the stairs, but didn’t climb them. His eyes stayed on Nic. Unease ran through him, and he wished his cousin wouldn’t give him that degrading glare.

“Your feelings ? Pray tell, Lord Hawthorne, what type of feelings does a marquess have for a servant girl—besides the improper kind?”

Growling, Nic folded fisted his hands by his side. “I’m a normal man and she’s a normal woman. That’s how I see her now. No longer is she a maid.” He shrugged. “Besides that, something happened in her life and she no longer has to work as a servant.”

“That doesn’t matter, Nic,” Frederick came toward him, “because you are still a marquess, and her station will always be beneath yours.”

Emotion choked Nic’s throat, and he wanted to tell his cousin to mind his own business. Yet, Nic knew his own family would see the situation just as Frederick. They’d think Tabitha was just trying to worm her way into Nic’s life for the chance of a title.

“And I’m telling you, it doesn’t matter,” Nic snapped.

“It had better. Your family expects you to find a suitable wife. A marchioness must be dignified and elegant. She must have the proper training, too, or she’ll become a great disappointment.

” He shook his head. “My cousin, I tell you this because I care about your future. Please thoughtfully consider what I have said, and remember…you’re not the only one who will be affected by this marriage. Your family will, also.”

Gritting his teeth, Nic watched his cousin proceed upstairs to his bedroom. Although Nic wanted to argue, he knew he’d be wasting his breath. Frederick wasn’t ready to hear what was in Nic’s heart, and his family for darn sure wouldn’t be prepared, either.

Nothing matters but my heart . Nic marched into the front room and to the front window.

He’d seen too many men not follow their hearts, and look where it led them.

They were miserable. Yet, his three good friends, Trevor, Tristan, and Trey Worthington, all followed their hearts and married the most amazing women.

This was what Nic wanted, and he wouldn’t settle for anything less!

*

The morning was too lovely not to take a walk by the beach. Of course, Tabitha couldn’t sit still at home, either. Today was when Mr. Jacobs and Nic would be in the same room while she tried to act as if she wanted the blacksmith’s attention and not the clergyman’s.

Would she be able to pull it off? Or would her heart betray her and show the others in the room that she really had deep feelings for Nic?

So nervous, she couldn’t concentrate on anything, and trying to help Sally and Mrs. Stiles in the kitchen had become a disaster because Tabitha kept spilling things. Finally, Mrs. Stiles suggested that Tabitha take a walk by the beach. How could she turn down such a tempting idea?

The sky was so clear and so very blue this morning.

A small wind teased the curls hanging from beneath her bonnet and the ties at her throat, but that was all.

The sun seemed brighter today, and it definitely brought with it more heat.

She should have brought a parasol to keep the sun’s rays from her face, but the warmth against her skin felt too nice to block.

She didn’t need a jacket this time, and her bright yellow day dress with short sleeves fit her chipper mood immensely. Outward, she knew she appeared happy, but inside, doubt and heartache intertwined, making her stomach twist in nausea.

Several people had the same idea—to stroll along the beach.

There were many couples, a handful of families, and even more who walked by themselves.

She nodded a greeting to those she’d met, but nobody had stopped to chat with her.

Normally, this would have bothered her, but not this morning.

She needed time to sort out her thoughts.

If only she could.