Dennis, Josie - Wild Heights [Classics Rekindled 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Josie Dennis Page B

“why is the vicar here?”
    Maggie gave her a helpless expression and opened the door. “Mr. Everett, do come in.”
    Mr. Everett bowed his head to Maggie then settled his gaze on Cathy. There was censure there, but also concern. That last was far more troubling, in her opinion.
    “Miss Earling,” he said, removing his hat.
    “Mr. Everett,” she returned with a curtsey. “May I ask what brings you by this morning?”
    His brows beetled, and then he glanced at Maggie.
    “I shall see to tea,” Maggie said, hurrying from the room.
    “Please, Mr. Everett,” Cathy urged.
    “I am afraid news of an alarming nature has reached my ears,” he said.
    Nausea roiled in her stomach. “News?”
    He nodded. “It seems that you and…Mr. Linden and Mr. Heath have been linked in a tale. The stories are…quite disconcerting.”
    She managed to swallow. “Surely you are not trading in gossip, Mr. Everett?”
    He shook his head. “I merely wish to put you on your guard. To…get the truth of the matter from you to silence the tales.” He gulped. “It has been said that you are involved in a…dalliance with the two gentlemen.”
    She could see he was disturbed, ready to believe any explanation she could form. Well, she couldn’t lie to him no matter the cost.
    “How can you come here like this?” she asked. “You, who were such great friends with my father, accuse me of such actions?”
    “I do not accuse! I mean to put you on your guard, Miss Earling. To urge you to be attentive to the impression you put forth in the village.”
    “My impression? I daresay I am as I always was.”
    “I believe that is the crux on the matter.”
    She pulled in a breath. “What are you saying?”
    “You keep to the manor, Miss Earling. You have no particular friends in the village. I believe this led to tales carried by young ladies who have no affection for you. No allegiance.”
    “This will surely do nothing to change that, believe me.”
    The vicar nodded. “I believe if I can have your assurance that nothing untoward—”
    “I am to assure you that I have not dallied with Mr. Linden and Mr. Heath?” she cried. “And how, pray, am I to prove such a thing?”
    Mr. Everett just stared at her.
    She turned from him. “Oh, this is beyond the pale.”
    “Indeed,” she heard Edward say.
    She hadn’t heard the horses, hadn’t noticed Maggie go to the door, but there stood Edward in the parlor. “Edward.”
    “Ah, Mr. Everett,” he said smoothly. “Are you here to offer your felicitations?” He smiled at Cathy, that bright expression she’d sorely missed. “Or perhaps your services?”
    “Mr. Linden?” the vicar returned in a bewildered voice.
    “You see, sir, Miss Earling has agreed to marry me.”
    “Indeed?” Mr. Everett’s face broke out in a grin. “Oh, that is wonderful news!”
    Edward watched her with sparkling eyes as if daring her to speak, but she could not ask the questions she longed to now. Not with the vicar watching.
    “What of the tales?” she asked Mr. Everett.
    “I do not know if this will…” He fingered his hat. “You see, there is still the matter of Mr. Heath.”
    “Did I hear my name?” Henry asked, joining them.
    “Ah, Henry,” Edward said. “Mr. Everett, Mr. Heath will serve as best man at the wedding.”
    “But…”
    “Mr. Heath and I are as close as brothers,” Edward said. “He loves Miss Earling as I do. And she loves him. No doubt that is what the attentive folks of Highmoor saw.”
    “And perhaps misinterpreted?” Henry put in.
    “Oh, yes!” the vicar said. “I daresay such would set their tongues to wagging.”
    She remained silent, keeping her expression even lest the vicar see her distress. To lie so to a man of the cloth! This surely compounded her sins.
    “Post the banns, Mr. Everett,” Edward said. “I am certain that will cease those tongues.”
    The vicar nodded vigorously, wished them all happiness, and took his leave. Cathy sank down on the settee,