Harlequin Historical March 2019--Box Set 2 of 2 by Julia Justiss

Author:Julia Justiss
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Sunday church was as good a time as any for building their future and perhaps a better choice than most, Pavia reflected as they took their seats in the pew at the village church amid not-so-covert stares of interest. Or, maybe, Sunday was more ominous. The irony was not lost on Pavia. She and Cam were beginning the work of integrating themselves into the community of Little Trull on the day of rest. She hoped it was not an ill portent. She slid a secret glance at Cam and squeezed his hand in solidarity.

They sat seven rows back from the pulpit, trying not to be overly conspicuous, while the Vicar preached on the importance of loving thy neighbour. Of course, in a small, tightly knit community, any newcomer was bound to stand out as a matter of fact. When those newcomers were young newlyweds, one of whom had once hailed from these parts as a child visitor, the usual amount of interest permitted over a stranger escalated to a fevered pitch. Pavia thought the Vicar did an admirable job of keeping his congregation’s attention focused where it should be—on the pulpit. If his sermon was slightly shorter than normal, it was a wise shepherd who knew the patient limits of his flock.

‘Therefore, Children, as the world grows larger it also grows smaller, with distances spanned in remarkable speed,’ the Vicar concluded. ‘The words of St Matthew’s Gospel remain more important than ever. “Love thy neighbour”.’

A fortuitous message for today, Pavia thought. The man couldn’t have known they’d be there. They hadn’t even known they’d be there until yesterday’s decision, made over ham sandwiches at the fairy falls.

The service was nearly over. She wouldn’t have minded a longer sermon today. Now only the benediction stood between them and the satisfaction of congregational curiosity. Cam gave her a private smile. He looked handsome today in his Hussar’s uniform of dark blue wool and gold braid, his hair brushed back in thick, shiny waves. She knew Cam was as anxious as she. She’d awakened in the night to find him pacing by the window. She’d wanted to go to him, but she’d sensed his distress and opted to leave him alone, still clinging to her earlier hope that men like her husband would ask for help when they needed it.

They rose with the others and shuffled into the aisle, queuing to greet the Vicar at the door. She was conscious of Cam’s hand at her back, ushering her before him, his touch giving her extra confidence, a reminder that she was not alone. They were together in this. Whatever anyone said or thought of the other, they said or thought of them both. She could get used to that—the unwavering, unshakeable strength of such a person beside her. She knew how potent such a characteristic was. It was not the first time he’d displayed it. She’d had a taste of it the day he’d come for her at her father’s. Today, the hand at her back said, to her and to others, ‘you are mine’, ‘she is mine’.

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