Cassandra smiled a little. It was so like him to say something sweet. She glanced at him, feeling a little better.
“So,” Tate said slowly, “do I give you time with this, or do I push the point?”
Cassandra frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, are you going to work at believing me in the very near future, or do I need to show you how much I like your freckles right now?”
Cassandra bit her lip, a little uncertain. Tate watched her, reminding himself how gentle he needed to be.
“Why don’t I scratch your back,” Tate suggested.
“You don’t mind?”
“Not at all.”
Cassandra smiled at him and then rolled over so he could reach her. With a smile of his own, Tate began a gentle motion with his neatly-trimmed nails. They had been down this road before. He knew it was only a matter of time before she realized that doors and darkness were not needed: He loved every freckle she possessed.
Chapter Eighteen
From a window in his bedroom, Pastor Hurst saw the threesome alight from the carriage and walk into the church. He thought someone might have left a jacket or Bible on Sunday, but several minutes passed and no one emerged. He was done for the day and wanted to be home, but he knew that the Walkers were away, which meant that Mrs Bettencourt was on her own.
“Frederick,” Judith said as she entered the room, finding his back to her. She was ready with a question but waited.
Finally he turned. “Can you make time to go over to the church?”
“Certainly.”
“Right now?” he pressed.
“Yes.”
With a word to the ever-faithful Phoebe, the two left the house and headed across the yard. Pastor held the door for his wife, who slipped in ahead of him and sat down in a rear pew. She watched as he approached the small family down front.
Niki Bettencourt sat with a son on either side of her, a few tears on her face. She heard Pastor Hurst coming and turned to him.
“Can I help you, Mrs Bettencourt? Or my wife perhaps? She’s with me.”
“I can’t explain it,” she said softly. “I was hoping if I came here I would somehow have the words, but it hasn’t helped.” Niki sniffed. “Chris asked me about Jesus Christ, and I tried to tell him how I had believed, but I’ve only confused him.”
Frederick sat near the huddled family.
“Which one of you is Chris?”
“I’m Chris,” he volunteered. “Mama never cries. I didn’t mean to make Mama cry.”
“You’re a very kind boy, Chris,” Frederick said, seeing some of his own son, John, in that small, sweet face. “I’m sure she appreciates that.”
Richard looked from the pastor to his mother, his own face pale with confusion. His brother had asked a few questions, and the next thing he knew they were headed to church on a Tuesday!
“Since your mother is crying right now, Chris, do you think maybe I can answer your questions?”
“I don’t know.”
“Would you like me to try?”
“Sure.” The little boy was amiable but said nothing else. Frederick fought laughter and found that Niki was smiling a little too.
“Chris,” she prompted gently, turning a little to see him. “Ask Pastor Hurst the question you asked me.”
The little boy looked up at her, his face hesitant until Niki nodded in encouragement.
“All right,” Chris said quietly, now turning to the pastor. “Why did Jesus have to die to save people? If He’s God, why couldn’t He save people and stay alive?”
“What a very good question, Chris,” Frederick praised him. “And I’m glad you asked it. You see, the Bible says that sin has to be paid for. Do you know what I mean by that?”
“No.”
“It means that someone must pay a price. If I were to steal something and go to jail, then I would be paying a price for my crime, wouldn’t I? The Bible tells us that all sin is against God and that sin must be paid for in blood. That might sound confusing, but I’ll tell you what I mean. A very long time ago, before God sent His Son, people who believed in Him would sacrifice a lamb or a goat, and by shedding the blood of that animal they would show God that they were sorry for their sins.
“But then God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for the sins of all men, and when Jesus shed His blood, He paid the price for all the sins of all people. If Jesus had stayed alive, then His blood would not have been shed, and our sins would not have been paid for.”
Both Frederick and Niki watched Christopher nod, his little face intent.
“But there’s more to it than that, Chris, and I think that’s what your mother has been trying to tell you. You see, just because God offers us forgiveness for our sins, that doesn’t mean everyone believes. Your mother has chosen to believe, and you could believe too.”
“I’m only five,” Christopher felt a need to tell him.
“I’m glad you told me, Chris, but I have something to tell you. I believed in the Lord Jesus Christ to save my sins when I was five years old.”
Christopher’s eyes got a little big with this announcement, and he turned to his mother. Niki nodded, a gentle smile on her lips.
“Aunt Mary said it’s about agreeing with God, Chris,” his mother said gently, “and believing Him. And salvation is for anyone who will do that.”
“I’ll do that,” Richard said suddenly, surprising his mother and brother; Niki had nearly forgotten he was there.
“Do what, Rich?” His mother had to be sure he understood.
“I’ll believe in God to forgive my sins.” He suddenly looked hesitant, his voice growing very soft. “I sin when I bite Chris.”
Niki put an arm around him, kissed the top of his soft head, and tried not to sob her eyes out.
“Shall I tell you what I did, Rich?”
He nodded against her.
“I told God that I needed His salvation. I prayed and thanked Him for sending His Son to die for me. I asked Him to save me from my sins, and He did.”
“How do you know, Mama?” Chris asked this question.
“I know because God’s Word promises that all who believe will be saved, but I also know because I was different inside. I never felt alone anymore, but more than that, I wanted to know more about God. It took me awhile to ask questions about His Word and get answers, but I wanted more of God.”
“Do you feel saved every day, Mrs Bettencourt?” Pastor asked.
“No.”
“And what do you do on those days?”
“I remember Scripture and God’s promises to me. I let His Word remind me of the gift I’ve been given.”
Pastor Hurst smiled at her, his heart pleased that she understood the way emotions could deceive.
“I can’t read,” Richard said quietly, bringing the adults’ eyes back to him.
“But you can still believe,” Niki said, feeling sure of herself and her words now. “You can pray and ask God to save you, and He will.”
“Can I pray right now?”
“Yes. Do you want some help?”
The little boy surprised them by shaking his head no. They watched as he closed his eyes. Some time passed before he opened them, and Frederick spoke.
“Do you mind if I ask you a question, Richard?”
“No.”
“What did you say to God?”
“I said that I’m sorry about biting Chris and sinning. I said I want to know Jesus like Mama does.”
“And did you mean it with all of your heart, Richard?”
“Yes.”
“I’m glad to hear that. A wonderful life awaits you, Richard. Not an easy life, but one where you know that God loves you and will never leave you.”
The little boy smiled at him, and Frederick turned to the other little boy.
“What do you think, Christopher?”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure.”
Frederick nodded calmly. “I think you are w
ise to wait until you are sure, Christopher. Accepting salvation from God is a big step because God takes it very seriously, which means that we must take it seriously too.”
“Did I take it seriously?” Richard asked.
“Well, Richard, time will tell. You won’t do everything right the first time, but when our hearts have been changed, we live differently. Can I tell you something my father told me?”
The little boy nodded.
“When I was young, he took his gold pocket watch out and handed it to me. He asked me this question: Would you take good care of this if it was yours? I answered that I would. I thought he was going to give it to me, but he put it back into his pocket. He said that the gift of salvation from God was more valuable than anything in the universe. And even greater care than I would give a gold watch needed to be given to my salvation. I must never take it for granted or forget what God had given me. If you work hard to remember that in the days and months and even years to come, you’ll know that you’ve taken it seriously, and God will richly bless you.”
“Thank you,” Niki said, still feeling very emotional but not crying.
“You’re very welcome. I’m glad I could help.”
“I think we’ll go home now,” Niki said to her sons. “I find myself a bit weary.”
Niki rose to leave. Judith was still in the back, and Niki smiled when she saw her.
“I forgot that Pastor said you were here,” she apologized.
“That’s all right. Tell me, Mrs Bettencourt, can you join us for supper this evening? We would so love to have the three of you.”
“Please call me Niki, and, yes, I believe we are quite free. What time would you like us?”
“Will six o’clock work?”
“Certainly, and thank you again.”
“The pleasure is all ours.”
Niki wasn’t certain that she could feel her feet on the ground as she and the boys exited the building. Pastor and Judith waved them off and then stood just inside the church doors and looked at each other. Judith couldn’t find any words. She simply wrapped her arms around her husband and held him tight.
Thornton Hall
“Jennings,” his wife called when she heard the door. “Is that you?”
“Yes.”
Marianne came around the corner and met her husband in the middle of the room, where they shared a kissed.
“Are you just back, or did I miss your arrival?”
“I’m just back.”
“You were gone a long time. Did you speak with Niki? Were she and the boys there?”
“They weren’t at Blackburn, but Bertram told me they’d gone to the church. I went there, and they were just coming out.”
“Of the church?”
“Yes.” Jennings smiled. “It seems that the boys were asking some questions about Niki’s faith, and she took them to the church to talk to them. She told me that Richard trusted in Christ.”
Marianne’s pretty mouth swung open.
“That’s marvelous!”
“Yes, it is. I wish you could have seen Niki’s face. She was glowing.”
“What of Christopher? Was he there?”
“Yes, and although he looked happy for his brother, he didn’t say anything.”
“I want to hear the whole story!” Marianne said suddenly. “I think I’ll send word and have them to dinner.”
“Not tonight. They’re going to the manse.”
Marianne smiled. “You already invited them.”
Jennings smiled in return and admitted, “I wanted to hear the whole story too.”
When their children came looking for Jennings a short time later—they wanted him to go riding—Marianne was still chuckling.
Blackburn Manor
Please help me to trust You, Niki prayed when she woke in the night with another bad dream. You’ve saved Richard, Lord, and You’ve saved me. I know You love us—I can think the words in my mind—but my heart still pounds with fear.
Niki forced herself not to go to her sons. She knew it had just been a dream. Denley and the other servants were aware of what was going on in the house. If there was an intruder, they would hear.
Continuing to pray and asking God to change her and work in her heart, Niki remained in bed until she fell back to sleep. The boys woke her in the morning when they climbed onto the bed; she had slept in a little. Niki’s pleasure at seeing them was heightened because she’d done the hard work of trusting in the night.
Collingbourne
Edmond Ellenborough stepped down from the carriage, his eyes taking in every detail with very little effort. He planned his arrival for a weekday, hoping the town would be busy. His hunch was correct. On this Wednesday morning the streets were teeming with people, horses, and carriages. Ellenborough, looking for all the world like a man without purpose, turned toward The Owl, intent on finding a room. His mission would be a little tricky if none were to be had, but that wouldn’t stop him. Nothing ever did.
With barely a glance to one side or the other, Ellenborough moved on his way, thinking this might be one of the easiest trips he’d ever made. Even if nothing turned up concerning Nicola Bettencourt, an old friend lived nearby. The last time he and Henry Steele had talked, he’d invited Ellenborough to visit, should he ever be in the area. Never a man to enjoy much leisure, the relentless agent planned to make an exception in this case.
Pembroke
“Well, now,” Edward said softly when he and Niki had their first moment alone in the evening. “This is a nice surprise.”
Niki’s eyes turned teasing.
“Yes, it is. I didn’t know that the Tates would be serving beef. I love beef.”
With all he could do not to take her in his arms, Edward laughed. It didn’t release the tension of wanting to touch her, but it let him hear her laugh, and for the moment that was enough.
“Edward.” Christopher was suddenly at his side. “Did you see my rock?”
“I don’t think I did. Do you have it with you?”
“Mama made me leave it in the carriage.” He sounded disgruntled.
“Does it not fit in your pocket?”
“It does.”
Edward raised amused eyes to Niki and found hers trying to be stern. He knew he could get himself in trouble if he didn’t step carefully here.
“Well, maybe you can show it to me later,” Edward suggested.
“All right,” the little boy agreed, clearly not thrilled with this idea.
“Remember what we talked about, Chris—about what’s important and what’s not?” his mother reminded him.
Christopher nodded and moved on his way.
“I need to thank you,” Niki said suddenly.
“For what?”
“For not mentioning Rich’s salvation in front of Chris. We were at the manse on Tuesday night and at Thornton Hall last night. Naturally everyone is excited, but I think he needs more time. And if Rich continues to draw as much attention as he has already, I’m afraid that Chris will try to make a commitment before he’s ready.”
“Well, I did speak to Rich, but I kept it private.”
“I’m glad. Chris was the one who had the original questions. I know he’s thinking about it, but I don’t want to rush him.”
“He’s too bright not to catch on, Niki. We’ll all keep praying for him. He’ll come.”
Niki looked up into Edward’s confident eyes. He was the kindest man she’d ever known, and her feelings for him grew stronger every day. Niki kept looking—their height difference was only a few inches—so this wasn’t hard to do. Looking away was the hard part. Edward’s kiss from the week before came rushing back to her, and Niki wanted nothing more than to be alone with this man.
“I want you to know,” Edward said, suddenly breaking into her thoughts. They weren’t going to be alone for long, so he kept his voice low. “That those kisses were not without feeling.”
“I didn’t think they were.”
“Then we need
to talk very soon.”
Niki nodded her agreement just before Tate and Cassandra approached.
“We’ve been talking to your sons,” Tate informed Niki, a huge smile on his face. “Something about a runaway pony and some mud.”
Niki’s fingers came to her lips as she fought laughter. It had been on her mind to tell the boys not to mention that episode, but she’d never gotten around to it.
“Do tell,” Edward said, his voice full of teasing.
“I don’t have to tell,” Niki informed the three of them. “A contrary pony and a mud puddle. Your imagination will do the rest.”
“Was anyone hurt?” Cassandra asked.
“A few bruises,” Niki said quietly and suddenly found Edward’s gaze intent.
The Tates did not miss his attention.
“We have a game we told the boys about,” Tate said smoothly. “We’ll go and start it with them. Join us whenever you’d like.”
“Thank you,” Niki said, not looking at Edward as their hosts walked toward the boys, who were looking at books on the drawing room floor.
“Are you all right?” Edward asked almost immediately.
“Yes,” Niki said, but her eyes did not come up and her collarbone began to grow pink.
“What happened?”
“Never mind.”
“I don’t want to never mind. I want to love and take care of you.”
Niki could hardly breathe. He’d said the word that she’d tried not to think or ever hope to hear. She glanced at him, meeting his eyes and finding them full of purpose and caring, but still managed to look away.
“Let’s just say I sat down rather hard.”
“Oh, Niki.” Edward’s voice was full of compassion.
“It’s all right,” she said, touching his arm for just a moment before joining Tate, Cassandra, and the boys.
Edward came directly after her, frustration filling him even as he thought, If she were my wife I could have intimate thoughts about her. I could know where she was hurting and take care of her.
Edward quickly found that such thoughts accomplished little. They only added to his frustration because he and Niki weren’t married. Praying for calm and patience, he joined the game that was in progress, trying to put the entire conversation out of his head.