“The Taxmans offered their highly useful services via the telephone before Teddy and I left the vicarage,” Lilian Bunting pointed out, with a reproving glance at Sally. “I’m sure we’re all very grateful to them.”
“I’m sure we’re all very tired and somewhat overwrought,” the vicar observed mildly. “It’s been a difficult evening. Shall we continue on to our cars? I’ve no doubt that a good night’s sleep will settle our nerves and prepare us for the tasks that lie ahead.”
“Ever the voice of reason,” said Lilian, smiling at her husband. “You’re quite right, Teddy. We’ve accomplished all we can in a few short hours. It’s time for us to leave Ruth and Louise in peace.”
I exchanged good nights with the villagers as they left the garden, but as Lilian passed, I touched her sleeve.
“Don’t forget to add my name to the rota,” I said.
“I’ve already done so,” she said, tapping a fountain pen against the notebook. “I’ll let you know when you and your feather duster will be needed.”
I waved good-bye to my neighbors as they drove back to Finch, then turned to face the solitary figure standing in the doorway.
Kit Smith smiled wearily at me. He was dressed in faded blue jeans, a dark-blue pullover that seemed to be sprouting bits of hay, and a pair of thick woolen socks. His patched and mud-stained Wellington boots sat beside Nell’s on a rubber mat just inside the doorway.
“Lori,” he said. “Come in.”
I followed him into the foyer. He left me there to hang my coat on the Pyms’ coat tree and add my shoes to those on the rubber mat while he circumnavigated the ground floor, turning off lamps as he went. When he returned to the foyer, I peered up at him worriedly. His violet eyes were so breathtakingly beautiful that, if I hadn’t known him so well, I might not have noticed how tired they were.
“You poor thing,” I said, standing on tiptoe to give him a hug. “You look as though you’ve been through the wringer.”
“It’s been quite a day,” he acknowledged, returning my hug warmly.
“I’m sorry about the wedding,” I said, stepping back from him.
Kit shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. The wedding will happen when it happens.”
“I know, but all the same . . .” I rubbed his arm sympathetically. “Where’s Nell? ”
“Upstairs, with Ruth and Louise,” he replied. “She’s moved into one of the extra bedrooms. She wants to be on hand to nurse them round the clock.”
“Shouldn’t they have a professional nurse? ” I asked.
“They want Nell,” he answered.
“Who wouldn’t?” I said with a wry smile.
“I’ve spent the evening fielding visitors,” Kit informed me.
“I noticed,” I said “Word does travel fast in Finch.”
“That it does,” he agreed. “The freezer’s already filled with the casseroles and soups people have dropped off, not to mention Horace Malvern’s cheeses. The rest of the offerings are in here.” He led the way into the dining room and began naming the items that littered the long walnut table. “Devotional books from the vicar, chrysanthemums from George Wetherhead, hand-knitted shawls from Sally Pyne, fresh eggs from Mrs. Sciaparelli, honey from Burt Hodge’s hives, a packet of Miranda Morrow’s herbal remedies, six bottles of Dick Peacock’s homemade wine, and a pile of mystery novels from Grant Tavistock and Charles Bellingham.”
“I suggest that you pour Dick’s wine down the sink,” I said. “I’m sure he means well, but—”
“It’s not for the faint of heart,” Kit put in.
“Or the weak of stomach,” I added. I surveyed the villagers’ gifts in silence, then said, “It looks as though people are anticipating a prolonged siege. Are they being optimistic?”
“Maybe. Maybe not.” Kit ran a hand through his short, prematurely gray hair. “Dr. Finisterre says that his patients have proved him wrong too often for him make predictions.”
“I didn’t see the doctor’s car out front,” I said. “Is he still here?”
“No,” said Kit. “He showed Nell what to do, then went home. He’ll stop by again in the morning.” Kit cocked his head toward the hallway. “You’d better go up.”
“I’ve never been upstairs before,” I confessed. “Which bedroom is theirs? ”
“Turn left at the top of the stairs,” said Kit. “Their bedroom is the first one on the left.”
“Thanks.” I started to leave the dining room, hesitated? and turned back. “Did they really ask for me, Kit?”
“Several times,” he replied. “I don’t know what’s on their minds, but it definitely involves you.”
“Maybe it’s something to do with the twins,” I said, frowning puzzledly.
“There’s one way to find out,” said Kit with a meaningful look.
“I’m going,” I said, and left him gazing at the gifts on the dining room table.
Kit’s directions were unnecessary, as it turned out, because Nell was waiting for me at the top of the stairs.