When Tobias arrived at Foxly Manor, he was led to the drawing room where Henry, Lord Walcott sat in a white wingback chair, reading a book. Sixty, with a dome of silver hair and deep wrinkles around his eyes, the earl had a pleasant air about him. To see him without a smile was a rare sight, and he was always welcoming whenever he and Tobias met.
“Mr. Tobias Deverell,” the butler announced.
Lord Walcott closed his book and smiled. “Deverell, how good to see you. Deacon, have a tea tray brought up, please.” Once the butler was gone, he indicated the chair across from him. “Sit.”
“Thank you,” Tobias said as he sat in the matching chair.
“Each winter, I find it takes a stronger fire to keep me warm,” the earl said with a glance at the roaring fire in the grand fireplace. “Perhaps it’s just another way to confirm that I’m getting old.”
Tobias laughed. “You’re not alone. Father says the same every time winter sets in.”
The earl smiled. “I imagine he would, given that we’re nearly the same age.” He leaned back in his chair. “I know you didn’t request this meeting to discuss the weather or the malady of growing old, so why not get to what brings you here today?”
“I would like a bit of advice,” Tobias replied. “About Miss Amy Felton.”
Lord Walcott’s eyebrows lifted. “She is one of the students from the school, is she not? The one you’ve been calling on quite a bit over the past few months if rumors are to be believed. Are you courting yet?”
Tobias sighed again. “In a way, yes.”
“In a way?” Lord Walcott asked as the butler set a tea tray on the low table between them. “I’ll pour. Thank you, Deacon. You may go.” Once the butler had bowed his way out of the room, the earl continued. “Are you and Miss Felton having difficulties? Surely, you plan on asking for her hand soon?”
“I would like to do so, yes,” Tobias replied, accepting the teacup from the earl. “It’s just that we… we want different things.”
Lord Walcott took a sip of his tea. “You’ll have to be more specific, Deverell, if I’m to give you any advice worth taking.”
And so Tobias did. Reluctantly at first, but soon the words were flowing from his tongue like rain from a gutter. Until that moment, he had not realized how much of a burden this all had been. He explained Miss Felton’s desire to live in America, a stark contrast to his wish to remain in England.
“She does not seem to understand how important the Church is to me. If she did, she would put away the notion of moving to America once and for all.” He lifted a hand and sighed. “Did you know that a former schoolmate of hers has taken a position on a ship of all things?”
“Oh, yes. Miss Lockhart. Or rather Mrs. Bannermann. I’m very aware of her situation.”
Tobias frowned. “Don’t you think it an odd arrangement for a woman?” He did not give the earl a chance to reply. “But I’m not here to discuss such things.” Frustrated, he set his cup on its saucer and relaxed back into his seat. “I had hoped to make my intentions with Miss Felton known at dinner on Monday, when my parents are visiting from Dover. Now, however, I wonder if I should delay that announcement. I must be absolutely sure she is the one I’m meant to marry.”
“And her reason for wishing to move to America?”
Tobias sighed. “Two former students work at an orphanage. Miss Felton believes every child should have someone to care for them.” Lord Walcott raised a single brow. “Of course, I do as well. But you must understand, my work is more important in the grander scheme of life.”
Lord Walcott sat quietly studying him, his brows knitted in thought. Would he not respond? In the past, whenever Tobias approached the earl, he always responded with ready words of encouragement.
Doubt washed over Tobias. Had he come across as a bumbling fool?
“Do you care for her?” Lord Walcott finally asked.
Tobias nodded. “I do.”
“Do you love her?” the earl asked. “I know the question is very personal, but it must be asked.”
Clearing his throat, Tobias glanced over his shoulder as if expecting someone to be standing behind him. A man did not come right out and confess strong feelings for any woman.
“Men are not relegated to the gallows for such an admission, Deverell,” Lord Walcott chuckled.
Tobias sighed a third time. Lord Walcott must have thought him tiresome with all his sighing, but Tobias could not help himself. And the earl was waiting for an answer.
“Yes, I love her. Very much so.”
Lord Walcott crossed an ankle on the opposite knee and folded his hands in his lap. “As a clergyman—or rather one who will be soon enough, once you’ve finished your studies—you must have intimate knowledge of the Good Book, correct?”
“It’s the main source of study, yes,” Tobias replied, amused.
“And what of that special gift you received from Mr. Styles?”
Tobias could not help but beam with pride. He had shown Lord Walcott the beautiful, dark-brown, leather-bound Bible with its encouraging inscription just last month—a gift from the vicar of the local church. And Tobias’s mentor. “What of it?”
The earl smiled. “I believe the answer you seek is in that very book you study.”
Tobias frowned in thought. There was wisdom in the earl’s words. How could Tobias have been so blinded? The answer to all life’s questions can be found in that book. How silly he had not considered it before. How did one lead people to the truth when he did not understand it himself?
“Yes,” he said finally. “Yes, you’re right. Can you…” How embarrassing that a seminary student was asking for guidance from a layman. “Can you direct me to a chapter and verse to study?”
Lord Walcott’s laugh was kind as he rose from his chair. “I’m afraid you must find it for yourself, my friend.”
Although he was a bit disappointed, Tobias also stood and shook the earl’s hand. “Thank you for the advice, Walcott. I’ll begin searching the moment I return home.” A twinge of sadness tickled the back of his mind. “Well, after I meet with Mrs. Hartzel, of course. I promised to speak to her today.”
The earl sighed. “She has suffered much since her husband died. I imagine your compassion and guidance have been a guiding light in her otherwise dark world.”
Lord Walcott walked Tobias to the door. Once in his carriage, Tobias considered all the earl had told him. Tonight, he would study and find the answers he needed.
The thought of being separated from Miss Felton made him feel ill. Suddenly he imagined a life where she was not in it. How miserable he would be. Yet, he needed an answer on how to proceed for both of them. Surely, the Good Book would provide it. He could not even fathom what he would do if he found nothing in the one place that promised him encouragement and consolation.