Cqegypt does not own Father Brown
well ello love… what brings you 'ere out by yerself? Cmon, I won't hurt ya… let's get ya home…
In the dawn early morning 21, July 1954 an ambulance raced to St Mary's general hospital,
Nurse Fanny Derston rushing through the halls to the nurse's lounge. Her best friend and colleague had been on call all night and had just been dismissed an hour ago for rest before her morning rounds, when an urgent call came over the wireless.
"Lissie, Lissie wake up dear quickly…"
"Mmm?"
"Lissie, its Nathan, dearest"
"Nathan? wha-?" *yawn*
"Get up quickly, Felicity! Nathan has had a terrible accident!"
Felicity shot up at the words "Nathan" and "accident"
"What?! What happened? When?!"
"I'm not sure, I was ordered by Dr. Sherwin to come and fetch you…"
"Francis, look at me! What accident? What happened? Is Nathan alive? is he alright? tell me!"
Felicity had grasped her best friend by the shoulders then and looked her straight in the eye.
Fanny nodded.
"He's alive, but I'm afraid hes been very badly injured"
"Injured how, Fanny?!" Felicity growled.
Fanny gulped. She knew Felicity was just worried about Nathan's safety. He was much like a child in some ways...
"They say he was chasing a dog that ran off with his hat, and he was hit with an oncoming car…"
Felicity practically sprinted to the nurse's station ward where Nathan was being held.
Lord let him be alive so he can feel the pain when l strangle him myself!!!
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He didn't remember much about the accident; indeed, it was like a fleeting memory that happened to someone else not him.
He didn't remember the dog, or it having his hat, or even him chasing to get the hat back.
He didn't recall the car, the car honking, or even the impact itself.
All he could recall was darkness, and then blinding light, and a furious Felicia glaring at him much as she had the day he proposed.
She look like she wanted to beat him up again.
He hoped not - he was stiff enough already; he couldn't feel it, not yet at least...
If she had her way he would feel it indefinitely strand by strand, fiber by fiber, without any medication for pain relief until it healed thoroughly-as a reminder and a lesson to leave his hat be or replace it - not to run after stray dogs or into traffic when that dog had his hat.
He drifted off to sleep, hoping beyond hope to delay his relations with Lady Felicia for as long as possible.
He wondered how long that would be…
BT-BT-BT-BT-BT-BT
The first emotion Tolbot felt when hearing that Father Nathan Brown was in hospital, was elation. Finally! That nincompoop was out of his hair! Not for good, but incapacitated would do for now…
Now to find a replacement… he believed he'd found just the candidate.
Young Father James Paul Roland: an upstanding eager to please, follows orders type fellow that wouldn't give in- to… sins of the flesh…
And now that Brown was out of the way, perhaps he'd try his hand at Lady Felicia… Lord Montegue wouldn't mind, surely...
Tolbot grinned looking out the window… it was only a matter of time…
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Nathan Alexander Brown and Father James Paul Roland had gotten off to bad start as soon as the former priest met the striking young man.
'Father Roland' may have been a kiss arse to Bishop Tolbot, but Nathan knew there was more to the young man than met the eye.
The younger priest was handsome, engaging, with a modesty that Father Brown recognized in himself at James' age.
"How old are you?" Nathan asked. James looked incensed. "I am 30 Father, but I don't see what this has to do with..."
Nathan scrutinized the young priest.
About the same age I was when I met Felicity he thought with a smile.
"Mornin' Father" Sid called.
Nathan greeted his young friend, and then turned to the window first to see the goings on, (hoping to catch a glance of Felicia) as well as to drown out the whitenoise of Bishop Talbot's lackey listing any and everything that was wrong with his parish.
"My parishioners give what they can." He murmured, glancing out the window.
Where was Felicia? He had been lonely for her company ever since he had gotten out of the hospital with a broken leg.
His bicycle had met the business end of a moving van while in pursuit of his latest criminal, a rouge dog making off with his hat.
Now Mother Goose wouldn't let him solve any cases or have any fun 'until that leg is mended,' she'd huffed.
Unfortunately, he also felt abandoned by Felicia, who had also tried to reason with him. They needed self control now and after his leg was mended.
This left Nathan feeling rather lonely, and perhaps a bit more cross than normal.
As James Paul Rolland droned on about his lack of record keeping and other monotonous duties, Father Brown tried to think. Where was the cause of Roland's abnormal aggression?
He apparently jumped up in fright when the film had been switched, he'd also nearly taken off his head when the chauffeur made an off hand remark about him attracting a lady.
Could it be...?
Nathan smiled, deciding to do some snooping for the next few days...
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"I think we can rule out natural causes." Nathan began, ridding his mind of a certain fantasy... Why had he dared to watch that film??!!
"So, Mrs M, what can you tell us about the dead woman?"
Mrs. McCarthy puffed like a pigeon with her own importance.
Felicia rolled her eyes.
"Judith was a troublemaker and no mistake, a woman who took great delight in spreading malicious gossip."
Nathan smirked as Felicia muttered under her breath.
"And he who is without sin"
Ignoring the Countess, Mrs. McCarthy continued.
"And Vera Thimble wasn't the only one she fell out with today. Mrs Fortescue caught Judith pointing the finger at her Jeffrey over last night's cinematic catastrophe." Mrs. McCarthy gave a final nod to her story.
"Tore a strip off her in front of half the WI."
Intending to prove to Felicity that he had meant what he said about not returning Mrs. McCarthy's attentions, he decided to butter the old woman up a bit.
"Did she, now?" He asked, astonishment lacing his features and voice.
Felicity noticed this and raised an eyebrow. "Mm, somebody's got their mojo back."
He winced, knowing she caught him at the game.
"Yes, well, I'm no used to anyone stuck in this chair." He grumped.
"Oh, fiddlesticks. Your brain's in one piece. Maxime ex eo" she muttered under her breath.
Nathan looked hurt. Mrs. McCarthy looked confused.
"And if you need any legwork doing, consider me at your disposal." She gave him a teasing smile.
He was tempted to roll her away with him and teach her some manners about her language, when his thoughts were rudely interrupted…
"You?!" Mrs. McCarthy scoffed rudely.
Felicity squinted at her. "Why not me?" I am engaged to him after all…
Though it was beyond appropriate for ladies of her age, Mrs. McCarthy replied rather catily:
"Well, I've always put you down as decorative rather than useful."
Oooh! If I weren't a saved woman I'd show you your own dark soul!
Peace, Little Daughter, Peace be with Thee
Felicity ignored Him, her pride injured.
She turned to her lover.
"Decorative?! Tell me, Father. Am I "decorative"?"
Nathan had been about to make a remark about rosaries, but stopped himself. He tried to catch Felicia's eye even as Mrs. McCarthy drawled on, the dreadful woman.
"I think it's up to Father Brown to decide which of us is the more useful."
That had done it... In a fit of childish pride, Felicity raced to the bin, Nathan grinning as he watched her through the telescope.
Mrs. McCarthy caught up with her, and for all her bluster, she refused to put her arm into the waste.
Score one for Lissie, Nathan thought, pride swelling in his chest as she proudly produced the discarded letter.
Nathan, You and Felicity need to work on loving Bridgette with Me. Not boasting in each other.
Nathan winced as he felt the familiar squeeze and drum of his stomach.
"A Kembleford postmark." Felicia murmured when they returned to the parish quarters.
"Why waste a stamp?" Bridgette wondered aloud. Felicia shrugged and decided they'd take it up to Nathan.
"Proverbs chapter 19, verse 9. "A false witness shall not be unpunished, "and he that speaketh lies shall perish. "
Mrs. McCarthy pursed her lips expectantly.
"Judith Bunyon spread malicious gossip aplenty."Ignoring the secretary, Felicia turned to Nathan.
"And the numbers? A code of some sort?"
Nathan relished in Felicia's light lemon scent as she leaned over his shoulder, touching his right shoulder.
"It's a puzzle. a threat, judging by her reaction when she read it."
Felicia looked at him thoughtfully. She wanted to run her fingers through his hair...
"So what do we do now?" She asked.
Nathan was deep in thought for a moment. It was about three minutes before he spoke.
"First things first, someone should takeit to the police."
Both women glared at each other. "I will."
Nathan nodded to himself as he'd made his decision."Mrs. McCarthy, thank you."
Mrs. McCarthy sneered at Felicia and sauntered out of the room.
Fully riled, Felicia world around to Nathan glaring at him.
"And just what was that all about?
Nathan grinned wolfishly at her, releasing the brakes of the halted wheelchair.
"Can't have Mummy dearest around to prove my point."
"What point...Oh!"
He tripped her and she landed in his lap.
"That you my dear, are so much more than 'decorative'" he touched his nose with hers, rubbing affectionately.
She smirked, running glove covered fingers in his hair.
"Hmm, go on." He grinned like a hyena. Why, it would be his pleasure to take off those gloves...
"Oh, trust me, darling. I intend to. Though I don't intend we should be as vigorous or as blasé as those two were in the film..." he winked.
Felicity gasped. "Nathan Alexander Brown! Do you mean to say that you...?"
He nodded, suddenly shifting lower in his wheelchair.
Felicity blushed as she realized why he suddenly moved.
"We're not going to do anything... compromising... are we?" She squeaked.
He shook his head.
"Oh, no love. I'm just going to nibble a bit..."
"Here-" at her ear, taking off her hat.
"Here-" at her neck, after she took off her gloves, her mink discarded on the bed...
"Can you guess where else?" He asked, eyes now a sea blue, his pupils dilated. Breathlessly, the Countess shook her head.
"Let me show you, Lissie" he hissed claiming her lips in his own. He kissed her as softly and gently as he had the first time they had kissed, about a year ago.
She kissed him back, fiercely, running her fingers in his hair...
They continued kissing for about fifteen minutes, blissfully unaware of the world, until they both heard a low whistle.
" Oh!" Felicia gasped.
" Shit!" Father Brown cursed, Sid grinning at them like the cat that caught the canary.
"So," Sid smirked "how long has this been going on?"
Felicia sighed, realizing she and Nathan were in a bit of a pickle.
She kissed Nathan's hair near his forehead as he squeezed her waist.
"Twenty years or more" she smiled. Nathan looked her in the eye.
"And does Lord M know about this?" Sid wondered.
Nathan gritted his teeth.
"Xander James Montague has been..." The Countess started.
"Away" cut in the priest. Felicia looked at him. He shook his head.
"What about...?" Sid started, until the parish door opened
"Cooo eee!"
Sid rolled his eyes then raised an eyebrow at how fast Lady F got up; the Father looking casual as if nothing ever happened.
Hmm... He'd ask later. If the two did have something going on, best they didn't allow Madame Gabby in on it...
"Father. You'll never guess what I found at the police station..."
Nathan and Felicity looked at each other. This should be interesting.
"Mrs. Bunion was murdered."
Nathan eyed the secretary, noticing she was flushed and looked over the moon about something.
"That very good information. But it isn't enough." Father Brown said.
Bridget McCarthy deflated instantly. "What do you mean, 'it's not enough'?"
Nathan looked at her pointedly. "Just as I said, we need more proof than that."
Gone was the seemingly lovestruck look she had in her eye as she frowned at him disapprovingly
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means," Nathan smiled "that Lady Felicia will be going with you this time, and you're both to work together."
Both women started to speak at the same time, but Nathan raised an eyebrow as well as his hand.
"I want absolutely no argument and no ridicule." He glared at Mrs. McCarthy. "Is that understood?"
Both nodded, muttering 'yes, Father ' under their breath.
The two ladies left. Mrs. McCarthy pouting at the priest ignoring her yet again! She did care for him, so...
But there were times that he looked at her like a fly in his soup! Did her years of service and friendship mean nothing?
"So, what else did Constable Pugh say?" Felicia asked, curiously.
Mrs. McCarthy glared at the Countess. The so called 'Father's favorite', at least in her mind.
What did Father Brown see in her, anyway?
She'd seen the way Felicia had outright kissed the priest on the cheek at the nest egg hunt... the kiss was near his ear, more like.
Twas unnatural, plain unnatural. Mrs.
McCarthy thought about keeping her findings to herself, but Little Miss Perfect would just go wailin' to the Father...
" I know you think of me, Mrs. M," Felicia said suddenly, " and frankly, I don't give a damn, but if you want to help Nathan get up out of that wheelchair, you'll..."
Mrs. McCarthy gaped in shock, raising her eyebrows as if she had been right all along about Felicia and her motives.
"Oh, so it's Nathan, now is it? Listen here, "Your Ladyship!" You may take pleasure from turning heads and soiling beds, but you won't drag Father Brown into the ninth circle with you, you blasphemous, adulterous whore!"
Felicia wasn't sure which hurt more- the sting of her tears, or Bridgette McCarthy's words.
She knew they weren't true, and yet, she'd reacted... badly. Thus the sting of her hand itched upon Mrs. McCarthy's cheek.
"Oh!" Bridget McCarthy held her cheek, just as Violet had done.
Felicia felt somewhat vindicated at the look in Mrs. McCarthy's eyes.
"Mark my words. Father Brown will hear of this. You misbegotten little..."
"Mrs. McCarthy, you can cease your histrionics. We've arrived" Felicia allowed herself a smug smile as Mrs. McCarthy attempted to save face.
I'll get you for that! Mrs. McCarthy glowered at Felicia.
Speaking pleasantly to Gladys Clam, Felicity felt giddy with the information they discovered.
"...Then we paid a visit to the Post Office, where we managed to identify the writing paper by its watermark. Mrs Clam had only got in half a dozen and was obliging enough to remember who had purchased them. Three of those were at the WI fair. Vera Thimble, Dinah Fortescue and Mrs McCarthy."
For a brief moment, Felicity felt a dark sense of pride at the frightened look on the old woman's face.
"For the parish office!" She cried insistent.
Of course you're right… Felicity thought viciously.
Daughter…
Felicia ignored Him again, especially since she was angry with Bridgette about earlier.
Please, Dearest one, I know what thy sister said was hurtful, but do not allow thine pride to get in the way of a worthwhile relationship… Thou must respect thine elders…
Felicity tried to listen, but she still felt cross…
"Well, you might as well say Father Brown wrote that letter." Bridgette sighed.
Nathan rolled his eyes.
"Or Father Roland" Sid put in.
"Now you really are being ridiculous."
After Sids supposition, Nathan nodded in agreement.
"I think we need to find out what was in Miss Thimble's letter."
Felicity looked at him confused.
"How on earth do we do that?"
He winced. "I think we should ask her."
Bridgette and and Felicity looked at each other
oh no
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Driving back to Montague mansion, Sid noticed that the Countess wasn't her normal, bubbly, chatty self.
It usually took her at least ten minutes to take a breath, listing all the gossip she'd heard in town from friends...
Today, however, she was abnormally quiet, and Sid would have sworn he saw her Ladyship crying!
Lady Felicia never cried! Usually...
"Something wrong, Lady F?"
Sid seemed to have caught her attention, because she sniffed and wiped her eyes with a hanky in her handbag.
"No, Sid. I'm fine, you can keep going."
Something didn't sit well with the young driver and it wasn't due to the fact she'd been caught kissing the priest.
Heeding his better judgment, Sid stopped the car on the side of the road. Lady Felicia, confused, tried the door- which was locked.
"Sid, what on Earth are you doing? Start the car this instant!"
Sid smiled, shaking his head. Nope. Sorry, your Ladyship. No can do."
Felicia tried the door again.
"Then let me out! I'll walk!"
Sid gave her a look. "It's a long walk back to the presbytery," he winked.
Felicia flushed. "How dare you, let me out!"
Sid shrugged up. "Nope. But here's something you can do."
Felicia looked at him confused. "What do you mean? Are we out of petrol?"
Sid shook his head.
"No, but Mrs. McCarthy is out of her bloody mind for making you cry this way."
Felicia froze "I-it was nothing."
Sid scoffed. "Come on your Ladyship. I may be an idiot sometimes, but I'm not stupid. I heard as well as you did with Father Brown said to her and that was to be given you no more sass."
Sid turned around fully. Felicia's eyes welled. And the floodgates internally opened. When she was done, Sid's expression was unreadable.
He nodded, turned, started the car and continued home.
He would have a few choice words with the parish secretary himself before speaking to Father Brown.
"Sid?" Sid caught his employer's smile in the mirror.
"Thank you" Sid flushed. "Don't worry about it. No one messes with Sid Carter's friends."
Lady Felicia smiled again as she gazed quietly out of the window...
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The next morning was pretty boring and uneventful for Nathan as Mrs. McCarthy and Lady Felicia went with Sid to check on Miss. Thimble.
He'd felt strangely stifled earlier as Lady Felicia was abnormally quiet, and Sid glared the skull out of Mrs. McCarthy every five minutes.
All of which the woman ignored as she busily bustled about being sure 'Father Brown has everything he needs while she was away on errands'.
A few moments later, Lady Felicia went outside to wait for Sid and Mrs. McCarthy.
Nathan glanced at Sid who was frowning at Mrs. McCarthy, having an awful feeling in his stomach that something terrible had happened yesterday.
Nathan tried to catch Felicity's eye, but she wouldn't look at him.
Nathan was confused. Had he done or said anything to upset her?
No, that couldn't be right... Sid wouldn't be glaring at Mrs. McCarthy as if he wanted her head on a spit.
Sid opened his mouth as if to say something when he shut it again, frowned, and walked outside when Mrs. McCarthy entered the room again with his tea.
Frowning, the priest had a niggling feeling that his expressed orders from the day before had been ignored.
"Mrs. McCarthy," he began, not sure how exactly to broach the subject. She froze, as if caught with her hand in the biscuit jar.
"Yes, Father...what do you need?" Nathan turned, looking at Mrs. McCarthy over his glasses.
"I need to know if you disobeyed my direct orders and said something to Lady Felicia, as you have been known to do." he looked at her again, daring her to deny it.
"Why, Father... I don't know what you mean"Nathan glared suspiciously at Mrs. McCarthy's retreating form. Her whole face was red, which told Father Brown one thing.
Mrs. McCarthy was lying...
On Tuesday and Thursday while Mrs. McCarthy and Lady Felicia had been out, Father Roland had been seen by Sid dropping two different letters into the mailbox; perhaps letters to the Bishop.
Nathan thought nothing more of it until Saturday, when James paid him a visit, blackmailing him about the races, unless he buckled down and got to work seeing to the needs of the parish.
Annoyed, Nathan asked to see the bulletin, commenting on James' article, Sports Day in Swaziland. (Utterly boring reading mind you...)
Wait a moment! After the priest left, turning on the wireless, Nathan sat looking at the memo he'd been given when a concept flashed in his brain.
The wireless, of course! How could I have not seen it before? So that explains it!
James had been listening to the wireless for a certain program, on a certain day, at a certain time.
Nathan suddenly felt instant shame, sympathy, and empathy for the young man, as he remembered checking for letters with his superiors from Felicity.
Like James, thoughts and word from Felicity made life all the more bearable. the older priest shook his head. To this day, he was still in the young man's same shoes.
Whereas James and his friend were separated by miles and continents, he and Felicia were separated by communication.
Nathan frowned. He had a feeling that Felicia's sudden case of the cold shoulder had something to do with Mrs. McCarthy...
Felicia couldnt eat the scones she had been allergic to strawberries since childhood.
As the ladies came into the house, James Roland came through dressed in traveling clothes, excitedly explaining that he was leaving the priesthood.
Felicity wondered just when Nathan would be able to do the same...
Mrs. McCarthy stepped out just as Nathan hobbled in.
"Hello dear" he smiled, kissing Felicia's cheek. She smiled, yet he noticed her smile didn't reach her whole face. he looked at her concerned.
"You seem upset, dearest. What's wrong?"
"No, I'm fine"
"Cobblers"
"Beg pardon?" She asked, hands on her hips.
Nathan grinned and covered her hands with his own, caressing her fingers.
"I said 'Cobblers'. Now, what's really the matter?"
Felicity was unsure how to answer him.
"I'm envious, I suppose. I want us to be able to…"
Nathan smiled, kissing her hand, patting it lovingly as he gently pulled her in his lap.
She looked at him crossly, as he put his hands up in defense.
"It's only my leg that's broken, not the rest of me."
"And whose fault is that, I wonder?"
Nathan made a face
"We'll be able to go soon, I should think, once I send in this"
Felicity took it and frowned. "What is it?"
Nathan smiled knowingly.
"Its a letter to the Vatican requesting my release"
Felicitys eyes started to fill with happy tears.
She hugged Nathan tightly, kissing him on the lips, which he joyfully returned.
"Well, and whats this?! I go out and speak with Sid for moment, and come back to...
Felicity tried to get up, but Nathan kept her where she was.
"Mrs. McCarthy you shall congratulate us; we are engaged to be married"
Several indescribable emotions The promeninant one being disbelief showed on the older woman's face.
"Oh, Father, I think Constable Pugh gave you a hit too hard on the head! You cannot possibly be "engaged" to this…"
Still sitting on Nathan's lap, Felicity scowled.
"Go on, Mrs. M. You said it so eloquently before- what was it you said?"
"M'lady..." Sid started.
Felicity bit her lip and turned away, tears in her eyes.
"I...erm...I…"
Nathan looked on concerned as Felicity walked outside again, Sid on her heels.
he took a deep breath before addressing the church secretary.
"Mrs. McCarthy you were in a rush yesterday morning, so I'll ask you again: what. did you say. to Lady. Felicia?"
Bridget gulped as the former priest's ire grew with each pronounced word.
Before she opened her mouth to defend herself, Nathan thought it would be best if he set her straight once and for all.
"Before you say anything, you should know four very important facts."
"First, I am legally engaged to Lady Felicia; I love her and there's nothing you can say that will change that. Second, I am no longer Catholic- no don't say anything at the moment."
"Third, I am not in love with you so any romantic attachments you may have formed for me over the years must end immediately. I do not love you in that form or fashion. I never have and I never will. Which brings me to my final point: whatever you said to Lady Felicia, I will find out" he looks at her over his glasses "so if I were you I'd get yapping as you always do." he scowled.
Bridget was shocked he didn't love her? he was engaged to that adulterous, loose, heathonistic floozy? And she turned him away from all he knew and believed?!!
"That... Jezebel!" Bridgette shrieked.
Nathan was scowling harder, as he raised a surprised eyebrow.
The secretary continue to rant.
"She's just like one of Saul's wives turning you away from all you hold dear! She is..."
"BRIDGETTE MCCARTHY THAT IS ENOUGH!!!!" Nathan Alexander Brown roared with fury.
"No" Felicity said, entering again with Sid behind her.
It was her plan to have the secretary hang herself with what she had said before.
"Let her continue to throw stones at me! Go on, Bridgette! Confess! Tell your beloved Priest how you really feel about me!"
Felicity didn't want the woman gone, but what she had said must biblically be brought to account.
As her betrothed, and Bridgette's pastoral shepherd, Nathan needed to know what had transpired.
"She's an adulterous harlot who will drag you down to the ninth circle of hell!" Bridgette shrieked.Nathan's eyes were slits.
One could barely see the blue of his eyes. "Get out" he hissed venemously.
"What?" she asked innocently; startled.
"GET OUT!" he roared, centimeters from slapping her face.
"But..."
"I don't want to hear another word coming out of your mouth! Bridgette McCarthy by the power vested in me under my Lord God and His priest over the parish of Saint Mary's I hereby declare you're fired!"
Sid and Felicity winced.
Nathan's anger was upon red hot coals at the moment and would not be changed.
It would be best to wait, pray, and seek the Lord for what to do, but for now, what's done was done.
Lord willing, Bridgette McCarthy would see the error of her ways...
Yikes!
That's all for this chapter! Let me know what you think!