Chapter Four: Baptisms and Babies
"Now, what can I do for a pretty lady like you?" The village parson smiled at his young visitor. "You're up very early, my dear."
"I want to know all about Bessie Blount." Catherine tilted her chin. After a sleepless night, she had risen early, put on her best silk gown and marched right down to the village. Just like a queen, she was determined to seek out the truth in the name of justice.
"I've known Bessie since she was a baby," said the parson. He was an old man, with a kind, wrinkled face. "She was always so devoted to her parents. There never was a lovelier young girl."
"But why did she become a maid? Why was she forced to leave my uncle's castle? Who is the father of her baby?" Catherine frowned fiercely. "If it was my uncle, or the high-and-mighty Mr. Culpepper, I want to know so I can make things right."
"I'm sure you mean well, my dear," the parson said, pursing his lips. "But there's no use prying into these private matters. Come sit down, and let me offer you a cup of tea. Perhaps we can discuss the poor fisherman's home, and other village charities. You are a very wealthy young lady, I understand."
"Weddings and baptisms are not private." Catherine was seated in a big rocking chair by the window, sipping her tea and scowling. "If she was married, there must be a license. If her baby was baptized, the father's name must be on the certificate. I want to know if my uncle or anyone at Tudor Castle did Bessie wrong. And I want to make it up to her."
"Ah, yes. I see determination in those remarkable blue eyes." The kindly parson patted her hand. "Please don't be offended, my dear, but I must go search my study for the ledger. Why not rest here for a spell? My housekeeper will take good care of you."
"Don't take too long." Catherine gave the parson a sharp look, just to let him know she meant business. He scurried away at once, clearly quite impressed with her remarkable blue eyes.
"Here we are, my dear. Here we are!" The parson's cheerful voice came out of the blue, rousing her from deep slumber.
"Oh!" Catherine sat up blinking her eyes, the weight of the ledger feeling very heavy in her lap. She hadn't noticed how the time had flown once she closed her eyes. Morning had turned to afternoon.
"I kept busy while you were getting a bit of shut-eye," the parson said proudly. "Here are all the baptisms and babies since I first came to the village. And I also went round to the chemist's shop, and used the brand new telephone to call Mr. Culpepper at Tudor Castle. He was very pleased to hear that you were safe and sound here at the parsonage, and he promised to come down himself in one of those new motorcars and take you home. We had quite a long chat, too. He should be here any time now!"
"How lovely," Catherine said sourly. She flipped open the ledger, feeling as though everyone had gone behind her sleeping back. The old parson had been falling all over himself to be nice to her, but it was clear to her now he was just trying to impress the great Mr. Culpepper. Did everyone in the village feel the need to bow down to her all-powerful, insufferable guardian?
"What's the matter, my dear? Can't you find what you're looking for?" The parson's gentle voice broke into her agitated thoughts. His wrinkled face looked genuinely worried and concerned.
"It's all right," Catherine said, kissing the poor old dear on the cheek. "You've been absolutely super, and I shall give loads of money to your church. But I couldn't find what I was looking for."
Catherine was lying. She'd seen the baptism certificate.