Read Online A Sensible Lady: A Traditional Regency Romance by Judith Lown - Free Book Online Page A

over. It did not come. Instead he remembered just how subtle a seducer Wharton had always been. John Donne might have mended his ways, but that was a long time ago. Harry would not bet a ha’penny on Gus Wharton following suit.Even if Wharton married Katherine, he would stray. And Harry knew for a fact that Katherine Brampton would not accept such behavior in a husband. There would be a scandal. The parish would be in an uproar. Harry decided to speak with the new vicar immediately and give him fair warning to watch his step with the fair sex.
    Five minutes later, seated across a rough plank table from Gus Wharton, Harry glared as his old friend choked on his ale, laughing.
    “It is not a matter of amusement,” Harry said, stone-faced. “You are a priest , by Jove, and while you are in this parish, you must remember that you are a priest and behave accordingly. And singling out the most vulnerable and naïve of spinsters under your charge is, at the very least, acting without proper discretion.”
    Wharton gasped for air and finally found his voice.
    “I assume that you are referring to my conversation just now with Miss Katherine Brampton.”
    Wharton gazed at Harry, one eyebrow lifted.
    “I could not have missed the dagger-looks you were sending me,” Wharton chuckled.
    Harry could not believe he had been that obvious.
    Wharton rubbed his forehead.
    “I understand that you hold the living of St. John Chrysostom’s in your power. And you could relieve me of my post today, if you chose. Which puts me in a delicate position vis-à-vis the confidences of parishioners. But, I do not believe it is a violation of any closely held secret to tell you that Katherine Brampton has sustained the loss of both her father and brother during this past year. And, difficult as it might be for you to comprehend, she is in need of some spiritual comfort and guidance.”
    It was Harry’s turn to choke on his ale, laughing.
    “Laugh all you wish.” Gus Wharton’s face twisted in a rueful smile.
    “I assure you, Miss Brampton treats me very much the way I suspect she treated old Tramell . Not a flicker of recognition that I am a single, and therefore eligible, gentleman.” Wharton glanced balefully at the clear autumn sky. “The Divine Mind is apparently finely honed to extract penance in particularly frustrating ways.  I will readily admit that I have rarely met a lady whose charms recommend themselves more. But when conversation is restricted to the Last Judgment and prayers for the deceased, Don Juan himself would be challenged to introduce the slightest hint of romance. I hope you will not think that I am in danger of defecting to Rome if I tell you that I have come to believe in purgatory—-here in this life.”
    Harry drank deeply from his tankard, enjoying a lightening of his spirits. He told himself he was relieved that his worries about a potential scandal had been for naught.
    “So you can cease worrying that the delectable Miss Katherine will succumb to my wiles, Dracott.” Gus Wharton regarded Harry with the hint of a smile. “But, I suspect there is another matter that will concern you.”
    Harry grunted a request for Wharton to continue.
    “I believe that the brethren are busy again—if they ever ceased their activities.”
    “I had wondered, when you served me such excellent brandy.” Harry’s spirits sank once more. “But I take it that you are not in league with them, or you would not be giving me warning.”
    The vicar frowned.
    “What sort of fool do you take me for? Whether you believe it or not, I accepted St. John Chrysostom’s with the intention of staying. Being arrested and carried off to jail by riding officers is not a part of the plan.”
    “So tell me who is involved. I take a dim view of Englishmen making Frenchmen rich while our lads are being killed by the French.”
    Harry could feel his anger rise. In their youth, he, Gus, and Charlie Hamilton, on occasion, had helped transport a few