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Freddie leaned slightly forward. That stance did not bode well. The vicar seemed to be bracing himself for a long speech.

“What a glorious Christmas morn,” he said. “I’ve oft wondered on the first Christmas morn. When Joseph and Mary awoke with their newborn son among the cattle and sheep because there was no room for them in the inn. In Hebrews, we read ‘Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have sustained angels unawares.’ I ask you, what are you doing for the strangers? Are you welcoming to both visitors and strangers?” He glanced down at Lady Dalmeer and smiled kindly. “As our esteemed Lady Dalmeer is?”

His aunt lifted a hand and wiggled her fingers at him.

“Oh, gads. She’s doing it again,” Freddie grumbled to Pippy.

“He did single her out,” she whispered. But there was a slight tremor to her lips. Did she find the situation humorous? He found it inappropriate. And appalling.

“It is our Christian duty to offer hospitality to those in need. And who, you may ask, is in need? What of those among us who are widowed or alone? Would a hot bowl of broth and lively conversation go amiss? Surely not! Indeed, it is likely what they need to lift their otherwise low spirits.”

Freddie leaned over to Pippy. “Is he soliciting dinner invitations?”

She bit her lower lip, surely to stop it from twitching. “I believe that’s entirely possible.”

Freddie allowed himself to be distracted by her lips. When she released it from her teeth, it looked rosier and plumper than it had before.

He lifted a brow, running his tongue across his own lips. What would it be like to kiss her? Would she even allow it?

“Let us not forget the shepherds who we read about in the book of Luke, chapter two, verses eight through twenty,” Mr. Tomlinson went on.

“Gracious, is he to mention every character in the story of the nativity?” Evie hissed over her shoulder. “We may not make it back to Bellthorne in time for dinner.”

Their father shook his head, but he offered her the barest grin.

Freddie shifted, clasping his hands together and dangling them between his knees. His leg bounced up and down. He hoped his sister was wrong but feared she may be right. What of all his plans for their quest?

Pippy shifted, and he felt the warmth of her as their legs pressed against each other. One corner of his mouth ticked up. Perhaps sitting there wasn’t the worst thing in the world.

“Oftentimes we overlook the importance of the wise men and their gifts. Let us not think that our gifts must be extravagant and costly. Simple tokens, such as a loaf of bread or a kindly invitation to dinner. While it may not seem grand, to the person receiving the invitation, it is the greatest gift of all…the gift of friendship and companionship.”

Pippy let out a soft snort and then coughed to cover it up. She put her hand to her mouth, keeping her eyes averted.

“He’s shameless,” Freddie said, even as he grinned. “I’ve never heard a vicar use the Christmas service to guilt his parishioners into dinner invitations.”

Pippy’s eyes shone with unshed tears. “I’m certain he’s very lonely. I can’t begrudge him for using his influence and position to change that,” she whispered.

“I only hope he knows what he’s about. He may have opened Pandora’s box with my aunt.” Freddie nodded toward her. “Just look at her smile. I can see the schemes running through her mind even now.”

The vicar went on and on. It had been one thing to sit for so long when Pippy had slept on his shoulder. But she sat perfectly upright next to him. It was vexing, to be certain. He knew he should not be so disappointed that she was sleeping better at night. But he was.

He flicked open his pocket watch, his jaw tightening. “We’ve been here for an hour and a half!” he whispered fiercely.

It was then that Archie stood and deftly exited the pew.

Just where was he off to?

He strolled—did he not do anything in haste?—down the aisle and pushed outside. Freddie glared after him. His cousin wore his title with ease, as if it gave him license to to as he pleased. While Freddie’s title only bound, and at times, strangled. Perhaps the difference was that Archie held his title outright. While Freddie still was beholden to his father whims.

Hw glanced to Pippy from the corner of his eyes. Perhaps not all of his father’s whims had been distasteful.

Freddie glanced back toward the doors. Archie had closed behind him. Could Freddie grab Pippy’s hand right then and leave also? If Archie had done it, why not them?

His knee bounced faster. They did not have time for this. He needed at least two hours for the quest. And it was already eleven-thirty.

He calculated the timetable in his head. Even if the sermon ended then, it would be tight...but possible.

“What of the star that led the shepherds to the babe? Let us consider that point for a moment and think on what stars are leading our paths. In the one hundred and nineteenth chapter of Psalms, the one hundred and fifth verse it says, ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path.’ Is your path leading you to daily study of God’s word? Are you taking your family devotionals seriously? Nothing is more pleasing in the sight of God than the reading of scripture after a fine meal with friends.”