Page 60 of Lord of Mischief
“I would like to come here every day and help, if you will have me,” he said.The lump in his throat made speaking difficult, while the tears in his eyes had him blinking hard.
“Of course, we will have you.No one is ever turned away from St John’s; this is a house of God.We accept all those in need, not just the hungry,” she replied.
He turned to her, and it finally dawned on him why he had come.He was in need.In need of a way to find himself again.To earn forgiveness from his family.To find the strength to face Eve once more.
“Can I go to the market for you in the mornings?I can meet your footmen there and have the fresh supplies here by the time you arrive.”It would not be polite to mention Hattie’s delicate condition.If he went to the market early in the morning and got supplies, Hattie would be able to rest at home until later.
“It is an early start, and I have to admit it is becoming a bit of a struggle at the moment.An extra hour or so of sleep would be wonderful but are you sure you want to take on such a responsibility?”she replied.
“Yes, I am certain.Though, I think …” He stopped for a moment, unsure of himself.This was about more than just himself.He was re-forging his connection with the Saunders family.While Hattie may have been able to forgive his transgressions, there were others who may not.“I think … I mean, I would like to have Will’s blessing about this matter as well.I know this is your soup kitchen, but he is Eve’s brother and I behaved terribly toward her.It would mean a lot to me to know he approves of our arrangement or is at least aware of it.”
Hattie looked at Freddie, her face a study in seriousness.“Of course.If there is one thing Will and I completely agree on, it’s that we do not have secrets we withhold from one another.It took us long enough to come to that realization when we first met, and I would never do anything to give him cause to doubt me now.”
Her words took him by surprise.He had assumed that Will and Hattie were a simple enough love story, but it would appear that they too had not had an easy journey into wedded bliss.
She read the look on his face.“One day, I shall tell you the story of Will and I.It began far from London.Make enough pots of soup and you will earn it.In the meantime, we had better get ready for the next group of hungry mouths.”
“Thank you.I promise I won’t let you down,” he replied.
Hattie went over to the large pot of soup and stirred in some more herbs.Freddie headed out to the tables and began to make his way around, collecting bowls and talking to the parishioners.
Late that evening, he finally dried the last of the clean soup bowls and closed the door of the church behind them, then helped Hattie to her waiting carriage.He politely refused her offer of a ride home, knowing he needed the walk.
Every step he made helped to clear his mind.Unlike the last time he had travelled along Oxford Street, he now knew he wouldn’t find his next victory on the back of a speeding horse.His road to redemption and his new life lay in the honest toil of cutting vegetables and making soup.
