Free Pemberley Ranch by Jack Caldwell Page B

before discussing the weather until Darcy rejoined them.
    Mary was waiting for this opportunity. “Miss Darcy! I was talking to Reverend Tilney earlier and expressed the desire to improve the church choir.”
    “That sounds like a very noble undertaking, Miss Mary,” the girl said.
    “Perhaps you would be interested in joining us?”
    Gaby Darcy blushed. “Oh! Oh, I… I’m sorry, but I can’t. I’m not a member of the church.”
    “Uhh, Mary—” Tilney began, but the girl overrode him.
    “Well, that’s easily taken care of. If your brother is too busy to bring you to services, perhaps I can speak to my father. It would be no trouble for us to take you.”
    “Mary!” Tilney hissed. Darcy began to frown.
    Mary continued as if Tilney said nothing and turned to the rancher. “But you should go, Mr. Darcy! You need to be in church. All the money in the world won’t do you a bit of good in the afterlife if you ignore God’s words. Remember, the Good Book says, ‘It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.’”
    Beth noticed Miss Gaby blanch, as Darcy’s face grew very red. Heavens, the man is furious! However, when Darcy spoke, it was with deceptive calmness.
    “Thank you for the warning, Miss Bennet. Rest assured that both my sister and I take Our Savior’s words very seriously anddo well to remember them in church every Sunday. Come along, Gaby.” The Darcys walked away towards their carriage.
    “Church?” Mary looked at Tilney, who held his hand over his eyes. “But… but they don’t—”
    Jane took Mary by the arm. “That’s enough. You don’t know what you’re saying. The Darcys attend church every Sunday.”
    Even Beth was bewildered. “Where?”
    Tilney lowered his hand. “At the mission across the river. The Darcys are Catholic.”
    Now it was Beth’s turn to go pale, for just then the Darcy carriage rolled by, Darcy stone-faced while an unhappy Miss Darcy held a handkerchief in her lap.
    Mary grasped Tilney by the arm and cried, “Catholics! Oh, my! Reverend Goldring back in Meryton said that Catholics weren’t really Christians and that it’s our duty to save their souls.”
    The pair in the carriage started—Mary’s voice had carried over the sound of the wheels—and the preacher lost his temper.
    “Miss Mary, that’s foolish talk!” Mary bit back a sob as Tilney fought to control his annoyance and wait until the Darcys were out of earshot. “Miss Mary, religious study is a wonderful thing. It’s been my honor and pleasure to read and ponder the words given to us by Our Maker. But, before you quote scripture again, I would suggest you consider this passage: ‘Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.’”
    If Tilney intended his statement to be a gentle correction, the result was not as he planned. Mary’s face screwed up, and she threw herself bawling into Jane’s arms. The good reverend looked helplessly at Jane and Beth.
    It was Jane who came to the rescue. “I believe we all could use a bit of tea, don’t you think? Shall we repair back to the house?”
    Tilney seized upon the proposal. “Excellent idea, Mrs. Bingley. But may I suggest that the parsonage is closer? I would be happy to have all of you as my guests.” He gave Mary a most particular glance.
    It served. Drying her eyes, Mary nodded and the party walked back to the church.

    Darcy was working in his study the following evening when there was a knock on the door. Looking up, he saw the butler, Reynaldo, standing at the threshold.
    “Begging your pardon, señor . Reverend Tilney is here to see you.”
    Blinking back his surprise, Darcy bade him to bring in the minister. A moment later, Henry Tilney stood in front of the desk, hat in hand.
    “Mr. Darcy, I’ve come to apologize for what happened yesterday.”
    Darcy stood and turned to Reynaldo. “Where is Miss Darcy?”
    “I saw her going towards the parlor, señor , to