Though it must have cost him dearly, Oliver summoned a smile to his lips. “She’s off on an adventure, no doubt. That’s what the summer was meant to be for her. But I didn’t realize she’d left you without notice—and didn’t pay her rent, I assume?” He motioned toward Libby, who jumped a bit at the sudden attention.

Mrs. Pepper turned to her as if just remembering she was there. “Oh. Yes, I’m afraid so. And when Miss Sinclair contacted me inquiring about vacancies . . . well, as I said, I was a bit peevish at your sister’s abrupt departure. I’m sorry for that.”

“Quite all right. Beth clearly isn’t using the place, so Lady Elizabeth might as well.” Oliver motioned next to the odd assortment on the table. “I’ll just collect the rest of her things, I suppose. The lady informed me she’d left a bit in the drawers.”

Mrs. Pepper’s gaze flew between Libby and the belonging-strewn table. “Lady—forgive me, my lady, I had no idea!”

Libby sighed. Had she been a bit more like Mabena, she would have sent Oliver a glare for letting her secret slip. Though how she really expected to keep her family a secret for long, Mabena still wasn’t certain. As it was, however, Libby chased the sigh with a small smile. “There is nothing to forgive, ma’am.”

“Oh, but—allow me to help.” Mrs. Pepper bent, hoisted the basket again, and bustled toward the little kitchen. She still didn’t so much as glance at Mabena. “Shall I whip you up something for your meal?”

“No, no. We can see to it ourselves. You needn’t bother—”

“It’s hardly a bother to help, Lady Elizabeth. Won’t take me but a few minutes. The good vicar can entertain you while I work.”

The good vicar looked caught between amusement at suddenly going from guest to host and concern at the focus moving so quickly from Beth. He transferred that all-seeing gaze of his to Mabena again. “Would you fetch the clothing she left? Lady Elizabeth said you’d already moved it to your room.”

The idea made her shoulder blades edge together. There had been some comfort in having Beth’s clothing there, mingled among her own. “Are you going to carry it all about St. Mary’s with you while you visit Mr. Gale and the Peppers?”

“A valid point. I’ll have to come back for it all.” He looked out the window, toward the lowering sun. “In fact, I’d better be on my way or I’ll never have time to pay those visits and make it home before dark.” He turned to them again, darting a look at Mrs. Pepper.

The old biddy was so busy poking about in the kitchen that she didn’t even notice that she’d inconvenienced him.