“Will you be here?” Tilly asked, confused. “I thought you’d be well and truly gone by lunchtime…but if you are still here, I mean, that would be great. I’d love for you to meet Declan and the kids…”

Oh, hell. Kate’s mind raced to find an excuse to get out of that. Thank God she had an appointment with the real estate agent in St. Kilda. It wasn’t until three, but she could make herself busy on the mainland until then. “Sorry, Til, mind blank there. I can’t stay for lunch. I’ll be gone by ten. Have to be gone, I mean. I have an appointment.”

Tilly frowned, utterly trusting. “That’s a shame. I know he’s curious about you. I talk about you so much. Too much, maybe.” She laughed. “In fact, he had to stop me the other night.”

Kate stalled as she reached into the basket for one of Tilly’s skirts. He’d had to stop her? Smugness settled between her ribs. Was he jealous?

“I know you’ll be at your mum’s on Sunday, but you should drive over for the welcome mass,” Tilly said. “All of the sisters are coming to St. Vincent’s—Declan’s welcoming all congregations. Catholic, Anglican—he says it shouldn’t matter when we’re all God’s children.”

Chapter Eight

From three pews behind the sisters, Kate watched as Tilly made a subtle, unsuccessful attempt to pull away from Sister Tessie for the second time. The elderly sister had been hanging off Tilly’s arm since Kate had watched them disembark the public bus outside St. Vincent’s. When they’d first stepped foot into the Anglican church, Tilly had asked Kate to save her a seat beside her—she’d just help Sister Tessie to her seat and be back in a moment. A moment, however, had passed five minutes ago.

Kate glanced to the back of the church. With most of the parishioners having already taken their seats for the mass, a few of the clergymen meandered in the narthex, awaiting the vicar’s arrival. Kate returned her gaze to the front. Was she going to have to sit through the entire service alone? Was all of this worth it, just to satisfy her burning curiosity?

Finally, Sister Ellie wandered down the aisle, smiling across the church as her eyes met Kate’s. Kate inclined her head in the direction of Tilly and Sister Tessie, and, ever so perceptive, the novice nodded. She slid in beside Sister Tessie and Tilly seized her chance.

As Tilly started quickly down the aisle toward her, concern etched on her face, Kate’s newfound relief disappeared in a blink.

Tilly slid into the pew, her long plait flitting about the shoulders of her white linen blazer. “What’s wrong?” Kate whispered.

Tilly adjusted her skirt around her knees. “Sister Tessie just asked me what all of these people were doing at St. Joan’s,” she murmured, her breath warm on Kate’s jaw.

Swallowing, Kate watched as Tilly redirected her attention to the altar. “Did the Reverend Mother hear?” Kate asked.

Tilly’s lips set into a straight line. “She heard.” She paused. “Anyway. How was your Saturday with your parents?”