Rothhaven took his seat, to appearances quite the serious aristocrat, but when he gazed at Constance, his eyes gave away a fondness more palpable than attar of roses at close range.

“Half a glass for me,” Rothhaven said, switching his full glass for Constance’s empty one. “Your lordship, welcome. Your report would be appreciated.”

Constance did as somebody told her to for once and poured His Grace only half a glass of merlot.

“I learned that Fendle Bridge is a typical English village,” Stephen said, hooking his canes on the edge of the table. “Everybody lives in everybody else’s pockets. Nobody has anything truly awful to say about Reverend Shaw, but they wish him good luck in the Antipodes rather enthusiastically.”

“Any debts, scandals, or criminal issues in the reverend’s past?” Rothhaven asked.

The merlot was passably good. “Alas, no. As the oldest son, he inherited the most from the parents. Two younger brothers now manage the engraving business in Leeds that Shaw came into upon his father’s death. Shaw takes a share of the profits, while they do the work. Shaw tried his hand at teaching, but hadn’t the patience for it as a younger man. His career as a vicar has been one unhappy patron after another.”

“He doesn’t fit in,” Constance said, running a finger around the rim of her wineglass. “Having a half-grown girl in tow might help him fit in. Ivy will give her uncle Whitlock a domestic authority he otherwise lacks. He will appeal to the widows and spinsters more strongly for being a conscientious uncle, and despite being unmarried, he will have common ground with any parents in his congregation.”

Rothhaven watched her fingertip trail around the top of the glass. “What do we know of the rest of Shaw’s household, of his family members? Sometimes, a man will beggar himself for those he loves, when he won’t spend a penny to save himself.”

Constance sent him a complicated, fulminating glance, one that promised something other than a delightful search for a missing book.

“You said you doubt he can be bribed,” she murmured.

“I doubt he can be bribed, for which I respect him, but I hope he can be reasoned with.”

The food arrived, brought in by large, cheerful young women, one of whom managed to brush her breast against Stephen’s shoulder while putting the platter of sliced beef roast and potatoes on the table.

“Perhaps I should give country life another chance,” Stephen said. “Rural folk are so friendly.”

“I did notice a Brown Bess behind the innkeeper’s desk,” Rothhaven observed. “Looked to be in good repair too, but then, the poor fellow has four daughters.”

Constance began serving the beef and potatoes. “What else did you learn about Reverend Shaw?”