The two men, Alinor’s brother and her lover, turned without looking at each other again and Ned took up his place at the back of the church among the workingmen, and James stood beside Sir William’s chair.

“I publish the banns for the marriage of Alys Reekie, spinster of this parish, and Richard Stoney, bachelor of Sidlesham,” the minister said.

Alinor felt Alys’s hand come into hers, and she squeezed it and found a smile for her daughter.

“This is the third and final time of asking.”

There was a little ripple of interest and pleasure from the congregation, and young Richard Stoney, attending St. Wilfrid’s to hear his banns called, craned around and looked up into the women’s gallery and winked at Alys.

“If any of you know cause or just impediment why these two persons should not be joined together in holy matrimony, ye are to declare it.”

“Does anyone ever stand up and declare an impediment?” Alys whispered to her mother.

“No,” Alinor replied. “Who would try to make a bigamous marriage on Sealsea Island where everyone knows everyone else’s business?”

“The marriage will take place next Sunday,” the minister declared.

As they left the church Alinor knew that she must go and pay her respects to Sir William and meet James before the curious gaze of the entire congregation. With Alys and Rob on either side of her, and Ned following reluctantly behind, she walked across the frosty grass and curtseyed to her landlord, keeping her eyes fixed on his expressionless face.

“Mrs. Reekie.” He nodded at her and at Ned, but had a smile for Rob. “How now, Robert?”

“I’m well, sir. Going to Chichester tomorrow.”

“All arranged, is it?” Sir William looked over his shoulder to Mr. Tudeley.

“Yes, the boy’s expected, and I will go myself to pay his fee tomorrow, when his mother signs his articles.”

“We’re very grateful,” Alinor said.

“And here’s your patient. D’you think he’s looking well?”

Alinor dropped a curtsey to James and finally turned towards him. She felt physically shocked by the warmth of his smile and the intensity of his gaze. She felt frozen as if she could not step towards him and fall into his arms, nor could she run away. She swallowed, but she could not speak. She felt his baby heavy in her belly and could not believe that he did not know that he had fathered the child that she carried. She wrapped her shawl closely about her as if to shield her swelling belly, and said, “I’m glad to see you look so well, Mr. Summer.”

“Hello, Mrs. Reekie,” he said. “I am glad to see you again. And how is my pupil?”

Rob grinned. “Keeping up my Latin,” he said. “Sir William lets me borrow books from his library. Have you seen Walter, sir?”

“He’s very grand now that he’s at Cambridge,” James laughed. “But I hope to visit him after term starts.”