Absolutely not. Jonas, you don't understand. Reed is dangerous, not in an obvious way, but he has connections, money, power. He can make life very difficult for people who cross him. Then he'll find I'm not as easy to intimidate as he thinks.
Jonas's voice was steel wrapped in velvet. You're not facing this alone, Lena, not anymore. You can't fight this for me. Watch me. Before Lena could argue further, Ruthie called from the house.
Pa, Miss Lena, Reverend Matthews is here. Jonas and Lena exchanged glances. Did you send for him? Lena asked. No.
They returned to the front of the house to find a kindly faced man in his 60s climbing down from a buggy. Reverend Matthews had snow-white hair, gentle eyes, and the bearing of someone who'd spent a lifetime mediating the troubles of his flock. Jonas, Miss Crowell. He nodded to each of them. I hope I'm not intruding, but I thought it best to speak with you both sooner rather than later.
About what? Jonas asked, though from his expression, he already knew. I had a visit from Constance Talbot this afternoon, and then, interestingly, from Thomas Reddick. They had quite a lot to say about your household arrangements. The reverend's tone was mild, but his eyes were sharp.
I thought it best to hear your side directly rather than rely on second-hand accounts. Lena's heart sank. Here it was, the judgment she'd been dreading, the condemnation that would force her to leave this family she'd come to love. There's nothing improper happening here, Jonas said firmly. Miss Crowell helps with the children in exchange for room and board.
That's the extent of it. I'm not questioning your integrity, Jonas. I know you well enough to trust your word. Reverend Matthews glanced at Lena. But I'm afraid others are not so charitable, and perception, fair or not, matters in a small community.
What are you suggesting? Lena asked quietly. The reverend sighed. I'm suggesting that your current arrangement, however innocent, is providing fodder for gossip. And gossip, left unchecked, can poison a community and damage reputations irreparably, especially for your children, Jonas.
So what? Jonas's voice hardened. I'm supposed to turn away someone who needs help because people might talk? That doesn't sound very Christian to me, Reverend. I'm not suggesting you turn her away.
I'm suggesting you consider making the arrangement more official. Silence fell over the yard. Official how? Jonas asked slowly. Reverend Matthews looked between them.
Marriage, Jonas. It would silence the gossips and provide Miss Crowell with proper security. And from what I understand, your children have grown quite attached to her. Lena's breath caught. Marriage?