looked contrite. “I tell you this to prove myself. Should word get out, my former associates would see me dead. So you can see that I have put my life into your hands, ladies. Surely this proves my sincerity.”
“The Bible does say we are to forgive others,” Mrs. Weaver murmured.
Faith pushed away from the table. “Why do you want to speak to me, Mr. Berkshire?”
“In my desire to prove myself, I thought I would offer you a ride to the college. It’s quite cold, and I must go that way myself. It came to mind that perhaps I could be of some use to this family.”
“Thank you, Mr. Berkshire. That was thoughtful.” Faith got to her feet. She didn’t really believe him, knowing there was probably some other reason for his actions. Perhaps he’d been instructed by Lakewood to speak to her. “I suppose it would be prudent of me to accept.”
“Unchaperoned?” Bedelia questioned.
“I assure you, Miss Kenner will be quite all right in my company,” Berkshire countered. “After all, even if I were the man I used to be, I should not dream of causing trouble.” He smiled. “You would all know that I would be the one to blame.”
Again, Bedelia gave a huff and focused on her food. “People today care nothing for the respectful behavior of their parents and the rules that were put in place to preserve proper society.”
Faith smiled to herself as she went to her room to collect her things. Miss Bedelia would be more than a little alarmed if she knew some of the dangerous situations Faith had allowed herself to get into. Why, her visiting the Morning Star without a proper escort was itself enough to render Faith guilty of the most egregious of behaviors.
As she buttoned her coat, Faith wondered what Gerome Berkshire’s real purpose in coming was. No doubt it had to do with Samuel Lakewood. The older man had probably asked Berkshire to speak to her, but why, she couldn’t imagine. He had to know that she held no great esteem for Berkshire. For a moment she considered rescinding her acceptance of his offer, but there was always the slim chance Berkshire might say or do something that she could share with Seth. Something that might help the investigation.
She grabbed her satchel and headed for the front foyer. Berkshire was waiting for her and smiled as she arrived.
“You look lovely, Miss Kenner.”
Faith returned his smile. “It’s the same uniform and coat I’ve worn all winter.” She set her satchel on the table and took up her dark blue felt hat. She continued to speak as she pinned it carefully atop her knotted hair. “I was just pondering what your true purpose might be in coming here today.”
“My true purpose? You wound me, Miss Kenner. Can a man not do a simple act of kindness without his motives being called into question?”
“Perhaps some might.” Finished with the hat, Faith pulled on her gloves. “I’m ready to go.”
Berkshire reached out to take her satchel. “My word, what are you carrying? Rocks?”
“Books. Very thick and heavy books.” She smiled. “I can manage them on my own, if you’d like.”
He frowned. “No. I wouldn’t dream of it.” He opened the door and held it for her. “After you.”
For a while Faith thought their ride to the college would pass in silence. Berkshire seemed to want to speak, but he appeared confused or perplexed about it. Finally, Faith could take no more.
“What is it that you are supposed to tell me, Mr. Berkshire?”
He looked at her oddly for a moment, and then his brows drew together. “I didn’t realize my appearance was so predictable.”
“As I said earlier, I presumed that you had come with a purpose. After all, you aren’t on good terms with my cousin, and our residence is hardly on a direct road from yours, if the college is the final destination.”
“Well, the fact of the matter is that Mr. Lakewood is concerned about you and your friends. He fears that your plans are going to give people a negative opinion of the college. He wanted me to speak to you because, well, he thought perhaps you didn’t appreciate his position.”
“In what way?”
“He is considerably older, and I am closer to your own age.” He smiled and shrugged. “He thought perhaps you would appreciate my thoughts on the matter. He said he worried that you looked upon him as nothing more than a worried father figure.”