Cedric was indeed grateful for the loan of a horse to make his journey. The aftereffects of his earlier run to the hall were still coursing through his body. Although it was far too early in the day by his normal standards, Cedric wished now that he had asked Vincent for a small shot of something to steady his nerves after his ordeal.
The stable lad had given him an odd sideways glance when he requested the loan of a horse but relented when Cedric assured him that the request came from the Viscount. Whilst saddling the mount the young man explained that the previous Viscount had always been very reluctant to loan one of his own horses to anyone, save for close personal friends and family.
The ride to the presbytery took no time at all on the swift horse, and upon reading the note that Vi
