The Vicar and the Thief

A man of faith. A woman with secrets. A love that tests them both.

Mr. Gilbert Fernley has never been a jealous man—until now. As the local vicar, he has devoted his life to faith, service, and the quiet contentment of guiding his parish. But when his twin brother's recent marriage reveals a happiness Gilbert never thought to desire, he begins to wonder if his calling has room for love after all. With gentle persistence he agrees to a matchmaking scheme allowing his sisters-in-law to assist in finding him a wife.

Miss Eliza Davenport knows what it is to stand on the edges of Society. Though wealthy, her family's fortune was earned through trade, not title, leaving her forever judged and never quite accepted. When an opportunity arises to improve her standing, Eliza accepts without hesitation only to find herself entangled in deception, theft, and a dangerous game she never agreed to play.

As Gilbert is drawn into the London Season he finds himself captivated by a woman of quiet strength and wounded hope. But Eliza carries a secret that threatens not only her reputation, but any future they might share. With truth and trust at odds, both must decide whether love is worth the risk—or if some hearts are destined to remain alone.

The Vicar and the Thief is a stand-alone novel in the Fernley Family series by author Angela E. Johnson. This is a clean Regency-era romance.