It was still early enough that the priest did not appear from within the church, but from the presbytery door nearby. In his hands he held a bible, old and clearly well-read, for it bore the marks of age and wore the scent of lavender that clung to the priest himself.

Hence Malachi's distraction as he walked. A pair of spectacles sat upon the bridge of his nose, while his eyes were trained downward on the book in his hands, as if searching for something specific. Upon reaching the doors of the church, he turned and pushed against them, stepping backwards into the building.

Only... it wasn't empty. Malachi noticed as much as soon as he turned around, and his eyes fell upon the kneeling form of a familiar woman.

He did not immediately call out to her. Did not wish to interrupt her, but he did make his way closer and sat in one of the front pews. Setting his bible to the side, Malachi waited a bit before he spoke up.

"Miss Mason," he greeted, voice kept soft, mouth drawn into a polite smile. "It is good to see you here again."

While she at least seemed to have improve somewhat since the last time he had seen her, sleepy and teary-eyed, Miss Mason still appeared to have some trouble held deep within her. Malachi dipped his head in acknowledgement of her desire to visit Miss Harlowe.

He moved to stand as she continued, taking a few steps closer to her.

"I'm alright," he answered, noncommittal. It was not about him. When someone walked into his church, he was not the one to be focused on.

"Of course," Malachi's hands came to rest behind his back, folded loosely. "What is this problem?"

She had inherited Miss Harlowe's estate, and the only thing she had to do was marry? Was that not a good thing?

Malachi wore a frown as he considered what it could possibly mean, if Miss Mason was not pleased with this. Sure, she had mentioned her concerns regarding love before, but there had to be men that would marry her.

"I see," he nodded slowly. "You are concerned because... you do not yet have someone to marry?"

Ah. So she had a potential suitor, but not one that necessarily suited her. It was an understandable concern.

Malachi gestured to the nearest pew, "please, sit."

He moved to seat himself, taking the moments in-between to consider the situation more thoroughly.

(Had his father still been around, he knew what he would have suggested at the mention of inheritance. Leave the priesthood, Mal, he would've said, it's time. As if his father would have cared for anything but the estate.)

"It is rather unfortunate that you've been given such a time limit, when you have not yet found someone you care for," he agreed. "This gentleman, is he kind? Does he seem like the kind of man that would take care of you?"

The lawyer that read the will? Had Miss Mason ever even met the fellow before then?

Malachi frowned, though his concerned glance was not unkind. It did not take knowing someone forever to know that you cared for them, or to develop so strong a connection as to wish to marry them... but he could not help but worry for her. The lawyer might have been kind, but there was no way for the inheritance not to factor in.

"I believe," he began, after a moment's consideration, "that you should do whatever you want to do. If a wardrobe would help you feel better suited, and the bedroom is to your taste, then you should feel no guilt in using the things Miss Harlowe left to you. Do not second-guess yourself -- if she did not want you to use the money, she would not have given it to you."

There was the requirement of marriage, of course, but even that he could understand. Miss Harlowe had likely only been trying to ensure that Miss Mason did not have it all taken away as soon as she got it.

"As for Mister Appleton, he would be a fool not to court you. But you should prioritize your own wishes first, and make sure that he is the kind of man you would not mind spending your life with."