Crossword Genius

Desire to do mischief in country church (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

malice

'desire to do mischief' is the definition.
(desire to do harm)

'country church' is the wordplay.
'country' becomes 'mali' (Mali is an example).
'church' becomes 'CE' (Church of England).
'mali'+'ce'='MALICE'

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for malice that I've seen before include "Hate" , "Spiteful, animosity, sometimes a forethought" , "Ill will, a desire to harm others" , "'Ill-will, spite (6)'" , "Malevolence, spite" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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