Page 118 of A Castaway in Cornwall
Tears burned Laura’s eyes. She had misjudged her mother.I am sorry,Mamma, she whispered in her heart.Please forgive me.
“Your mother wrote you a final letter,” Aunt Susan added. “I planned to forward it, once I had located your direction, but as I never did ... well ... I still have it.”
She retrieved the letter and handed it to Laura. Then the women left her to read in private. She recognized her mother’shandwriting, but the words were shaky, and hard to read at times.
My dearest Laura,
I am afraid our trip to Jersey did not turn out as we had hoped. I know you resented being left behind. But in hindsight I cannot regret leaving you in England, for you have escaped this illness that has claimed so many.
I am sorry to tell you that your dear papa died four days ago. He was too weak during his final days to leave his bed, but before that he was tireless in visiting the sick here and doing all he could to relieve their suffering. This fever, whatever it is, has swept through the barracks and much of St. Helier.
I had hoped to be spared. I thought God would surely not take us both. Not leave you orphaned.
I was wrong.
I am so sorry, my darling daughter. I had hoped to watch you grow up. To guide you a little and love you a lot along the way. Apparently that is not to be. My own sister is gravely ill as well, but I trust your father’s sister—your aunt Anne—will fill my shoes and become a second mother to you. I hope you will allow her to love you and care for you as I am sure she will be eager to do.
You have always had a strong will and strong mind, Laura Callaway. And though it saddens me to send you into adulthood alone, I know that you will live a good and God-honoring life that would make me, your father, and your heavenly Father proud.
Life may disappoint you. Friends may desert you. But God is faithful. Stay close to Him, and you won’t stray far from the right path.
I am praying for you even now, my dearest, and I will always love you.
Mamma
Tears overflowed, streaking her cheeks and cleansing the final traces of resentment from her heart.
One of our most familiar little waders, especially on rocky, seaweed-covered shores at all times of the year, is the Turnstone.
But it has never nested here, despite claims to the contrary.
—R. D. PENHALLURICK,BIRDSOFCORNWALL
Chapter 21
The following days passed in quiet, comfortable routine. The women took meals together, and talked while they sewed or read in the evenings. Mrs. Tobin regularly went out to visit ailing elderly people in the town and did what she could for them. Both women were active in charity work, but now that Laura had come, Aunt Susan stayed home with her so she would not be left alone.
They had not seen Alexander in a few days, and Laura began to fear he had left the island without saying good-bye.
That afternoon, Mrs. Tobin came into the parlour, eyes alight. “A gentleman to see you, my dear. Do you feel equal to a visitor?”
Anticipation tingled through Laura’s chest at the thought of seeing Captain Carnell again. “Indeed I do.”
She rose, smoothing back her hair and then her bodice, pausing to press a palm to her pounding heart.Be calm.
But the handsome gentleman who strode into the room, hat in hand, was not the man she’d expected.
“Treeve! What a surprise.”
His lips pursed in an uncertain grin, and he twisted the hat brim. “Not an ... unhappy surprise, I hope?”
She had rarely seen him look less confident. “No, of course not. I have been wondering how you fared after we parted, what, nearly a week ago?”
“Ten days.”
“Really? I’m afraid I have been ill, so my awareness of time passing has been unclear.”
“Ill?” His golden eyebrows rose, and he looked sincerely concerned.
