Page 136 of A Castaway in Cornwall
“Those were different times.”
“Human nature changes little, I find. And besides, the war is over.”
“For now.”
“Come,mon frère. What is the real reason you hesitate?”
Should he tell her? He looked away. If he was going to ask her to marry him, divulging that his father had urged him to do so was not a romantic way to begin.
She faced him on the bench, taking her hands in his. “I can guess why. Your father, he was not very subtle. He hinted to me as well. But he only wanted reassurance that Jean-Philippe and I would always be provided for.”
“You will be. I promise.”
She squeezed his hands. “I believe you. And I beg you not to let feelings of obligation impede you.”
From the orchard came the sound of laughter. They both looked over, and there was Jean-Philippe on Jacques Marec’s broad shoulders.
Léonie’s gaze rested on the distant pair. Her features softened, and her eyes glowed just like the sunlit honey she had described.
“We will be all right,” she said softly. Decisively. Léonie looked from the orchard to the house and gave a little sigh. “I often miss your mother.” She glanced over at him and grinned. “AnotherAnglaisewould be good for the Carnell family, I think.”
Alexander relaxed and smiled back. “I think you are right.”
Laura and her aunt stood in the churchyard on a lovely late-April day. The winter had passed, and spring had arrived on theisland. Laura saw signs of new life everywhere she looked—the new leaves on trees, the spring blossoms, the new bloom in her aunt’s cheeks every time Mr. Gillan called, and in her own heart as well.
She, Aunt Susan, and Mrs. Tobin had spent a quiet Christmas together, followed by reserved celebrations of the New Year and the news that the war was ending. They observed Eastertide by attending church, making hot cross buns,fliottes,and simnel cake, and inviting several neighbors, including Mr. Gillan, to dine with them. They also had “Jersey wonders” from Alexander’s favorite bakery.
Laura had quickly grown to love her aunt, to know her as true family.Herfamily. Laura was an orphan no longer.
She and Aunt Susan had visited the churchyard several times before but returned today, on her mother’s birthday, with a bouquet of lilies—Mamma’s favorite—and laid them on her parents’ grave.
Stanley and Sara Callaway
Beloved Brother and Father, Sister and Mother
Gone to Their Redeemer
~1803~
Gone but Never Forgotten
Never forgotten. How true.
Arm in arm, the women returned to the house overlooking the harbour. The rocky shoreline and rhythmic waves reminded Laura, as always, of Cornwall, and she was surprised to find she missed it—the beaches and hidden coves, Uncle Matthew, Eseld, Miss Chegwin, and Newlyn. Even Perry and Treeve. She and her uncle had exchanged several more letters over recent months, and he assured her all was well and she was welcometo return anytime she wished. Would she ever return to Fern Haven? She didn’t know.
Laura had also received a chatty letter from Eseld, describing her wedding to Perry and joyous in her expressions of happiness over her new wedded state. Eseld had written,Mamm was angry with you at first for running off likethat, fearing it would harm my reputation and chances of an advantageous match, but Perry’s proposal set her mindat ease. In fact, now that you and I areboth gone from Fern Haven, she seems to be filling the role of parson’s wife more actively than before.
She also wrote,Treeve has sold his ship. Hecontinues to flirt with Kayna Roskilly, but she is giving him the cold shoulder, so I doubt if there isany hope of another Kent wedding anytime soon.
Laura smiled, thinking,Wise, Miss Roskilly.
Eseld also mentioned that Dr. Dawe decided to remain with his sister, so Perry faced no opposition or even competition in establishing a practice in the parish of St. Minver. Even though some were wary of being treated by one so young, most were quick to accept Dr. Kent. After all, he had been born there and was one of them.
Eseld ended the letter with a postscript:Perry insists I add these lines. He thinks you will be pleased to know that he has officially engaged our neighbor Miss Chegwin as hischamber nurse. Between them, he says, their ages average to a very respectable fifty years.
Laura chuckled. “Always knew you were an excellent man, Perran Kent.”
She was pleased indeed.
