Page 154 of The Sisters of Sea View
“I did not say you had to leave.”
He twisted the ring on his little finger. “I think it best. For everyone.”
Emily raised her chin. “And add insult to injury by departing early with me to blame for the loss of income?”
“I will pay in full before I go.”
Perhaps Emily should have been too proud to accept his money, but her pride had taken too many blows recently to regard such a trivial thing.
She nodded. “Very well.”
“Give me ten minutes.”
Emily and Viola went into the office to wait. Emily retrieved his tally form and totaled his bill but asked Viola to be the one to take his money. Viola somberly agreed and sat behind the desk while Emily stood to one side.
A few moments later, Mark Stanley entered, valise in one hand, hat in the other.
After paying his bill, he tucked his small purse into his pocket and said, “Once again, I apologize. I also regret not being able to take a proper leave of the rest of your family. Do please assure them of my gratitude and best wishes.”
“We shall, of course.”
With a regretful parting look, he bowed and took his leave.
When he had gone, Viola said, “I am sorry, Emily. Truly. I know you probably don’t believe me, but I am.”
“Thank you.” She pressed her sister’s hand. “It’s foolish of me to take it to heart. It was only a harmless flirtation, or so I told myself. Even so...”
Georgiana came in with the post.
“I saw Mr. Stanley leaving just now. I thought he meant to stay longer?”
Viola glanced at Emily, then said evenly, “His plans changed. I believe his sister wanted him to join her at the hotel.”
“Oh. That’s a shame. I liked him.”
So did I, Emily thought.
When Georgiana had handed over the letters and gone upstairs, Viola gave Emily’s hand a final squeeze, and went to see if Mamma needed anything.
Emily sat at the desk with the day’s post, hoping for some good news to distract her from the unhappy scene with Mr. Stanley. Flipping through the few letters, she stopped at one postmarked from Edinburgh.
She eagerly lifted the seal and unfolded the letter. Noticing how unexpectedly brief it was, she read:
Dear Emily,
Thank you for inquiring into my well-being. I continue in good health, which is an undeserved blessing.
I was surprised to receive your letter. I understood from Aunt Mercer that Papa had forbidden any contact with me. So while I appreciate the gesture, please respect our father’s wishes in future and refrain from writing again. Postage rates to and from Scotland are terribly expensive.
Sincerely,
Clarice
Emily’s stomach knotted as she reread the stolid, stilted words. Claire, her Claire, had not written this. Yet she could not deny the handwriting was familiar.
And she had signed itClarice.A nickname Emily had sometimes called her in jest when Claire had been too serious or mother hen–like. Was there a hidden message there?
Emily thought again of seeing Lord Bertram last night, his questions about her sisters, and Miss Craven’s warning.
