Page 3 of The Sisters of Sea View
Sarah said, “We wish to remain together, sir. If at all possible.”
He nodded gravely. “I understand. But wishes do not always come true.” He rose to take his leave. “Well, please consider my advice, and do let me know if I may be of assistance in selling the house.”
Had he even listened? Clearly, the man would not be able to help them. If they were going to stay together, Sarah realized, it was up to her to find a way.
———
After Mr. Alford left, Sarah retreated into the library and took a closer look at their finances herself, comparing their expenditures over the last several months against the estimated income from Mamma’s jointure. As much as she hated to admit the solicitor was right, once Mamma’s nest egg was gone, the funds would not stretch far enough. Besides the land and window taxes, the government also taxed them for keeping a male servant and for many other items as well: salt, newspapers, soap, candles, tea, pins, sugar, coffee, carriages, wallpaper, and more. Then there was the church tax above the tithes and the county rates. And all of that was before ongoing expenses like food, fuel, clothing, et cetera. Not to mention doctors and medicine for Mamma.
The carriage and horses would clearly have to be sold. What else could they do? She had hoped to engage a dedicated kitchen maid to assist their overworked cook and sole maid, but that was out of the question now. Sarah wondered if she might attempt some of the baking herself, both to help Mrs. Besley and to reduce the amount paid to the local baker.
While she sat at the desk over the ledgers, someone knocked on the open doorframe. Sarah looked up and saw Miss Fran Stirling, and some of her tension immediately eased.
“I did not hear you arrive.”
“Jessie let me in.”
Mamma’s former lady’s maid was a thin brunette in her thirties with a pretty face apart from a rather sharp nose. She had saved her wages, and those savings coupled with a small inheritance from her grandfather had allowed her to leave service a few years ago and purchase a modest boarding house in eastern Sidmouth. Since then, Miss Stirling had maintained a friendly correspondence with her former mistress and had been the first to welcome them when they moved to Sidmouth.
Now the neatly dressed woman tilted her head to study her. “What has you looking so forlorn?”
With a sigh, Sarah explained the situation in bald terms, trusting the woman enough not to gloss over the facts.
Miss Stirling nodded thoughtfully and looked around her. “Well, my dear. I suppose you shall have to undertake what so many in Sidmouth do to earn extra money. Let out rooms to visitors. I get on tolerably well, I must say, and your house is far larger than mine.”
“Really? Do you think we could? We know nothing about managing such an enterprise.”
“Come now, your mother was one of the most popular hostesses in the county. How often you entertained out-of-town guests, organizing house parties, Christmas parties, dinners, and the like.”
“Yes, but those were with family or friends. I can’t imagine boarding strangers here.”
“It will take some getting used to, I don’t deny. If you’d like, I would be happy to share everything I know.” Miss Stirling grinned. “And after those two minutes are spent, I shall help in any other way I can.”
Sarah considered Miss Stirling’s advice and began forming a plan.
The next day, she called a family meeting, and this time, they all gathered in Mamma’s room, where she lay atop the bedclothes, fully dressed in her usual black, a lap rug over her legs. Miss Stirling had returned to lend her voice and support of the scheme.
When everyone was settled, Sarah explained the gap between their income and expenses and how they might fill it—letting out rooms in Sea View.
Viola, with her scarred mouth and tendency to avoid people, was the first to protest. “I don’t want strangers here!”
Mamma frowned. “Nor I. A boarding house? Pray do not be offended, Miss Stirling. The term is just so ... so ... common.” Mamma shuddered.
“What about lodging house?” Sarah suggested.
Ever tolerant, Fran Stirling explained, “Here in Sidmouth,lodging houseis primarily used when an entire house is available for rent, unoccupied, except perhaps for a servant or two.”
“There must be another term we could use,” Mamma insisted. “What about ... guest house? That has a more genteel ring to it.”
Fran nodded. “I agree. And most fitting for a lovely home like Sea View.”
“What we’d call it is beside the point,” Emily said. “Where would we put people? We only have a few spare rooms.”
Sarah consulted her list. “There are six good-sized rooms upstairs—seven, if you count my small chamber.”
“But we occupy four of those rooms between us.”
“We will have to give up our own rooms and share. We might also let out the large dressing room as an adjoining bedchamber, since it faces the sea.”
