Page 103 of The Sisters of Sea View
She drew in a shaky breath and endeavored to keep her expression neutral. “And ... what is Miss Truman like?”
“Oh, beautiful, as I said. A golden-haired angel. Family’s decent. Father passed on and mother a bit of a...” He cleared his throat. “Well. You will meet them during their stay and may judge for yourself.”
Would she meet Miss Truman? Did she want to? Viola was curious even as she dreaded it. “Are they to stay long?”
“Ten days, I believe. You must have read about it in Miss Truman’s latest letter?”
“No, he ... must have kept that one back to read himself.”
“Love letters, you know.” Colin gave her a winking grin.
She could not return it.
When she remained sober, his grin faded. “Surely Jack mentioned her to you?”
No, he had not. She had begun reading one of Miss Truman’s letters, but he’d told her to set it aside without explanation. Aloud, Viola said, “Only in passing.”
“They have not seen each other since Jack’s return,” Colin explained. “His decision. Hoping to heal up first. Can’t blame him for that.”
Viola swallowed and looked around the adjoining sitting and drawing rooms. “And where is the major? Preparing for the visit as well?”
Colin nodded. “Having a shave and haircut as we speak.”
“Ah, well, in that case, I shall take my leave. No wish to be underfoot. Please do tell him I called.”
Emily saw Mr. Gwilt sitting on the veranda that day, his birdcage on the chair beside him.
“Good afternoon.”
“Ah, Miss Emily. Greetings. Will you join us?”
He lifted the cage from the chair and set it on the floor. “Parry won’t mind giving up his chair for a lady.”
“Thank you ... both.”
She sat beside him, and for a time the two gazed down the lawn and across the esplanade to the sea.
“Are you enjoying your stay?” she asked politely.
“I am. A pleasure it is to be somewhere so lovely with such friendly hosts.”
“Have you traveled a great deal?”
“Hardly at all. I’ve spent the last decade rarely straying farther than my own back door.”
He must have noticed her concerned look, for he patted her hand and said, “And I wouldn’t have been anywhere else for the world.”
He inhaled and released a satisfied sigh. “Coming here now though ... Yes. I appreciate the good company most of all. Parry is good company as well, don’t mistake me. But rather more quiet than he used to be.”
She was relieved when he winked at her, and she smiled in reply.
“You may wonder why I keep him when he can longer talk to me.”
“No, I...” Emily started to demur, then admitted, “I own I am curious.”
“Sometimes I wonder it myself—why I was content to leave my wife of many years in a country churchyard yet determined to bring him with me.”
Emily stared at him. “You had a wife, Mr. Gwilt?”
