Page 104 of The Sisters of Sea View
“You may well be surprised, the likes of me being so blessed.”
“I did not mean...”
He raised his palm. “It’s all right, my dear. I am not easily offended. Cannot afford to be, considering my traveling companion.”
His gaze returned to the sea. “Yes, Mrs. Gwilt and I were married for five and twenty years, and I loved her with all my heart. Yet I prefer to remember her as she was, before a long illness ravaged her, body and mind.”
“I am so sorry.”
He nodded, expression pained. “It stole her speech and memory. I felt so dashed helpless. I cared for her, I did, as best I could, although she could not speak to me and barely seemed to know who I was. Oh, the years of silence.”
His eyes glistened with unshed tears. He blinked them back and worked his lip in an effort to maintain control.
“That’s when I realized I needed Parry as much as he needed me.” He laid his hand on the cage between their chairs. “He talked in those days. Filled those silent rooms with pleasant chatter.”
“I am glad you found each other.”
Again Mr. Gwilt nodded, his gaze lingering on the parrot. “When my wife passed, Parry was there beside me. All too soon, he was silenced too, and the house became unbearably quiet. Unbearably empty.” He took a deep, steadying breath. “Yet he still looks well, and his bright colors cheer me.” He moved the cage forward, so they might both view the parrot.
“And of course, for all that I loved him, and sometimes forget the truth of it, deep down I know he is—was—only a bird.”
After a moment passed, he sniffed and added, “After I had him ... preserved, a local tavern keeper offered me a crown for him. Wanted to set him on a shelf behind the bar.” Mr. Gwilt somberly shook his head. “Now, if he’d offered a guinea, I woulda left this weeduttythere in a trice.”
Emily started at that, and a bubble of mirth threatened. She glanced at him, unsure if he was jesting or how she should react.
He sent her a mischievous grin, and she burst out laughing.
Mr. Gwilt joined in, and Emily thought she had rarely heard such a beautiful sound.
20
After I got back to the machine, I presently felt myself in a Glow that was delightful—it is the finest feeling in the World, and will induce me to Bathe as often as will be safe.
—Frances Burney, diary
Thankfully, Mamma’s second bathing experience went better, and she returned to Sea View shaky but smiling. And, after a few days, she released Emily from the task of accompanying her, saying that between Georgiana and a walking stick, she could manage the distance herself. They were all relieved at this evidence of Mamma’s improving strength—perhaps Emily most of all.
During those days, Sarah, Mamma, and Mrs. Besley also discussed options, consulted shopkeepers, and planned a menu for the Eltons’ dinner party. Together they calculated a fair price to charge—enough to cover their costs, reward staff for extra effort, and hire a waiter for the evening.
Sarah presented the proposed menu in written form and self-consciously quoted the price. She held her breath, waiting for Mrs. Elton to faint away in shock or at least to protest.
When Mrs. Elton said nothing, Sarah added, “Mrs. Besley and my mother both feel the price is fair for the menu and number ofguests. But if it exceeds what you expected, we could exchange the beef in favor of chicken. Or mutton is also less expensive, and haricot mutton is very tasty.”
Mrs. Elton studied the page. “No, I like the menu as it is. And it shall be worth it, for us and for you. For when such renowned personages come here as our guests, Sea View’s reputation will be assured.”
Renowned personages? Sarah licked dry lips. “You mentioned Mr. Lousada. Who else are you planning to invite?”
“Dear Lady Kennaway and Sir John, of course. General and Mrs. Baynes. Mr. Wallis of the Marine Library. He may be a publisher, but he is so well-known. I don’t think anyone looks down on him as a tradesman, even if he”—another of her theatrical whispers—“sellsbooks and prints.”
She returned the menu to Sarah and continued, “Then there’s Mr. Butcher. We attended services at his chapel specifically to make his acquaintance, although we are Church of England. And I suppose we must have his wife as well.”
Sarah’s ears began to buzz. Mr. Butcher? This could be the opportunity they’d been hoping for. Emily had still received no reply to her letter. But if he accepted an invitation from the Eltons, that would still give them an opportunity to impress the man. Emily would be so pleased!
Mrs. Elton went on to list a few other names, most of whom were visitors to Sidmouth and unknown to Sarah. Then they settled on a date—the Saturday a little more than two weeks hence.
Twisting her lips to the side in thought, the woman added, “I believe I shall deliver the invitations in person. It will give me a chance to pay calls and further our acquaintance, which will ease the flow of conversation around the table. Unless you think sending them by post would be more correct?”
Sarah considered. In her experience, people did not like to be pressed for an immediate answer. She said, “Writing would give people a chance to review their schedules and respond by letter.”
