Page 135 of The Sisters of Sea View
Sarah slowly shook her head at Viola’s modesty, and a warm fondness spread through her. “I know I’m not your parent, Vi, yet I am proud of you.”
Viola looked at her in surprise, and tears sprang to her eyes. “Thank you, Sarah. That means more than you know.”
———
Later that afternoon, Sarah sat on one of the cushioned chairs on the veranda. She took a deep breath of sea air and sweet peace, enjoying a few minutes of leisure.
The door from the drawing room opened, and Callum Henshall stepped outside, carrying his guitar. “Ah, Miss Summers. May I join ye?”
“Of course.”
He sat in a nearby chair. “Except for our brief time at sea, I have rarely seen ye sitting still, let alone relaxing.”
“A Sabbath rest seemed in order.”
“And well deserved, in your case. Ye work hard.”
“There is always more to do, it seems.” She studied his profile, noticing he appeared preoccupied. “Is something the matter?”
He twisted his mouth to one side. “Not really. Effie is more irritable than usual, if ye can believe it. She now insists we visit the Bath shops on our way home to make up for the ‘intolerable stay in sleepy Sidmouth and endless days of torture in spine-rattling coaches.’”
Sarah said, “I am sorry your stay has proved a disappointment.”
“Only for her. My stay has exceeded all expectations.” He held her gaze, and Sarah’s heart tripped.
“And I don’t think she truly hates it here,” he said. “She has grown rather fond of your family. It’s me who disappoints her, limiting her freedom and spending money, not taking her to a ball or dressmaker. She did enjoy our ride, and sailing to Ladram Bay, much as you and I did. Even so, I shan’t propose another long journey anytime soon. I doubt she’d ever forgive me.”
He gave her a wry grin, and Sarah returned it but felt her chin tremble.
“I am sorry to hear that...” It was on the tip of her tongue to call him Callum, but she resisted.
He looked at her, then away again, squinting toward the sun-streaked bay. Gulls wheeled in the sky, and someone on the beachflew a kite, scattering the seabirds and spurring a squawking protest.
He said, “I know ye have many responsibilities here, with everything being new and so much to learn and oversee. Perhaps in time, though, ye might get away for a wee while. Travel. Miss Emily mentioned a great-aunt in Scotland?”
“Oh ... yes. But we are not close.” She thought of Claire in Scotland too, but did not mention her. It would require explanations she was not quite ready to give.
Several moments of silence passed, broken only by the call of seabirds and the tinkling of the wind chimes in the corner.
Then he asked softly, “Do ye plan to stay here indefinitely? Postpone your own life?”
She stared at him, feeling defensive. “Thisismy life. My family. Our mother needs me.”
“Perhaps one of your sisters might take on your role?”
Sarah paused to consider. “I suppose Georgiana might ... one day. When she grows up a bit and spends less time caring for strays.”
“Seems to me you have taken in several strays as well, myself included.”
Seeing his self-abasing expression, her irritation faded.
“But you’re right,” he added. “She is still quite young. What about Miss Viola?”
“Viola refused to work among the guests. That’s why she began reading to invalids, to bring in income another way. So no, I don’t see her stepping into the role. She has become more involved lately, less reclusive, yet I still think it unlikely.”
“And Miss Emily?”
“Oh, Emily lives with her head in books ... both those she’s reading and those she hopes to write. She is so creative and talented, I would hate to ask it of her.”
