Page 139 of The Sisters of Sea View
Closing the book, she instead picked up the latest edition ofThe Exeter Flying Postand began perusing the Help Wanted column. She ran her finger down the listings, bypassing ads for apprentices and cooks and searching the notices for governesses or companions.
One post was offered in Brighton, many hours from there by coach. Would she really ask one of her sisters to take such a situation? And so far from home? Or should she apply herself, leaving the others to muddle along without her?
No.
Sarah laid down the paper with a heavy sigh.
A familiar Scripture whispered through her mind. The verse about casting all your cares upon God.
Sarah pressed her palms together, closed her eyes, and began to pray.
———
Sometime later, Sarah heard a floorboard squeak and glanced up. Mr. Gwilt hovered in the doorway.
“Sorry. I did not mean to interrupt.”
“That’s all right. Do come in.”
He approached the desk. “I have been, um, thinking of the future.”
“Oh? Then we have that in common. Do go on.”
“You once said I could stay on longer, if I liked. Perhaps you were simply being polite.”
“Not at all. You are perfectly welcome.”
“Thank you. I have so enjoyed my time here with your family, and the truth is I ... have nowhere else to go.”
Her heart twisted for the lonely man, and emotion heated her eyes.
Seeing her expression, he hurried to reassure her. “Now, now, it’s not as dire as all that. I am not destitute. I have my savings from selling our home. Not a grand place, mind—brick terrace, two up, two down. Got a fair price, though. Money won’t last forever, but I can afford to stay a mite longer before I find work. That isifanyone will have me. I’m not a young man, I realize, yet I’m still able-bodied and able-minded ... mostly.” He chuckled weakly.
Sarah asked, “What kind of situation would you take up?”
He shrugged. “Some sort of clerk, perhaps. I was employed as a bank clerk for years. When the missus took ill, I started doing bookkeeping for nearby shops, primarily from home, so I wouldn’t have to leave her for long.”
For a moment he looked away, expression forlorn, then he managed a small smile. “In any case, I will pay in advance, as before. Perhaps an extra week to begin with? After that, I would need to cash a bank draught.”
“The bank in Exeter could help you with that.” Sarah hesitated to repeat what she’d said when he first arrived, until her conscience needled her.
She swallowed a reluctant lump and began, “Again, we do not require payment in advance, but—”
Mr. Gwilt raised his hand. “No, no. I like to pay as I go. Never one to run up debts, not I.”
Relief swept through her. “I confess, payment would be much appreciated.”
In fact, it might just be an answer to prayer.
27
The place is very full—and there is so much quadrilling & cricketing, that nobody can doubt its intellectuality.
—Elizabeth Barrett (Browning), letter from Sidmouth
When Viola knocked on Westmount’s front door the next morning, Taggart answered, but for once no welcoming smile lit his face, nor did he fling wide the door and invite her inside.
Instead, he gave her an apologetic wince. “Not today, miss.”
