Page 158 of The Sisters of Sea View
“Who all knows she left with him?”
“Sarah shared a room with Claire, so she knew. Claire begged her not to say anything until she was safely away.”
“Even knowing it would break our parents’ hearts?”
Emily nodded.
“Poor Sarah.”
“Yes, she feels it keenly. Apparently Papa learned of it the next day and went after them, but by then it was too late.”
Viola searched her memory. “I remember how angry he was. And how he refused to speak her name. I thought him so unjust! Why didn’t they tell us?”
“They reasoned the fewer people who knew, the less chance it would become generally known and ruin the rest of us by association.”
“Is that why Papa had an apoplexy?”
“Sarah believes so. It’s only conjecture, but again, the timing aligns.”
“And Mamma? Is this why she almost never mentions Claire?”
Emily nodded once more. “Papa said Claire was dead to him. Forbade Mamma from speaking her name. She has chosen to honor that request, even after his death.”
“Good heavens.”
“So now do you believe me? I am sorry you had to hear about it like this. Sarah only told me because I stumbled upon Claire’s direction and wrote to her. The reply I received... well, it raised more questions than it answered.”
“How so?”
“I will show it to you later. But it did not really seem as though Claire had written it. It was so stilted and impersonal. I think Aunt Mercer told her what to write. She was Papa’s aunt, after all, and quite likely to enforce his edict.”
“No wonder Mamma never liked that woman.” Viola was quiet for several moments, taking it all in. Then she asked, “What are we going to do?”
“About Claire? What can we do?”
“Must be something. Also, now I feel awful. For I told the major what I overheard. He was quite furious with you.”
Emily huffed. “No doubt in the past I would have deserved his censure, but not this time! You will make it right, won’t you? Explain the misunderstanding when next you see him?”
Viola nodded, relieved for herself although concerned about Claire. “I will.”
Viola walked over to Westmount later that day to explain. When she arrived, Taggart told her the major’s father was with him, talking over some news from home, as he had received a letter from an old friend.
Viola decided not to interrupt them. Instead, she wandered into the drawing room, sat at the pianoforte, and began to softly play.
Some time later, the major came in and asked, “May I join you, Miss Summers?”
“You know I don’t like to be watched.”
“I know, and I promise not to stare.”
Viola stopped playing. “You were right, by the way.”
“Ah, my favorite words. What was I right about this time?”
“I did misunderstand what Emily and Sarah were discussing. They were not talking about me.”
“I am glad to hear it. Do you ... wish to tell me what or whom they were discussing?”
