Page 161 of The Sisters of Sea View
Emily shook her head. “Not that I know of.”
Sarah took a steadying breath and said, “I am sorry you are disappointed with the response, but everything is arranged for tomorrow—the food is in the larder and Mrs. Besley has already begun preparing it. There’s no going back now.”
“Of course there is. There will be no dinner party. None we shall host, at any rate. I am canceling. Do what you like with the food. Serve it to your guests.”
“But ... you will pay for it, as agreed, won’t you?” From the desk drawer, Sarah pulled the tally form itemizing the couple’s expenses so far, including the cost of the dinner.
“Why on earth would we? My friends shan’t be eating it.”
Sarah expelled a huff. “We have gone to great expense on your behalf.”
Mrs. Elton shrugged. “A risk of business, I suppose. One should not enter trade if one cannot bear the risks. Well. You are less disappointed than we are, I assure you.”
“I highly doubt that.”
Her husband wandered in, looking from Sarah to his wife and back again. “And what are we discussing?”
“We are discussing exorbitant fees.” Mrs. Elton turned back to Sarah. “And I would like to remind you, Miss Summers, that we asked very politely for the music to stop, and it has not. Nor have you accommodated all of our special requests for breakfast. You will, I trust, compensate us for the many little troubles and disappointments by reducing our bill?”
Sarah stared, stomach twisting. “I am afraid we cannot do that.”
Mrs. Elton’s false smile faded and with it all semblance of civility. “That is a pity, for now we shall be forced to tell Mr. Butcher and Mr. Wallis about our thoroughly unsatisfactory experience with Sea View.”
Her husband spoke up. “Now, my dear, I thought it rather pleasant.”
“Do shut up, Philip.”
Sarah swallowed. “I am sorry you feel you must do that. But I must still charge you the agreed-to amount.”
“Wait until our friends hear about this!” Mrs. Elton glared at her in disgust.
Sarah managed to hold her gaze. “We must each act according to our own conscience.”
Emily was less circumspect. “Go ahead and tell them, Mrs.Elton. And why not begin with your bosom friend Mr. Lousada, ordearLady Kennaway?”
“Perhaps I shall.” Mrs. Elton raised her hands. “I have never been treated with such disrespect in my life!”
“Really?” Emily began. “That is not what I—”
Sarah cut her off. “Don’t.”
Mr. Elton silently held out his palm, and Sarah laid the bill into it.
“Do not pay that,” his wife seethed.
“I am a man who pays my debts, Augusta, and keeps his vows, even when it tries one’s patience to do so.” He sent Sarah a significant look and pulled out his purse.
Someone rapped the front door knocker. Emily hurried to answer it, and soon returned with a surprising visitor.
Sarah glanced up and her mouth fell ajar. “Lady Kennaway. What an ... unexpected pleasure.”
At the name, Mrs. Elton whirled to face the newcomer, and her countenance took on a greenish hue.
“I have come to pay an overdue call.” Lady Kennaway looked from stunned face to stunned face. “Have I come at an inconvenient time?”
“Not at all.” Emily beamed. “You are just in time to greet your dear old friend, Mrs. Elton.”
Mrs. Elton sputtered, “L-Lady Kennaway, I ... I am...”
