Page 172 of The Sisters of Sea View
“Perfect. Thank you. I had better go.”
Viola hurried out the back door, carrying the small blanket under the storm coat. Realizing it would be impossible for Mrs. Denby to walk all the way to Sea View, she stopped at Mr. Radford’s. He had already shut up his shop, but answered her knocking, and agreed to let her borrow the Bath chair she’d hired before. Viola thanked him, then pushed it through the rain to the parish church. Reaching it, Viola waited for the others beneath the covered porch.
A familiar voice called to her, “Viola!” Sarah waved and hurried up the path to join her.
“Here you are. Thank God. I worried when I couldn’t find you. I stopped at Westmount, but they said you and the major had gone to the poor house, and when I saw all that water blocking the way...”
“I am well. I’m sorry to have worried you.”
“Where is the major? I hope he’s safe too?”
“So do I. He and Armaan went in Tom Cordey’s boat to try to reach the poor house.”
Sarah nodded her understanding. “Mr. Henshall went with Mr. Puddicombe in his boat to offer assistance as well. I told them to bring anyone needing shelter or a warm meal to Sea View. We certainly have enough food.”
Viola nodded. “Good idea. Though the Eltons won’t like that.”
“Oh, forget the Eltons.”
“Huzzah!” Viola exclaimed. “And I mean that as a compliment.”
Sarah quickly embraced her, then asked, “Will you be all right here until the men return? I would like to get back and start making preparations.”
“Yes, of course. Go on. I shall see you there soon.”
A few minutes later, the major and Armaan appeared, their arms around a small figure, heads bowed against the wet wind.
When they joined her under the porch, Viola said, “I am so glad you are safe.”
Mrs. Denby looked up, blinking away the rain. “Thanks to these brave, strapping men.”
Noticing the chair, the major said, “Good thinking.” They helped Mrs. Denby into it, and Viola spread the woolen blanket around her shoulders.
Despite her relief, Viola was surprised no one else was with them.
“What about the other residents?”
“Mr. Cordey senior had already picked up Mr. Banks.”
Mrs. Denby spoke up. “Miss Reed would not come. I tried to convince her, but she said if the water swept her away, no one would miss her.”
“Oh no.”
“Armaan and I will try again,” the major said. “Tom is waiting for us with the boat. We’ll see if anyone else needs help.”
“If they do, please bring them to Sea View for shelter and food.”
“Excellent. Thank you.”
He turned to go.
Viola reached out and took his hand. “Take care, Major.”
For a long moment he held her gaze. “I shall.”
Viola yearned to kiss him but, constrained by the presence of others, made do with squeezing his hand.
When Sarah returned to Sea View, wet and winded, she let herself in through the basement door, unfastening her mantle as she went. She hung her wet outer garments and dripping bonnet on pegs in the vestibule, then proceeded into the kitchen.
