Page 178 of The Sisters of Sea View
Watching the proceedings, Emily raised both hands in triumph. Sarah feared the gesture premature. With the rooms crowded with coarse-talking fishermen, elderly people wearing blankets, and other bedraggled guests, along with piles of wet boots and coats, she knew Sea View was not looking, nor smelling, its best.Oh well, she told herself. Some things were more important.
Georgie glanced around the room and said, “I feel like we are all inside Noah’s ark, safe and dry while the rain falls and floodwater rises outside.”
Amused by this, people exchanged smiles with those near them. Many seemed to have already paired off in twos and threes by unspoken agreement.
Georgiana nudged Effie beside her, while Sarah found herself exchanging glances with Effie’s father.
Across the room, Viola and Major Hutton grinned at each other like besotted fools, as did Mr. Gwilt and Parry. Meanwhile, Miss Reed sent a surreptitious glance toward Mr. Hornbeam.
Emily and Mamma sat near each other. The Huttons and Armaan. Mr. Banks from the poor house and Mrs. Denby. Mr. and Mrs. Butcher. And two pairs of Cordeys: Punch and Tom, Bibi and her father.
All safe and sound.
Gratitude washed over her.Thank you, Lord.
———
Finding herself with a quiet moment while the major talked with his family, Viola crossed the room to see how Mrs. Denby was faring. The old woman was seated alone on one end of thesofa, lap rug over her legs, Bath chair stowed in the hall. Mr. Banks had returned to the dining room to refill his plate.
“All right, Mrs. Denby? Warm enough? May I bring you more tea?”
“No, my dear. I have all I need.” She patted the space beside her. “But I have something for you.”
She pulled a flat square of folded brown paper from inside her bodice.
Viola sat down and accepted it. “What’s this?”
The older woman reached over and unwrapped the paper. “You didn’t think I would leave them behind with a flood threatening?”
“Your sprigs!” Viola recognized them as the woman’s prized pieces of Honiton lace. The flower, leaves, and birds.
Mrs. Denby held up the flower. “The pattern was supposed to be a pansy, but itcouldbe a violet. We’ll call it a viola. In any case, I want you to have these. They may not be perfect, yet they’re beautiful and give me such pleasure whenever I see them—as you do.”
“Oh, Mrs. Denby. I love them, but are you sure? I know how you value them.”
She nodded. “I have no daughter or granddaughter—except for you. There is no one I would rather give them to.”
Viola squeezed her hand. “Thank you. I think these would look rather well, say, on a bridal veil?”
Mrs. Denby drew in a sharp breath. “Oh, my dear! Now that’s one veil I would like to see you wear! I can think of no better place for these to end up.”
“You are the first to know, so shh...” Viola put a finger to her lips.
“I understand.” The woman’s eyes shone with delight. “Oh! I am so happy!”
Viola kissed her cheek and then went to tell her mother.
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The dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf ... so Noah knew that the waters were abated.
—Genesis 8:11
Late on the night of the flood, people with dry homes awaiting them, including the Cordeys, Butchers, and Huttons, departed with many thanks for the feast. The poor-house residents, however, could not yet return home. Mamma insisted on giving up her room to Mrs. Denby, who was frail and far less able to manage stairs than she was. Mamma said she felt stronger than she had in years and would sleep in her husband’s former room. Despite these assurances, Emily noticed her breathing hard and gripping the railing tight, all but pulling herself up the final steps. Emily quickly offered an arm to assist her.
They gave Miss Reed the only other unoccupied guest room, the one vacated by Mr. Stanley several days before and recently cleaned. Meanwhile Mr. Hornbeam offered the spare bed in his room—never slept in by his son—to Mr. Banks.
Amid all this bustle, Emily noticed Viola slip into Mamma’s temporary room for a few minutes and guessed what the two might be talking about. Hopeful anticipation gladdened Emily’s heart.
