Page 179 of The Sisters of Sea View
When all their guests were finally settled, she sought out Viola and found her in the quiet kitchen lit by lamps, heating a saucepan of warm milk.
Emily held out her hand, and Viola took it. Her twin’s shining gaze latched onto hers like two halves of a locket.
“He asked you, then?”
Viola nodded, lips pressed together in a giddy smile.
“I knew it.” Emily grasped her other hand as well. “Well done.”
“Well done? It is not as though I set out to capture him.”
“Yet you did. And you have me to thank. For I am the one who placed that advertisement, remember.”
Viola chuckled. “How could I forget?” She squeezed Emily’s hands before releasing them. “I do thank you.”
“Though at the time you wanted to throttle me.”
“True.” Viola retrieved a second cup, divided the milk between them, and set them on the table. She stared dreamily at the flickering candle lamp and slowly shook her head. “I still can’t believe it. I thought I would never marry. No one did. While everyone thought you...” Viola looked down, lips pressed in a thin line. “Sorry.”
“It’s all right.”
Viola said, “If Charles does not come to his senses, in time some wiser man will.”
“Or several! But for now, I am content. Truly. As long as...” Emily’s teasing voice trailed away, and she tapped her chin.
“As long as what?”
“I get to be your bridesmaid.”
Viola grinned. “Who else?”
The next morning, Viola shared her good news with Sarah as well.
“Do you mind that one of your younger sisters shall be married first?” Viola asked, feeling rather nervous.
“Not at all!” Sarah came around the library desk to embrace her. “I am very happy for you and the major both. Besides, it’s past time we had a wedding in the family.”
Viola tilted her head to regard her. “I was waiting for you to say what you always say—that you have already had one great love in your life and do not expect to have another.”
Sarah gave her a closed-lip smile that did not reach her eyes. “I did say that a lot, I know. But now ... now I wish I had not.”
“Because of Mr. Henshall?” Viola whispered.
Sarah shook her head. “Mr. Henshall and Effie leave for Scotland in a few days’ time. He has responsibilities there. An estate. People depending on him. Just as I have here.”
“Surely there must be some way to manage both. This place and your happiness?”
Sarah sighed and patted Viola’s hand. “You are kind to think of me. But wash off that long face. Today we are going to be happy for you.”
———
When Viola left the office, Sarah sat back down at the desk.
A few moments later, Mr. Elton stepped in. “We are taking our leave. I have come to pay for the extra nights.”
“Thank you, Mr. Elton.”
Sarah glanced behind him but saw no sign of his wife.
