Page 185 of The Sisters of Sea View
For a moment, he held her gaze. Then he took her hand, pressed a kiss to the back of it, and departed.
Sarah stood there, rubbing the warm spot with her thumb, until the donkey cart arrived and minutes later rumbled away.
Longing for consolation and assurance that she had done the right thing, Sarah was tempted to seek out her mother. Instead, she went into the library to distract herself with her daily list of tasks.
A short while later, she was surprised when her mother came to find her. “Good morning, my dear.”
Sarah rose. “Good morning, Mamma. Do you need something? Can I bring you a cup of tea?”
“Sit down, child. You don’t need to wait on me every moment. I like your attention, I admit, but you are not my nurse. Nor do I need one any longer.”
Sarah’s gaze swept over her. “You are looking rather well, I must say.”
“Thank you.” Her mother stepped to the window. “The Henshalls departed on time?”
“Yes, a short while ago.”
“Sorry to see him go?” Her mother turned to her, expression measuring.
“Maybe a little.” Sarah tilted her head to study her mother’s face. “Why are you looking at me like that? I never set my cap at him, and I never expected anything to come of our ... friendship. Certainly not romance. I like him, yes. But it’s completely impractical to ponder a future between us. He lives in Scotland and I live here. And we have known each other only a short time.”
“About the same amount of time Viola and Major Hutton have been acquainted, and they are engaged.”
“It is not the same. Viola and the major both live here, and she may give up reading to invalids any time she likes, whereas my responsibilities will continue.”
At the thought of the tasks awaiting her, Sarah said, “Mamma, might we talk later? I have a great deal to do today.”
“Like?”
“Like discussing this week’s menu with Mrs. Besley and writing up orders for the butcher and greengrocer.”
“Already done.”
“Oh. Then there are the bills and quarterly wages.”
“Paid those too.”
“You did?”
“Yes. And Georgiana and Bibi have made all the beds. Emily is all caught up on correspondence. And I dusted the parlour myself.”
Sarah blinked in surprise.
“I am slowly regaining my strength,” Mamma continued. “I admit helping with the feast the night of the flood exhausted me, but Iamgetting better.”
“Due to the sea-bathing, do you think?”
Georgiana came in to join them, replying, “That and the long walks we’ve been taking.”
Emily and Viola appeared in the threshold as well.
“I am thankful,” Sarah said. “Yet we still need to work out how to attract more guests. If we don’t increase our income soon, we will be in trouble.”
“Taken care of,” Emily said. “Sea View will be mentioned in the new edition ofThe Beauties of Sidmouth Displayed. I asked Mr. Wallis for a peek and copied down the addition.” She handed Sarah a slip of paper, which read,
Sea View is a guest house in the western town, owned and managed by Mrs. Summers and her daughters. The Summers family deserve particular commendation and support for adding to the accommodation of visitors by every species of comfort, neatness, and domestic attention. The house is delightfully situated, with charming views of the sea and the surrounding country. Meals plentiful and excellent. Overall, Sea View is a delightful abode for those not wishing the expense of a private lodging house.
Mind wheeling, Sarah read it again, almost afraid to believe it. “But ... how?”
