Page 26 of The Sisters of Sea View
Inside, the two porters set the chair down and opened its door, one young man reaching in and helping their mother rise and emerge from the small enclosure. Thankfully, Eugenia Summers could still walk short distances on her own.
Meanwhile Emily paid their fees to one of the attendants, who led them into the ladies’ dressing room. There, they changed into the supplied brown linen petticoats and jackets with tie waists. Emily noticed that while all the women were clad in the same nondescript clothing, each kept on her own turban or hat, oftenornate millinery confections with feathers or artificial fruit and flowers.
When they were ready, the attendant opened a door for them, which opened right onto the sunken bath. Emily and Georgiana each took one of Mamma’s arms, and together they descended several steps into the giant communal cistern. All around the perimeter, people sat with heated water up to their necks—women and men both. This surprised Emily, especially when the sexes bathed separately at the beach.
The men wore similar brown linen suits. They sat side by side in a warm, salty mist, several still wearing their hats.
Lightweight bowls of wood and copper floated on the water, carrying scented oils and sweet-smelling pomanders, bobbing perilously each time a bather stirred the surface.
Glancing around at all the perspiring people in their billowing costumes, Emily was reminded of bloated brown mushrooms simmering in a pan.
Among the unfamiliar faces, one came into focus. An older gentleman wearing a tall beaver hat, who nodded in Georgiana’s direction.
“Who is that?” Emily whispered.
“Mr. Hutton. He is the man who answered your advertisement and engaged Viola to read to his son.”
“Ah. I wondered why he was looking at us.”
“Shall I introduce you?”
Their mother spoke up. “I hardly think this is the time or place for introductions.”
Emily silently agreed, trying her best to stay calm and keep her chin out of the water.
Georgiana waved to Mr. Hutton but did not approach. It seemed a strange setting for social intercourse, although several women were doing just that, chatting away like chickens in a stew pot.
Then Emily noticed Mr. Stanley across the way. He sat there amid the other men, looking rather miserable and dabbing hissweaty face with a limp handkerchief before tucking it into the brim of his hat. Seeing her, his expression instantly brightened, and he bowed his head in salute. His hat tipped forward and he narrowly snatched it back before it toppled into the water. Emily smiled to ease his embarrassment, and he sent her a sheepish grin in return.
After soaking for the prescribed span, Emily and Georgiana helped Mamma from the bath. They were met by an attendant proffering glasses of warm sea water. Mamma dutifully drank hers. Emily, however, set hers down after one bitter sip.
“Well, Mamma. How do you feel?” she asked.
“Like spent tea leaves after steeping too long.”
Emily chuckled, recognizing where she had gotten her way with words.
New guests arrived at Sea View later that afternoon, and Sarah and Emily greeted them in the hall. Sarah was glad to have a married couple staying with them after receiving a single man and a widower. She hoped, however, that a woman would not be more difficult to please. The couple, both dark-haired and well-dressed, were perhaps in their early to midthirties.
“Mr. and Mrs. Elton, you are very welcome.”
“Thank you, Mrs....?”
“Miss Sarah Summers. And this is my sister Miss Emily. You will also meet Viola and Georgiana during your stay.”
“I see. Am I the only married woman among us? Ah well.” Mrs. Elton lifted her watch pin. “We are rather earlier than we thought. We made excellent time. Our coachman and horses are so extremely expeditious.” She looked again at Sarah. “In your letter, you were kind enough to offer stabling here, but that will not be necessary. We have made arrangements with the livery.”
“Very good.”
Sarah observed the studied elegance of the woman’s dress, and her gracious smiles. An affluent couple with a large acquaintance could be good for business.
The newcomers glanced around the hall.
“A very fine house indeed,” Mrs. Elton said. “I am extremely pleased with it. You may believe me. I never compliment.”
Her husband continued his perusal, saying nothing.
Mrs. Elton walked into the nearby drawing room. “Very like Maple Grove indeed. I am quite struck by the likeness! The drawing room is the very shape and size of the one in my childhood home.” She turned to her spouse. “Mr. Elton, is not it astonishingly like? And the staircase... You know, as I came in, I observed how alike the staircase was, placed exactly in the same part of the house. I assure you, Miss Summers, it is delightful to be reminded of a place I am so extremely partial to.” She sighed. “Whenever you are transplanted, like me, you will understand how very delightful it is to meet with anything like what one has left behind. I always say that leaving one’s former home is quite one of the evils of matrimony.”
