Page 34 of The Sisters of Sea View
He silently read the list.
She said, “Ifsilver birchis too long, you can just carvebirch.”
He nodded.
“And you must let us know how much to pay you. It is awkward to speak of money among friends, I realize, but we want to be fair.”
“I’ll think on it. What sort o’ wood do you want me to use?”
“Heavens, I don’t know.”
“What are the doors made of? Oak? Pine? Alder?”
“I don’t know that either.”
“Perhaps I’d better come by and look.”
“Of course. You are welcome anytime.”
She smiled at him, and he held her gaze with eyes as blue as a summer sky.
Mr. Cordey waved a hand. “Ahoy! There come two o’ yer sisters.”
Emily turned and saw Sarah and Georgiana walking along the esplanade, no doubt on their way home from evensong.
Punch returned with the wrapped parcel. “Here you go, Miss Sunshine. I wish they was roses, but sadly, these’ll have to do.”
She chuckled and accepted the grease-stained parcel, holding it away from her dress. “Thank you.”
Her sisters came over to greet them. They thanked Mr. Cordey for the herrings, and then Bibi came out to join them and they all chatted amiably for a time.
Eventually, they bid the family farewell and turned to go. As they made their way home, Sarah lowered her voice and said, “Take care there, Emily.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“With Mr. Cordey’s son.”
“Oh, Punch is a flirt, but he’s harmless.”
“Not him. I mean Tom.”
“Tom? He barely says a word to me!”
“Which is a symptom, I fear. And how he looks at you ... I think he admires you.”
“You are imagining things.”
“Perhaps,” Sarah allowed without conviction. “But you might wish to be more ... circumspect in your behavior.”
“I don’t know how to do that.”
“Try not to ... sparkle ... so much in his company.”
“Sparkle? Really?” Emily huffed. “Very well. I shall endeavor not tosparkle. Whatever that means.”
“She can’t help it,” Georgiana defended. “It’s her way.”
Sarah remained serious. “Just promise me you shall be careful.”
