Page 43 of The Sisters of Sea View
She led the way around the corner to his room.
“Here you are. Good night, Mr. Henshall.”
“Good night.”
Sarah continued to her room, concern niggling at her.What was he up to?For all her exhaustion of moments before, it took her a long time to fall asleep.
8
The Devon coast was becoming a retirement area for invalids, particularly returned East India Company officials.
—Sidmouth, A History
The next day, Emily sat writing at the high-backed library desk. Someone knocked on the doorframe, and she looked up.
Jessie stood there, gesturing someone into the room. “Here she is.”
Emily felt slightly disconcerted to see Tom Cordey step forward. As far as she knew, it was the first time he’d been inside Sea View.
His broad shoulders seemed to fill the doorway.
Jessie gazed up at the young man, all dimples and shining eyes, before retreating. Tom had that effect on females, although he seemed utterly unaware of it.
“Morning, Tom.”
“Miss.” He swiped his flat cap from his head and shifted foot to foot, saying nothing more.
As the silence lengthened, her unease grew. Was he working up his courage to say something? No, surely Sarah was wrong about his admiration. Emily opened her mouth, then shut it. Whatshould she say to divert such a conversation, if that’s what he intended?
When she remained quiet, he prompted, “I’m here about the doors?”
“Oh, right!” she exclaimed on a rush of breath, feeling both foolish and relieved. “To decide what kind of wood to use for the signs.”
He nodded.
“Well.” She rose. “Let’s go up and I shall show you.”
She led the way upstairs and walked with him to the nearest guest room. Mr. Stanley’s room.
Tom ran his hand over the grain of the doorframe. “Oak.”
She smiled. “If you say so.”
Taking out a carpenter’s rule, he held it to the door to demonstrate. “I was thinking eight or nine inches by four, if that suits.”
“Yes, perfect.”
Footsteps came up the stairs. Emily glanced over and saw Mr. Stanley approaching, mouth quirked.
“Sneaking into my room again, Miss Emily?”
Only belatedly did he notice Tom a few feet away, half-hidden by shadows.
“Oh. Sorry.”
Tom stiffened, looking from Mr. Stanley to her. Realizing how the guest’s comment might be misconstrued, Emily felt her face heat.
“He is only teasing. Mr. Stanley, this is Tom Cordey, who is helping us with some room signs.”
