Page 48 of The Sisters of Sea View
“Fiddle,” Georgie said. “That disqualifies Mr. Stanley.”
Mamma frowned. “Is this man trifling with one of you? Need I be concerned? Had I thought there was risk of that, I would never have agreed to this venture. And here we expected octogenarians and invalids!”
“No, Mamma,” Emily assured her. “Mr. Stanley is a perfect gentleman.”
Georgie’s eyes twinkled. “Though Emily does flirt with him awfully.”
“That does not signify,” Viola replied. “Emily flirts with everyone.”
Emily stuck out her tongue at her twin.
Mamma frowned again. “Take care, Emily,” she warned. “Some men can be trusted, while some can’t, and it’s often difficult to tell which is which.”
“I shall be careful, Mamma. Please don’t upset yourself. There is nothing to worry about.”
Then Emily turned back to their guest, no doubt eager to change the subject. “It’s so wonderful, Miss Stirling, how you manage your own business. Very impressive.”
“I am not so unusual. I know of a butler and three formerhousekeepers who either own a small boarding house or manage one or two lodging houses for absentee owners. Oh, and the pastry chef? He was formerly a cook in Clapham.”
“No! But he acts so...”
“Arrogant? That’s because he is much sought after.” She lifted her jam tart. “He shan’t like you giving him competition.”
Sarah tucked her chin. “I only bake a few biscuits and scones and things. I am still learning.”
“I’d say you’re a quick learner.” Miss Stirling took another bite. “Delicious. By the way, if you ever want to go into business, I know of a certain boarding house that could use a dozen a day.”
“I am not ready to open my own shop, but I could manage that.” Sarah winked. “At least ... for a certain special boarding-house keeper.”
Jessie appeared in the doorway. “Begging your pardon, ladies. There are two Mr. Huttons come to call, and another man.”
Sarah sobered. “That is our new neighbor.”
Viola paled and rose. “Pray, excuse me.” She retreated into the adjoining dressing room.
“Show them in,” Mamma said.
“In here?” Sarah asked.
“Why not? Am I not presentable? I am already dressed for company.”
A moment later, Jessie returned and announced, “Mr. Hutton and Mr. Hutton,” before scuttling off again.
A tall, silver-haired gentleman stepped in first and said, “Good day, ladies. I hope we don’t disturb you.”
“Not at all. You are welcome, sir,” Mamma replied.
The dignified man glanced around the room. “Is Miss Viola not here?”
“She just stepped out.” Mamma glanced toward the dressing room and added pointedly, “She will rejoin us soon, I don’t doubt.”
“I am Frank Hutton.” He bowed, then turned to a second man behind him. “And this is my son Colin. My older son, Major JohnHutton—we call him Jack—lives in Westmount. It is for him that Miss Viola reads.”
“Ah. A pleasure to meet you.”
The older man gestured his son into the room. “Colin has just arrived for a visit, and when he learned four sisters lived next door, he insisted on being introduced.”
A fashionably attired young man with wavy golden hair and a handsome face stepped forward. Overdressed for a seaside guest house, he would have looked right at home in a lord’s London drawing room.
