Page 56 of The Sisters of Sea View
Callum Henshall nodded his understanding. “I am sorry.”
Throat tight, she whispered, “So am I.”
She’d had one great love in her life, and she did not expect to have another.
Two ladies they had met briefly at church came to call at Sea View—Mrs. Fulford and Mrs. Robins. Emily chatted with them in the drawing room while Sarah disappeared to put the kettle on. Georgie belatedly joined them, swiping at a grass stain on her dress on her way to the sofa. Viola, as she often did, made herself scarce.
When Sarah had served tea, tall, elegant Mrs. Fulford began. “We are here today on behalf of The Poor’s Friend Society, instituted for the purpose of visiting and relieving the sick and distressed poor of Sidmouth.”
Birdlike Mrs. Robins spoke up. “My husband is treasurer.”
Mrs. Fulford nodded and continued, “We are here to collect subscriptions as well as donations of cast-off clothing, suitable either for men or women, boys or girls. Also, bedding will be thankfully received and appropriated with the greatest care to the most needy and prudent of the poor.”
“That is good of you,” Emily said. “Very kind.”
“We have recently purchased new bedding,” Sarah said. “Sowe have older bedclothes we could donate. I don’t know about apparel.”
“I have a dress or two I’ve outgrown,” Georgiana offered, her full lips flecked with biscuit crumbs.
“Nothing too fine or unsuitable for work, if you please,” Mrs. Fulford said. “We would not wish the recipient to feel conspicuous.”
None of Georgiana’s hard-lived-in clothes could be considered fine, but Emily kept that to herself.
Mrs. Robins cupped a small hand to her mouth and said in a diffident whisper, “Donations of monies are also welcome.”
The sisters exchanged uneasy glances. That was one thing they didn’t have to spare.
“Well, thank you for coming, ladies,” Emily said. “I am sure we can find a few things to donate. Bring it to the church, shall we?”
“Actually, the grocer has kindly offered to receive donations on behalf of the society.”
“We shall bring what we can to him, then.” Emily rose. “And we are already quite active in charitable works. Georgiana feeds strays, and our own Viola reads to invalids. So—”
“Does she indeed?” Mrs. Fulford interjected, eyes alight with interest and one brow arched high. “Excellent. A few residents of our poor house have requested visits. I am sure they would be delighted to have a young lady read to them.” She looked expectantly from sister to sister. “And which of you is Viola?”
“Oh, she is...”
“Busy,” Georgiana blurted.
“Shy,” Sarah answered at the same time.
“But we shall pass along your request,” Emily said smoothly. “I am sure Viola will help if she can.”
“Are you?” Viola walked into the room, chin lifted, eyes sparking.
Emily recognized that look.Uh-oh.This could end badly. And just when Emily had pacified their visitors with little trouble to herself, and all but ushered them out the door! Did Viola want totest the women, or did she simply enjoy making things difficult for the rest of them?
“Are you sure these ladies will want my help?” Viola sat down directly across from the visitors, her veil noticeably absent. Goodness, what had come over her?
The two women sat there, their placid smiles fading as they studied Viola’s face. The birdlike woman’s mouth fell open, and Emily longed to drop a worm inside.
Mrs. Robins began to rise, clearly aghast, staring one moment and averting her gaze the next, looking at her colleague, then at her reticule, then at her watch pin.
Mrs. Fulford, obviously the leader of the pair, laid a gloved hand on the other woman’s arm and slowly pulled her back down, her focus remaining on Viola’s face with an expression of determined pleasantness.
“Miss Viola, is it? We are happy to meet you.”
Mrs. Robins turned and said in another of her perfectly audible whispers, “My daughter is expecting a child.”
