Page 58 of The Sisters of Sea View
She knocked softly and let herself in. “Good day, Mamma.” Sarah was glad to see her dressed and alert, a book on her lap. “Do you mind if I bring in Mr. Henshall? He and his wife lived here before we came, and this was her room. She left something behind, and he’d like to find it if it is still here.”
“Really? How unexpected. Although his surname seemed familiar to me, remember? I believe the property agent mentioned the former tenants. The agent also had the place thoroughly cleaned and some rooms repainted before we bought it, so I doubt anything would have been left lying about. What is it? Perhaps I have seen it.”
“A small jewelry case. Leather with brass hinges and clasp.”
“Goodness me. I doubt something like that would have gone unnoticed. Probably taken.”
“You may be right, but he would still like to have a look, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. I have been longing to meet your Scotsman.”
Sarah’s neck heated. “He is not mine, Mamma. Please. He is standing just outside.”
“Oh. Forgive me. Only teasing you.”
Sarah opened the door wider, wondering if he had overheard.
His expression was inscrutable, but something in his grazing glance and the high color in his cheeks made her fear he had.
“Mamma, this is Mr. Henshall. Mr. Henshall, our mother, Mrs. Summers.”
He bowed, and Mamma nodded.
“Good day, sir. I understand your daughter is here with you. How is she faring?”
“In truth, ma’am, I hardly know. She is not speaking to me at present. I made the unforgivable error of teasing her in front of strangers.” Humble humor glimmered in his eyes.
Mamma nodded. “Ah yes. Parents are the bane of an adolescent’s existence. One day admired and respected, and the next reviled. Be grateful you have only the one daughter. Imagine my lot with fi... so many.”
“I would say I don’t envy ye, ma’am, but in truth, I find your family delightful.”
“Thank you. For all my jesting, I quite agree.”
He said, “I am especially grateful for Miss Georgiana, who has kindly befriended Effie. Your youngest clearly has a heart for untamed creatures.”
Mamma chuckled. “Indeed. I trust your stay here will be good for us all. Now, please do make yourself at home and look wherever you like. I will tell you, however, that the writing desk there is my own. Brought from home and filled with private papers.”
“Then of course I shan’t look there.”
Sarah searched inside the window cabinet, while he began searching the built-in bookcase.
Setting aside her book, Mamma watched in idle interest. She asked him, “I understand this was your wife’s bedchamber when you lived here?”
“Yes. She enjoyed the view of the walled garden.”
“As do I. Has the room changed much?”
“I don’t ... That is, not that I recollect.”
Sarah remembered him mentioning his wife’s preference for separate bedchambers, so perhaps he had rarely been in this room. It struck her as sad, though she knew separate rooms were fairly common among upper-class couples.
They looked in the wardrobe, bringing over a chair to searchits top shelves. Then they searched the adjoining dressing room, where Viola now slept. Nothing.
“Well, thank ye for letting us look.”
“You’re welcome. Visit any time, Mr. Henshall.”
He thanked her again, and together he and Sarah left the room, talking in low voices as they walked back to the hall.
