Page 69 of The Sisters of Sea View
“Thank you for rescuing me, gallant sir.”
“Most welcome, fair—although drenched—lady.”
Sarah chuckled.
Effie got lost in the maze and had to begin again, which led to much moaning. Her father then sat in prison for three turns. Mr. Hornbeam landed on the overdressed dandy and had to move back two. He fluffed his cravat, smoothed a prim finger over wiry eyebrows, and said in an affected voice, “How dreadful. My coif shall be spoilt.”
The others laughed at his antics, and even Effie spared him a grin.
It appeared Georgiana would reach the end first, but she spun too high a number and overshot the mark, having to return to space fifty. In the end, it was Sarah who won the game, to a chorus of groans and cheers.
She pushed back her chair. “And on that note, I must excuse myself.”
More groans sounded. “Come on, Sarah. One more round!”
“I am afraid not.” Sarah rose. “Perhaps someone can take my place.”
“Who?” Emily asked. “And if you say Mrs. Elton, I shall—”
“Hush.”
A cough sounded from the side door, closest to Mamma’s room.
Sarah looked over. There her mother stood, leaning on the doorframe, but standing all the same.
“Will I do?” she asked.
“Sorry, Mamma. Did we disturb you?”
“Not at all. Sounds like you are having a good time, and I thought I’d join you. That is, if no one objects.”
“Of course not,” Emily said. “You are very welcome.”
“Here, Mamma. Take my place.” Sarah helped her into the chair she had just vacated, her heart buoyed at the sight of her mother dressed and sitting with the others, an expression of pleasure on her face.
She introduced the guests. “You remember Mr. Henshall, and this is his stepdaughter, Effie. And this is Mr. Hornbeam. Mr. Hornbeam, our mother, Mrs. Summers.”
The older man rose and bowed. “An honor, ma’am.”
“Thank you. Well then.” Mamma looked at the others with girlish eagerness. In that moment, Sarah recognized a resemblance to Georgiana she had missed before.
A dimple in her cheek, she picked up the teetotum and grinned around the table. “Shall we play?”
On Sunday morning, the sisters attended the parish church together. All except Viola, who stayed home with Mamma as usual.
Upon entering the nave, Sarah noticed Mr. Henshall there before them, pressed between others in a crowded row. She wished she’d thought to invite him to walk with them and share their pew.
Later that afternoon, Mr. Henshall changed into riding clothes and left Sea View to retrieve two horses he had hired from a local stable.
A short while later, he rode up the lane atop a chestnut horse, leading a smaller grey for Effie. His beaver hat was pulled low, and he held both reins and lead with casual ease.
Sarah went outside to greet him. “Where are you off to?”
“Just a ride around the area. Maybe up to Honiton or down the coast. Want to show Effie more of the countryside. And, truth be told, I miss riding.”
With hands encased in fine leather gloves, he angled his hat brim to better see her. “Do ye ride, Miss Summers?”
“Not in ages, no. Though I do like horses.”
