Page 91 of The Sisters of Sea View
Sarah’s mouth dropped open. “Do I look thirty? I am only six and twenty!”
“There, you see?” One corner of his mouth quirked. “Very young. Though ye are quite serious and responsible, and perhaps that makes ye seem more ... mature.”
She shook her head, lips pursed. “Good try.”
For another few moments, they gazed up at the painting in companionable silence, then he turned to her with a boyish grin. “Now, what else can I help ye with? Leaking roof? Loose tile? I have become rather handy. Comes with living in an old house. Always something needing repair.”
Sarah looked at him speculatively. “Actually, if you are serious...”
She led him to the hall closet. “There are many little annoyances. For example, this door refuses to stay closed.”
He examined it. “Floor slopes rather sharply here. And the frame has warped, see? That’s why the latch doesn’t catch. I can rehang the door, if you like. Perhaps install a better latch?”
“Really? Could you? Yes, please. That is ... assuming it won’t require costly parts.”
“Don’t think so. The work shed in the back has drawers full of old tools, as well as discarded fittings and hardware. At least it used to. If ye don’t mind, I could have a sort through and find something to suit.”
She had briefly forgotten he had once lived there himself. He seemed to know the house and outbuildings better than she did.
“That is a remarkably generous offer, and I accept. Gratefully!”
Sarah thought, then added, “We could compensate you somehow, perhaps with a discounted rate for your room?”
“Let’s wait and see. I havena managed to repair it yet.”
A few hours later, Mr. Henshall had planed and rehung the door and adjusted the old latch so that it now closed securely.
Best of all, it had not cost them a farthing.
Sarah latched the door once more with a satisfying click.
“Excellent. Thank you.” She repeated her offer to make it up to him somehow.
He thought, then said, “There is one thing I would like in return.”
“Oh? And what is that?”
“A few hours in your company. Away from your duties here. We might ... hire a horse and carriage and go for a drive, or even go sailing.”
Mind reeling, she blurted out the first excuse that came to her. “We have no boat.”
“Not a problem. According to the guidebook, several people keep pleasure boats here, ‘attended by expert and careful seamen.’”
True. She had forgotten. She regarded him with interest. “Like sailing, do you?”
He nodded. “I grew up near the sea. Spent a lot of time on the water. It’s easier to travel to Edinburgh by boat, crossing the firth, than to drive around to the nearest bridge.”
“How large of a boat would you hire?”
“A modest sailboat is all we would need.”
“Not too small, if you please. I’d be afraid of tipping over. And not in bad weather.”
“Of course not. You may choose the time and even the boat, if ye like.”
Sarah thought. Was she really agreeing to this? Should she?
He retrieved a copy ofThe Beauties of Sidmouth Displayedfrom the library and flipped toward the back of the slim volume until he reached the listing for Pleasure Boats.
