Page 2 of A Winter By the Sea
Nearby, Mamma grumbled as she struggled to rethread the small eye of her needle, then glanced up over her half-moon spectacles. “Actually, this might be a good time. Things are quieter now that autumn has arrived. Some people overwinter here, but it’s unlikely we shall be busy during the colder months, especially over Christmas.”
“I shall think about it,” Emily said and returned to her book.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence, the front-door knocker sounded. Georgiana eagerly tossed aside her needlework to answer it, even though their housemaid, Jessie, would have done so, given the chance.
A moment later, their friend and former lady’s maid bustled in, all aflutter, Georgiana on her heels.
“Astounding news, ladies!” Fran Stirling proclaimed. “I could not wait to tell you. You will never guess. You are to have royal neighbors!”
“Royal neighbors? Besides Viola, do you mean?” Emily teased.
“Yes, even more royal, if you can imagine.”
Mamma sat forward. “Not the Prince Regent—not when he has the Brighton Pavilion?”
“No.” Fran’s cheeks rounded with an eager, pursed-lip smile. “One of his brothers. The Duke of Kent, his wife, and their baby daughter. Not to mention a whole suite of servants.”
“Where are they to stay?” Sarah asked. She patted a nearby chair, and Fran sat.
“Woolbrook Cottage.”
“No!” Viola exclaimed. “That’s just beyond our house.”
Fran nodded, eyes alight. “General Baynes has leased it to them for the winter, although the arrangement is supposed to be a secret.”
“Then how did you learn of it?” Sarah asked, not truly surprised, for Miss Stirling seemed to be acquainted with everyone in town and heard the latest news well before they did.
“The general hired Mr. Farrant to carry out a few repairs on the place before Their Royal Highnesses’ arrival.”
“Ah.” Sarah smiled. “Leave it to you to know the very person.”
Mamma thoughtfully shook her head. “And here we anticipated an uneventful winter.”
The following day, as Sarah and Emily tidied the dining room after luncheon, a sharp triple knock rattled the front door.
Sarah and her sister shared a look and then made their way into the drawing room to receive the unexpected callers. Mamma and Georgiana joined them as Jessie led two tall strangers into the room.
The young maid, her eyes wide and fearful, squeaked, “Captain something and ... oh, I forget.” She turned and fled the room.
The older of the pair, who looked to be in his midthirties, frowned after her. “Is the girl feebleminded?”
Sarah’s face heated in both embarrassment and indignation, yet she managed a calm reply. “Not at all. Only easily intimidated.”
“Ah.” The older man seemed to take the words as a compliment, his broad shoulders straightening yet more. He wore civilian dress but possessed an officious military bearing and a severe expression.
He looked to his companion, who was nearly as tall, although younger.
The younger man obeyed the silent command and completed the introductions in a low, eloquent voice. “This is Captain John Conroy, equerry to the Duke of Kent and Strathearn. And I am James Thomson, private secretary.”
Both men bowed smartly.
Mamma nodded, while Emily curtsied, her gaze fixed on the younger man’s handsome face. Belatedly, Georgiana lumbered to her feet and followed Emily’s example, although with far less grace.
Sarah clasped her hands to conceal their nervous tremble. “I am Miss Sarah Summers. This is my mother, Mrs. Summers, and these are my sisters. How may we help you, gentlemen?”
With a brisk nod, the captain replied, “The Duchess of Kent requires a milder climate for her health. Therefore, His Royal Highness and I have selected Sidmouth as an ideal winter residence.”
Georgie blurted, “We know.”
