Page 68 of A Winter By the Sea
Mr. Gwilt knocked softly on the doorframe. “I beg yer pardon, ladies, but there is a Mrs. Parker and a Mr. Parker come to call.”
“Oh!” Mamma started, and she and the girls looked at one another with varying expressions of unease. Emily pressed a hand to her chest, clearly nervous.
Only Georgie seemed purely delighted. “Excellent! They are friends from home. Our former neighbors.”
Mamma recovered her composure. “Thank you, Mr. Gwilt. Do take their coats and show them in.”
“Righty-o, madam.”
Sarah glanced at the teapot and still-full plate of queen cakes and added, “And after, please ask Jessie to heat more water.”
“Will do. I’ll bring it up in a jiffy.” He bowed and swept from the room as regally as a trained butler.
Fran whispered anxiously, “Shall I go?”
“Heavens no,” Viola answered with tart precision.
Mamma looked less certain.
Georgie hopped up to carry a chair from the perimeter of the room and add it to their circle. Emily joined her, carrying a second.
A moment later, Mr. Gwilt showed in their newly arrived guests, and everyone rose to greet Mrs. Parker and her son.
“Welcome, Louise. Charles. Please, be seated.” Mamma gestured to the two additional chairs.
Mr. Gwilt again backed from the room, pulling the doors closed as he did so.
Louise Parker glanced in his direction. “You have a butler here. I did not think ... That is, he seems quite efficient.”
Sarah decided not to correct her misapprehension, saying only, “He has been a godsend in many ways.”
Mamma asked, “Is your husband not with you?”
“We left him at the hotel,” Mrs. Parker replied. “He tried the medical baths earlier, and it drained his strength. His health is not all we would wish it to be.”
“I am sorry to hear it.”
Louise Parker’s gaze swept over her old friend. “You look well, I must say, Eugenia. Better than you have in years.”
“Thank you. Yes, the combination of sea air, sea-bathing, and long walks has done wonders for me.”
Louise nodded. “Then let us hope Mr. Parker shall likewise benefit from his time here.” She added, “It is also good to see you out of your widow’s weeds. And you too, Sarah.”
Sarah had worn mourning gowns for a long time after the death of her betrothed. She was surprised to realize she had not thought of Peter in some time.
Next Mrs. Parker’s gaze shifted to the new bride. “I understand congratulations are in order. Is that right?”
Viola smiled. “Yes, I suppose so.”
“You married a major, Charles tells me. Astounding.”
Emily bristled on her twin’s behalf. “Is it so astounding?”
The older woman looked at Emily and placated, “I did not mean to imply anything untoward. Viola, you are looking very well and very happy.”
“I am happy, thank you.”
“Good.”
