Page 69 of A Winter By the Sea
Mamma said, “And I hear you are to be congratulated as well, Louise, on your first grandchild.”
“Yes! Amanda presented her husband with a son, and amere twelvemonth after their wedding. Oh, and before I forget, she sends her regards to you all.”
Sarah had not known Charles’s sister well, as she was several years younger, nearer in age to the twins. Amanda and Emily had been close as girls, but less so as they grew up.
Mrs. Parker continued, “And what about you, Emily? Is there romance in the offing for you as well?”
Emily’s cheeks pinkened and she studiously avoided looking at Charles. She sipped her tea, then murmured, “Not at present.”
Georgie grinned and added, “Although she always has plenty of admirers.”
At that Charles raised an eyebrow at Emily, who looked down as though fascinated with the dregs in her cup.
Mrs. Parker did not ask Georgie about suitors, due to her youth. Nor did she ask Sarah, probably assuming she was resigned to spinsterhood.
Mrs. Parker’s gaze landed next on Fran Stirling. Frown lines appeared as she narrowed her eyes in concentration. “Forgive me. You look familiar, but I can’t quite place you.”
Sarah said, “This is our friend Miss Stirling.”
“Stirling...” She turned to Mamma. “Did you not have a lady’s maid called Stirling?”
“I did.”
“That’s me,” Fran said with a humble smile. “One and the same.”
Mrs. Parker did not return the smile. “This is most irregular. And I thought you left service some time ago.”
“I did.”
Viola explained, “Miss Stirling owns her own home here in Sidmouth. A charming boarding house much in demand. She is remarkably successful.”
The woman’s lip curled. “A boarding house, but surely...”Then, glancing around the tight-knit circle once more, she did not complete the sentence.
Charles, Sarah noticed, shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Had he not told his parents about their own new venture?
He began, “Mamma, I meant to tell you. The Summerses are—”
Georgie blurted, “We keep a kind of boarding house here too, although Mamma prefers to call it a guest house. More genteel, do you not think? We’ve had some interesting guests, I can tell you. It’s been rather diverting, although a fair bit of work, I don’t deny.”
Mrs. Parker blinked. “You ... take in ... lodgers? Strangers?”
Mamma lifted her chin. “Yes, we do, Louise. Many in Sidmouth do.”
“But surely it’s beneath...”
Charles interjected, “In fact they have some impressive guests staying here at present. Officials from the Duke of Kent’s own staff.”
“Really?”
Charles’s words pleased Sarah, and she noticed Emily send him a grateful smile.Officialswas a bit of an exaggeration, but no one corrected him.
His mother said pensively, “Someone in the hotel mentioned the Duke of Kent was residing in Sidmouth.”
“Yes. He is our neighbor,” Emily said. “And surprisingly friendly.”
Mrs. Parker’s eyes widened. “You have met him?”
“Oh yes. He passes our house on his walks and always seems happy to stop and chat. We’ve seen his daughter too. She’s adorable.”
