Page 83 of A Winter By the Sea
She glanced across the nave, and her heart gave a guilty start when she saw the Parker family: Charles’s perfect profile in fashionable morning dress, his proud mamma beside him in all her finery, and distinguished Mr. Parker, shoulders slightly stooped, on her other side. Charles stared straight ahead, seemingly not struggling to remain focused on theservice as she was. She noticed, however, that he did not sing a single word.
After the divine service concluded, everyone rose and began to file from their pews. Viola touched Emily’s arm to forestall her, clearly eager to chat. Emily stopped, happy to oblige her. Viola asked about her wrapped hand, the bandage visible above her short glove. Emily told her what happened and insisted she was all right.
All the while they talked, Emily watched Mr. Thomson from the corner of her eye—thanking the vicar as he passed down the aisle, bending low to greet Mrs. Denby, and then shaking hands with Mr. Parker senior, who beamed at him and clapped him on the shoulder.
The Parker family approached them next, offering polite greetings to Mamma and the girls. Viola spoke up, pleased to introduce her husband to them. Emily was proud of Vi for speaking so confidently, so unlike the wallflower she had once been.
Mr. Parker nodded and murmured the appropriate responses while his wife blinked rapidly and quickly turned away from the major, either repulsed by his scars or trying not to stare.
Charles reacted more warmly, shaking the major’s hand. “A pleasure indeed to meet Viola’s husband.”
If Major Hutton was surprised or offended at Charles’s use of Viola’s given name, he did not show it. “My wife has spoken of you as a neighbor and family friend. It is ... good to put a face to the name.”
He did not, however, say that meeting Charles was a pleasure. Viola had probably told him that this former neighbor had disappointed her sister. Did that account for his cool, if civil, greeting?
Once the Parkers had moved on, Emily became aware of the low hum of conversation around her and overheard more thanone person talking about the party to be held at Woolbrook Cottage that very night.
Charlotte Cornish stood nearby with two younger girls. She was fashionably dressed as usual, and she glowed under her audience’s rapt attention. Charlotte was telling them that her family had been invited to the party. Her tone conveyed mild indignation. Apparently attending a social event on the Sabbath bordered on the scandalous.
“It is the first time in my life that I will pay such a visit on a Sunday, and I hope it will be long before I do so again. Yet we cannot disappoint Their Royal Highnesses, now, can we? Especially when the duke wrote such agraciousletter to Papa over the matter of the Hook boy. I am sure he looks forward to furthering his acquaintance with our entire family.”
Noticing Emily watching them, Charlotte raised a hand and called, “Good morning, Miss Summers.” Emily returned her greeting but did not step closer to talk.
Emily knew the duke had not written thatgraciousletter himself, but bit back the words. Saying them would be petty and smack of sour grapes. She told herself she had no right to be bitter. It was not Charlotte’s fault the Summerses had not been invited.
Of her family, only Viola would attend. As a former officer and next-door neighbor to Their Royal Highnesses, Major Hutton and his wife had received a coveted invitation.
Emily turned her attention back to her sister and managed a smile. “And what shall you wear to the party tonight?”
“My green silk, I thought.” Viola’s mouth turned down in sympathy. “I am sorry you cannot join us.”
“That’s all right.” Emily felt another rare flash of envy. She had now envied her twin sister twice. When she had married the man she loved, and now.
“I promise to tell you everything, in great detail.” Violawatched Emily’s face, concern coloring her features. “Or if you mind us attending, I could decline. You know the major is not keen on social events. At the merest hint that I don’t want to go, he would pen our regrets himself.”
“No, no. Don’t decline on my account. I am simply feeling sorry for myself. Do please take note of every detail. Who is there and what they wear. Oh! And especially what the duchess wears! Also, what each room looks like, and the food they serve. Although I suppose I can extract that information from Mr. Bernardi.”
Viola asked wryly, “Shall I conceal a small notebook in my reticule?”
“Good idea.”
Viola rolled her eyes. “I was being sarcastic.”
“Iwas in earnest!”
Viola squeezed her hand. “Oh, very well. Anything to chase that sad look from your face.”
———
After church, Mr. Thomson went to Woolbrook to see if he was needed. Emily and the others, meanwhile, returned to Sea View.
After they took tea and a light meal to warm themselves, Georgie requested and received permission to go and visit Bibi Cordey. Mamma and Mr. Hornbeam went to their own rooms for Sunday afternoon naps, and Sarah retreated into the office. Meanwhile Emily, Mr. Bernardi, and Mr. During gathered around the fire in the parlour. The two men had only an hour or so to relax before they were due at Woolbrook to complete their preparations for the party.
Mr. Thomson returned a short while later and reported that the duke’s cold had worsened. The duchess blamed a long walk with Conroy, saying her husband had returned chilled through and with wet feet.
Mr. Bernardi threw up his hands. “There goes the reception we have been working toward.”
“Oh no.” During groaned.
