Page 94 of A Winter By the Sea
“Do you know where she lives?” Viola asked.
“With her daughter and son-in-law,” Mrs. Denby replied. “Above the print shop, I believe.”
“Very well. We shall do what we can.”
From the window, Sarah saw Emily, Viola, and Mr. Thomson alight from the Huttons’ carriage. The three hurried to the door, no doubt eager to escape the cold.
Sarah crossed the hall to open it for them.
“Come in. Come in,” she greeted them. “You must be freezing.”
“Less than we would have been,” Emily said, “thanks to Viola offering us a ride back.”
Mr. Thomson added, “We are obliged to you, Mrs. Hutton.”
Sarah looked again at the waiting carriage, its driver ensconced in a caped coat and blankets, his hat pulled low. “Is that Taggart?” she asked, squinting to identify the major’s footman and sometimes coachman beneath the many layers.
Viola glanced over her shoulder. “Yes. Don’t worry. I shan’t leave him sitting there for long.”
Once Sarah had shut the door behind them, Viola said, “At least he went to the trouble of bundling up and harnessing the horses for more than one errand. Before taking me to the poor house, he dropped the major at the billiard room. He was invited to play with General Wetherall and Captain Conroy—and he actually agreed, if you can believe it.”
“Goodness. Are there to be no hermits left at Sea View or Westmount?”
“Thankfully not.” Viola grinned, then it faded. “But I am afraid I stopped in with less pleasant news.”
“Oh?”
With a glance at Emily and Mr. Thomson, she explained,“We have just learned that Mrs. Denby and the others are making do with stale bread, spoilt fruit, and a few scraps of meat or cheese.”
“What?” Sarah’s mouth parted in dismay.
“Their cook fell and injured her ankle and is supposed to stay off it for a while. So she can’t come to the poor house.”
“Oh no. First Emily fell, now Mrs. Novak! How long until she can cook for them again?”
“I don’t know. We just found out. I shall have to pay a call on her and ask.”
“Shall I prepare some food?” Sarah asked. “Mrs. Besley is busy, but I will help as much as I can.”
“I was hoping you would say that. I am going to ask Chown to help as well. His skills have improved, thanks to Mrs. Besley. He still has a long way to go, but he could certainly do better than stale bread and cheese.”
Sarah nodded. “Perhaps we might come up with a schedule. Rotate the responsibility between a few of us until Mrs. Novak is back on her feet.”
“Good idea. Who else should we ask? Mrs. Fulford?”
“Yes, and perhaps Mrs. Butcher and the vicar’s wife?”
“Good plan. But are you sure you can fit this in with your other responsibilities here?”
Sarah tilted her head, an idea striking her. “I shall find a way.”
While they readied for bed that evening, Emily asked Sarah, “Will you go to this week’s ball with me, Charles, and Mr. Thomson? I will feel awkward attending on my own.”
Sarah’s eyebrows rose. “You are going with the both of them?”
“It could not be helped! Mr. Thomson asked if I ever attended balls at the assembly rooms and suggested we might go together sometime. We made no specific plans, but then Charles came over and asked if my hand would be recovered enough that I could attend this week’s ball. He asked right in front of Mr. Thomson. I could not ignore him, not when he had suggested attending as well.”
Sarah groaned and shook her head. “Oh, Emily. The trouble you get yourself into!”
