Page 90 of A Winter By the Sea
“I am a guest here, after all.”
“Right.” Charles turned back to Emily. “I came to see how you were getting on since your fall.”
“I am doing well. My hand barely hurts any longer. I should be able to remove the wrapping in a few more days.”
“Excellent. In time for this week’s ball, then?”
“I...” She glanced awkwardly at James and back again.
Mr. Thomson rose. “Excuse me. I will leave you to your caller.”
“Actually,” Emily blurted, “Mr. Thomson and I were discussing Sidmouth’s ball and assembly rooms just the other day. He is interested in attending as well.”
James faltered. “I don’t ... that is ... I have no wish to intrude.”
“Not at all, Mr. Thomson,” Emily insisted. “We are all friends here, are we not? You two are old friends, and Mr. Parker and I are old friends. It only makes sense that we go together. Is that not right, Charles?”
Words he had once spoken whispered through her mind.“We are friends—thatis all.”She pushed the memory aside and added, “Perhaps Sarah might join us as well. I will ask her.”
Charles hesitated, fleeting irritation in his expression. Then he said evenly, “As you wish.”
He turned back to Thomson. “You mentioned fencing when last we met.”
“Actually, you raised the subject,” James corrected.
Charles held his gaze. “Then I challenge you to a bout, at your convenience.”
“Now would suit me.”
“I am not dressed for it,” Charles said. “Tomorrow?”
“I shall look forward to it.”
But pleasure was not what she saw on either man’s face.
———
After that, Mr. Thomson did excuse himself, while Charles remained.
Emily rose, wondering what to say. She began, “Mr. Thomson was not needed at Woolbrook today, so he was helping me.”
“Helping you how?”
“Helping me write a few ... lines. He is a secretary, after all, and I am responsible for our correspondence and advertisements and things.”
“Do you mind?”
Unsure of his meaning, Emily licked dry lips. “Do I mind what?”
“Having to rent out rooms, having to advertise, having to dine with strangers?”
“Oh, that. I certainly minded at first. I did not want to give up my room, or clean, or play hostess. In fact, I argued against the idea, although not as vehemently as Viola did. She detested the thought of having strangers here. You know what a recluse she used to be.”
“I do.”
“But Sarah insisted we all had to either assist with the guests or earn income some other way. With a little ... prompting, Vi began reading to invalids, and that’s how she met her husband. It has been so good to see her emerge from her shell and truly live.”
Emily stretched out her hands. “So while I would not have chosen any of this ... nor would I go back and change it, not considering the outcome for Viola.”
