Page 142 of The Seaside Homecoming
“Maybe later.”
Claire had expected her sisters to be there too. But only Mamma greeted her. Was this not to be the reunion Claire had longed for, after all?
Claire followed her mother into her bedchamber.
“Sit down here, if you would,” she directed. “I would like to try the mother-daughter tradition I witnessed at Broadbridge’s.”
“Oh. Very well.” Palms damp, Claire sat awkwardly on the floor, her mother in the chair behind her.
“I have taken the liberty of warming some olive oil. I trust it will serve the purpose. After all, I imagine that is what they used in ancient times, when anointing a beloved brother or sister—or in this case, daughter—for forgiveness or restoration.”
When the first drop of warm oil touched Claire’s scalp, tears filled her eyes and rained down her face. She was powerless to stop them, did not wish to stop them. How cleansing. How healing.
Her dear mother anointed her head with oil and began massaging it into her hair like a blessing, like an embrace, like a benediction.
Thank you, Lord, Claire silently prayed.I truly, deeply, thank you.
An hour later, hair freshly washed and still damp, Claire readied to depart. Only then did Mamma ask, “Have you given that man an answer yet?”
Claire shook her head. “To be honest, Mamma, I don’t want to marry him simply so he can pay off his debts. But if you wish me to, if it’s what I need to do to—”
“No. Do not marry him to please me or anyone else.”
“Truly?”
“Yes, truly.” Mamma put her arms around Claire and drew her close. “God has been working on my heart. Sarah too, truth be told.”
Claire drank in the affection, relishing her mother’s embrace.
Then Mamma sniffed and released her, adding with a grin, “Besides, Georgie has declared she does not want him for a brother-in-law.”
A relieved chuckle bubbled out of Claire. “Well, that settles it, then.”
The next morning as Claire helped Mary carry up the breakfast things, the maid leaned close and whispered, “Have ye told Mr. Hammond yet?”
“I have.”
“And must I leave?”
“He has not yet decided, as far as I know. Either way, I will help you all I can.”
“Thank ye, miss.”
They found the morning room strangely empty.
“Have you seen him today?” Claire asked.
“Earlier, aye. He left the house dressed for one of his walks.”
Sonali and Mira soon arrived and joined her at the table. Claire had little appetite but sipped tea and nibbled toast to bide her time.
After breakfast, Claire once again met Lord Bertram in the parlour, closing the door behind herself before finding her voice.
“I am afraid I cannot marry you.”
He tucked his chin. “Of course you can.”
“Theoretically I could, but I don’t want to. The truth is, I have suffered enough misery at your hands. I do not love you, and I know you don’t love me. I am sorry you are in debt, but that is not of my doing. I have no doubt, were you to inherit, you would spend all of my great-aunt’s money in short order and quickly regret marrying me. And I would regret it even sooner.”
