Page 149 of The Seaside Homecoming
Pain pierced her. Silently, she spoke to him.Oh, Papa. I am so sorry.... I never meant to break your heart. I thought only of my heart. I thought I was in love. I was wrong ... then. Please forgive me. I suppose it’s too late for that now. Oh, God, will you forgive me, if he cannot?
A gentle breeze rose, making the summer leaves dance. On its breath, Claire imagined she heard a soft voice say,“You are forgiven, my daughter.”
And the voice sounded a lot like her own father’s.
Tears rushed to her eyes even as her heart lightened with relief and gratitude.
William and Mamma gathered around her. He took one of her hands, Mamma the other.
Mamma whispered, “Harold, my dear. I am sorry, but I cannot shun our daughter any longer. I choose to believe you would not want me to, now that you are with God. I hope you understand. We shall have a lot to talk about when I join you one day.”
Claire pressed her hand, and together they took their leave.
A few days after their return to Broadbridge’s, Claire joined William in his study. She looked at the maps on the walls while William sat at the desk nearby, going through the post, reading one letter with particular interest.
“I’ve received the reply from London I hoped for. It took all my powers of persuasion—not to mention a promise to continue my deciphering work—but the foreign secretarydispatched one of his men to East India House and procured news of our surgeon’s assistant, Liam MacBain. They confirmed he is on the crew list of theClydeand promise to make every effort to have him sent back on the next available ship.”
“That is excellent news!”
“It is still a long journey, with many uncertainties. Even with good winds, it is unlikely he could arrive in England before the babe is born. Still, it is something. And in the meantime, Mary shall have a home with us.”
“Oh, William, I am so grateful. As Mary will be when she hears.”
She leaned down to kiss his cheek, but he slipped his arms around her and pulled her onto his lap.
She squealed in faux protest and laced her hands behind his neck. “Thank you, my love. You are quite wonderful.”
“You can say that again, oh, a dozen times. I do so like hearing it. It gives me pleasure to please you.”
He held her close and gave her a warm, lingering kiss.
At the door, someone cleared his throat.
William reluctantly lifted his head. “Ah, Armaan. Wretched timing as always, killjoy.”
Claire scrambled from William’s lap, face scalding. “Not at all. Just in time, I’d say.”
Not the least embarrassed, William asked, “Well, what do you say to our proposal? Are you and Sonali interested in taking on Broadbridge’s?”
Armaan nodded. “Most interested. Some guests may not respond kindly to us, we know. This is not London, after all. Even so, we are ready for the challenge. In time, we may also wish to change the name. I must ask, though—are you sure you can bear to part with the place?”
“With the place, yes. With you and Sonali, no. We are not yet certain where we will live long-term but shall likely stay at Sea View until we decide.”
“As you wish. However, Sonali and I have talked it over, and you are welcome to stay and help us here until weallwork out what we are doing.”
“A generous offer.” William rose and shook his hand. “Just promise we will remain on good terms once you learn how much work you’ve let yourself in for.”
Armaan grinned. “I promise.”
35
At the day and time appointed for Solemnization of Matrimony, the Persons to be married shall come into the body of the Church with their Friends and Neighbours.
—The Book of Common Prayer
When Armaan had left them to find Mira and Sonali, William turned back to Claire. “I nearly forgot. There is a letter for you as well. From a law office in Edinburgh.”
“Really? I thought I had heard the last from them, unless it is to inform me which charity will ultimately benefit from Aunt Mercer’s estate.” She opened the letter and read, finding inside unexpectedly familiar handwriting—Agnes Mercer’s.
