Page 15 of The Seaside Homecoming
She read the notice again. Considering her fall, could she honestly pretend to be a “respectable female”?
No.
Even so, this opportunity seemed too good to ignore. If she did not respond, would she come to regret it?
Claire rose, planning to retreat to her room to think it over. The old butler followed her into the passage. Taking something from his pocket, he said quietly, “Miss, I thought you might like to have this. As you know, the mistress ordered me to destroy or lock away the few letters that came for you. I managed to retrieve this from her desk before the lawyer came and took the rest of her papers.”
He handed her a letter, and Claire recognized Emily’s handwriting. Was it the one letter her aunt had allowed her to read? No. This one was still sealed. “Thank you, Mr. Campbell.”
“I am sorry about the others.”
“I know. Not your fault.” She patted his arm, and he returned to the servants’ hall to continue helping Mary.
As soon as he’d stepped away, Claire broke the seal, unfolded the letter, and read the lines from her sister. Her breath caught. Emily had written to invite her to her wedding. One of her sisters had by now married, and she had not known it! Had not sent along her congratulations and warmest wishes. Claire’s heart twisted. What else had she missed during these last two years?
That news settled it. Taking the broadsheet with her, Claire went up to her aunt’s former room, sat at her all-but-empty desk, and composed a letter.
She wrote hurriedly, thinking,What if another woman writes first, or offers the full one hundred pounds?
And ifW.H.did accept her as a partner, what sort of working and living arrangement would they have? Would he expecther to serve as housekeeper or ... what? How vulnerable it made her feel to put her fate in yet another man’s hands. Would W. H., whoever he was, prove more trustworthy than Lord Bertram had?
Oh, God, she prayed,if this is meant to be, please make a way.Even as she prayed, she worried she had forfeited the right to ask God for anything.
She decided her next step would be to walk to the coaching inn and learn how much the fare would be for such a long journey.
Even if she could afford it, would moving to Sidmouth bring the longed-for reconciliation with her family or widen the divide?
5
PAWNBROKERANDSILVERSMITH
No. 2 Grace Church Street
Lends money on plate, watches, jewels, wearing apparel, and household goods.
—Eighteenth-century trade card
When she returned from the coaching inn, Claire took the young housemaid aside.
“I have made a decision, Mary. I will be leaving Scotland for the south of England. If all goes as hoped, I shall not be returning, so...”
“Pair-fect. May I go with ye?”
Claire had imagined the girl would refuse to go so far from home, especially permanently.
“Are you certain you wish to travel all that way?”
“The farther the better.”
She certainly seemed determined.
Claire added, “Another thing. I plan to enter a partnership in a boarding house there, if someone else does not claim it first. I cannot guarantee a place for you.”
“There’s sure to be a lot of work runnin’ a boarding house. And ye know I’m a hard worker.”
“I do know. But it won’t be up to me. I am uncertain of my own reception, let alone yours.”
“If there is no place for me there, I shall find another.”
