Page 59 of The Seaside Homecoming
William Hammond met his gaze. “Where Vanita is concerned, I know that feeling all too well.”
“Do you? Please. Tell me everything about her—about your life together.”
Mr. Hammond nodded and again looked down as he gathered his thoughts.
“I remember the first time I saw her—a dinner at the embassy, seated with her father. How striking she was with her lovely face, dark hair, and deep brown eyes. She looked beautiful, although not happy.
“The ambassador’s wife introduced us, and Mr. Aston invited me to join them at their table.
“Mr. Aston and I conversed easily, but his daughter remained subdued.
“He explained that she was disappointed. He had been promising to take her to England for years, to see the country where he grew up.”
Mr. Hammond looked at Armaan. “I gather that after you left home and your mother died, Vanita focused all her love and affection on her father. She drank up the stories of his childhood in England. His idyllic boyhood at his parents’ cottage by the sea.
“Yet considering the long voyage from India, Mr. Aston decided to disembark along the way and spend some time on the Continent before going on to England. One of his reasons was to show his daughter more of the world, giving her time to improve her English and learn society ways and manners.
“Personally I thought her English and manners were already excellent and said as much.
“In reply, Mr. Aston invited me to join them for dinner at their hotel the next night, to further our acquaintance. I later attended a concert with them, and a party as well.
“Then Mr. Aston asked to meet with me privately. I assumed he wanted to ask what my intentions were toward hisdaughter, perhaps to probe into my background and financial situation. When I met with him, he did ask a few questions along those lines. He could see I admired Vanita and encouraged me not to wait to pursue her even though we were not long acquainted.
“That’s when he confided the other reason he’d come to Vienna—to consult with a physician who’d been recommended to him. He’d seen the fellow again that very day and the prognosis was not good. Cancer. He had not long to live and wished to see his daughter well settled before he passed. Your sister traveled with a companion, but still he shuddered to think what might befall two unprotected women left alone in a foreign land.
“I asked if she had no other family. He mentioned you, her half brother, saying you and Vanita had fallen out of contact.”
Armaan nodded. “To my shame.”
“Mr. Aston admitted he had also lost contact with his few remaining relatives in England after so many years abroad. He thought it unlikely any of them would accept Vanita as family. He also feared some distant relatives he barely knew might try to overturn his will in their favor instead of Vanita’s.
“Despite the difficult circumstances and our brief acquaintance, I truly fell in love with your sister and she with me. I was a paid attaché by then, so I could afford to marry. Her father offered a generous marriage settlement—and a provision for you as well, by the way.
“I acquired a license and we married in haste so he could witness our wedding and be assured his daughter would be taken care of. So he could die in peace.
“Vanita was, of course, devastated when he died. I did my best to comfort her. I, too, promised to take her to England one day, but first I had to make something of myself. Succeed in my career. I estimated a few more years was all it would take.”
His lips twisted. “That estimate proved to be overly optimistic.
“I admit I briefly worried that marrying Vanita might hinder my chances of securing a higher appointment. For prejudices exist, even abroad. Yet she won people over with her charm and impeccable manners, her keen sense of humor and beautiful smile....” Mr. Hammond gazed over their heads, eyes soft in memory, a gentle expression on his face.
Claire’s heart burned with longing. Oh, to be so loved.
A moment later his expression sobered. “But I gave her precious little reason to smile in those final months.
“Whenever she asked about England, I put her off. I always had a reason. Mira was born and we could not travel with an infant. Then when Mira was older, an opportunity for advancement proved too tempting to pass up.
“Finally, when Vanita let me know she was expecting our second child, I began making inquiries into situations in England.
“In the meantime, I was appointed secretary of the Ottoman capital in Constantinople. I could not turn down such an opportunity. I assured Vanita that after our second child was born and grew old enough to travel, we would move to England, as I had long promised.
“Instead, she contracted the plague.” He shook his head, lips trembling. “She and the infant died. A son...”
Tears filled Armaan’s eyes. “I am sorry.”
William nodded, eyes bright with unshed tears. Claire’s eyes filled as well.
“So was I. But it was too late. She never made it to the English seaside she’d longed to see.”
