Page 61 of The Seaside Homecoming
“Thank you. I am gratified. I’m afraid I don’t know your name.”
Mr. Hammond spoke up. “Forgive me. This is Sonali Patel. Former companion and friend to Vanita, and now nursery-governess to Mira.”
She smiled at him, and Armaan bowed.
“Miss Patel. An honor.”
When he straightened, Claire noticed Armaan survey the woman, eyes warm in obvious admiration. Yes, the woman could be charming when she wished to be. Claire only wished she made the effort more often.
Sonali added, “Of course, you don’t know of me. You had already left to enlist in the company army when I joined the household. Still, I heard all about you. Vanita was most fond of you and missed you terribly.”
“I missed her as well. I regret not staying in contact with her.”
“Yes. You should have.”
Surprise flashed in Armaan’s eyes, and he briefly ducked his head. “You are right. But I am very glad to meet her daughter now. And her friend.”
Mr. Hammond said, “You must visit us often, Armaan. As often as you like. No need to wait for an invitation. For you, the door is always open.”
“Thank you, William. That is most kind.”
15
Her needlework both plain and ornamental was excellent, and might almost have put a sewing machine to shame.
—J. E. Austen-Leigh,A Memoir of Jane Austen
A few days later, Sarah left Sea View carrying a brown-paper parcel and a fabric bag containing several of Claire’s possessions she had saved. She had not brought Claire’s girlhood sampler that she had rescued from the rubbish heap, because she still hoped Mamma might one day have a change of heart and hang it with the others.
She walked east along the esplanade past Fort Field on the left, boats and beach-goers on the right, the wind off the Channel tugging at her bonnet. Ahead stood Wallis’s Marine Library with its veranda shaded by a striped awning. On one of the benches there she spied charitable Mrs. Fulford and returned the woman’s wave.
Not far past Mr. Hodges’s Medical Baths and Billiard Room, Sarah turned inland toward the boarding house, passing the marketplace on her way.
At Broadbridge’s, Claire greeted her warmly, then self-consciously removed her apron as she invited her inside.
“No need to take that off on my account,” Sarah said. “I wear one daily for my tasks at Sea View.” She added, “I brought a few small things for you.” She handed over the parcel. “Some biscuits and tarts I made.”
“You made them? I am impressed.”
Sarah shrugged. “I’ve learned a great deal this last year. I daresay we all have.”
“Please join me for tea,” Claire said. “Mrs. Ballard already has a kettle on, and it will take just a few minutes to steep.”
“If you can spare the time.”
“I could use a respite. I’ve been up since dawn helping Mary beat carpets and sweep floors before guests awoke. The place had not been thoroughly cleaned since Fran left.”
“And Mary is...?”
“A young maid, formerly in Aunt Mercer’s employ. She came with me from Edinburgh, and thankfully Mr. Hammond agreed to give her a place here.”
Sarah followed her sister down the back stairs and to her room, a generously sized bedchamber, work area, and sitting room in one.
“Make yourself comfortable. I shall return directly.”
In a few minutes Claire reentered, carrying a homely ceramic teapot, cups, and saucers on a tray. When the tea had steeped, she poured milk and tea into their cups. Sarah noticed no sugar on the tray. Claire evidently remembered how she took her tea—the same way she did.
Claire helped herself to one of each pastry and tasted the tart first. Her eyes widened. Covering her mouth with her hand as she finished chewing, she exclaimed, “These are delicious!”
