Page 79 of The Seaside Homecoming
Claire was torn between honesty and self-preservation. She wanted to improve her relationship with this woman but did not yet trust her not to use anything she said to disparage her to Mr. Hammond. Claire settled on, “Of course. Have we not all made mistakes?”
Sonali nodded. “At least your mother was a good example.”
“True,” Claire agreed, wishing again she could earn her worthy mother’s forgiveness and reclaim a place in her life.
She tilted her head to study Miss Patel’s expression. “And your mother? Was she not a good example?”
Sonali opened her mouth to reply but then, with a glance at her young charge, said, “I will only say that I loved her, but she was weak and let men take advantage of her. I shall not do the same.”
That evening after dinner, Sarah and Mamma sat in the drawing room together. Georgiana was in the parlour with Mr. Hornbeam, who was attempting to teach her how to play chess. Blind though he was, the man had an excellent memory. His opponents called out their moves as they made them, and Mr. Hornbeam kept track of the positions in his mind, dictating his own moves in response. He usually won.
Sarah recalled with fondness that Callum Henshall had been the first to offer to play chess with the man during his stay at Sea View—to cheer him after a disappointing visit from his selfish son. Just one of Mr. Henshall’s many considerate acts.
Emily and Mr. Thomson came in from the veranda and bid them good-night before retiring for the evening.
“Before you go up,” Mamma said, “tell us more about our guests arriving tomorrow—besides their unfortunate taste in friends, that is, and Mr. Craven’s rudeness.”
“Very well.” Telling James she would follow shortly, Emily sat down with them while he continued upstairs.
“Would I have ever met the Cravens?” Sarah asked. “I don’t recall doing so.”
Emily shook her head. “I met them last summer at a ball in the assembly rooms. You did not go. I went with Mr. Stanley and his sister, remember? Oh! But you may have seen Mr. Craven. He was the batsman who struck Viola with a cricket ball at the visitors-versus-fishermen match.”
“That was an accident, surely.”
“Yes. Although his flippancy afterward was less forgivable.”
“That man is coming here?” Mamma frowned. “Unfortunate, indeed.”
“I can think of a few other words for it.”
“Well, thank God Viola was not seriously injured. Now, go on. Tell us about meeting them.”
“I recognized Lord Bertram from Charles’s house party, and he recognized me. He was quite civil and introduced me to Mr. Craven and his sisters. Mr. Craven asked me to dance and made me rather uncomfortable—lingering hands, leering looks, innuendo. I am not sure if he knows for certain about Claire, but Lord Bertram must have said something about her for Craven told me he’d ‘heard of the beauty of the Summers sisters.’ I did not like learning we had a reputation among strangers, though I did not know why at the time. I even danced with Lord Bertram, who was at least more polite.”
“You danced with him?” Mamma looked pained.
“I would never have done so had I known what happened between him and Claire.”
“Again, we can be grateful he is not coming to Sea View,” Sarah reminded them.
“True,” Emily agreed, “although his friend may be worse. I asked Charles about Mr. Craven when he was here. He called the man a libertine.”
Mamma shook her head in disgust. “And his sisters?”
“One of the Miss Cravens took me aside after I danced with Lord Bertram and whispered a warning in my ear, telling me not to trust him. She said, ‘He flirts with many women he has no intention of marrying.’”
“Was she referring to Claire?” Mamma asked, clearly anxious.
“I don’t know. But considering she said, ‘many women,’ perhaps she spoke in general terms.”
Mamma groaned into her handkerchief.
Sarah asked, “And how did you respond to Miss Craven’s warning?”
“Rudely, I’m afraid. I thought she was insolent or must be jealous of Lord Bertram’s attentions toward me. Now I see her warning was just.”
“Well.” Sarah patted her hand. “Tomorrow you shall have a chance to make amends.”
