Page 95 of The Seaside Homecoming
Mira nodded into his neck.
Viola spoke up. “In fact, please come for dinner. Perhaps in a day or two?” She looked from the Hammonds to Claire. “All of you. We would love to see you again.”
Claire looked at Mr. Hammond, wondering how he would respond.
He met Claire’s gaze, then glanced again at his daughter. “We would like nothing better, thank you.”
The major insisted on sending them home in his carriage, which Taggart had already hitched and sat in ready to serve as coachman.
A short while later, Mr. Hammond handed Claire inside, then helped his daughter in after her. Mira immediately climbed onto Claire’s lap and nestled close.
Mr. Hammond stepped in and shut the door. “I can take her, if you’d like.”
“No need. It is my pleasure. And such a relief to have her back safely.”
“I wholeheartedly agree.”
Claire wrapped her arms around the little girl.
Mira murmured, “Papa’s arm too.”
He looked from his daughter’s face to Claire’s. “If Miss Summers does not object.”
“I ... don’t.”
He slid nearer, lifting his arm and gingerly draping it over Claire’s shoulders, holding them both close.
How strangely good it felt to sit with them like that, like a little family, Mr. Hammond’s warm and protective arm encircling them.
When they reached Broadbridge’s a few minutes later, Sonali rushed out to greet them. Mr. Hammond descended first, then reached back to help Mira down.
Seeing the little girl, Sonali fell to her knees and threw her arms around her.
Claire heard a string of words in a language she did not understand, then in English, “I know I grumbled before, when you woke me in the night. I promise never to do so again. Oh! I am so glad you are safe.”
Mrs. Ballard bustled out like a clucking mother hen and ushered them all inside for hot coffee and a hearty breakfast.
As they sat down together, Mr. Hammond offered up thanks for far more than the food.
When they had eaten, Mira and Sonali returned to their beds, and Mr. Hammond went to sleep after being up all night. Before retiring, he’d kindly suggested Claire sleep for a few more hours too, but she was wide awake by then and had responsibilities to attend to. Instead, she asked Mrs. Ballard for a large cup of strong tea and set to work.
22
We spent a very pleasant Day, and had a very good Dinner, tho’ to be sure the Veal was terribly underdone, and the Curry had no seasoning.
—Jane Austen, “Lesley Castle”
Viola came by Broadbridge’s later that afternoon to make sure all was well with Mira, and to reiterate their dinner invitation for the following day. She added, “Please do invite Miss Patel to join us as well.”
“Oh?” Claire said. “I did not realize you were acquainted with her.”
“I am not. Armaan gave me a little hint that she is a family friend and might appreciate being included.”
“She might, although I believe Mr. Hammond plans to ask her to watch over the boarding house while we are out.”
“I thought of that. I hope it was not too presumptuous, but I talked to Fran before coming over. She has offered to oversee things here for a few hours. That is, if you and Mr. Hammond don’t mind?”
“I am sure we’d both be grateful.”
