Page 99 of The Seaside Homecoming
“Oh, I ... Not really. Not unless you count haggis and cock-a-leekie soup. We ate quite plainly.”
“No Scotch collops or clootie dumpling?” Mr. Hammond asked.
“Um. Not that I recall.”
He looked slightly disappointed. “And what took you to Scotland? I don’t think I’ve heard.”
Claire blinked, not eager to lie, especially not with a sister who knew the truth sitting right there at the same table.
Thankfully, Viola spoke up on her behalf. “My sister served as companion to our elderly great-aunt until her recent death. We are glad she has come home to us at last.”
Interest and suspicion flickered in Sonali’s eyes, or perhaps Claire’s guilty conscience caused her to imagine it.
Mr. Hammond seemed about to ask a follow-up question, but before he could, Viola elbowed the major, who blurted, “And how goes your work for the Foreign Office?”
William Hammond stared at him in surprise, mouth slack.
A moment of tense silence followed.
Then Major Hutton revised his question. “That is, I ...understand you once worked for the Foreign Office in a diplomatic capacity. Is that right?”
“Yes, for several years.” Now Mr. Hammond was the one answering awkward questions. “But I recently resigned.”
“That’s right. I remember you telling me. Forgive my stupid question.”
“Not at all.”
Viola, an adept hostess, directed the conversation onto another topic, but Claire was left wondering what sort of work or “secret project” Mr. Hammond might still be doing for the Foreign Office. Or had Viola’s husband simply blundered in his attempt to change the subject?
After dinner, instead of separating, men and women gathered in the candlelit drawing room, which held comfortable furnishings and a pianoforte.
Armaan turned to Viola. “Will you play some of your beautiful music for us?”
When Viola hesitated, he added, “I know you prefer not to play in company, but—”
“I shall play,” Viola said. “Ifmy sister will sing. She has a fine voice.”
“Oh, I...” Claire wanted to demur, but seeing the entreaty in Viola’s eyes, she found herself replying, “If you’d like.”
“Excellent.” Armaan beamed, and then seated himself between Major Hutton and Miss Patel.
Mira climbed up beside Sonali, and William sat on his daughter’s other side.
The sisters consulted quietly, selected an old piece they both knew, and began the song.
“I go where glory leads me,
And points the dang’rous way;
Tho’ coward love upbraids me,
Yet honor bids obey...”
Oh, the memories that flooded through Claire to find herself singing with her musical sister once again. Although reticent with strangers, Viola had often played for family during evenings at home. And Claire had happily sung with her while their parents looked on with pride and pleasure.
“But honor’s boasting story
Too soon those tears reprove,
