Page 139 of The Seaside Homecoming
Again Mamma nodded. “Discerning His will is difficult, and I have not mastered it myself.” She drew herself up. “But now, let me tell you why I called. I had a purpose in coming here, before I was distracted. I’ve come to invite you to visit me at Sea View. Perhaps tomorrow afternoon?”
Is this really happening?Claire looked at her, heart squeezing and eyes filling anew. “Yes, happily. Thank you, Mamma.”
32
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
—Psalm 23:5
The following day, Sonali asked Claire to keep an eye on Mira while she bathed. Claire agreed, and the two sat drawing at the morning room table together.
Mr. Jackson came in to settle his account, and Claire rose to assist him. Once the salesman had gone, only Mr. Filonov, Monsieur Lemaire, Lord Bertram, and his valet would still be with them.
After handing over payment, he said, “I’m off to Seaton next, but I’ll be back in a month or so.”
“You will be very welcome, sir. Safe journey and good sales.”
“Thank you, miss.”
When he had taken his leave, Claire looked back at the table, and Mira was nowhere to be seen. Her stomach sank.Not again...
She went looking for the girl, only to find her curled up, asleep, on two cushioned chairs in the adjacent dining room, the doors between them open. Mira had not slept well thenight before, and she looked so peaceful, Claire didn’t have the heart to wake her. Instead she sat on the next chair and laid her shawl over her. Instinctively, Mira reached out in her slumber and latched onto her skirt.
The front door knocker sounded, but before Claire could extricate herself, Mary answered it, her voice echoing in the entry hall. “Good day, Mr. Sagar.”
“Greetings, Mary. I’d like to see Mr. Hammond, if he is available.”
“You’re in luck, then, for here he comes.”
Descending the stairs, Mr. Hammond called out, “Armaan, good to see you. Come in.”
“Thank you, and thank you, Mary.”
Mary’s heels tapped away down the corridor, while Claire remained where she was.
In the adjoining morning room, Armaan began rather formally, “I hope you don’t think it presumptuous of me, but I’ve come to ask your permission. As Miss Patel has no father living nor other male relative, and as she lives under your roof, I thought I should ask for your blessing, or at least your permission, before I propose.”
A weighty silence followed, a few seconds longer than was polite.
“Propose ... marriage?”
Armaan chuckled a bit awkwardly. “Yes, of course.”
“Forgive me, you have taken me by surprise.”
“So I see.”
“You have not known one another that long.”
“And how long did you know Vanita before you married?”
“Even less time,” Mr. Hammond admitted.
“Have you some reservation about my suitability? As you know, I served the East India Company and the office of governor. Major Hutton would no doubt vouch for my character. I may not be presently employed but I am not without means.Along with the bequest from Mr. Aston, my own father left an inheritance as well. We would not be poor.”
Mr. Hammond murmured, “Good, good...”
“I realize it will be a loss to you. You and Mira have come to rely on her, I know. And I cannot promise we would stay in Sidmouth. For a time we might live at Westmount. But for a couple like us, perhaps London would be better.”
