Page 56 of Heartbreaker of the Ton
Etty’s pleasure in life, even as a child, always seemed to be marred by the expectation of perfection. Mother had always said it wasn’t done for a young woman of her rank to merely enjoy what she had. She must always strive for more. But a wish to better oneself was only to be admired if it came without a sense of disdain for everything.
Gabriel, with his innocent enthusiasm for everything placed before him and his joy in everything he saw, was everything Etty wasn’t—and everything she wished to be.
To think—had she not had Gabriel, she’d never have known the simple joy of feeling the sand beneath her feet. No matter thepath her life had taken, she had much to be grateful for. Most of all, her son.
Gabriel rushed toward the water, tripped, and toppled over. He let out a wail, and Frances leaped to her feet.
“Oh, sweet boy—have you taken a tumble in the sand?” She laughed. “Just look at that big footprint you’ve made. Or should that be a Gabriel-print?”
The boy giggled and reached for her hand.
“Would you like to take a paddle?” Frances asked. She turned to Etty. “Perhaps your mama might join us.”
“Mama—Mama!” Gabriel reached toward Etty. She stood and took his free hand. Then, between them, she and Frances walked him to the edge of the water.
“One, two, three…” Frances said, then Etty joined her in a final flourish of “Up we go!” and they swung the little boy into the air while he giggled with mirth.
“Shall we go again?” Etty asked.
“Yes, Mama, yes!”
Between them, Etty and Frances swung him up again, and this time he landed in the water, catching the edge of a wave. The boy jumped up and down, sending splashes of water sideways, which soaked Etty’s dress.
“Oh, ma’am—your gown!” Frances cried. “I’m ever so sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for, Frances,” Etty replied. “I can’t remember enjoying myself as much. In fact…” She gazed out over the sea, the shades of blue and green, the coolness beckoning to her as respite from the heat. “Is it wicked of me to want to bathe in the sea?”
“Why would it be wicked, Mrs. Ward?” Frances asked. “And it would be good for your leg. That was a right nasty graze you got when you fell off that ladder yesterday. Beggin’ your pardon, ma’am, but I did tell you to wait until our Jimmy could come over and prune that rose.”
“I don’t need a man to take care of me, Frances,” Etty said. “And I certainly don’t need a man to prune the roses around the door.”
“I’m not saying you couldn’t climb the ladder, ma’am—only that I didn’t want you hurting yourself.”
“It’s nothing, Frances,” Etty said.
“But it hurts, doesn’t it, ma’am?” Frances said. “I can see it in your eyes. And there’s nothing better than seawater to help with cuts and grazes. That’s what my ma says, anyways. Vicar says it also, and he’sneverwrong.”
An expression of devotion filled the girl’s eyes. Heavens—was there nobody in the village whowasn’tsmitten with Andrew?
Etty gazed at the water, striving to conquer the longing. “I don’t know…”
“Well, I do,” Frances said.
Etty smiled inwardly at the girl’s newfound boldness. Frances had blossomed into a confident young girl after a month in her employ. Perhaps, released from the shadow of her origins, she was now able to express herself more freely and no longer suffer guilt for merely existing.
“Folk rarely come to this part of the beach if that’s what you’re worryin’ about, ma’am,” Frances said.
“I’ve nothing to dry myself with,” Etty said.
“There’s the blanket.”
Yes, there was—and Etty’s undergarments were thin enough to dry quickly on such a hot day. Which only left…
Etty reached behind her gown and unknotted her sash. Moments later, she stood in her undergarments, her dress hooked over Frances’s arm.
“Mama swim!” Gabriel cried.
“Yes, darling boy,” Etty said. “Your mama’s going for a swim.”
