“You’ve grown! You’re nearly as tall as I am.”
The girl looked down self-consciously. “Aye. Had to have new clothes made.”
Georgie said, “Effie says they are planning to stay at the hotel, but I said, ‘Don’t be silly; you must stay with us.’ Right? They must, mustn’t they?”
“Um, well, yes. That is, I would like that very much.”
“Would ye?” Mr. Henshall asked softly.
Sarah glanced at him, and her breath hitched. “I would.”
For a weighty moment, his sea-green eyes held hers. Then he released a long breath. “I’m glad. I shall inform the hotel of our change of plans, collect our bags, and be there shortly.”
Sarah smiled, her mood brighter than it had been in weeks. “Excellent.”
Georgie insisted on returning to the hotel to help with their baggage, so Sarah walked ahead to Sea View alone, heart light. Surely he would not travel all this way were he really courting another woman. Might his coming here mean ...?
She would not presume, of course, but if so ... were not things running smoothly at Sea View these days? With Mamma feeling strong, healthy, and able to oversee things, as well as Emily and James living with them and lending a hand when needed, not to mention Georgiana, the servants, and especially Mr. Gwilt? The latter had assumed the roles of bookkeeper, butler, and porter, especially as their elderly manservant, Lowen, was less able to carry heavy guest bags or buckets of water.
Then, despite these inner assurances, her mind began to whirl with all she had to do. Were the sheets fresh? Would there be enough food for two extra at breakfast?
Reaching Sea View, she hurried into the parlour and interrupted what appeared to be a rather serious meeting.
Emily, James, and Mamma sat together in quiet conversation. Mamma’s new favorite novel,Sense and Sensibility, lay nearby, but was, for once, closed.
Mamma looked up. “Ah, Sarah. You are just in time. Emily and James have come to a decision.”
“What decision?”
Emily explained, “We waited until you returned from Scotland. But poor James. Yes, Sir Thomas has lent him a horse and carriage to travel to and from Killerton, but it’s over thirteen miles away. Even with a spry horse, the trip takes more than an hour each way—longer in bad weather—and so much time on the road has begun wearing on him. While you were gone, James stayed atKillerton House for several nights in a row before returning to Sea View, but I could not bear to be parted from him so long.
“Now we have agreed to a new arrangement: Sir Thomas and his wife have generously invited us to use one of their guest rooms. We shall spend five nights a week at Killerton and spend the other two nights at Sea View. I can write and edit for Mr. Wallis anywhere, so it seems a reasonable solution.”
Sarah stared at her, stomach sinking. But Emily went on before she could fathom a reply.
“Now that Mamma is feeling better, she has taken over much of the correspondence I was responsible for. Perhaps in time Georgiana might assist with that as well, although her handwriting is still rather poor.”
Sarah felt the light go out inside her. She looked dully ahead, feeling numb. “Y-yes.”
“And now you’re home,” Emily concluded, “I am not truly needed.”
“I ... see. I am sorry I didn’t consider the wear on you, James, with so much time on the road. A perfectly logical decision, especially with winter soon upon us.”
James nodded. “Thank you for understanding.”
Emily studied her face. “You seem unhappy. Are you? Honestly, I did not think you would mind.”
“I ... I don’t. Of course not. You must do what is best for the two of you.”
Mamma also studied her in concern. “Sarah, what is it?”
At that moment, the door banged open and Georgie sailed inside, a more reserved Effie and Callum Henshall in her wake, valises and guitar case in hand.
“Look who has come!” Georgie announced. “And just in time for Christmas. Is it not grand?”
“Mr. Henshall and Effie!” Mamma rose and greeted them warmly. “How lovely to see you again.”
“They were going to stay at the York Hotel, but I told them they must stay with us. Do you not agree?”
