A flush rose up her neck.
“Sarah? What are you hiding?” Georgie asked.
“It’s ... well, it’s a bit redundant, really. I found a little ring.”
“Ah!” Colin beamed. “A confirmation of last night’s sapling band. Youshallbe married within the year.”
The flush moved up to her face.
Eager to shift focus, Sarah turned to the newest resident of Sea View. “Anything in yours, Cora?”
The girl shook her head. “I don’t mind. I’m just glad to be here with all of you.”
Sarah reached over and squeezed her hand. “And we are glad you are here too.”
Over the little girl’s head, Mamma sent Sarah a look of gratitude.
After the early dinner, they moved into the drawing room for tea and coffee. Soon people began to disperse. The Sagars andHornbeams departed to their own homes with effusive thanks for the excellent meal, and Mr. Hutton senior retreated to neighboring Westmount for an after-meal snooze.
When they had gone, Mamma slipped away to her room for a nap of her own. Sarah watched her go in mild concern. It was not the first time Mamma had become fatigued recently. Sarah hoped it was just the busyness of the holidays and did not signal a decline.
Emily and James sat together by the parlour fire and soon lost themselves in the books they were reading.
Colin, Georgie, and the three younger girls—Mira, Cora, and Effie—went into the parlour as well to play a board game. Mira convinced her father and Claire to join them, while Effie conscripted Mr. Henshall. He agreed on the condition they allow Sarah to relax after all her hard work.
So Sarah found herself sitting in the drawing room in peaceful contentment with only Viola, Jack, and Mrs. Denby.
The older woman smiled from one to the next. “What a lovely day, my dears. Thank you for including me.”
“Our pleasure,” Sarah replied. “How are you feeling now?”
“Much better. My cough is barely a tickle now.”
“I am glad to hear it.”
Viola said, “You do seem somewhat better, and I’m relieved. But living where you do, where it is so damp near the river...” Viola shook her head. “It cannot be good for your constitution.”
Sarah looked at her sister in surprise. Viola had become a bona fide champion of the poor house. What was the point of criticizing the only living arrangement available to the impoverished woman?
Mrs. Denby waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, it’s not so bad. I have a roof over my head, which only rarely leaks. And while I can’t deny it is drafty and damp in winter, it’s rather pleasant along the river in summertime.”
“Except when it floods.”
“Well ... yes.”
Viola glanced at her husband, and it seemed a private message passed between them. Finding in his expression whatever reassurance she sought, Viola leaned toward Mrs. Denby andsaid, “Jack and I have been talking something over for quite some time now. And we are wondering if you might ... do us a great favor.”
“Of course. Anything for you! If I am able.”
“I hope you don’t think it presumptuous or that we are acting out of, well, charity alone. You know we are extremely fond of you, and—”
“As I am of you.”
“And we are hoping...” Viola swallowed, and Sarah thought she had not seen her look quite so nervous since her wedding day.
Jack leaned forward as well, elbows on his knees and expression earnest. “We would like you to do us the great honor of coming to live with us at Westmount.”
The woman’s wrinkled mouth fell ajar, and the eyes behind her spectacles blinked fast. Sarah was almost as surprised as Mrs. Denby clearly felt.
