After a moment, she closed her mouth, inhaled, and replied, “I know I have said more than once that you are like the daughter I never had, Viola, but I was certainly not hinting that you should offer any such thing.”
“I know you were not. But that’s just it. You have become family to us. Like a dear grandmother. And you should be living with people who care about you at this time of your life.”
“I am not on death’s door, for goodness’ sake, despite my recent cough.”
“I thank God you are not. And while we believe we could better look after you at Westmount, we want this for ourselves too.”
The older woman slowly shook her head. “I don’t like the thought of you having to care for me. I don’t wish to become a burden to you.”
“Dear Mrs. Denby. Is that not what family is for—to help bear one another’s burdens? And who knows? We might have a small burden of our own one day and could useyourhelp.”
Now Sarah’s mouth fell ajar. “How wonderful!” she exclaimed.
“One day soon?” Mrs. Denby asked eagerly, spindly brows high.
Viola placed a finger over her own lips and looked from Mrs.Denby to Sarah. “Emily knows. But otherwise it’s too early to make an official announcement, so please keep this quiet for now.”
“Oh my, you are surely persuasive, my girl,” Mrs. Denby said, eyes sparkling. “You know the way to my heart, do you not? The daughter I never had, and perhaps—one day—a grandchild too?” She gave them a saucy grin. “When shall I move in?”
The words“The daughter I never had,and perhaps—one day—a grandchild too?”were still echoing sweetly in Sarah’s mind as she stepped into the hall. There she was taken aback to hear Effie’s forlorn voice ask, “Would it be worse not to have a mother in your life, or to have one who didna love ye?”
The girl sat on the stairs, face in her hands.
“Oh, Effie...” Sarah went and sat next to her. “I thought you were playing games with the others.”
“I was. But Cora started cryin’, missin’ her nan and her parents, who all clearly loved her, and it was enough to make me want to break my heart. Or break somethin’.”
“Of course she is missing her family at Christmas. Poor girl.”
“Your mam came in and is soothin’ her now.”
Not knowing what to say, Sarah put a tentative arm around the girl’s shoulders and felt them tremble as she wept.
After a time, Effie sniffed and lifted her head almost defiantly. “I’d like to see my mam on Christmas too. I’ve a thing or two to say to her.”
“Oh ...?” Sarah said uneasily.
Effie swiveled on the stair. “Will ye go to the churchyard with me?”
“I ... Of course I would. But your ... Mr. Henshall would be more than happy to accompany you.”
“I know. But he was married to her, probably thinks she was perfect. Will ye think ill of me for not agreeing?”
“No, I won’t. I’m happy to take you, Effie, although may I at least mention it to him before we go? I’d hate for him to feel we’d left him out or that I’d usurped his place.”
“I don’t want him to hear what I have to say to her.”
“Nothing ye could say would surprise me, lass.”
With a start, they both looked over to find him standing outside the parlour door. Effie appeared as guilty as Sarah felt.
“I was coming to find ye. Could see ye were upset. Didna mean to eavesdrop, but I’m glad I heard, so I can explain.”
Sarah stood. “Perhaps you might prefer to sit in the library, where it’s warmer and more comfortable?”
Effie rose in agreement. Sarah was about to excuse herself to let the two talk privately, but Effie took hold of her hand and did not let go.
In the library, Mr. Henshall added wood to the fire before Sarah could do so. When the three had settled into chairs near the hearth, he turned to Effie and began, “In the past, I took care in what I said about your mam. Didna want to speak ill of her or taint your view of her. In hindsight, perhaps I was too careful.”
