“Ah.” He nodded and explained, “At home, we have a tradition called First Footing, meaning the first person to cross your threshold after midnight determines your fortunes for the coming year. I am not a superstitious man, but we do observe the custom.”
“It’s best if the first person is tall, dark, and handsome,” Effie said, “as well as a prosperous bachelor. As long as he is not flat-footed—the higher the instep the better.”
Mr. Henshall nodded again and continued, “He enters through the front door bearing gifts—coal, salt, cheese, shortbread, and coins, which represent warmth, good food and cheer, and prosperity for the coming year. He sets his coal on the fire and wishes the family a happy New Year. He is even permitted to kiss every woman in the house before he leaves through the back door, taking all of the previous year’s troubles with him.”
“I wonder who it will be,” Georgie mused with a glance at Colin. “Most of the single men I can think of are fair-haired.”
Colin shrugged. “I suppose that puts me out of the running.”
Georgie raised her hands. “What if no one comes so late?”
“Then I suppose it shall be the dairyman in the morning,” Sarah teased.
“Mr. Pym? Heaven help us.”
Mr. Henshall said, “We shall just have to wait and see.”
FOURTEEN
Each age has deemed the new-born year
The fittest time for festal cheer.
—Sir Walter Scott, “Christmas in the Olden Time”
Her thoughts full of Callum Henshall, Sarah tied a clean half apron around her waist the next day and stripped the sheets from her own bed. If only it were as easy to strip away her doubts and questions.
Phrases from recent conversations with him echoed through her mind:
“I wouldna recover from such a disappointment quickly. If ever.”And“I’m through being cautious....If ye think I am hesitant where you’re concerned,let me make something clear. I know how I feel about ye,lass. I am only holding back out of respect....”
Sarah, however, was not through being cautious. In truth, she was struggling. Could she give up her home? Move hundreds of miles from her family? On the other hand, could she live with herself if she did not? So yes, shewasholding back, especially now with Mrs. Besley needing more help and Emily planning to spend most of her time elsewhere. Would it not be wrong of her to leave? For even though Viola lived next door—close enough tohelp Mamma if need be—her sister would soon have her hands full with a newborn.
Mr. Henshall had made it clear during his first stay with them that he was needed in Scotland. He had a man of business and tenants to keep the estate going for a month or two, but he could not stay away much longer. He had responsibilities at home, just as she had at Sea View. Even if his cousin was to inherit instead of a son, he was duty bound to be a good steward, to manage the land well and keep Whinstone Hall in good order.
A secret part of her would love to be the woman to provide Callum with a longed-for son and heir. Though of course there was no guarantee they would have any children, and even a daughter could not inherit due to the dictates of the entail.
Would it be worth it to give up her family, to risk the success and security of Sea View for a husband and potential children of her own—children who would rarely see their grandmother and aunts in Devonshire? Was it selfish of her to even consider the desires of her heart above what was best for her mother and sisters?
As Sarah spread clean sheets over her bed, her thoughts continued to swing like a pendulum—toward him, and away again. With each practical argument against the match her emotions swung away. Then she recalled the appeal in his sea-green eyes when he said,“It is my dearest wish that one day she’ll do me the honor of taking my name,”and her emotions swung toward him once more.
Oh,Lord,what would you have me do?
Bed made, Sarah gathered up the sheets and took them out to the laundry basket in the passage. Jessie came up the stairs humming a Christmas carol. The maid was carrying two folded towels under one arm, and in her hand, the bin they used to collect rubbish from the guest rooms.
“Ah, Jessie. I’ve barely seen you to ask. Did you enjoy your day off with Tom?”
“Yes, miss.” The young woman’s eyes sparkled. “And I wanted to tell you. Tom thought we should save up for a nice place of our own first. But I don’t want to wait. As long as we’re together,I’ll be happy. So we’re to marry in February, as soon as the banns can be read.”
Sarah congratulated Jessie even as her spirits sank. She knew it was unlikely Jessie would continue working at Sea View once married, or at least once a baby came along. Another factor to consider...
Mrs. Besley limped to the bottom of the stairs with the aid of her cane. “Soup pot boiled over. Lowen stoked the fire too hot again. I could use Jessie’s help in cleaning it up.”
Sarah took the towels from the young woman. “You go on. I will do that.”
“Those are for Scots Pine.” Jessie handed over the bin as well, then hurried downstairs to help.
Sarah’s heart gave a small twist at the name of the room ... and the thought of its occupant.
