“I think she is correcting proofs for Mr. Wallis.”
“That’s right. She did mention her plans last night, but I forgot. I shall ask her when she returns.”
Viola tilted her head to one side. “What is it, Sarah? Do you mind Mr. Henshall spending time with Jack and James? You don’t seem best pleased.”
“No, it is not that. I ... just didn’t know where he’d gone or if he ... intended to return.”
“Ah. And you don’t wish for him to leave, I take it?”
“No. At least not while we are on uneasy terms. I wish now I had not been so slow to make up my mind.”
“Well, you have had a lot on that keen mind of yours lately, what with the holidays and all.”
“Yes, but I fear that was merely my excuse for putting him off. And now he has given up on me.”
“I doubt that, Sarah.”
Sarah heaved a sigh and rose. “Well. We shall see.”
When Sarah returned to Sea View, she found Georgie and Effie in the parlour, Effie demonstrating the high-stepping and leaping moves of a Highland fling.
Sarah was illogically relieved to see her.
“Where were you girls earlier?” she asked them. “No one seemed to know where you’d gone.”
“We were up in the schoolroom,” Georgie said. “Colin gave us a dancing lesson. And he has offered to give us all another lesson before the party.”
“Has he? That is an excellent idea. I promised you dancing but had not thought about either a dancing master or a caller. I am glad he has offered to help you.”
“Don’t forget my step-da’,” Effie added. “Man needs all the dancin’ help he can get.”
Shortly before the dinner hour, the Huttons’ carriage stopped at the end of their drive. Sarah hurried to the library window, hand to her chest. The carriage door opened, and James stepped out. A moment later, Callum Henshall alighted, and Sarah exhaled in relief.
James and Callum waved farewell to Jack, who was still inside the vehicle. And then Taggart urged the horses to continue on to Westmount.
The two men started for the house, and Sarah pulled back, not wanting to be caught spying.
She walked to the library door and peeked out into the hall as James and Callum Henshall entered, Mr. Gwilt taking their coats and hats. She tried to gauge their moods. They spoke amicably but quietly, and Mr. Henshall patted his pocket and said something Sarah couldn’t hear.
James replied, “Don’t worry. Mum’s the word.”
Sarah wanted to hurry over and express her relief at Callum’s return. And ask what business had taken them to Exeter. But she resisted the impulse to ambush him the moment he returned. Nor did she want to bare her heart in front of James.
The two men started upstairs to their respective rooms, probably to wash and change before dinner. She would wait, although perhaps not patiently.
Sarah forced herself to follow suit, going to her room to change into a prettier frock and repin her hair.
Emily often stopped by before dinner to see if she needed any help, but apparently her work for Mr. Wallis had her running late. Sarah was struggling to reach behind herself for the last few buttons when someone tentatively knocked.
“Yes?” Sarah called.
Cora entered and, seeing what she was doing, offered, “I can do that. I often helped my nan.”
“Thank you, my dear.” Sarah turned back around. Wondering what had brought the girl to her door, she asked, “Did you need me for something?”
“No, miss. Emily just arrived home and still must wash and change. I said I would come in her place.”
“That was considerate of you.”
