Page 10 of A Sea View Christmas (On Devonshire Shores)
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 at Killerton 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?”
“Of course,” Mamma said. “Effie, my dear.” She opened her arms, and the girl melted into them, clearly relishing the maternal embrace.
Releasing Effie, Mamma turned to Mr. Henshall to introduce the new-wed couple. “You remember Emily, I trust.”
“I do indeed.” He bowed.
“And this is her husband, James Thomson.”
“A pleasure.” The two men shook hands.
Mamma said, “Would you like your former rooms? That is, unless you object, Sarah?”
“Not at all. I was about to suggest the same.” Sarah managed a smile, even as her hope faded. When Mr. Henshall had turned up in the churchyard, she’d briefly believed there might be a future for them, but now the reality of her family’s situation came rushing back.
She noticed Emily watching her, realization dawning.
“Sarah, you should have said something. Perhaps we can wait a bit longer or...”
Mamma interrupted her with a single clap of her hands. “Well now. Let’s get our guests settled. The keys, Sarah?”
Clean towels in hand, Sarah led the Henshalls up to their rooms, Georgie tagging along.
When they reached the door, Mr. Henshall paused to regard the placard beside it. “This is new.” He ran a finger over the carved words: Scots Pine . Then he turned to her, brows high in question.
Sarah felt her face heat.
Georgie grinned. “We named it in your honor!”
“Did ye indeed?”
“Um-hm.”
Sarah opened the door and stepped inside, setting the towels on the washstand.
The two young ladies disappeared into the adjacent room—Effie closing her door none too softly—leaving Sarah alone with Callum Henshall.
In a bedchamber. She swallowed hard and reminded herself she was there in a business capacity only.
He set down his cases, turned to her, and sank his voice. “I hope you don’t mind us coming to Sidmouth like this, unannounced. When we learned you’d come all the way to our house, I felt I had to see you. Even Effie, who despaired of the long journey after our last trip, wanted to come.”
“I had to see you.” Sarah’s nerves thrummed at the words, even as she told herself to be practical, to remember she was content as she was. Useful. Needed.
“I don’t mind at all,” she replied. She thought of James and Emily leaving, and again her mind ran through her lists, her plans, her tallies.
She had accounted for a certain number of people for Christmas Eve, Christmas dinner, New Year’s, and Twelfth Night.
Would the plum pudding be large enough? Perhaps she should have ordered a larger goose. ...
The next moment, all of those practical concerns fled.
To travel all this way, and at Christmastide yet—what did it signal?
How was she to respond? With cool officiousness, as though he were just another return guest, or at best, a family friend joining them for the holidays?
Should she pretend to be unaffected by his arrival when every inch of her being was acutely aware of his presence?
She glanced up and was surprised to find him so near. Had he stepped closer, or had she?
He said, “When we met in the churchyard, ye seemed happy to see me. Has something changed?”
“Oh, um...” What to say? “It’s only the busyness of the season. And Emily and her husband will be spending more time away from home, so there will be her duties to take care of as well. Nothing’s wrong, just ... a lot on my mind.”
“And we have added to your duties by being here, especially at Christmastime.”
“I didn’t mean ... It is not a problem, truly.”
“We shan’t expect any special treatment. Well, I shan’t. I canna speak for Effie.” He gave her a half grin. “For instance, I recall ye don’t serve dinner to guests on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Don’t make an exception on our account. We can easily go to one of the hotels.”
Sarah considered. “We do have two other guests with us presently, and they might notice if we made an exception for you. But when they leave in a few days, I can easily modify the menus and shopping to include you and Effie as well. And you must join us for all the meals during Christmas week. I have promised Georgiana dinner parties and evening parties and every festivity I can think of. Last Christmas was a sad disappointment to her.”
“We shall happily join you, then. In the meantime, perhaps I might take Mr. Hornbeam out for a meal. Is he still with you?”
“He was until a few months ago. He recently married.”
Mr. Henshall’s golden brows again rose high. “Ye don’t say. That is excellent news. Yet another marriage since I was last here.”
“Y-yes.”
“And who is the lucky lady?”
“Her name is—was—Miss Reed. I don’t know if you would remember her. I doubt you would recognize her as the same dour woman from the night of the flood. They are so very happy together.”
He looked into her eyes and said softly, “Imagine that.”
Sarah looked away, clearing her throat. “The two have moved into a lovely cottage only a ten-minute walk away. I am sure he’d be delighted if you stopped by.” She smiled. “Perhaps play another game of chess?”
“I would like that. Although he’ll no doubt win, as he usually did. Are we quite certain he’s blind?” He winked.
“Oh yes. Though somehow he manages to see more than the rest of us do.”
“I agree.”
Sarah hesitated. She was drawn to this man, wanted to stay there with him, yet at the same time felt pulled in the opposite direction by the demands of propriety and duty.
A burst of giggles erupted from the adjoining room, recalling Sarah to her surroundings.
She retreated to the door. “Well. I shall leave you to settle in.”