Page 39 of A Sea View Christmas (On Devonshire Shores)
Sarah Henshall left the bedchamber she shared with her Scotsman, humming a jaunty tune. She wore a flattering deep blue riding habit of her own, one she’d had made soon after arriving in Kirkcaldy. Tailored specifically for her, it fit her perfectly, as did her new life.
As she went downstairs, she saw the new housemaid polishing the gilt-framed mirror in the hall. “Well done, Betty. Everything looks tidy.”
Indeed it did. They had completed the repairs and cleanup after the winter storm in good time. Sarah looked around the ground-floor rooms and felt a sense of satisfaction, knowing her efforts and leadership had been useful as well as appreciated.
Passing the open study door, she glimpsed Effie inside, having a lesson with her music tutor.
The girl had finally agreed to more schooling.
Not to going away to school, which none of them wanted, but Callum and Sarah had offered to provide a local music tutor and dancing master if Effie cooperated with a new governess who would instruct her in history, literature, and mathematics.
In between, she seemed to enjoy spending time with Sarah and her stepfather and was even, on rare occasion, seen reading a book.
Sarah left the house and walked across the gravel drive toward the stables. There stood Callum, leading a chestnut horse, talking in friendly tones with the groom adjusting a sidesaddle on the sweet brown Thoroughbred Sarah enjoyed riding.
After helping her onto the sidesaddle, Callum effortlessly mounted his own horse, and then closed the distance between them, leaning near for a warm, lingering kiss.
They set out for a ride together, as they often did, around the estate and through the nearby woods and fields. Sometimes Effie joined them, as her lessons allowed.
It was summertime in Scotland, and Sarah relished every warm, sunny hour, which reminded her of balmy days in Devonshire.
The countryside around them was carpeted in purple heather, red hawthorn berries festooned the hedgerows, and birdsong sweetened the air.
As they rode along the trail, they occasionally disturbed a roe deer or startled grouse into flight. Otherwise, all was peaceful.
Claire and William had traveled to Scotland as promised that spring. They had all enjoyed a nice long visit, spending time in Edinburgh together as well as at Whinstone Hall.
During their stay, Claire had confided the good news that their former maid, Mary, had finally married her surgeon’s mate, who had safely arrived in Sidmouth in February, when their child was about two months old.
Mary’s new husband had already found employment as an assistant to one of the surgeons in town, and the new family now lived in small lodgings of their own.
When William and Claire left to return to Sidmouth, Georgiana went with them. She had been ready to return to Devonshire, but Sarah and Effie were sorry to see her go.
Since leaving Sea View, Sarah had corresponded regularly with her mother and sisters, and by all accounts, everyone was doing well.
Cora continued to be a help and encouragement to their mother and a joy to everyone who met her.
And Sea View was thriving with a promising number of guests writing to request rooms for the summer.
Viola was due to have her child any day, and Sarah eagerly awaited news of the birth, praying faithfully that both mother and child would be healthy and happy.
As she and Callum rode on, Sarah crossed a narrow stone bridge ahead of him and halted her horse on the other side.
Waiting for her husband to rejoin her, Sarah reflected on the pleasure she used to take in riding as a girl, and now, after the difficult years in between, she could look back over all she had lost and gained and learned, and better appreciate the freedom to enjoy the pastime with the man she loved.
In fact, she embraced all the aspects of this fresh season of life with immense gratitude.
Yes, she remained busy, meeting with and directing the new housekeeper and cook, as well as getting to know her neighbors and being of service to the poor and elderly in their midst. Yet she also took time to relish her role as wife and stepmother, as well as mistress of Whinstone Hall.
Returning from their ride some time later, Sarah saw Effie near the stables, finished with her lessons and playing with a new litter of kittens—ginger tabbies, of course.
Effie greeted them as they neared. “Good ride, Da’?”
He stilled as he always did whenever she called him that. He smiled fondly at her in reply. “Aye.”
She turned next to Sarah. “Good ride, Mrs. Henshall?”
“Yes, thank you, Miss Henshall.”
Effie had taken his surname. Their surname. They were a family now, in both name and affection.
Sarah sometimes missed her sisters, and Effie missed Georgiana, but both took comfort in the fact that they would visit again. Mamma had hinted that she might come too, especially if and when Sarah and Callum had a child of their own, a blessing they both hoped for.
In the meantime, they had each other, a beautiful home, and a life of love, service, and diligent devotion ahead of them.