Page 5 of A Sea View Christmas (On Devonshire Shores)

Sarah knew the prayer was not really about stirring up pudding but was meant to “stir up” the congregation for Advent and remind them to do good works for others, especially at this time of year.

Sarah was determined to do just that.

They had invited the extended family, including Jack’s younger brother, to join them at Sea View after the service.

William and Claire decided to spend a quiet day with Mira, Armaan, and Sonali after being gone so long, but the others came over to enjoy the food prepared by Mrs. Besley and arranged on the mahogany buffet: cold ham, bread, butter, and cheeses.

Potted shrimps, meat pie, and bottled fruit.

Sarah herself retrieved hot coffee and tea from the kitchen to complete the meal.

After they had eaten, they all trooped down to the workroom at Sarah’s behest. Once the dried fruit, suet, eggs, breadcrumbs, milk, sugar, brandy, and spices were in the bowl, they each took turns stirring, starting with the youngest, Georgiana, and moving up in age.

“Remember to stir from east to west,” Sarah reminded them. “The direction the wise men traveled to visit the infant Jesus.”

Georgie was followed by the twins, Viola and Emily, and then Colin, James, Sarah, Jack, and Mamma. Jessie and Bibi were spending the afternoon with the Cordeys, but Mr. Gwilt, Mrs. Besley, and Lowen took turns as well.

Some families mixed coins and other charms into the batter. A sixpence in your serving foretold you would be rich, a thimble indicated you would always be a spinster or bachelor, while a ring meant you would soon marry, et cetera.

Sarah had meant to add only a single coin, but Colin Hutton had other ideas. During his turn at stirring, he’d pulled a few charms from a folded handkerchief and slipped them into the batter.

“What did you put in there?” Georgiana demanded.

Sarah wished to know as well.

“You shall have to wait and find out on Christmas Day.” He winked and tweaked Georgie’s nose.

Sarah hoped no one would break their teeth or choke on whatever he’d added.

She looked from the handsome young man to her youngest sister, who was grinning up at him.

Had Georgie taken a liking to a “boy” at last?

Colin must be six or seven years older than Georgiana’s seventeen, but he was quite boyish for his age, and Georgie, for all her rough-and-tumble ways, was wise beyond her years.

Sarah told herself she was probably only imagining it. Colin was, after all, known to flirt and tease. Even so, the irony struck her. It would not surprise her if her youngest sister—ten years her junior—married before she did. She felt a prickle of sadness at the thought.

After the mixture was thoroughly stirred, Sarah and Mrs. Belsey tied up the round mass in fine gauze cloth. They would boil it for several hours, then let it age in a cool place until Christmas Day.

The following afternoon, a letter arrived for Sarah from Scotland. Emily handed it to her, eyebrows high, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. “I will leave you so you can read in private.”

Sarah waved a dismissive hand, hoping her sister did not notice it tremble. “No need. Probably just the explanation we have already heard.”

Sarah unfolded the letter with unsteady fingers and began to read.

Dear Miss Summers,

You cannot imagine how surprised and disappointed Effie and I were to return home and learn we had missed your visit. We had gone to Perth to visit Effie’s grandfather—Katrin’s father—who had been ill. But he was improving by then, and we could have and would have returned sooner had we known.

I at first assumed you must not have sent word before you left Sidmouth, perhaps not knowing if you would have time to see us during your trip.

Then I found the recent message you sent from Edinburgh—it was there waiting for me in my study—letting me know you had arrived.

In it, you mentioned having written previously, but that first letter had not reached me and was not with the correspondence that had come during our absence.

I concluded it must have been lost in the post.

Then Effie, who spends a lot of time with her aunt, found your original letter under a ladies’ magazine in her room.

Isla said she must have picked it up with the periodical and not realized it was there.

She insists it was an unintentional oversight.

She does tend to misplace things and, between us, is not very organized.

Yet I admit it crossed my mind that she might have had other motives.

She is fond of Effie and was not happy with our previous trip to Devonshire.

It is possible she sought to discourage another such trip, but I have decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Although my disappointment over not seeing you made that difficult, if I’m honest.

I would have welcomed the opportunity not only to show you around our house and grounds, but also to join you in seeing more of our beloved homeland. I hope what you saw met with your approval. I also hope you had a safe and pleasant journey.

Again, so sorry to have missed you.

Yours sincerely, Callum Henshall

Conflicting emotions washed over her. Firstly, relief.

His letter—with his explanation and sincere regret—was a balm to her sore heart.

Yet secondly, doubts still plagued her and left her dispirited.

He had not said anything about staying in contact or finding a way to see each other again.

As polite as his letter was, had he lost interest in her?

That would certainly make things easier, considering her recent resolve to remain contentedly single.

Should she reply? What would she say? Mr. Henshall had once told her his house was old and in need of repair. What she had seen of it, she had thought utterly charming. And the grounds? Also lovely, though in need of some care. Yet what would be the point of writing back and saying as much?

No point at all.

She became aware of Emily’s scrutiny and glanced up at her. Sarah had all but forgotten she was there.

“So? What does he say?” she asked.

“Much as I guessed. He and Effie were sorry to miss us, and he hopes we enjoyed our visit to Scotland.”

“Which you did not. How could you?”

“Nonsense. I still found much to enjoy.”

“Does he say nothing else?”

Sarah shrugged. “Nothing much. He did say the letter I sent from here letting them know of our upcoming trip had been mislaid by his sister-in-law.”

“Sister-in-law?”

Sarah nodded. “Apparently she came to live with them after a falling-out with her father. She serves as a housekeeper of sorts. I believe I mentioned that’s who received us when we reached Whinstone Hall.”

Emily’s eyes narrowed. “Hmm ... What was she like?”

“Difficult to say after such a brief meeting. She was not terribly friendly, but we were uninvited guests as well as strangers to her. She reminded me of Effie in looks. Evidently, the two are quite close. I am glad Effie has an older woman in her life to help guide her.”

“Are you?” Emily did not look convinced. “I can think of someone better.”

Sarah chose to ignore the suggestion and changed the subject. “And how goes the writing? Any reply from the publisher about your Gothic novel? Or Mr. Gwilt’s?”

“Not yet. I may send it to another publisher Mr. Wallis knows....”

As Emily chatted on, Sarah realized she had succeeded in diverting the conversation away from Mr. Henshall’s letter, yet her thoughts remained there.