Page 7 of A Sea View Christmas (On Devonshire Shores)

FIVE

You know full well as I do the value of sisters’ affections: There is nothing like it in this world.

—Charlotte Bronte, The Professor

A fortnight had passed since Sarah’s return, and she quickly adjusted to being home and fell back into her former routines.

After going through the house, guest register, and accounts, she was pleased to find everything in good order.

They had only two guests at present, but for the time of year, that was not surprising.

Sarah found herself missing Claire. She had seen little of her since their return to Sidmouth.

After spending so much time with her treasured older sister during the trip, she longed for her company.

Deciding she could spare an hour before dinner, she rose from the desk to retrieve cloak, bonnet, and gloves.

Georgiana came down the stairs, looking bored. “Where are you off to?”

“I thought I’d go to Broadbridge’s to see Claire.”

“May I go along?”

“Certainly. I would enjoy your company.”

Together the two sisters set off for the boarding house near the marketplace.

When they reached Broadbridge’s and knocked, the front door was opened by Armaan Sagar, Major Hutton’s good friend and Mira’s uncle.

He and his wife, Sonali, had encouraged William and Claire to remain in residence while they were still growing accustomed to their new role as boarding-house keepers.

Armaan gave them a broad smile, which showed off his perfect white teeth to great advantage.

“Good day, Miss Sarah. Miss Georgiana. Please come in.”

“Thank you, Armaan. How are things going here?”

“Fairly well, I believe. There is much to learn, but we are blessed to have assistance and advice when we need it. The Hammonds and even your old friend Mrs. Farrant have been most helpful.”

“I’m not surprised. Fran was helpful to us when we opened our guest house as well. Always knows ‘just the right person’ for any task that needs doing.”

Another smile. “Indeed she does. Well, I imagine you are here to see your sister, yes?”

Sarah nodded. “If she is available.”

“William has gone out to climb one of his hills, but I think Claire is upstairs with Mira in the apartment. I would be happy to escort you, although I believe you know the way quite well by now.”

“Indeed we do. I am sure you are busy, so we will show ourselves up, if that’s all right.”

“Of course. You are always welcome.”

She and Georgie went upstairs and through a nondescript doorway that led from the main house to an apartment over the former stable block.

Finding the apartment’s outer door open, Sarah knocked on its frame to announce their presence. They waited on a small landing that led to two inner doors—the bedroom door was closed, but the other stood open.

Mira bounded out through the open door. Seeing them, her big brown eyes brightened with delight. “Georgie!” She launched herself at Sarah’s youngest sister, who bent and scooped the girl into her arms.

Sarah felt an odd pinch of guilt. She was always so busy that she had not made much of an effort with Mira.

She had certainly always been kind to the girl but had not taken the time to play with her.

Playing together seemed to create a bond of affection like little else.

Perhaps Sarah ought to take the trouble of learning—or relearning—how to do so.

Claire came out after Mira, a warm smile of welcome on her pretty face.

“What a lovely surprise! Do come in.”

What had once been a spacious office for William alone now served as informal parlour as well, with two armchairs, a table, and a small bed for Mira.

William’s desk had been pushed against one wall to make space.

The couple had decided Mira’s former bedchamber in the attic of the main house was too far away, especially now that her former nursery-governess, Sonali, had moved into a larger room with Armaan.

The sisters sat down to chat, Claire turning the desk chair to face the two armchairs. Mira climbed onto Georgie’s lap.

“Thanks again for playing with Mira while we were away,” Claire said. “Ever since our return it’s been ‘Georgiana this, Georgiana that.’”

Claire turned to her. “I am glad to see you as well, Sarah. I thoroughly enjoyed spending so much time with you during the trip. Now that we’re home, it feels strange when a few days pass without seeing each other.”

“I quite agree.”

The rattle of cups and careful footsteps announced someone’s approach.

The housemaid, Mary, came in, a tray of tea things in her hands. Georgiana’s eyes grew large as she surveyed the young woman’s rounded abdomen, no longer concealed by snug dress and apron. “Goodness!” she blurted. “You look ready to—”

Sarah quickly laid a hand atop hers. “Georgie...” she admonished under her breath.

“That is, you look, em ... really well. The picture of robust health.”

“Thank ye, miss.” Mary grinned. “And you’re right. I feel ready to burst.”

“You needn’t have brought us tea,” Claire said. “You ought to be taking things easy now.”

“I don’t mind. Mr. Sagar mentioned you had guests, and I like to be useful.”

Mary bent with effort, set the tray on the low table, and straightened again, pressing a hand to the small of her back.

Sarah had already overcome her shock at learning the housemaid who had traveled with Claire from Edinburgh was expecting a child and not yet married.

Her intended was a surgeon’s mate on a ship undertaking a voyage for the East India Company.

They had planned to marry as soon as he returned, but he had sailed off before either he or Mary knew there was a child on the way.

William had used his connections to have the young man sent back on the next available ship and kindly kept the young woman in their employ, despite her condition.

The Sagars kept her on as well, although for Mary’s comfort and that of their guests, she remained primarily in the background these days, tidying the apartment over the stables, lending a hand in the kitchen, and helping with Mira.

“How are you feeling?” Sarah gently asked her.

“A bit uncomfortable, I can’t deny. Back aches somethin’ awful. Still, it’s nothin’ to how sick I was early on. It feels like this wee one may appear any time. As eager as I am, can’t help wishing my Liam would arrive first.”

“It is a long journey,” Claire cautioned her. “Remember, Mr. Hammond said it is unlikely Mr. MacBain will reach England before the child is born. If all goes well, hopefully soon after.”

“I know. And as long as they both arrive safely, that’s what’s most important. Well.” Mary bobbed a shallow curtsy. “I shall return later for the tray.”

Once the maid left, Sarah asked, “Is there anything Mary needs for the baby?”

“She has gathered a few things. We found some of Mira’s baby clothes in one of the trunks, which Mary will be welcome to use. And she has made a few nightdresses and cloths. I have been teaching her to sew and knit. She has not got the knack of knitting, but her sewing is coming along rather well.”

“Then I shall make a point of knitting something for her.”

“How generous. I have been knitting a baby blanket for her, but perhaps a cap or booties?”

“Good idea. I can manage those.”

“That makes one of us,” Georgie said, not at all skilled or interested in needlework of any kind.

They chatted over tea for several minutes, but then Mira rose and tugged on Georgiana’s hand. “Will you come and see my dollhouse? It is up in the nursery. There is no room for it here.”

“Mira, let Georgiana finish her tea.”

“That’s all right.” Georgie gulped down the remainder and stood. “I’d love to see it. Lead on.”

When they had gone, the eldest sisters shared amused grins.

“Those two make quite a pair,” Sarah observed.

“I agree.”

During the years Claire had been separated from the family, Sarah had missed her older sister a great deal.

Growing up, Claire had been her confidante—someone she could be honest with, safely be herself.

And now that it was just the two of them, Sarah leaned forward, grateful for this private opportunity to share her news.

She told Claire about the letter from Mr. Henshall. His explanation of what had happened and his disappointment over having missed them.

“Sarah, that is excellent news! It is, of course, unfortunate about the misplaced letter and the timing, but now you know his absence was unintentional, that his interest in you has not wavered.”

“Do I? He said nothing about staying in contact or seeing each other again. Nor did he explain away the ‘charming neighbor’ his sister-in-law mentioned.”

“Even so, it is something—something far better than you imagined. Is it not?”

“I suppose. It’s reassuring to know we remain on amicable terms, although I am unlikely to see him again.”

“Don’t say that. Winter may not be ideal for traveling, but perhaps in the spring he and his stepdaughter might visit again?”

“Effie detested the long journey the last time.”

“Then maybe he shall come alone.”

“I doubt it.”

“Sarah...” Claire tucked her chin and gently chided her. “Why must you always think the worst?”

Sarah looked away from her sister’s knowing gaze. “I suppose to protect myself from disappointment.”

With Sarah home, Georgie had more free time.

So a few days later, she made another visit to the school to play with the students and chat with Cora, her favorite.

On her way home, Georgiana stopped at the window of Kingwill’s Repository, looking at the local fossils and Devonshire marble displayed there, and now a variety of seashells as well.

The shop door opened and Eliza Marriott exited, her ever-present seashell basket over her arm, now unusually empty.

“Good day, Miss Marriott.”

“Georgiana, a pleasure to see you.” The young woman glanced down. “Good heavens. What’s happened to your petticoat?”

Georgie followed her gaze and saw the muddy petticoat showing from beneath her dress. “Just playing ball with the schoolchildren.”