Sophia was relieved to note Mildred’s face and hands were clean, and her gown had only a few dirt smudges and wrinkles as might happen from being out for a walk.She recognized the bun Mildred wore was a much simpler hairstyle than she typically wore, even this past week, one she had likely created without the use of a mirror.Where had she been staying, if not in the cave?Sophia was dying to find out what new danger the girl had put herself in.
Kendall had evidently gone to the music room to alert the musicians that food was served, as Fairfax, Xavier, and Mr.Huntley soon joined them at the dining table.Wallace appeared shortly after, minus his smock, properly attired in a coat and carefully tied cravat.Mrs.Royston, Sophia noted with a chuckle, simply rolled her sleeves down and draped her smock over the back of her chair until Kendall relieved her of it.
Introductions were made around the table as Kendall and Marshall served.Everyone began to eat, except Mrs.Digby.She sat at the head of the table, perfectly still in her chair, wearing a beatific smile as she gazed at her fellow diners.
“Something wrong, Aunt?”Fairfax set his soup spoon down.
Mrs.Digby shook her head.“I was just thinking it’s been quite some time since I had so many young people at my table.”
“Quite nice, isn’t it?”Mrs.Royston added.
Sophia realized that not only could she not speak privately with Theo or Mildred while they ate, Marshall had seated them by alternating genders.She was tucked between Wallace and Xavier on one side of the table with Mrs.Royston, while across from her Fairfax sat beside Theo, and Mr.Huntley sat beside Mildred.Well, at least the latter pair’s proximity might lead to light flirtation and further her matchmaking plans for them.
“If I’d known the company to be had, I would have visited sooner,” Wallace said, smiling at Sophia.
Only because she sat directly across from Fairfax did she see his fleeting grimace, replaced so quickly by a neutral expression she might have thought she’d imagined it.
Wallace’s smile spread.
“Here, here,” Mr.Huntley said.“A toast to Aunt Gertrude’s beautiful company.”They all raised their teacups or wine glasses in a toast, a becoming blush spreading on Mildred’s and Theo’s cheeks.
After more general conversation, Sophia heard Theo clear her throat.
“I was thinking about resuming my excavation,” she said, glancing at Fairfax.“I’d like to make progress while my cousin is here visiting.”
“Are you interested in fossils, Miss Ebrington?”Mr.Huntley twisted in his chair to get a better look at Mildred.
“I am interested in Miss Burrell’s project, yes,” Mildred hedged.
“The … weather … seems clear for digging in rocks on the bluff,” Fairfax said.
“You should be fine, dear girl,” Mrs.Digby said.“The smugglers won’t be using my caves again anytime soon.”
“Smugglers!”Wallace and Xavier spoke at once.They began asking questions, speaking over the top of each other without giving anyone a chance to respond, though Mr.Huntley and Fairfax tried.
“Oh, dear, you’ve done it now,” Mrs.Royston muttered with a grin.
“I don’t see why we can’t discuss it among family.”Mrs.Digby glanced around the table.“And friends who are already aware of what happened.”She tapped her palm on the table.“Boys, hush!”
Silence.
Once she had everyone’s attention, Mrs.Digby succinctly explained about the smugglers, their contraband disappearing from the cave, the revenuers, and the innkeeper and his son Clyde.
Relieved that Mrs.Digby omitted any mention of the cave-in, Sophia met Fairfax’s glance.He kept his chin down while he ate his soup but lifted his eyes to hers, a small smile playing about his lips.
“You feel confident they will not return?”Theo stared at Mrs.Digby.
“Correct, Miss Burrell.I had a very productive chat with Clyde’s mother, Mrs.Renwick.If he purchases from smugglers again—and I think his father will be keeping a tight rein on his spending for quite some time—he won’t be using my property to store his un-taxed goods.”
“Now we just need to figure out who is walking on the beach late at night, pretending to be a ghost,” Mr.Huntley said.“I heard there was another sighting last night.”
“Well, really,” Mrs.Digby huffed.
Mildred kept her head down as she ate.Sophia also stayed quiet.
Conversation was lively as they finished the meal.The men decided to go down to the beach right away.Wallace and Xavier wanted to see the cave where the contraband had been stashed and the beach where the new ghost had been sighted.
“Feel free to go with them if you wish,” Mrs.Digby said to Sophia.“I’m going to have a lie-down.”
