AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m sure she loved you.” Mari squeezed her shoulders. “You’re very lovable.”
“Do you think so?”
“Absolutely. You’re precocious and opinionated. You learn quickly and you feel things deeply. But you don’t make a very structurally sound sand castle.” They stopped at the two sand castles the children had fashioned earlier.
Adele’s had mostly crumbled away, but Michel’s stood tall.
“Michel’s is better,” agreed Adele.
“He’s better at putting up walls. Just like his father.”
She watched Edgar show Michel how to make the kite dance merrily.
“Do you think Father loves us now?” asked Adele.
“What do you think?”
“He’s here with us when he could be in London. He defended us whenGrand-Mèrewas rude. He hired Miss Martin.”
She made her list as though she were adding up sums. Her face brightened. “He loves us.”
“What did I tell you? You’re lovable.” Mari squeezed her shoulders.I love you as well.
The children would grow too old for a governess. And Edgar would marry... and then where would she be? Wind tangled her hair and sand stung her eyes.
Edgar and Michel reeled in the kite.
“Come on,” shouted Michel, motioning for Adele to follow him. They chose long pieces of brown kelp and waged an epic battle, shrieking and running along the beach.
She and Edgar returned to the blanket and the umbrella.
“The children are so carefree here,” she observed.
“The sea gives you wider thoughts. Maybe I’ll solve the engine problem here.”
Was that the only reason he’d come?
“That’s not the only reason I came,” he said, as if he’d read her mind. “I’m sorry I forgot to tell you I wouldn’t be traveling with you and the children. I thought I had. Sometimes I’m so intent on my work that I forget everything else.”
“I understand,” said Mari.
“I haven’t been back to Southend since the fire.” The subject brought clouds to his eyes.
“Our estate was there.” He pointed at a distant bluff. “There’s nothing but a burnt husk left.”
“What happened?”
He was silent for a moment, his eyes hooded. “I can still smell the smoke. Feel it choking my throat. The memory never leaves you.”
“You were inside the house while it was burning?”
He crossed his ankles, leaning back on his elbows. “India and I were inside. My father started the fire.”
“What do you mean he started it? On purpose?”
He nodded tersely, his face closed and wary again.
She waited for him to say more. He remained silent, staring up at the sky.
