Page 107 of Rival to Resist
She curtsied deeply to William—something Frederick was certain she had practiced a great deal—then turned to him.
“Good day, Mrs. Tonkin,” he said with a smile.
“’Tisn’t Tonkin now, sir,” she said, lifting her chin.
“Whatever do you mean?” Caroline asked.
Mrs. Tonkin smiled in what she no doubt thought a serene, composed way. “Tom!” she called sharply through the pasted smile.
A moment later, Tom Tregenza emerged from the inn door, removing his cap.
Frederick’s brows shot up. “You are…married?”
The new Mrs. Tregenza inclined her head imperiously to confirm the assumption as she threaded her ample armthrough Tom’s, whose cheeks reddened, though he looked up at his wife with an admiration Frederick had not expected from someone so stoic.
“Do come in, Your Grace,” Mrs. Tregenza said, gesturing to the open door. “And take a fairin’ with ’ee.”
Aunt Eugenia already had two in hand.
“The shutters look well,” Caroline said as they waited for the rest of the family to enter the inn.
Frederick tilted his head to regard them. “They do. You were right to suggest the blue.”
It had been just before their departure to London that they had acquired The Silver Pilchard from Oswald—in addition to a parcel of land for the construction of the schoolhouse. It was only just large enough to house the number of children who wished to attend, for Eliza was loved by all—as was her husband, Captain Rathmore.
After the by-election, it had come to light that the support for Wheal Fortune had largely been contingent upon the promises he had made to investors regarding his plans as an MP. When he had failed to win the seat, the investors had abandoned the scheme, leaving Oswald with financial obligations he could not meet.
In short, the past two years had been humbling ones for him.
Oswald and Frederick would never be close friends, but the consequences of Oswald’s actions seemed to be transforming him for the better, at least.
Mrs. Tregenza prepared a robust meal for the Yorkes, and The Silver Pilchard was ripe with conversation and laughter and toddling children. Days of travel had taken their toll, however, and the taproom was soon vacated in favor of a bit of rest at Trevenna Court.
Once everyone had been installed in their respectiverooms, Frederick and Caroline met in the corridor.
They smiled at each other.
“It is hard to believe they are all here,” Caroline said. “I do like the feeling of the rooms all being occupied.”
“As do I,” he said, taking her hand. There was deep satisfaction and joy to have his entire family under one roof in a place he loved so much. “Are you tired, love?”
“Not nearly as tired as I should be,” she said. “I think the excitement of being home must be stronger than my fatigue.”
He nodded, for he felt the same way. “Would you care to take a walk?”
Her eyes widened a bit. “To…?”
He simply smiled in response.
Her fingers squeezed his in anticipation, and she pulled him down the corridor toward the stairs, and soon, they were on their way to the beach.
Frederick breathed in deeply as the familiar prospect came into view. The air in London was thick with dust and pollution. Here, to breathe was like inhaling life.
Their boots finally met the sand, and they walked along it, taking in a view they had sorely missed while in London.
Caroline sighed with contentment, and Frederick smiled.
“Precisely how I feel,” he said.
