Sarah stared in wonder at the vibrant woolen threads that cascaded over her palm. “Mrs. Beaumont, these are too beautiful to give away.”
Agatha shifted against her pillows then wished she hadn’t moved. “What they are is too pretty to keep locked up in that old chest.” She smothered a groan then relented. “Sarah, could you help me?”
Sarah rose from where she knelt beside an ornately carved chest. “You ate too many strawberries yesterday,” she scolded, but her hands were gentle as she resettled Agatha in her high tester bed.
“Rubbish, the ache in my bones ahs nothing to do with strawberries,” Agatha huffed.
“No, but the ache in your stomach does.” Sarah raised a brow as Agatha began to pout.
“Are you gong to finish unpacking that chest or are you going to stand there staring at me all day?” Agatha folded her arms and returned Sarah’s glare measure for measure. Sarah smiled, shook her head, and moved back to the chest.
“I meant it when I said I want you to take that yarn.” Agatha gestured to the loose bundles that Sarah had just set aside.
Sarah picked up the brightly colored hanks and knew they cost a pretty penny. Indigo, saffron, and a bright cherry-red sparkled in the sunlight while a wide assortment of greens and browns still covered the floor.
“I started to make a set of chair settees, but after making one, I lacked the patience to see it through. Do you see them?” Agatha peered over the foot of the bed. “They should be in there somewhere. Unless they’ve fallen apart by now.”
“Here they are,” Sarah cheered triumphantly. She unfolded a large square of heavy linen to reveal an intricate pattern of animals and fruit trees. “Did you do this?” Her fingers traced over the complex stitches and the delicate shading.
Agatha nodded with pride, but her smile faded as she looked down at her gnarled hands. “I always meant to go back and finish those. But now,” she sighed deeply, “it’s too late. Still,” she brightened, “I could have the finished piece made into a pillow. It shouldn’t take one of Charlotte’s girls too long, and then it would be ready in time for Nick’s engagement announcement.”
Sarah felt her knees go weak. She sank back to her kneeling position on the floor and held onto the corner of the trunk for support. “Mr. Beaumont is engaged?” She struggled to keep her voice from cracking.
Agatha shook her head, making her lace cap slip from side to side. “He’s decided to settle down and start a family, but I don’t think he’s made a final decision yet as to who the lucky girl will be. Personally, I wish he would hurry and make up his mind. I want to hold my grandson.”
“But he hasn’t decided who to marry, you say?” Sarah tried to still the frantic beating of her heart as breath again entered her lungs.
Agatha pleated the bed linen with her bent fingers. “I think he’ll make the most beautiful babies, don’t you?” From the corner of her eye she watched the color drain from Sarah’s face only to bounce back again, and her voice lowered to a secret whisper. “He might be my grandson, but let me tell you, Nicholas is one fine specimen of a man. With that thick black wavy hair and those dark sapphire eyes, and strong . . . Why, did you know that Nick can – “
“Would you like a fresh glass of lemonade, Mrs. Beaumont?” Sarah interrupted. “I thought I heard Luther say that Mrs. Killingham had made some special. Why don’t I just go down and fetch it for you.”
“Don’t bother.” Agatha struggled not to smile. “I’ll just ring for it. Have you ever noticed how well Nick fills out his jacket?”
Sarah snatched the golden bell out of reach and placed it on the dresser. “I’ll save Luther the trip,” she stammered. “You just rest a moment and I’ll be right back.”
Agatha watched in amusement as Sarah fled the room. This is going to be even easier than I thought, she giggled with satisfaction. And with her hands folded meekly on her lap and an angelic smile on her wrinkled face, Agatha patiently waited for Sarah to reappear.