The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz

Author:Laura Frantz
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance;Christian fiction;Romance fiction;Historical fiction;Novels;FIC042030;FIC042040;FIC027050
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2023-11-02T00:00:00+00:00

Sylvie kept her eyes down though her hackles were raised, hardly lending to her appetite. But she must be a good example to the children, even remembering to bow her head and say grâce au bon Dieu. But in English, not French. Henrietta seemed reluctant to release her hand, but Nolan was already passing dishes as they came his way as expertly as any grown-up.

“Miam!” Henrietta said, tasting the creamed ham.

Sylvie smiled, unwittingly having taught her the French word. When with the children, she sometimes forgot herself, slipping back to the easy rapport she’d had with children in Acadie.

Nolan craned his neck to look toward the kitchen. “See any ratafia cakes?”

“I smell gingerbread,” Sylvie told him, eyes on her plate, wanting no excuse to look up and meet the Scot’s gaze again. “Perhaps with the lemon custard you’re so fond of.”

As for herself, she ate without tasting, swallowing the sour beer she found so distasteful but these Virginians couldn’t seem to get enough of, and listened to the robust conversation all around them. At last, her plate empty save the coming gingerbread, she dared to look up.

The foyer was empty.

Her mind veered to the little book in her room, capable of softening her heart with the pressed petals between its pages. Why had he given it to her? What did it matter to him that she was here? Was she not a barbed reminder of all that had been? No matter where he was—or she was—he remained the enemy. Pondering it, she built back the wall around her heart that had started to crack with his gift.

Yawning, Henrietta picked at her gingerbread with tiny fingers while Sylvie gave hers to Nolan. Grinning his thanks, he devoured it, and they made ready to leave. Outside, streetlamps were being lit as the day’s light was snuffed by the gathering darkness.

“Is that a dog?” Nolan poked a finger toward one side of the tavern steps. “Or a wolf?”

“A wolf dog,” Sylvie said, and the creature raised its sleek head to look at them. “Bonami.”

“Is that its name?” Nolan dropped to one knee and ran a hand over the brindled back. “How did you know?”

“He belongs to a man I know.”

“He needs a bone,” Nolan said as Bonami wagged his plumy tail. “Our old dog liked bones.”

“His master is in the tavern. Perhaps he’ll bring him some scraps.” Sylvie wished they had something to give him too. “Let’s be on our way, as the wind is chill and we have no fur like this patient creature.”

At the top of the bookbindery stairs, Henrietta told her, “I’m cold. May I sleep in your room?”

Sylvie bent down and picked her up, dismayed at her shivering.

“She used to share Mama’s bed when Papa was away soldiering.” Nolan’s voice wavered then stiffened. “Before they both got sick and died.”

If only she could take away the sadness that seemed to trail a boy so small. “You must miss them very much.” She hadn’t asked about their past. Let them tell her in their own time and in their own way.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.