A tender THREAD
THE STORY SO FAR: England, 1803. Flora and Hester Brooke are the wards of Cilla Talbot, who has taken them on a trip to the Northumberland coast. It’s only a year since they lost their father and Hester is unable to find happiness in her new life. Stopping overnight, at a coaching inn, they meet Thomas Webster, an actor. Hester’s besotted and somehow contrives more meetings once at their final destination. This worries Flora but loyalty keeps her quiet. Cilla’s cousin, Gilbert Geoffreys, has given her the use of his house during their stay. Flora is intrigued by their close friendship, wondering why they aren’t married. When Hester and Thomas decide to elope and ask Flora for help, she refuses. Hester runs away that same day. Miss Cilla, distracted by her artistic interests and hitherto oblivious to the romance, is shocked when she discovers she is gone and demands an explanation.
Flora burst into tears. Being free to tell all was an overwhelming relief. ‘I’m sorry,’ she managed at last. ‘I didn’t know what to do. When she first met Thomas, we were leaving the next day, it didn’t seem to matter…’
‘In Newcastle, you mean?’ Miss Cilla said. ‘The young man at the inn?’ She gave a look of wonder. ‘And they arranged to meet here…?’
Flora remembered the figure under their bedroom window that night, Hester’s bright demeanour. ‘They must have talked,’ she said. ‘Perhaps while we were dining. If you remember, she didn’t join us.’
