GRANGE HOUSE

If you have come for a long stay, you must arrive at Grange House by water. The House sits at the farthest edge of the harbor from Middle Haven, the last habitation before the harbor gives way to the open sea, and though a road runs between town and Grange House, it is narrow and rocky--entirely unsuitable for the conveyance of large families with luggage. Rather, you must take the night steamer from Boston, which deposits you at the Grange House pier before teatime.

I like to stand in the prow of that boat, steaming farther and farther north and east, and be the first to feel the air sharpen and cool, leaving the damp heat of Boston, the shipyards of Portsmouth, and voyaging into the clear silence born in the chill of Maine...
first paragraphs

And, (a beautiful quote)

There is a quiet to the evenings that settles softly down now; no outside noises penetrate in summer's fashion when windows are thrown wide to catch the night seiners out in the harbor, someone's laugh entering in on the light salt breeze. Now all laughter is our own, muted by the heavy curtains and cast into our group as if Sound herself grew shy.
p.259
Grange House
Sarah Blake

This Victorian novel was published 10 years prior to The Postmistress. Lovely writing. A compelling storyline.