‘Thank you.’ Instinctively Lena bent forward and kissed him on the forehead.
‘Peter has told me all that happened yesterday.’ William winced with pain then took a determined grip on himself. ‘I am glad you stood up to those who would have dissuaded you. You have spunk, young lady, and I admire that in people. See that you always have it.’ A startled grimace crossed his face then; he stiffened and sank back on the pillows.
The doctors stepped forward quickly; Lena and Greta moved out of the way. A moment passed before the doctors straightened up and looked at Peter. One of them shook his head slowly and the other confirmed his meaning with a solemn expression.
Peter stepped over to the bed and looked down at his father, making a silent goodbye. Then he turned to Greta and Lena who, with tears in their eyes, came into his arms.
Lena’s mind was still on his father’s last words. Spunk? Unknowingly William Hustwick had stifled all initiative in his son and it could prove hard for Peter to resurrect it, But, she thought, I have enough for both of us.
Chapter Eighteen
When James and Alistair reached Whitby the next day, having stayed overnight in Beverley, they found the Nashes with the MacBrides, as if needing each other’s support to face the news. Their hopes were dashed when they saw the sombre faces of the two men.
‘There was nothing we could do,’ James concluded. ‘Lena would not budge even though we pointed out she would be tainted by scandal.’
‘What’s wrong with her?’ cried Olivia. ‘This is not the Lena I grew up with and loved.’ Her lips tightened and a catch came into her voice as she added, ‘I never want to see her again. She’s hurt too many people and thought only of herself.’ Tears streamed down her face as she finished speaking.
Her mother put a comforting arm round her.
‘What is to be done?’ asked Albert.
‘There’s little we can do,’ his son told him.
‘I suggest we don’t make any hasty decisions now,’ put in Mary MacBride, which brought a nod of agreement from her husband. ‘Think things over, sleep on them and see what our attitudes are tomorrow.’
They agreed, but when the Nashes joined James and the MacBrides the following morning no one had any constructive suggestion to make.
‘I’ve thought long and hard during the night and, as I see it, only Lena can change this situation, and I think that highly unlikely,’ said Alistair.
‘Alistair is right,’ James agreed. ‘I don’t think we can do any more. We have our lives to live. I know there will be a big gap in them without Lena but she has brought shame on this family by her hasty action and is not worthy of our future consideration. I’ve already told her that if she refuses to break this engagement she will never be welcome back in Whitby. I would therefore be obliged if no one in this room attempts to communicate with her.’
His request hit his uncle and aunt hard because of the liking they had for their niece, but, after her behaviour they could understand his attitude.
Albert and Georgina glanced at their son, who remained stony-faced, but his little nod at James’s words confirmed what he had told them last night in the privacy of their own home. Then, they had expressed their horror and surprise at what Lena had done. They had always thought, like most people, that the two children who had grown up together would one day marry; now all they could do was to support their son and daughter through their disillusion and disappointment.
A loud knocking at the front door interrupted James. The urgency it conveyed set them looking askance at each other. A few moments later a maid appeared to say, ‘Mr Ralph Bell would like to see Mr Carnforth on a matter of importance.’
James hurried from the room. ‘What is it, Ralph?’
‘A ship from Hull has just docked. It has brought news the captain heard just before she left. Mr William Hustwick died yesterday.’
‘What?’ James’s face registered disbelief. ‘There was no indication that he was in danger when I was in Hull, though it’s true he did not attend the ceremony here. Are you sure the source is reliable?’
‘Yes,’ replied Ralph. ‘I’ve had personal dealings with Captain Hanson. He would check any facts before he passed them on.’
James nodded. ‘Thanks for letting me know.’ He started to turn away then stopped. ‘Will you keep your eye on things? I may not be in the office for a day or so.’
‘Of course,’ Ralph replied, but could not hide the curiosity he felt.
‘Look, I may as well tell you myself rather than let you hear it from someone else. It will soon be all over town and rumours don’t always represent the true facts. Miss Pauline has left Whitby with Peter Hustwick.’
For a moment Ralph could not believe what he was hearing, but coming from Miss Carnforth’s brother it must be true.
‘Not to return?’
‘Never. She won’t be welcome here.’
‘But I thought she and . . . ’
‘So did we all,’ cut in James. ‘My sister has chosen another path, without anyone’s approval.’
‘I’m sorry.’ Ralph saw no reason to prolong the conversation so asked, ‘Does this alter anything about the John Carnforth?’
‘No. We have a contract for her maiden voyage which we will fulfil, but I have told Peter Hustwick in no uncertain terms that after that we will never hire a ship to Hustwick’s again. As planned, you and I will sail on her to Hull, see her set out on her maiden voyage.’
‘If it will be painful for you to be there, I could go alone.’
James gave a little shake of his head. ‘I will be there.’ Ralph left and James returned to the drawing-room. ‘A ship just in from Hull has brought the news that Mr William Hustwick died yesterday of a heart attack.’
Everyone was incredulous but it was Olivia who broke the hush. ‘I hope you won’t be going to the funeral, James.’ There was a vicious undertone to her words and her eyes held his.
‘Of course I won’t,’ he replied firmly, leaving no doubt in anyone’s mind that his decision had already been made. ‘But I will be sailing on the John Carnforth to hand her over for her maiden voyage. It will only be a business visit. Afterwards Hull will never see me again.’
Olivia gave a small nod of approval.
‘Then things seem to be settled,’ observed Dr MacBride. ‘We can do no more. I really should get back to Dundee so we will leave the day after tomorrow. Mary and I and our family thank you for your hospitality and extend ours to you. You will receive a warm welcome any time you wish to come north. And, of course,’ he chuckled, ‘we expect to be invited to the wedding.’
‘We couldn’t possibly have that without the MacBrides,’ said Olivia, with a smile James was glad to see return.
Further down the Yorkshire coast another wedding was being discussed, but overshadowed by a recent death.
‘The funeral arrangements are all made for the day after tomorrow,’ Peter informed Lena and Greta when he arrived at Clancy House. ‘Eleven o’clock, Holy Trinity Church, and afterwards at our town house. Will you act as hostess for me, Greta?’
‘Of course I will,’ she replied quickly. ‘I’ll go round there now and brief your staff. Will they be staying on or will you be closing the household?’
‘I will keep them in my employment until I decide what to do, after I’ve discussed the matter with Lena.’
‘I’ll leave you to it then,’ said Greta, heading for the door.
When it closed Peter gave his fiancée an apologetic look. ‘This is not turning out as I had planned. I’d intended we should marry soon, to still the idle tongues, but I’ll have to observe a period of mourning.’
‘I know, Peter. I experienced it myself not so long ago. A year for me. How I chafed at it!’
‘You have no need to wear mourning clothes now as you had no direct connection with my father. It is not so bad for me, I will at least be at work and mixing with people, but I will observe mourning for six months. We shall plan our wedding for soon afterwards.
Does that sound reasonable to you?’
‘Of course. Whatever you wish.’
‘I have had a word with Greta and she is quite amenable to your staying with her meanwhile. In fact, I think she is pleased of the company.’
‘That’s wonderful, Peter. I’m so glad. It settles my mind about the immediate future.’
‘Then why don’t we think about my two houses now? As you know I live mostly at Raby and . . .’
‘Please don’t sell it on my account,’ she broke in quickly. ‘I fell in love with it when you first showed me round.’
Peter smiled. ‘That pleases me. Now what about the town house?’
‘I don’t know it. My only visit to it was the other day.’
‘If it has bad memories for you, then I’ll sell.’
‘On the contrary, although the circumstances of my visit were sad, there was also comfort in the knowledge that your father asked to see me and seemed to approve of our connection.’
‘He did,’ agreed Peter, recollecting the circumstances.
‘Then why sell the house? It is convenient for you for work.’
‘True. It could be useful. I’m going to have to apply myself much more to the business now. More than Father ever allowed.’
‘I’m sure you will manage.’
He pulled a face. ‘I’m not so sure, but the way things are, the business just about runs itself. As long as it continues to do so, we will have nothing to worry about.’
Lena held back from criticising this attitude; it was not the time to try to exert any pressure on him. Instead she said, ‘My father schooled me in the ways of mercantile trading so I have some knowledge that might be useful. If I can be of help . . .’ She left the suggestion hanging in the air.
Holy Trinity Church was packed for the funeral of William Hustwick, such was his standing among Hull’s shipping and trading fraternities. Greta, being known from her earlier days in Hull, accompanied Peter, but Lena took her place among the general mourners, the three of them having decided this was the best course at the moment. Taking her place alongside Peter could have led to speculation and rumour, which they thought best avoided.
Peter spent the following fortnight dealing with his father’s estate and residences and getting to know what needed most urgent attention as far as the business was concerned. At Greta’s insistence he came to her house for a meal each evening. It not only ensured he saw Lena but enabled him to relax in feminine company.
One evening three weeks later, as he arrived, Greta showed concern for him.
‘Peter, I think you should get away from that office for a while. You are looking very pale.’
‘There’s so much to see to. I had never before realised how much Father had kept from me.’
‘Leave it for a couple of days and go to Raby. You love it there, it will help you forget work for a little while.’ Sensing his hesitation, she added, ‘Knowing your father as I did, I doubt he would expect you to lead a sombre existence on his account.’
Peter nodded thoughtfully, but before he could mention what was in his mind Lena came into the room. He immediately brightened and Greta, seeing this, was glad for him.
‘How has your day been?’ his fiancée asked.
‘Middling.’ Without expanding on his reply, he added, ‘I’m considering taking a couple of days off. We could go to Raby and I’d take you on the river as I once promised?’ The suggestion hung for a moment then he added quickly, ‘And Greta will come as chaperone so the staff can’t start spreading rumours.’
‘That would be wonderful.’ Lena smiled.
‘A splendid idea,’ agreed Greta.
‘Then I’ll send word to Mrs Nevill to expect us.’
Two days later, with valises packed into the carriage, Peter picked up the reins and drove the two young ladies out of Hull. The brilliant sunshine lightened their mood and soon laughter filled the air.
The rumble of carriage wheels brought Tom hurrying from the stable block to take charge of the horse and carriage at the front of the house.
When Lena stepped from the carriage she paused and let her eyes run over the house and on towards the river. A feeling of well-being and contentment filled her. She smiled warmly at Peter as she took hold of his arm and hugged it to her. ‘Thank you for bringing me here,’ she whispered.
‘You like Raby then?’
She gave a little shake of her head. ‘No, I love it.’ ‘Then this is where we shall live.’
‘Those six months can’t pass quickly enough for me!’
‘Let’s go in.’
They followed Greta who had already gone into the house where Mrs Nevill was waiting to welcome them.
Peter’s friend, Graham Shackleton, with whom he shared the boat, arrived the following morning and the four of them spent an enjoyable afternoon on the river. Lena felt even more at home as a result, for, although this coble was a far cry from the merchant ships she had been used to seeing in Whitby, it at least brought her closer to the life she craved.
The following week a terse letter from James arrived at Peter’s office, informing him that the John Carnforth would sail into Hull on the following Wednesday under the command of Captain Elijah Webb and a crew who were familiar with the timber run to the Baltic port of Riga. Peter could have chosen to appoint a new crew from Hull, but in the circumstances did not insist.
When Peter brought this news to Lena she felt a strange sensation in the pit of her stomach. Although she had known all along that the arrival of the John Carnforth would reawaken memories of her old life, she still experienced unease at the announcement.
‘Do you want to see her arrive?’ asked Peter.
‘Does James say he is coming?’ she queried tentatively.
‘No.’ Peter’s answer had a deciding effect on her. A potentially unpleasant confrontation had been avoided. Lena’s apprehension disappeared.
‘Then of course I’ll come! She is named after my father. I will certainly welcome her here.’
At about the same time, in Whitby, James was informing Olivia and Alistair that he and Ralph would shortly be sailing for Hull on the John Carnforth.
‘Do you expect to see Lena?’ Olivia asked coldly.
‘I don’t intend to,’ he replied. ‘This is purely business, with an eye to the future. I want to see how the ship handles.’
Olivia nodded with satisfaction. ‘If by any chance you do see her and exchange words, you can tell her how utterly disgusted I am and that I want nothing more to do with her. Our friendship is dead.’
‘Olivia!’ cried Alistair, shaken by his sister’s venom, though he too knew he would have adopted the same attitude if challenged.
‘Don’t you soften,’ she snapped. Only now, confronted by this possible contact with Lena, was the width of the gulf between them apparent. Since Lena’s sneaked departure Olivia had had turbulent thoughts about their relationship. So close for so long, almost closer than sisters, the bond between them had appeared unassailable - but it had been shattered by what she saw as Lena’s betrayal of their intimacy and disloyalty to Alistair. There could be no forgiveness for that.
Olivia watched the John Carnforth slip between the two piers and meet the first swell of the sea. She was filled with pride; there was an air about this ship, the first built entirely under James’s orders. She seemed to promise good things for the business. The John Carnforth, along with the three ships already in service, would help fulfil James’s dreams and point the way to the purchase of further vessels and a prosperous future. She knew James wished for this and, although she herself had little interest in the mercantile world, she would naturally give him her moral support and encouragement. He and Ralph were standing at the ship’s rail, arms waving in a vigorous farewell. She waved back.
Alistair, standing beside her, watched with an air of indifference. He had little interest in the sea and ships, in spite of his boyhood when his father had tried to direct him that way. He wondered now if his antipathy towa
rds a mercantile life had lost him Lena? Then gave a little shrug of his shoulders. What if it had? Oh, yes, he regretted that she would not be his wife, but wasn’t it better this rift had occurred now rather than later? She would be hard to forget, but the first step had been taken when he had confronted her in Hull. As he saw it now, that wound could never be healed. But what if life in Hull with Peter Hustwick was not the idyll she sought . . .? He shook such ideas from his mind. He must get on with his own life; pursue his ambition to be a good and caring doctor.
He felt a touch on his arm.
‘You were far away, Alistair.’
He gave a small smile. ‘So I was.’ He offered his sister no more and she did not press him.
‘Let’s go,’ Olivia said, taking his arm after one last glance at the ship with its sails spread to catch the wind. ‘Safe voyage,’ she whispered.
The John Carnforth made good time, running with a favourable wind and good sea. As she sailed into the Humber, Captain Webb came to join James and Ralph who were enjoying the views along the river. ‘She’s a sturdy ship, sir, and handles well.’
‘I thought so too, but I’m glad to hear a seaman of your calibre praise her.’
‘Can’t do anything else, sir. She’s a wonder.’
‘A good first voyage to the Baltic and she’s yours to command.’
Captain Webb could not hide his surprise but it was soon replaced by one of appreciation. ‘Sir, I thank you for your confidence. You know little about me as yet.’
‘More than you think, Captain. We checked your record sailing out of the Tyne, and Ralph and I have seen how you have been handling the crew - firm but fair. Their respect is not always easily won, especially when a captain is not from their home port, but you’ve won theirs.’
‘Thank you again, sir.’
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