‘Four hours?’ The man looked astonished but agreed it must be right by the remark, ‘It will be entered in his log.’ He quickly let the matter drop. ‘The vintner’s were very efficient in Spain, and, if I may say so, I believe a lucrative trade could be established there.’
‘Very interesting,’ commented Lena thoughtfully. ‘Thanks for the information, Captain.’
As they walked back to the office Peter remarked, ‘Two very contrasting masters and two very different ships.’
‘Yes. And both performed superbly,’ she said. ‘An excellent result! I hope Carter-Brown is satisfied.’
‘There’s no reason why he shouldn’t be. It could mean more orders from him, and that will make our own business more solid.’
But Lena detected a cautionary note in his remark and the way it was delivered. It was as if he was saying, Don’t get ideas about building on this; rest on your achievement. She smiled to herself and linked arms with her husband. He needed softening up. ‘We’ve cause to celebrate. Let’s do it at Raby Hall?’ Her sensual tone tempted him and told him they would not be returning to town that evening.
The following morning, as he turned to get out of bed, Peter rolled back and kissed his wife hard on the lips before murmuring, ‘You were wonderful last night.’
Her arms encircled his neck and held him tight so that she could look deep into his eyes. ‘There will be other nights,’ she promised. Peter smiled, kissed her again, and said, ‘We’ll have to go, Captain Goss will be waiting.’
She was tempted to say, Let him wait, but did not want to get on the wrong side of a captain who could be important to them in the future.
They had a quick breakfast and drove fast into Hull where Lena was relieved to see Captain Goss just entering the office as they neared it. He was making enquiries of the clerks when they walked in.
‘Good timing, Captain,’ commented Peter. ‘We’ll go up to my room. Our manager had instructions to pick up the rest of the necessary funds from the bank this morning. He should not be long.’
‘Your ship returned unscathed?’ Lena asked casually.
‘She did, ma’am. I know she looks a bit scruffy but she’s a real gem. Dare say she’d be better if she was done up a bit. I always mean to have it done but . . . ’
‘You are the sole owner?’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
‘And no one else has a vested interest in her?’
‘No, ma’am.’
Peter looked askance at his wife. What was she up to? He gleaned nothing from her, though. Lena ignored the query in his eyes.
‘You would not consider selling her?’
‘No, Ma’am, never.’
Thank goodness for that, thought Peter, but he still felt uneasy somehow.
‘Then would you consider hiring yourself to us on a permanent basis?’
Captain Goss’s eyes narrowed as he met Lena’s intent gaze. ‘Depends on the terms, what was required, and whether it would be worthwhile for me and the crew. I would not hire unless their jobs were guaranteed.’
‘Highly commendable, Captain.’
Peter’s heart and mind were racing. He wanted to intervene, wanted to halt what he could only see as her extension of the business which might put it into an unstable position. Lena’s own capital was already eaten up. But he did not want to provoke a confrontation with her in front of Captain Goss. A glance at his wife told him she knew this and was prepared to take advantage of the situation.
‘I am going to put a proposition to you, Captain. I would like you to think it over carefully, but if it tempts you there is no reason why we couldn’t conclude arrangements quickly. In fact, the quicker the better! Well, here it is. You hire the Seagull to us on a permanent basis; because it will be permanent rather than a single engagement, the remuneration will be slightly lower. You will be her master and will engage the crew. You will sail as directed by us.
‘I am prepared to have the ship repaired where absolutely necessary - you will draw up a list of what you think is required but it must be within reason. Don’t think you can get away with padding the shipwright’s bill - my husband and I know ships. However, there is one alteration to her I will want; the bow must be strengthened in case she meets ice when she sails to the Baltic to engage in the timber trade - a sensible precaution if she sails late in the season. How does that sound to you, Captain?’
‘Intriguing, ma’am! Tempting because it means ongoing work, possibly the whole year through.’ He hesitated for a moment. ‘Does this mean you will want the ship based in Hull permanently?’
‘Because of certain cargoes, she will be here a lot of the time, but as trade comes in, and we can look ahead, there is no reason why you cannot operate out of Grimsby. Then your crew will not miss out on home life when that is possible.’
‘When do you want my answer?’
‘As I said, as soon as possible.’
‘I’ll have a word with my crew when I go to pay them the rest of their wages then return with my answer. Although I think I know what it will be.’
‘Good, then let us go and see if our manager has returned from the bank.’
Alan Frampton was waiting for them in his office. ‘I collected the sum you required in cash, and have all the necessary documents ready for Captain Goss to sign.’
‘Well done,’ commented Lena. She turned to the captain, avoiding her husband’s eye as she did so. ‘Everything satisfactory for you, Captain?’
‘Ma’am, there is no need for me to count the money. I am sure the amount will be what we agreed.’ He took the pen offered to him by Frampton and signed the four documents with a flourish.
Almost before he had finished, Frampton was dusting them with fine dry sand and then examining them to see the ink was dry. He folded two sheets and handed them to the captain. ‘Your copies.’
Captain Goss smiled. ‘Thanks.’ He swept Peter and Lena with his gaze, letting it settle finally on Lena. ‘It has been a pleasure dealing with you, and your offer for the future is very tempting. I’ll away and consult my crew.’ He touched his cap and strode from the office.
Before anyone could speak Lena was out of the door and heading up the stairs. Peter was quickly after her, and by the time they’d reached the next floor she could feel his dipleasure.
She started to head for her room but Peter’s terse tone stopped her. ‘My room!’
From the time she had started to put her proposition to Captain Goss she’d known this confrontation was inevitable. There was no point in trying to avoid it. She followed Peter into his room and closed the door behind her.
As it clicked shut he swung round to face her. ‘What have you done? You know full well we cannot possibly go ahead with this scheme to hire Captain Goss, his crew and the Seagull. To offer to repair his vessel and suggest fortifying the bow . . . what’s got into you? You know we can’t afford any of it.’ His eyes darkened with every word he spoke.
‘Can’t? There’s no such word in my vocabulary.’
‘Don’t talk so foolishly.’
‘I’m not talking foolishly. This last transaction went well except that we did not make as much profit as we expected, and what was that due to? The terms you gave Captain Goss.’
‘And if I hadn’t, we would not have got the second ship we needed for Spain and so would have lost the contract. And then it might have been taken by Carnforth’s,’ he spat the words viciously, ‘and that would have hurt you!’
‘Yes, it would. And so it is not going to happen in any future transactions.’
‘You are letting this need to best your family firm turn into an obsession. If you don’t watch out, it could lead to disaster.’
‘I’ll see that it doesn’t.’
‘You can’t guarantee that. Pull back, Lena, before it’s too late. When Captain Goss returns, rescind your offer.’
‘No!’
‘Well, I will.’
‘Don’t you dare!’
‘Let me remind yo
u that on all major decisions we have to act as one. If either of us is against it, a project is null and void. And I regard engaging the Seagull as a major decision. I know I hired her once, but only when I was desperate. Now, heed me, Lena, I’ll not have my father’s firm destroyed.’
‘For goodness’ sake, Peter, I’m not going to destroy it - I’m going to make it the biggest firm along the Yorkshire coast. People will look up to you. Look to you for a lead.’ She was careful to make the future appear rosy for him but, seeing he was not to be drawn into her web, added, ‘Might I remind you that I put money into this firm too!’
‘That’s all been swallowed, and what you have in mind carries risks I am not prepared to take.’
‘Well, you had better be prepared to do so. If you don’t, we’ll get nowhere.’
‘But I am satisfied to remain as we are.’
She spun away in disgust. ‘I thought I had married a man, not a . . .’
He reached out, grabbed her arm and pulled her back, preventing the words she was about to speak. His expression was cold. ‘Don’t you dare use a derogatory tone to me.’
Lena held his gaze for a moment then softened so that he would release his grip. With a swaying motion she inched closer to him and relaxed into his arms which reluctantly came up to support her. She looked into his eyes. ‘Don’t let us quarrel, Peter. There is too much at stake for us to be in conflict with each other. Believe me, I don’t want to jeopardise what your father built up and you have so skilfully maintained. I only want to make sure that the firm will never be put in danger, especially from outside sources. What I have suggested to Captain Goss was only to strengthen our ability to withstand any possible setbacks.’ She left the slightest of pauses to emphasise how reasonable her response was. ‘Let me see this through? I promise you won’t regret it.’
He held her gaze and the doubt he felt drained away. How could he resist his own beloved wife and the enticement she conveyed in the way she held herself so close to him?
A sharp knock on the door made them draw apart.
‘Come in!’ Peter called.
Alan Frampton looked in. ‘Captain Goss is here.’
‘Show him in.’
The manager pushed the door wider and stepped to one side to allow the captain to enter. Frampton pulled the door shut and returned to his office.
‘That did not take you long, Captain,’ said Peter, eyeing him quizzically.
‘I didn’t think it would. An offer of full continuous employment was too tempting for my crew, especially when they heard that the Seagull would be repaired. They are a rough lot but feel a special affection for that ship.’
‘That’s wonderful, Captain,’ put in Lena quickly, afraid that Peter might still say no, although the softening she had just detected in him seemed to approve her plan.
‘Captain Goss,’ said Peter firmly. ‘this is an important venture upon which we are staking a great deal. This third ship is vital to its success. We expect you to play your part. If you are successful, you and your crew will do well by it. I suggest that you return tomorrow to sign the necessary documents of engagement and to discuss the immediate course which Mrs Hustwick has in mind.’
‘Very good, sir, ma’am.’
As the door shut behind him Lena flung herself into Peter’s arms. Her eyes were bright; her smile rapturous. ‘Oh, Peter, thank you! You will never regret it,’ I promise you.’
Chapter Twenty-Four
‘Dr Jollif and I are so grateful for the help you have been able to give us,’ said Alistair as he and Avril hurried along Church Street. ‘And I know old Mrs Smurthwaite will appreciate your visits. It has been hard on her since her daughter died; her neighbours are good but they are elderly too and she likes younger company.’
‘You know I’ll do what I can,’ replied Avril, pleased to be of help and to use her nursing knowledge. ‘I am very glad things have worked out so well with Olivia, but I would like to see her participating in society more often.’
They had reached the turning to the bridge where Alistair stopped. ‘While I am here, I’d like to visit Ralph at the office. Do you mind?’
‘Of course not. I’ll be all right.’
‘I’ll see you later then.’
Avril started towards the bridge and he stood and watched her for a few moments. It might have been Lena if . . . He tightened his lips and continued on his way, annoyed that she still had the power to shape and shadow his thoughts.
‘Good morning, Ralph,’ he called cheerfully on entering the office.
‘Good day to you, Alistair. Hard morning?’ he asked as his visitor flopped into a chair.
‘No, not really, just some distracting thoughts.’
‘We can always be hard on ourselves.’
‘True,’ agreed Alistair. ‘What news have you? I see the John Carnforth is back.’
‘Came in on the evening tide. Full cargo from France. We’re unloading now. Three days and she’ll be off to Portugal.’
‘So things are going smoothly and we have made up for losing the Carter-Brown contract?’
‘Mostly, but that could have been ongoing regular work whereas we have had to compete for other contracts.’
‘But you are managing to keep trade flowing?’
‘Oh, yes, but as I say, it would be easier with regular work. However, I hope to put that right to some extent later this year by sealing a lucrative deal for regular shipments of timber from the Baltic.’
‘Good. I look forward to hearing more. Any news from Hull?’ Alistair knew that Ralph kept an eye on the situation there since Hustwick’s, or more precisely Lena, had outsmarted them.
‘I hear that the ship they hired from Grimsby for the Spanish trade is being repaired by them and being hired permanently to increase their fleet. That is going to cost them a lot. I would dearly love to know what they have in mind.’
Alistair nodded thoughtfully. ‘Beware of them.’
‘I will.’
Lena lay quietly in Peter’s arms, enjoying the sensation as he ran his fingers over her skin. She felt a deep contentment, not only from his loving but because she had won him over to her way of thinking about the repair and hiring of the Seagull. The ship was on its second voyage since the work had been completed and Captain Goss had proved his worth. She looked forward to using the information Captain Washbrook brought weekly from Whitby about Carnforth’s even if it could not be verified - she believed there was no smoke without fire and presumed there must be something in the rumours. She knew that soon she would turn her attention from Spain to timber shipments from the Baltic.
Peter stirred. ‘Lena, I think we should have a son.’
His words, quiet but firm, startled her.
‘We should have an heir for the business.’
She twisted round in his arms so she could prop herself on her elbows and look down at him. ‘We shall, Peter,’ she replied quietly. ‘But not yet. I’m not ready to have a child.’
‘Why not? It would give us every reason to make sure the firm is set on a solid foundation, with no undue risk-taking. You know I’m uneasy. We are stretching ourselves too much at present.’
‘Things are working out. You’ve got to admit that hiring Captain Goss and the Seagull proved to be a good move?’
He nodded. ‘So far.’
‘And will continue to be so. What we are doing now will make for that solid foundation you want. We’ll achieve it by next year. Then we can throw precautions aside and you can have the son you want.’
‘Promise me?’
She nodded. ‘Promise.’
‘And no more schemes to expand?’
‘Agreed.’ But Lena had crossed her fingers. She crossed them again when she answered his next question.
‘And no more thoughts of trying to win back Carnforth’s?’
Her lips tightened for a brief moment but she said, ‘None.’
From the way he pulled her to him she knew he was satisfied with her assurances. S
he uncrossed her fingers; the vows she made then were only to herself. Peter had agreed to dispatch the William Hustwick and the Seagull to the Mediterranean to bring back exotic fruits, spices and silks; what he did not know was that on information received from Captain Washbrook, Lena had seen to it that Hustwick’s ships would be back in port first, leaving Carnforth’s to arrive home to a flooded market and depressed prices. Hustwick’s would make a good profit; Carnforth’s less of one - maybe even a loss.
‘What news, Captain Washbrook?’ Lena asked as she took the newspaper from him.
‘I haven’t gleaned very much since my last visit, only a rumour, and I must say it doesn’t sound likely to me.’
‘Any little item of gossip might be of use,’ she urged him. ‘Tell me.’
‘There’s a story going around that Ralph Bell is thinking about having a steam ship built.’
‘Steam!’
‘It’s the way we’ll all go, ma’am, sooner or later.’
‘I have no doubt, but I think it’s far too early for a firm like Carnforth’s or ourselves - too costly as yet. But prices will come down as the bigger shipping firms turn more and more to steam. That will be time for us to invest.’
‘I agree with you, ma’am. I hear that if Mr Bell takes this step, he will wait until after next year by which time he hopes profits from the Baltic timber trade will be big enough to finance Carnforth’s move into steam.’
Lena had much to think about over the next few days as she awaited the return of the William Hustwick from London and the Seagull from France. She formulated a plan for the next six months, terminating at the onset of winter in the Baltic, but acted on it only when Peter was in Beverley on business connected with Raby Hall.
She wrote a letter to Chris Strutman, dissolving their trading arrangement, and took it to the captain of the Lena, with instructions to deliver it personally and return with an answer.
Two days later, knowing the Lena was due in from Middlesbrough, she asked Peter to accompany her to the quay. When she did not offer any explanation he naturally enquired what lay behind the request, but all he got was, ‘You will see when Captain Poulson arrives.’
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