Justina could see that Harry was not a good swimmer. He had managed to reach the dog, but trying to hold both the animal and grab the lifebelt was too much for him.
If help did not arrive soon, both would drown.
“You must save them,” she screamed at Sir Thomas. He paled.
“I can’t swim,” he wailed.
Justina looked around the deck again but there was no one in sight.
She discarded her hat and stripped off her muslin skirt and petticoat.
“Justina!” cried an outraged Sir Thomas. “What on earth are you doing?”
“Find someone to lower a lifeboat,” she called as she climbed over the railing.
It seemed a long way down to the water and for a moment she hesitated. Then she remembered diving into the water with her brother from their private little cliff on holiday in Scotland. Forget the ship and the little boats, she told herself, remember how marvellous the experience was.
She lifted her arms and dived.
The water was cool after the heat on deck. She tried to keep her mouth closed as she went down and down.
At last, spluttering, she clawed her way back to the surface. Thank Heavens, she thought, that the ship had been stationary. At least she did not have far to swim to reach Harry and Muffin.
However, the water in the dock was horribly dirty. She must try very hard not to swallow any of it.
Harry was trying desperately to keep afloat without releasing the dog.
Justina looked around for the lifebelt, found it bobbing not far away and brought it to the boy
“Give me Muffin,” she gasped. “And hang onto the lifebelt. A boat will soon be here to pick us up.”
She hoped desperately it would happen.
Harry seemed to want to cling onto the dog and Justina had to repeat her instructions.
At last she managed to grasp hold of Muffin and thrust the lifebelt at Harry. He looped an arm around it and finally it looked as though he was not in imminent danger of drowning.
Justina trod water and held the little dog in her arms. Muffin tried to lick her face. She was trembling and her coat was drenched.
“Are you all right, miss?” Harry managed to say.
She saw that he was using his legs to keep the lifebelt and himself near to her.
“I am fine,” she called reassuringly to him. “You were wonderful to jump in after Muffin. A real hero.”
“You’re the hero, miss.”
“Nonsense,” Justina said stoutly. “I am a good swimmer. Try not to swallow any of this filthy water.”
By now there were shouts coming from the ship. Passengers were appearing at the side of the main deck and waving their arms.
Then Justina saw that one of the lifeboats was swinging from its davits and appeared to be about to descend. Sir Thomas for once had done something she had asked.
Before the boat could get near the water there was a shout from the deck.
“Justina, hold on, I’m coming.”
There was an enormous splash and a few moments later Lord Castleton appeared in the water beside her. A pair of strong arms enfolded her and the dog.
“My darling, what on earth did you think you were doing?” he asked.
“It’s all my fault, sir – I mean, my Lord,” stammered Harry.
“Don’t talk,” begged Justina. “This water is filthy.”
The feeling of Lord Castleton’s arms around her managed to be both inexpressibly comforting and exciting.
Then she said,
“Did you call me, ‘darling’?”
“Don’t talk, this water is filthy,” said Lord Castleton, repeating her words with a smile in his voice, but his arms tightened strongly around her. His strong legs treading the water kept them both afloat without Justina having to make any effort.
Justina was happy to let him hold her without further questions.
And now the lifeboat was in the water and two crewmen were rowing it towards them.
“Take the boy first,” instructed Lord Castleton as they drew close.
A few moments later, Justina, Lord Castleton and Muffin were safely aboard and a blanket had been wrapped around each of them.
Justina, suddenly conscious that only pantaloons covered her lower limbs, was very grateful for a respectable covering.
“Where did you come from?” she asked Lord Castleton after she had thanked the crew.
“I met the Arbuthnot twins on my return to the ship and they told me you were exercising Muffin. I arrived on the upper deck to find pandemonium.”
He put an arm around her, holding her close against him.
“The deck Steward was securing Breck in his kennel looking as though Armageddon had arrived and Watson was screaming something about a man overboard. I tried to get him to explain what was going on, but all he’d say was that your behaviour was inexcusable, something about a dreadful animal, and that he had told me the stowaway should have been confined to quarters.”
He looked across at Harry. Despite the heat, the boy was shivering badly.
Justina thought it was probably shock more than anything else.
“Did you really jump in to save Muffin?” Lord Castleton asked Harry.
“He’s an absolute hero,” Justina enthused.
“If only he hadn’t thrown that ball into the sea,” groaned Harry, his teeth chattering.
“It was very foolish,” Justina agreed and then told Lord Castleton exactly what had happened.
Next the lifeboat was back at the ship.
Cheers greeted them from the passengers watching the drama.
“Let me take Muffin,” suggested Lord Castleton as the crew held the boat steady for them to step off.
At the top of the gangway stood the Captain.
“Miss Mansell, I salute you,” he said. “And I apologise for the fact that the kennel Steward had taken a few moments away from his post at the critical time. He will be severely reprimanded.”
“Oh, please, don’t,” pleaded Justina. “He has always been most helpful and I am sure he must have had something important to attend to.”
“I agree,” added Lord Castleton just behind her. “It was an unfortunate conjunction of events, nothing more. You are not to blame young Harry either. He is a hero too. Now, I think brandy is called for. Heaven only knows what diseases float around in that dock. Be so good as to send large tots down to both Miss Mansell’s and my cabins. And we’d be grateful if someone could dry this mutt off and return her to her kennel.”
The Captain clicked his fingers and a Steward appeared and took hold of Muffin.
Behind the Captain stood Dorcas, holding out Justina’s dressing gown.
Justina preferred to keep the blanket around her, but she was grateful for Dorcas’s presence.
“We have to talk. If you are not too exhausted, send your maid to me after you have changed,” said Lord Castleton, his arm round the still shivering Harry. “Make sure she drinks the brandy,” he said to Dorcas.
She nodded and led Justina towards her cabin.
Justina was exhausted. Now she was shivering as well. The over-long blanket caused her to stumble as she tried to make her way through the crowds of passengers.
A moment later, she had been swept up in strong arms and Lord Castleton was saying,
“Please, can you let us through?”
Passengers fell back as he strode to the cabins. Justina laid her head gratefully against his chest.
She could feel the beat of his heart beneath his wet clothes.
She thought she must have misheard what he had called her as he landed in the water, but she felt protected and cared for.
All too soon, they were at her cabin.
Dorcas opened the door and she was gently laid on the bed.
“Make sure those wet clothes are removed as quickly as possible,” Lord Castleton ordered.
“A bientôt,” he added to Justina and was gone.
“What you need is a hot bath,�
�� said Dorcas. “Not that we’ve got anything like that here. But we have got hot water.”
She helped Justina out of the wet clothes, tut-tutting about the state of the muslin shirt.
“Can’t get that back into condition before India, alas.”
Justina could not care less about the clothes she had felt were so flattering only a few hours ago. All she was waiting for was to see Lord Castleton again.
Dorcas worked quickly and skilfully, sponging down Justina’s tired body and drying her hair as much as she could with a towel.
The brandy arrived and Justina sipped it gratefully, feeling the fiery strength travelling along her veins, bringing new life and, hopefully, something to fight the germs she must have ingested with the filthy dock waters.
Dorcas was full of gossip as she tended to Justina.
“Those Arbuthnot girls, they’ve managed to land their fish,” she muttered as she vigorously dried Justina’s bare body. “Poor lads, they never stood a chance. Not after them girls realised his Lordship wasn’t a bit interested in either of them.”
“Dorcas, where do you hear these things?” Justina demanded, trying to comb through her tangled hair. “You’ve spent most of the voyage in your bunk!”
“I keeps my eyes and ears open,” Dorcas replied, taking the comb out of Justina’s hand and gently wielding it through the damp mass of curls.
“And something else,” she added. “That Mrs. Bloxham, her maid’s an old mate of mine. Anyway, as I was saying, Patty’s an old comrade in arms, as you might say, and she’s given me the low down on her Mistress.
“Wealthy widow she is. Last husband was a Nabob out in India. Dropped off his perch six months ago, he did, on a visit to England. Mrs. Bloxham has been taking her time getting back to India. Patty says she’s looking out for a new husband, one with a bit more class than money. Bloxham apparently had the money but not the class. Anyway, Patty says she’s got her eye on your Sir Thomas.”
Justina said nothing.
“So I told Patty that she better look elsewhere. But Patty seemed to think Mrs. Bloxham had quite made up her mind, no matter what arrangement has already been made. And what that woman sets her mind on, she gets, so Patty says.”
Justina felt a huge surge of relief.
The nightmare might nearly be over.
Mama and Papa would be sorry, but Justina knew they would never want her to be unhappy, no matter how suitable the husband.
“Will you want to retire, miss?” asked Dorcas. “Or shall you want to dress again?”
“Dress, please, Dorcas.”
If Lord Castleton wanted to talk to her, Justina certainly was not going to go to bed!
Quite soon, she was dressed and her hair was starting to dry. Still damp for the most part, strands were beginning to spring out in a fiery aureole around her head.
Justina felt a strange lassitude creep over her. Part of her longed for the meeting with Lord Castleton, but part of her was afraid. Afraid not only of what might transpire, but also of what might not.
Hanging over her was the fact that she was still engaged to Sir Thomas.
“Now, shall I knock on his Lordship’s door and say you are ready?”
“No!”
Dorcas looked taken aback.
“No, miss?”
“I cannot talk with his Lordship now. Say – say – oh, say if he still wants to speak to me, I’ll be free later.”
“Very well, miss. It’s not my place to question your decision of course,” said Dorcas, obviously about to do just that.
Justina was so bound up in what she had to do, she had no energy left to argue with her maid.
“Quite,” she said in tones of finality and left the cabin.
It took her time to find Sir Thomas. At last she tried a corner of the Promenade deck where he had several times taken her for a quiet conversation.
Sure enough, there he was – with Mrs. Bloxham, the two of them seated on deck chairs and looking as though they were perfectly comfortable with one another.
It was Mrs. Bloxham who noticed her first.
“Why, Miss Mansell! Please, come and join us. I was only saying a few moments ago to Sir Thomas how incredibly brave you were to fling off your clothes and dive into the dock after that little dog.”
“It was mainly Harry I was anxious should not drown, though of course I wanted Muffin rescued as well. Mrs. Bloxham, would you think me very rude if I asked to speak to Sir Thomas alone?”
He stood glowering at her.
“I should not think of abandoning Mrs. Bloxham on her own.”
“Oh, don’t be ridiculous, Tom. Go along and see what your little friend wants. I shall do very well here,” coaxed Mrs. Bloxham with easy familiarity.
“I shall return soon,” said Sir Thomas and followed Justina round the corner. “I take it you have come to apologise,” he started as soon as they were alone.
“What do you mean, apologise?”
“For your appalling behaviour in diving into the dock.”
It occurred to her that he might feel guilty that he had been unable to help and that was why he reacted in this way. Whatever the reason, it provided a perfect opportunity for her to say what she had prepared.
“Sir Thomas, I see no need to apologise. Harry was drowning and he needed help. Luckily, I am a good swimmer. I knew I would be in no danger and it was natural to help.”
“You exposed your legs!”
“They were clad in pantaloons, I only wish they hadn’t been, they weighed me down,” Justina countered belligerently.
“That is an indecent statement.”
Justina looked at him steadily.
“Sir Thomas, you have paid me an enormous compliment by asking me to be your wife.”
A cautious look came into his eyes.
“But I think you now see that I am not qualified to be a suitable partner for one in your position,” Justina continued. “You need someone who understands how not to offend your sensibilities and is properly aware of how to behave in all situations. I am afraid that my behaviour would cause you constant anguish.”
She glanced down at the deck.
“Also, I am afraid that you could be under a misapprehension over my father’s financial status. My dowry will be very small. I am sure that would not worry you, but I felt you should know.”
She looked pleadingly at him.
“Our engagement has not been announced and it is simplicity itself to break it off now. I will explain my unsuitability to be your wife to my parents and they will appreciate how very understanding you have been.”
Justina came to the end of her prepared speech and held her breath.
Something very much like relief came over his features.
“Justina, you have hurt me to the quick, but,” he added hurriedly, “I have been feeling for some time that your physical beauty had blinded me to the fact that we do not deal well together. As you say, the engagement has been informal and there will be no blame attached to either side if it is severed.”
He took a step towards her, the look she had come to dread in his eyes.
“Perhaps one last kiss?”
She backed away, grateful that there was an avenue of escape behind her.
“Sir Thomas,” she said, holding up a hand. “It is better we part as friends –and remain so for the rest of the voyage. Now, I am sure that Mrs. Bloxham will be counting the moments until your return to her side.”
His expression altered and a cunning look came into his eyes.
“Yes, indeed, it would be only fair to continue to keep her company. You will inform Mrs. Arbuthnot of the situation regarding our relationship?”
Justina nodded.
“And I hope she will inform Castleton,” Sir Thomas continued with the hint of an underlying threat. “I would not like you to feel it was necessary to approach him on the subject.”
Justina was anxious not to alienate him in any way as the interview had gone far more smooth
ly than she had feared.
“I am sure Mrs. Arbuthnot will do all that is required,” she said.
A moment later he had returned to Mrs. Bloxham and Justina leaned against the railings feeling suddenly weak.
But her overwhelming emotion was relief. At last she was no longer tied to Sir Thomas.
All around the ship, Justina could see preparations were being made to leave the port and enter the Suez Canal. Passengers were beginning to line the sides of the ship to watch her departure.
Justina walked along the Promenade deck, looking for Mrs. Arbuthnot.
Instead, she found Harry, now dressed in a smart sailor suit and accompanied by Mrs. Partridge, who seemed much improved by having a young lad to look after.
“Miss Mansell,” said Harry excitedly. “I have been down to your cabin looking for you, I want to thank you for saving me. Mama and Papa will be so grateful.”
“Thank you for jumping in after Muffin,” Justina said, planting a kiss on his cheek. “My, you do look smart.”
Harry looked doubtfully down at his immaculate white suit.
“It’s a bit fancy. I think I preferred the uniform.”
“Harry! Major and Mrs. Partridge have been very kind in choosing your new wardrobe, you need to thank them!”
“Don’t worry, he’s said all the right things,” Mrs. Partridge smiled back at her.
The sadness was still in her eyes, but she now had an air of resolution about her that had been lacking before.
“John and I will enjoy looking after him for the rest of the voyage.”
“But I will see Miss Mansell and Lord Castleton, won’t I?” piped up Harry.
“You can’t get away from people on board a ship, I am afraid,” laughed Mrs. Partridge. “Unless you keep to your cabin, that is.”
“I shall look forward to playing deck quoits with you,” Justina told Harry.
“Come along, we want to see the ship sail and then it will be time to change for dinner,” said Mrs. Partridge.
Justina left them hanging over the railings as crewmen prepared to release the ropes securing the ship to the quay. Already the engines were throbbing.
She was preparing to give up her search when Mrs. Arbuthnot suddenly appeared.
“Dear Justina, I have been looking everywhere for you. You and that poor little boy have saved my precious Muffin! I can never thank you enough.”
Touching the Stars Page 15