“Yes, I’m returning from a business trip. I’m an importer.”
As she unfolded her napkin, a woman took the empty seat across from them. Her hair was smartly coifed, and her face carefully made up. She smiled across at Mr. Humbolt and gushed, “I’m so glad to find an empty seat at your table. I can see you’re a person of quality.” She sniffed. “I can’t believe I’m stuck with these … these …” She waved her hand toward the other passengers as her perfume engulfed the table. “Who did they think they were, denying me first class!” Voices around them grew still. The woman reached out her hand as large gems sparkled on her fingers. “I’m Mrs. Van Peldt. My late husband was Herbert Van Peldt, the shipping magnate. I’m sure you’ve heard of him.”
Mr. Humbolt took her hand and introduced himself, and the woman chattered on about her social status. The food was soon served, and conversations again buzzed around them. “An adequate meal but not up to their usual,” he commented. “And I don’t enjoy having my meals rushed.”
“I do agree,” Mrs. Van Peldt replied. “We have so much in common.”
Ann finished her dinner, picked up the knitting bag, and stood, almost colliding with another diner as she stared at a man leaving the room. He could be Peter’s twin! She hurried to the corridor, but the man was nowhere in sight. With a sigh, she headed for the staircase, her feeling of loneliness deepening as she entered her dark cabin and switched on the light. All windows on board were tightly covered to help the ship proceed undetected for this part of the voyage.
Her nerves felt frazzled, so she decided to stay in her cabin. Maybe Peter wouldn’t feel as far away if she read the book of poems he’d given her. As she opened her suitcase to pick out clothes more comfortable for lounging, she gasped. Someone had searched through her suitcase and left everything in a mess! A jolt of fear ran through her.
Her hands shook as she carefully checked each item; nothing seemed to be missing. What was happening to her? She had imagined she saw Peter on the ship and now this! Were worry about the war and the responsibility for the Bible weighing heavier than she thought?
She sat on the bed and tried to read, but her thoughts drifted from the mess in her suitcase to her grandfather and Peter. The ship’s motion was comforting, and her eyes grew heavy. At least she felt rocked instead of seasick! Her mind drifted back to the days she and Peter had spent in their special place in the park. The memories brought a warm feeling, but too quickly the worry intruded. Was Peter safe, and was their part of town still undamaged? Finally she fell asleep, longing for the security she had found in Peter’s arms.
That was close! Peter closed the door to his cabin and threw the key on the bed. He never dreamed he’d be assigned to the same meal schedule as Ann. He had promised Nigel he wouldn’t let her know he was on the ship until they were a day out at sea. He’d have to be more careful.
He paced the room, trying to quell another worry nagging him. Ann was going to feel he’d deceived her when she learned he was on board. He couldn’t let that destroy their relationship.
Pacing wasn’t going to help, he realized. He got out his grandmother’s Bible and turned to the Psalms to calm his spirit, something he’d never have done a few months ago. Now with so many things he couldn’t handle on his own, it had become a comforting habit.
Chapter 10
The next morning, Ann woke late and rushed into the dining room. Looking around for an empty seat, she ran into the back of a steward carrying a loaded tray. “Oh, no!” The contents began to slip, and she gasped as a man’s hands grabbed the tray to steady it.
When the steward bent to set it on the table, Ann looked into Peter’s face. “Peter! It is you! What are you doing here?” All she could do was stare. He had known she was leaving. If he had gotten a last-minute ticket, why hadn’t he told her? Something was very strange.
“Ann.” Peter finally spoke up. “I, uh, you … you’ll have to be seated, or you’ll miss breakfast. The next group will be here in a few minutes.” He thrust his hands into his pockets and jingled some coins.
Ann’s stomach knotted, and she shook her head. “I’m not hungry anymore, Peter, but I do want to know what’s going on. The last I knew, you were in London. How did you get here, and why didn’t you tell me?”
People around them were staring as Peter took her arm and led her from the room. “There’s a small lounge down this hall. We can talk there.”
Neither spoke as Ann followed him down the corridor. Suspicious scenes flitted through her mind. Peter talking to the men who seemed to be watching the shop. Peter avoiding the shop for so long. Peter being the only one on board who knew she was taking the Bible to America. Who is Peter Austin?
When they were seated in the lounge, Ann couldn’t hold her thoughts in any longer. “Something strange is going on, Peter, and I want an explanation. Does Grandpa know you’re here? You knew which ship I was sailing on; why didn’t you contact me?” She frowned at him and held the bag tightly.
Peter took a deep breath. “I was able to get a ticket, and I planned to find you, but there are a lot of people on this ship. The staff is overworked, so I thought I’d wait until things settled down.”
Ann continued to frown at him. “Not good enough, Peter. I thought …” She paused. Even under these circumstances, she could feel the red start to cover her face, and her eyes filled with tears, so she quickly looked down.
Peter reached out to cover her hand, but she pulled it away. He let out his breath. “We’re far enough out at sea that I guess I can tell you. I promised your grandfather I wouldn’t say anything until we were well underway.”
Ann’s head jerked up. “Promised Grandpa? What’s he got to do with this?”
Peter sat back and rubbed the arm of the chair slowly. “I’ve had my ticket for a long time, Ann. Your grandfather wanted you to go home, and the Bible needed to be taken to safety, but you wouldn’t leave. He was afraid if you knew I had a ticket, you’d have me take the Bible. He wanted both his treasures safe, so he had to send the Bible to America with you. And I had to promise I wouldn’t let you know until we were far enough out that you couldn’t change your mind.”
“And what did you think I was going to do? Swim back?” Ann spat out. She grabbed the knitting bag and hurried from the room as tears ran down her cheeks.
She stumbled along the corridor, her mind full of disturbing questions. Was Peter ever who she thought he was? Who were those men he talked to outside the shop? A chilling thought ran through her mind. Peter was the only one on board who knew she had the Bible. Did he go through her luggage last night? Was he connected with those men hoping to steal it?
Her heart felt torn as she opened her cabin door. She couldn’t let the Bible fall into the wrong hands. Whom could she trust? Lord, please show me what to do! She stared at the knitting bag. Her grandfather always said the Bible wouldn’t do her any good if she didn’t read it. She washed the tears from her face, then took her own copy out of the suitcase and opened it to the Twenty-third Psalm. It brought a sad comfort as she remembered the night her grandfather had read it aloud while the bombs fell on London.
“I really blew that!” Peter muttered as he walked back to his room. “And I must admit the situation looks pretty suspicious.” He nodded at a distinguished, white-haired gentleman who turned toward Ann’s corridor. He could show Nigel’s letter to Ann and clear up the misunderstanding, but he needed to know if she really trusted him. He stopped and turned around. He couldn’t take a chance on losing her. They had to talk this out, and he had an idea where he’d find her.
Ann checked her suitcases again, memorizing the position of the contents. If anyone went through her possessions, she’d know for sure. She locked the suitcase, picked up the knitting bag, and headed for the library. When she entered the room, Mr. Humbolt was reading a newspaper. “So, we meet again, my dear. Are you enjoying the voyage?”
Ann started to reply, when suddenly the door opened and Peter stepped into the roo
m. She stiffened and quickly looked down. As he took a seat beside her, she could feel Mr. Humbolt watching them before he got up and left the room.
“Ann, please listen. I’m telling you the truth. Your grandfather is doing what he thinks is best for you. He loves you so much and so do I….” He stopped as if shocked at his own words.
He loves me! The puzzling scenes and Peter’s words jumbled together in Ann’s mind—the suspicions on one hand and their precious moments together on the other. Of all the times to hear the words she’d been hoping for!
Peter grabbed her hand and wouldn’t let go. “Ann, this is a dangerous trip. The convoy has left us, and the ship’s on its own. They’re turning all the lights on, windows are being uncovered, and spotlights will be turned on the ship’s name and the American flag so the Germans will know this is a passenger ship, but it’s still dangerous. I don’t want to be fighting with you under these circumstances.”
Ann looked down at their hands and spoke in a whisper. “Peter, you’re the only one who knows what I’m carrying. If you didn’t go through my suitcase, who did?” She looked up and stared at him.
Peter’s mouth dropped open. “Someone went through your suitcase? When?”
“Yesterday when I came back from dinner, I opened it and found everything in a jumble.”
“Ann, if I wanted to take the Bible, I’d know where to look. I wouldn’t have to rummage through your suitcase. Apparently someone suspects you have it, and that puts you in jeopardy.”
Ann longed to believe his words. “But I saw you talk to those men watching the shop. Who were they?”
Peter let out his breath. “Your grandfather and I were part of a group working to keep valuable materials both from the Nazis and from being destroyed by bombs. When we realized someone might be watching the shop, we arranged for a man from our side to keep an eye on things. That was the tall, thin man. We assume the others were looking for treasures to steal, either to sell to the Nazis or because they were Nazis.”
“Oh.” Ann swallowed hard, suddenly feeling foolish as she remembered her grandfather had told Peter about their plans for keeping the Bible safe. “What should I do now?”
“Check your suitcases when you get back to your room and let me know what you find. I’ll keep running into you. People can think I’m the ship’s Romeo chasing after a beautiful girl. And the last part’s true.” He smiled and winked.
Ann felt herself blush. “I’ll check my luggage and then come back to the library. I feel more comfortable here.” Peter nodded and she left the room.
Back in her cabin, she went straight to her suitcase and opened it to find the contents as she had left them. Quickly, she pulled her travel bag out of the closet and placed it on the bed. As she opened it, she gasped. Someone had rummaged through it and left everything in a jumble! Her hands were shaking as she picked up the knitting bag and hurried to the library.
No one was in the room. She had taken out the afghan when the door opened, and Mr. Humbolt walked in. “Ah, so we meet again.” He smiled at her. “And how is the afghan coming?”
Ann greeted him, and as she shifted in the chair, her foot caught the knitting bag. It plopped on its side with a thud, and balls of yarn rolled across the floor. “Oh, no!” She quickly grabbed as many as she could and turned to stuff them in the bag but instead stared in horror when she saw the copy of Shakespeare lying exposed.
She felt Mr. Humbolt stop beside her with the yarn he’d collected and looked up to see him staring at the book. “I see you enjoy Shakespeare.” He motioned toward the book. “It must be very special to carry it with your knitting.”
Prickles ran down Ann’s spine. “It was a gift from my grandfather.”
Mr. Humbolt bent over. “I collect old books. This one’s very unusual. May I—”
As he reached out to pick it up, the door burst open and a wave of heavy perfume filled the air. “There you are, Winston!” Mrs. Van Peldt stalked into the room. “I saw you turn down this corridor.” She gave a haughty smile and put her arm through his. “Let’s leave the tourist class to itself.” She patted his arm with a hand covered in sparkling rings.
Ann smiled weakly as she watched Mr. Humbolt’s face turn a dark red and a frown cover his brow. The woman pulled on his arm and led him to the door. Ann sighed in relief. In the Bible God had used some unusual characters to accomplish His purposes; it looked like He still did!
When the door opened a moment later, Ann quickly reached for the knitting bag, then let out her breath as Peter stepped into the room. “I saw the gentleman leave and hoped you’d be alone.” He took a seat and peered at her. “You look pale. Was something wrong with your suitcases?” As Ann related what she had found in her cabin, Peter gave a deep sigh. “Someone knows there isn’t much time left to steal the Bible. Fortunately, no one realizes what you carry in that knitting bag.”
“Oh, but now someone does!” She told him about spilling the contents of the bag and Mr. Humbolt’s attempt to examine the book.
Peter was quiet a moment. “Ann, do you trust me? You know how much I care about you, but are you really convinced I’m who I say I am?”
The question caught Ann by surprise, and her suspicions and feelings struggled with each other. She knew she loved him, but did she believe him and trust him? It was true; he could have stolen the Bible a long time ago, and he’d been nothing but a help to her grandfather and her. She said a prayer for guidance, then nodded. “I trust you, Peter. What do you want me to do?”
“Let me take the book. If you don’t have it, you won’t be in danger.” He watched her face carefully.
Ann couldn’t breathe for a moment. Lord, this is Your Word. Don’t let anything happen to it! She hesitated, then handed him the knitting bag.
Peter looked relieved and took an envelope from his pocket. “Your grandfather asked me to give you this when we met on the ship.”
Ann blinked in surprise as she opened it and read the brief message. Relief washed over her, and she looked up at Peter. “Grandpa confirmed what you told me. I’m so sorry I suspected you.” She flashed him a mischievous smile and motioned toward the bag. “Ready for some knitting lessons?”
“Knitting lessons, no, but I am counting on lots of hugs and kisses to even the score!” Grinning, Peter pulled her to her feet for a tender embrace. “You won’t have to worry about the Bible now, so let’s pretend this is a pleasure cruise and enjoy the rest of the trip. Those Germans are supposed to think this is a normal voyage. Let’s show ’em!”
She felt her heart racing. “That sounds wonderful!”
“I need to take care of the Bible. You get ready, and I’ll meet you by the main lounge in an hour.” He lifted her chin and smiled into her eyes.
Chapter 11
For the rest of the voyage, Ann and Peter tried to forget the war as they swam in the pool and lounged on deck chairs. They strolled the enclosed promenade hand-in-hand, admiring the ocean view outside the sliding-glass windows. As they turned at the class barrier isolating the tourist-class promenade from that of first class, Ann chuckled. “Any minute I expect to see Mrs. Van Peldt leaping the class barrier so she can be on the first-class side.”
Peter stopped at the windows, and they watched the ocean moving in rhythmic waves before he spoke. “Ann, when we dock, I don’t intend to have you disappear from my life. I want some promises made between us.” He glanced over at her. “Your grandfather said he’d welcome me into the family—if you so desire.”
Ann’s heart was pounding, and she could feel the red start to cover her face.
Peter held her close, then glanced at his watch and sighed. “I’ll walk you to your cabin. We dock this afternoon, so we both need to pack. Then we’ll continue this conversation and thank the Lord for a safe journey both for us and the treasure we carry.”
“And let’s ask Him to keep Grandpa and Mrs. Wilson safe,” she added as they headed for her corridor. “I pray constantly their area of town has remained u
ndamaged.”
Back in her cabin, Ann rechecked the room, then closed her suitcases. She was putting the keys to her luggage in her purse when a knock sounded at the door. She opened it to find Mr. Humbolt standing there. “What are you doing here?” she asked as he entered and shut the door.
“Since we’re about to disembark, I didn’t want to miss my chance to inspect your unusual book,” he said with a smirk. “I’ve never seen one like it. It’s odd how you always kept it with your knitting but never read it. So, how about a look for a fellow book lover?”
Ann stood speechless. “But I don’t have it anymore. I gave it to someone who wanted a book for the voyage.”
“And who might that be? Mr. Peter Austin? Is he keeping it safe for you? My, my, you are clever, my dear. But he’ll find he has a choice to make—you or the book. Which do you think he’ll choose?” Mr. Humbolt looked at her with cold eyes.
Ann couldn’t catch her breath. Lord, please help me! She jumped at a sudden knock on the door.
“Stay where you are. I’ll answer it.” He jerked the door open and stared.
“So this is where I find you!” Mrs. Van Peldt stalked into the room, bristling with anger. She glared at Ann, then turned her ire on Winston. “All that sweet talk, and here you are chasing some young floozy. I’ve seen you come here before. Don’t think you can take me for a fool!” She jabbed him in the chest with her long red nails.
Despite the serious situation, Ann chuckled to herself.
“It will take more than an apology before I forgive you, Winston.” She pulled him toward the door. “We need to talk before the ship docks.”
As she opened the door, Peter stepped inside, followed by a ship’s officer, who quickly grasped Mr. Humbolt’s arms. “You’re not going anywhere, Humbolt. We checked you out and found you’re nothing but a thief who preys on people aboard ship.” Winston Humbolt struggled, but the officer kept a firm hold. “After a tip from Mr. Austin, we followed you here.”
A Sentimental Journey Romance Collection Page 6