Stay with Me (15 page)

Lena, who had caught a quick glance from him as her brother made the invitation, already knew what Peter's answer would be.

‘Very civil indeed. It's rather exciting, too, knowing the ship's first cargo will be ours.' He picked up his glass and said, ‘To a successful launching, maiden voyage, and a happy association between our two firms.'

Arrangements were made for the visit and the evening settled into conviviality until William leaned forward, an action that seemed to emphasise his bulk. ‘I think, Peter, it is time to introduce our friends to the other delight of Stockley House.' The knowing glance he shot his son was not lost on Lena whose sharp eyes took in Peter's reaction, which she felt sure was tinged momentarily by annoyance. His father did not wait for an answer but was already pushing himself to his feet.

‘After such a meal, what other pleasure could there be?' asked James.

‘Follow me and you shall see.' William started for the door a little unsteadily. Peter stepped quickly beside him but his support was not necessary; William straightened and moved on with a determined step. He led the way across the hall and started up the stairs, James beside him. Two steps behind, Peter offered Lena his arm which she gratefully took.

‘I'm sorry about this,' he whispered, his brow creasing into a frown.

Curious, she asked, ‘What is there to be sorry about?'

‘It depends how you look at it.'

‘You make it sound even more intriguing.' He gave a slight shrug of his shoulders. ‘I gather you don't approve?' she added.

‘It might spoil your evening and I would not want that.'

‘Then, for your sake, I'll see that it doesn't.' She squeezed his arm to reassure him.

When they reached the top of the stairs, Lena stopped to look back in admiration at the graceful sweeping symmetry of the staircase. ‘That is a wonderful design,' she commented. ‘One day I would like a staircase just like this. How wonderful to walk down it each day.'

‘And it would be just as wonderful to watch you doing so.' The words were out almost before Peter realised, and his face reddened.

Lena saw the apologies springing to his lips and pre-empted them. ‘I am flattered that you think so, Mr Hustwick,'she said quickly, to show she took no offence, and then added, equally quickly, ‘Your father is waiting.'

William and James had stopped in front of a large four-panelled oak door, each panel carved with oak leaves. When Lena and Peter joined them William opened the door and led them into a small vestibule from which another equally ornate door was opened by a footman without preamble. Lena judged that, wherever they were going, Mr Hustwick was known there.

As the door opened a buzz of low conversation reached them.

‘Welcome to your fortune,' said William with some satisfaction, as if he were guaranteeing them immeasurable wealth. They stepped into a room the like of which neither Lena nor James had seen before. Several tables of differing sizes were spread around it and occupied by people while others stood around watching; some of them Lena recognised as diners she had seen earlier in the evening. From a bar discreetly situated at one end of the room, waiters circulated serving all manner of drinks.

Seeing the surprised and curious expressions on his guests' faces, William gave them a moment to absorb what they were seeing and then said quietly to his son, ‘You look after Miss Carnforth, I'll look after James.'

Peter nodded. Taking Lena gently by the elbow, he led her to two vacant chairs among several lining the walls.

‘A gaming room,' he said quietly when they were seated. ‘You can play any number of gambling games here.'

‘I've heard of such places but never thought I would find myself in one. What I thought was exclusively for men, I see is not.' Lena had noted that there were almost as many females at the tables as there were men.

‘And of all ages, from twenty upwards.'

‘Twenty?'

‘The owners set that age limit on who should be allowed into this room. Gaming houses have bad reputations for many reasons; some are suspected of cheating the gamblers, but that does not occur here. That is why it is so popular.'

Lena nodded. She was beginning to feel a buzz of excitement from the charged atmosphere generated by people who believed they could walk away with a fortune. ‘It's exciting,' she commented, her eyes brightening, ‘but I surmise you are not too pleased by your father bringing us here.'

Peter grimaced. ‘Well, I didn't want to see you drawn into what could prove to be misfortune. But Father is Father. When I objected, he dismissed my scruples out of hand.'

‘I'm glad he did,' replied Lena firmly. ‘I see he has already got James seated at a table.' She started to rise from her seat. ‘Come on, show me what to do.' Peter hesitated. ‘You said my wish was your command?'

His lips twitched into a reluctant smile. ‘You have a good memory.'

‘For things that might be useful to me or pleasant in their associations.'

‘I hope such things will always fill your mind, Miss Carnforth.'

‘Miss Carnforth?' Lena's voice carried a note of irritation. ‘We are here to enjoy ourselves, and I think we will do that better if we are less formal.'

He hesitated a fraction. ‘As you wish.'

‘My command.' Lena's eyes twinkled teasingly. ‘Now, Peter, introduce me to gambling.'

‘You need some tokens. Wait here.' He was back in a few moments and explained the value of the marked discs, then he took her on a slow tour of the tables giving her a brief explanation as they watched people playing faro, blackjack and grand hazard, finally finishing up at the roulette table watching James.

‘He's about even at the moment,' William whispered. ‘Are you going to play, Miss Carnforth?'

‘Yes.' Lena's excitement and desire to play could not be denied.

James heard her and said, ‘You can have my place. I want to try something else.' He waited for the last spin of the wheel and then stood up, regretting that he had not won that time.

Lena slipped into his place and her brother leaned forward to whisper instructions as to what to do. She quickly absorbed the simplicity of the game but was downcast that neither of her first two choices won, but then her third did and Lena felt a surge of excitement. Maybe she could do it again!

She placed her bet. The wheel spun. The ball bounced. The wheel slowed, slowed, slowed. Stopped. The ball carried by the momentum moved on, then seemed to hesitate . . . go into the next hole or drop back? Lena stared wide-eyed. Her number! She willed the sphere to drop forward. Tension gripped her. The ball tumbled and settled.

‘Mine!' She let out a cry filled with excitement. Her face was wreathed in a broad smile and there was laughter in her eyes as she looked round at Peter.

He laughed at her joy and she clapped her hands.

‘Another!'

‘Right. Place your bet.'

Lena hesitated thoughtfully for a brief moment and then risked all her winnings on number nine.

She tensed as the wheel slowed. It stopped. The ball settled.

‘Mine again,' she cried, shaking with excitement. She looked up at Peter. ‘This is wonderful!'

He laughed with her but put a restraining hand on her shoulder and warned, ‘I think we had better move on while you are winning.'

‘No! I'm feeling lucky,' she protested, in such a way that he knew it would be ill-mannered to refuse his guest.

She did, however, heed his advice not to bet her winnings each time. She soon learned the wisdom of that, but by the time Mr Hustwick and James came back to the table a crowd had gathered round. Word had spread that a lady at the roulette table was on a winning streak. Lena, absorbed as she was by the numbers, was oblivious to the onlookers. Peter realised this, he had seen a winning streak before, and signalled to his father and James not to break her concentration. Had she a way with numbers or was this beginner's luck? Whatever, he was pleased she was enjoying herself, while not in the least tempted to put his own money on the numbers she was choosing.

Another ten minutes went in Lena's favour but then she failed, twice in a row. It jolted her out of her trance-like state. She gasped when she saw so many people had been watching. ‘I think I'll finish,' she told Peter.

‘A wise decision.' he smiled and took charge. After a brief word with his father he left her chattering excitedly to James and William while he went to collect her winnings.

‘I'm having a wonderful time,' Lena said joyously. ‘Thank you for bringing us here.'

He beamed. ‘My pleasure, Miss Carnforth. I'm so pleased you won. But . . . a word of caution, my dear. Never think you can go on and do better. It is a wise person who knows when to stop. And never chase your losses. Retire gracefully and come back another time when your luck may have changed for the better.'

‘I will bear that in mind, if ever I come back.'

‘I hope you will, my dear. You have brightened our lives here. I think your brother and I will do more business in the future.'

‘Where is James?'

‘He has just stepped over to the table. I think he hopes for your luck.'

Lena smiled when she saw that James had indeed slipped away from them and taken a vacant seat at the roulette table.

Peter returned and with quiet ceremony presented her with her winnings. They watched James having moderate success for a little while, and then she and Peter wandered around the room observing other games. But Lena, remembering William Hustwick's advice, did not take part in any of them, merely storing in mind how they were played and secretly making a vow to return one day, before too long.

Lena settled back in the carriage with her brother, under the watchful eye of Peter.

‘Have a safe journey,' he said. ‘I look forward to seeing you both again in Whitby.' On the word ‘both', his eyes lingered on Lena, implying that his forthcoming meeting with her was the more important.

Her enchanting smile in return left him in no doubt that she looked forward to seeing him again also.

‘And to new business,' Peter added as his gaze returned to James. ‘When we reached home last night, Father said he felt sure we could both profit from our collaboration.'

‘I'm sure of it too,' returned James. ‘Until we meet in Whitby, take care. And good wishes to your father.'

Peter nodded and stepped back. The coachman closed the door, took his seat, gathered the reins and then sent the horse forward.

‘Goodbye!' Peter held his hat high.

Lena leaned from the coach for a last glimpse of the admiration she saw in Peter's eyes. Then she sank back in her seat with a contented sigh.

‘You enjoyed your visit?' queried her brother as she settled herself more comfortably.

‘Very much. And I'm so pleased to be out of those dowdy clothes.'

‘Was that the highlight?' asked James, with fake disappointment, but Lena saw the teasing behind it.

‘You know it wasn't,' she contradicted.

‘Well, what was?' he pressed.

‘So many new experiences in so short a time . . . it's difficult to say, but coming to Hull made me realise that there are many more worlds besides those I know in Whitby. We've hardly been away from it after all.'

‘Scotland, to Uncle Martin and Aunt Mary?' he reminded her.

‘Oh, I know, but that was just like home. Coming here was entirely different. Living among strangers, seeing the way they live, gaining a new perspective on life.'

‘And success on the gaming tables,' he chuckled.

‘That as well,' laughed Lena, recalling the previous evening. ‘But what about you, did you find it profitable?' She was eager for his answer, wondering if he would impart any more than he usually did when talking about the firm's commitments and prospects.

‘I got a good price for hiring the
John Carnforth.'

‘Father would be pleased. And the promise of more voyages?' she prompted.

‘That is a possibility, if I fulfil this first assignment successfully and without delay.'

The use of ‘I' irritated her. It was as if he was putting up a barrier, keeping her at bay where the business was concerned, allowing her only the barest knowledge of it. Lena wanted greater participation but knew she was unlikely to get it. As close as she and James were, she had seen a slight change in his attitude to her since the reading of the Will and knew he jealously guarded his position.

‘I'm sure you'll do that successfully, then maybe Mr Hustwick will need to hire the ship again or even go into a more profitable business deal.'

‘Maybe,' was all her brother said. She knew from his tone that she would get no further information, but felt sure in her mind that James and Mr Hustwick had discussed more than merely the hiring of the ship. If there had not been other deals in the offing, why cultivate the Hustwicks by inviting them to the launching of the
John Carnforth
?

 

‘Lena!'

Recognising Olivia's voice as she alighted from the carriage outside the house in New Buildings, where sunshine seemed to bless the return of the Carnforths, Lena saw her friend hurrying to greet her.

‘I was just on my way to the shops, but that can wait,' said Olivia. ‘Welcome home, James.'

He read more than polite warmth in her kiss of greeting.

‘Thank you, Olivia. It is good to be back.'

Lena held out her arms and hugged her friend, aware that Olivia had cast a curious glance over her clothes, her eyes neither disapproving nor approving.