Stay with Me (16 page)

‘I could hardly wear mourning in Hull, it would have dampened the social aspect of James's visit,' said Lena by way of explanation as she took her friend's arm and turned to the gate. ‘Besides, nobody in Hull would know, and what is the point in going back into them when it is so near the end of the approved period?'

‘Quite right,' Olivia had to agree.

‘Come and take a cup of tea with us - I'm dying for one - then I'll take a stroll with you. It will be good for me after sitting in that carriage.'

‘Very well,' replied Olivia

‘How is Alistair?' asked Lena.

‘In good health I think. I hardly see him, he's so busy; Dr Jollif is doing less so Alistair looks for my help on occasion. '

Lena wondered if there was a hint to her behind that observation, but she pushed the thought from her mind as she tidied herself in her room. By the time she came downstairs tea and scones had been brought to the drawing-room where Olivia and James sat deep in conversation, which ended abruptly when she appeared.

‘James tells me you had a wonderful time in Hull, brief though it was,' commented Olivia as Lena took her seat beside her friend on the sofa and proceeded to pour the tea.

‘It was very enjoyable. Such a change from the retreat from society I have had to follow this last year.'

‘And you had a charming escort, I believe.'

Lena's mind was jolted. What exactly had James told Olivia? What had he read in the attention she had been given by Peter? ‘Mr Hustwick was most considerate,' she replied, without committing herself to revealing anything. ‘Thank goodness he was not involved in his father's negotiations with James or I don't know what I would have done on my own.'

‘What of Hull?' asked Olivia, much to Lena's relief at the change of subject.

‘An interesting place of many contrasts, though I don't suppose I saw the worst of them. It's a thriving port with lots of potential for anyone willing to take a chance, though.'

‘And a good place to build a solid business, which is what the Hustwicks seem to have established,' added James.

‘I didn't mean that,' replied Olivia a little irritably. ‘What of its shops and public buildings?'

‘They served their purpose, no better and no worse than those of Whitby,' replied James with little enthusiasm.

‘Oh, James, buildings aren't just brick and stone,' chided Olivia. ‘They have character. They . . .'

‘Well, if that's how you see them so be it,' he interrupted. ‘Look, I have some things to see to and I'm sure you two can discuss the shops and fashions very well without me. Please excuse me.' He drained his cup and stood up. ‘I will call on you tomorrow, if I may, Olivia.'

‘You know you are welcome at any time.'

He bowed and started for the door.

‘I look forward to launching day,' she called after him.

He stopped for a moment and told her, ‘You'll meet the Hustwicks then. I have invited them to attend.'

He opened the door and was gone.

‘He must have had a good reason to do that. How do you feel about it?' observed Olivia.

‘James runs the business. I have nothing to say about what he does, or in this case who he invites to visit us. I suppose it was only proper to invite them as their cargo will be the first to be shipped in the
John Carnforth
.'

‘I am so looking forward to it,' said Olivia, a touch of excitement in her voice.

They chatted for half an hour then she said, ‘Are you sure you want to accompany me to the shops?'

‘Of course,' Lena replied, rising to her feet. ‘Have you anything special in mind?'

‘Just looking, really, though Father promised me a new dress.'

‘Won't you have it made by Mrs Drew?'

‘Most certainly, but I like to look around first, see what is on show and what I fancy.'

‘No doubt you'll see something and then make suggestions about the style to Mrs Drew, as you always do,' said Lena, knowing her friend's passion for clothes and for keeping up with the latest style.

Later, when they parted in front of New Buildings, having spent a most enjoyable two hours together, Olivia said, ‘I'll tell Alistair you are back.'

‘Thank you,' was all that Lena said in reply, and as she walked into the house wondered if she had sounded less than enthusiastic.

Her mind was troubled as she changed her dress; Peter was drifting in and out of her thoughts as if trying to remind her of her visit to Hull and the new outlook it had brought to her life. It was as if he was saying, There is an exciting life beyond Whitby. And that, in its turn, made her think of the commercial possibilities in Hull and whether her dreams could better be fulfilled there.

Lena shook such speculation from her mind as she went downstairs. Whitby was her home, it was where she had been born and brought up. This house was filled with happy memories; she felt close to her parents in it. As she strolled into the drawing-room she seemed to hear them pleading, ‘Stay with us.'

She picked up the novel she was reading,
The Woman in White
by Wilkie Collins, but could not concentrate; the words were only a blur in her mind so it came as a relief when there was a knock on the door. A maid came in and announced, ‘Dr Nash, miss.'

Lena nodded. The maid stood to one side and Alistair hurried into the room. He came quickly to her, his hands outstretched, but waited until the door clicked shut before he spoke, his warmth leaving no doubt in her mind that he was delighted to see her again.

‘It's good to have you back!' He took Lena's hands in his and, leaning forward, kissed her on the cheek. ‘And to see you out of mourning.' He added this observation as he pulled a chair to face her and took hold of her hands again. Lena did not object, in fact, she enjoyed the sense of being wanted. He represented stability, was a good man, dependable and solid, one whose love for her she could not doubt. He was a person with whom she had grown up. She knew him as well as her own brother.

That night, as Lena prepared for bed, these thoughts about Alistair came back to her. He represented continuity and security. Marry him and her life would barely be altered. But she found she could not dismiss the possibilities of the wider world, symbolised by Hull and by Peter, and thoughts of them kept intruding on the memory of Alistair's warm welcome home to her.

What did she want from life? It seemed to Lena that the time was fast approaching when she must make a decision.

By Christmas she still had not done so. Besides, their visits to the Nashes and the coming of the MacBrides occupied her mind, but the peaceful family holiday she had envisaged before going to Hull would not be the same because now Peter had entered her life, and try as she might to dismiss her thoughts of him, she was not very successful.

It became even more difficult when, during the week before Christmas, a letter arrived for her. She did not recognise the handwriting but her heart raced when, after opening it, she read the signature first -
Peter
.

She devoured the letter quickly, then, with its words still echoing in her mind, read it more slowly, savouring every expression. ‘
I think often of your visit. Something I will always treasure for it brought a new perspective to my life.'
This stirred Lena's memory and made her heart pound. Was she pleased that she had had this effect on him? ‘
I wish we had been able to meet again.'
Had she felt the same? ‘
But I have kept the thought in my mind that we will meet in March, and draw joy and hope from it.'
Hope? What did he hope? What lay behind that word? The letter went on to say that his father had been taken ill but the indisposition was short-lived, or at least Mr Hustwick made it appear so and still ignored the doctor's advice that he should drink and eat less. Peter also said business was steady and he hoped the
John Carnforth
would help to maintain the prosperity they were enjoying. He concluded, ‘
It remains for me to wish you a Christmas as happy as can be under the circumstances. Be sure that if my thoughts can ease the moments and shed a happier light on the time, then you have them. Yours respectfully, Peter.'

Lena felt dampness in her eyes then and wiped it away, thankful that the letter had arrived after James had left to check on the shipbuilder's progress. She rose from her chair in the drawing-room and hurried upstairs. She sat in front of her dressing-table, read the letter again, and then placed it carefully under some fichus in one of the drawers.

 

‘Mama, what are your plans for Christmas when we have James and Lena?'

Mrs Nash knew the reason behind Olivia's question.

‘We must make it as enjoyable as possible without too many frivolities - piano playing only of a more serious nature and no dancing. And we'll play some of the more genteel games.'

‘No Blind Man's Buff?' Olivia expressed disappointment at the probable absence of one of her favourite games.

‘Certainly not,' replied her mother, her voice laced with shock at the thought of the hilarious capers the game engendered. ‘Highly inappropriate at a time of recent mourning, especially for Lena and James. We'll have a Christmas tree and decorations, though, and we won't spare on the food.'

‘Presents?' asked Olivia.

‘Of course. As usual. They will help keep our minds from dwelling on thoughts of last year. And we could exchange Christmas cards. You had better put our proposals to Lena and James then they won't feel embarrassed if they overlook such things, expecting Christmas to be a sombre affair this year.'

Two days later Olivia talked to Lena, expressing her understanding of her mother's ruling but showing disappointment that some of the usual Christmas activities would be sacrificed.

‘Have you seen Olivia or Alistair today?' Lena asked her brother when he came home early evening.

‘No, neither of them.'

‘I had a visit from Olivia. I'll tell you about it during our evening meal.'

When they were seated at the table she quickly explained what Olivia had told her. ‘James, I don't want our situation to put a dampener on everyone's Christmas. I know we will miss Mother and Father terribly, but I don't believe they would want any of us to be miserable. I am sure they would tell us to continue with life as usual. I therefore propose to read the situation as it develops and act accordingly, but whatever I suggest, I would like you to back me.'

‘Of course I will. What have you in mind?' There was a cautionary note in his voice, though.

Lena shrugged her shoulders. ‘I don't know. As I say, it depends on the situation. All I want is for you to be in agreement.'

He nodded. ‘Then I will.'

‘And don't mention any of this conversation to Olivia or Alistair.'

‘I won't.' James knew it was best to go along with his sister when she was hatching plots.

‘Oh, and by the way, there will be the usual presents and exchange of Christmas cards.'

‘Good. I may need your help in choosing something for Olivia. Of course we'll get something between us for Georgina, and we can't go wrong with some good cigars for Albert.'

‘Olivia . . .' Lena spoke the name thoughtfully. ‘I think I know the very thing. She admired a cape when I was out with her the other day. In fact, she tried it on and it fitted perfectly.'

‘But she didn't buy it? Why not?'

‘She's in the throes of choosing a dress which her father is buying for her. She said maybe she'd buy the cape later.'

‘Will you purchase it for me soon?'

‘I'll get it tomorrow.' Lena gave a little smile and said, ‘I'm sure she'll go to look at it again. She'll get a shock when she sees it's gone.'

‘And that will make the surprise even greater when she opens the parcel at Christmas. Splendid!' James chuckled at the thought of Olivia's expression when she saw the cape she thought she had missed by her own hesitation.

‘I think a jet necklace and matching bangles for Aunt Georgina.'

‘A good idea, Lena,' agreed James. ‘Now, what about Alistair?'

‘I'm going to get him a beautifully carved walking stick that I have seen. The design depicts a whale.'

‘Splendid.'

‘I also want to get him a pair of leather gloves. Can you help me with the size?'

‘Of course! I think my size will be about right, maybe slightly less. Do you want me to try some on and buy what I think will suit?'

‘Please.' Lena gave a little sigh of relief. ‘That settles everyone. And we'll give the staff a bonus as usual.'

‘Well, not everyone. There's you.'

‘No doubt you'll hatch that up with Olivia, just as I will with Alistair for you?' The twinkle in Lena's eyes showed she relished the prospect.

James was pleased to see his sister filled with the merriment of Christmas past, and hoped this same spirit would continue when the MacBrides came for New Year.

They were still sitting at the table when the maid came in to tell them that Mr Alistair Nash had called. ‘I've shown him into the drawing-room, miss.'

‘We'll be there in a moment,' said Lena, rising as she spoke.

After greetings were over, Alistair began, ‘You know about the Christmas arrangements from Olivia, I understand. I felt I had to call to say how pleased I am that you will be with us.'

‘It is most kind of your mother to ask us,' replied Lena.

‘I know it will be a trying time for you both, but we'll do our best to make it as happy as possible.'