Stay with Me (24 page)

‘Peter, I'm flattered, but this is most unexpected. I do need time.'

The desire to press her for a decision was strong. There was the doctor . . . but to err now could easily ruin his chances. One wrong word from him and his whole world could collapse.

Peter reached forward. He took her hands, brought her to her feet and looked deep into her eyes as his arms slipped round her waist. His lips came down to hers and she did not resist. She could feel love and passion in his kiss. ‘I love you, Lena,' he whispered as their lips parted. ‘I respect your wish for time and will wait in hope.'

As Peter left the house his heart was singing. There was a chance for him! Lena had not said no. She had not pulled away from his embrace either and her kiss had been filled with promise.

If she'd thought the atmosphere during the evening meal would be tense Lena was mistaken. From the moment Peter arrived and was shown into the drawing-room, where she and James awaited him, she sensed his desire not to allow what had happened between them to intrude on their reunion.

Peter was guarded when he first entered the room, not knowing if his proposal had been discussed with James. When he became aware it had not, and realised that no one else would be dining with them, he was relieved. He would be alone with the two people he wanted to get to know better.

When he left the house later for his room at the Angel, he felt highly delighted with the way things had gone. Apart from a sumptuous meal, he had had the pleasure of being with Lena, getting to know her interests and her outlook on life. He'd seen her keen awareness of the commercial side of Whitby and been charmed by it. Behind her gentle demeanour, he saw a considerate loving person with a particular devotion to her brother whom he was surprised to learn was in reality her step-brother.

When Lena went to bed she had much to think about, linking the man she had got to know better this evening with the man who had proposed to her and whom she silently thanked for his discretion in not raising the matter again. He occupied her thoughts as she dressed the following morning, but she had other things to think about as the day progressed for this was the day when Aunt Mary, Uncle Martin and her three cousins would be arriving from Dundee. It was the second time she would face having so many people to stay in the house and she was thankful for Mrs Campion's competence now and during the celebrations after the ceremony.

James had sent a carriage to collect the MacBrides at York station and as the time approached for their arrival in Whitby an excited atmosphere started to fill the house. Though it would mean extra work, the staff had looked forward to this occasion, signalling a return to the heady days of frequent entertaining by Mr and Mrs Carnforth.

‘They are here!' Lena called, all decorum thrust aside in her excitement as she rushed into the hall from the drawing-room where she had been keeping watch.

Maids came hurrying into the hall followed by Mrs Campion at a more sedate pace, alert to the actions of her staff.

James came bounding down the stairs and was close behind his sister who was first to the door. She flung it open, paused on the veranda and waved to the new arrivals who were dismounting from the carriage. James took Lena's hand and they went quickly down the steps to welcome their relatives.

Happy conversation filled the air as greetings, hugs and kisses were exchanged amidst queries about health, the journey and friends. Chatter continued until they were in the house when maids took charge of outdoor clothes and escorted the MacBrides to the rooms allocated to them before tea was served in the drawing-room.

Lena nodded to Mrs Campion who was supervising all the activity.

‘Please send someone to the Nashes' and invite them to take tea with us in a few minutes. I'm sure they would like to greet the arrivals.'

‘Very good, miss.'

A quarter of an hour later, in the drawing-room, the buzz of conversation rose and fell as tea cups and plates clinked, and compliments about the delicious scones and cakes were bestowed. All the young ladies queried what was to be worn by the others the next day, but found that each of them wanted their choice to remain a surprise. When the menfolk tried to extract information about who was going to launch the ship, James's reply was mysterious. He would not confirm what they had all imagined would be his answer. On the periphery of those questions, while talking to her cousins, Lena wondered why he still had not primed her about the ceremony so that she could get used to the idea. With this thought in mind she had wandered to a corner of the room where she stood alone, looking around her at everyone so happy together on this occasion. If she accepted Peter, she would miss all this: the visits of her relations, the air of nearness of the Nashes, the comfort and permanence this house exuded.

‘You are far away.'

She started. Only then was she aware that Alistair stood before her.

And Alistair! The thought of how she would miss him if . . .

‘Day dreaming,' she replied lamely.

‘Care to share them? If I return to the fray I might get caught by your uncle again, though Avril did rescue me for a few minutes.'

Lena laughed. ‘I saw he had cornered you. Medical stuff, no doubt. Was it really that bad?'

‘No! I didn't mean it that way,' he hastened to reassure her, his face serious.

She laughed even more. ‘I know you didn't, Alistair. Don't look so concerned. I also know my uncle.'

He relaxed and smiled. ‘He's always interesting when he does get talking about health matters - well, to me he is - but I wanted to escape and come and talk to you.'

‘He means well. And can be fascinating on other subjects, but in you he has someone who shares his first love, medicine.'

‘I know.'

‘You'll have to be the one to change the subject. Don't let him monopolise the talk with medical topics.'

‘I won't, but I don't like to hurt his feelings.'

‘He's a tough old bird.'

‘You have him summed up.'

Lena smiled and wondered if she had Alistair summed up also. Would he become a medical bore too, one who had to be constantly steered away from talking medicine, as she was advising him now? Could she be sure he would embrace other conversations, about topics close to her heart? She knew her aunt sometimes escaped to tea parties with the good ladies of Dundee and into the work of charitable organisations. Was that her probable fate too if she married Alistair? Lena glanced round the room again. Would this, family and close friends, be sufficient to compensate her for the loss of the excitement she had experienced in her father's world?

Maybe her answer lay in James's secrecy about the launching ceremony. Might it be his way of inviting her to take a greater role within the company from which she felt shut out?

Tomorrow she would know.

 

In another part of Whitby someone else was thinking about tomorrow.

Peter walked the streets, spent time absorbing the bustle on the quays, watched construction work on a new vessel at one of the shipbuilding sites, talked to a rope maker. Then he went strolling on the West Cliff above the strand of sand that stretched away to Sandsend, climbing the hundred and ninety-nine steps to the old church and ruined abbey. He took luncheon in the Angel and was back there for his evening meal. He took his time over all this. Even when he was concentrating on the new sights and sounds, though, Lena commanded his thoughts. He would not allow himself to visit her home again, he'd decided. That would be impolite; he had not been invited and knew her relations from Dundee were arriving. He could not intrude. He would have to wait until tomorrow to see her. Would she have an answer for him then? Could he expect one amidst all the excitement of the launching and the celebrations that were to follow?

The day after that he would be leaving for Hull. He wondered if he would be leaving in ecstasy or with hopes dashed into misery? It was a long day and an endless night.

 

Anxious eyes searched the morning sky for tell-tale clues about the weather. People turned away from their windows satisfied that they were able to foretell a good day.

No one was happier about this than James. Everything was in place; his meticulous concern for every detail should ensure a perfect ceremony and celebration afterwards.

Awake early, unable to sleep any longer, he rose and dressed in the clothes he had purchased especially for this important day. When he viewed himself in the full-length mirror he was satisfied that he cut a dashing figure.

As early as he was, he was surprised to find Lena about to start breakfast.

‘Couldn't you sleep any longer either?'

She gave a wan smile. ‘No. I had a lot on my mind.'

‘Want to share those thoughts?'

‘No. I wouldn't want to spoil your day.'

He raised a querying eyebrow but knew from her expression that he would get no more from her - not now.

‘This is going to be a great day,' he said and added with more enthusiasm, ‘an important day for Carnforth's.'

She half expected him to go on but he didn't.

‘You have more plans?' she probed.

‘Ah, still so curious? I have. But they must wait for after the launching.'

She was longing to ask what he meant by that, and if the plans concerned her, but knew she had to bite her tongue.

James changed the subject by saying, ‘Excuse me, I'll be back in a moment.'

He rose from his chair and hurried from the room. When he came back he said, ‘Stand up a minute.'

She looked askance at him but did as he'd bidden her.

‘Now I can see the full elegance of your dress. You look wonderful and have chosen your apparel with great care and thought.'

‘You have too, James. Your tailor has done a wonderful job.'

‘No better than your dressmaker.' She was pleased by his admiration, especially when he added, ‘Mother and Father would have been proud of you.'

‘And of you.'

‘I have a little present for you, in remembrance of today.' He held out a small red box.

‘James!' She took it from him. ‘Thank you.' She opened the box tentatively and stared wide-eyed at the contents. A replica of a sailing vessel, exquisitely worked in silver, was mounted on a piece of jet and presented as a brooch. It rested on a bed of red velvet that showed it off to perfection. ‘Oh, James, it is wonderful! A treasure.' Her eyes were damp as she looked at him lovingly. ‘What can I say but a sincere and heartfelt thank you?' She stepped forward and kissed him on the cheek. Her mind was racing. Was this a prelude to something else he was to ask her?

Instead he said, ‘Enjoy today. We'd better have breakfast. The others will be coming down soon. I don't want to be delayed . . . things to see to. I'll say good morning and then be off. You will come with them?'

‘Of course.'

‘There are seats for all of you as well as the dignitaries of the town and special guests. Ralph will be there to direct everyone. There's a special area for our employees too. Oh, and . . . well, there's no need for me to go through it all now. You'll see when you get there. And I've asked Ralph to be especially attentive to the family and close friends.'

‘James, don't fuss. I know everything will already have been taken care of by you and I'm sure nothing will go wrong.'

No more was said as their uncle and aunt and cousins all appeared and, after admiring James's gift to Lena, they were soon partaking of breakfast while enthusing about the day ahead. After a few minutes James took his leave.

 

‘Everybody ready?' called Lena to gather everyone in the hall. They came from the drawing-room and down the stairs, their excitement charging the atmosphere with anticipation.

She had a final word with Mrs Campion. ‘The staff know where they are to go?'

‘Yes, miss, and after the outdoor ceremonies will all be back in time for the party here.'

‘Good. Tell them to enjoy the day.' When she turned back, a quick glance told her everyone was assembled and waiting for her to take the lead. Once in the street the Nashes, who had been on the lookout for them, joined them.

Olivia exchanged a quick hug with Lena and slipped away to join Fiona and Avril MacBride, allowing her brother to pair up with Lena.

‘You are looking very elegant and beautiful,' he said with open admiration.

‘You are looking very smart yourself,' Lena returned.

‘Excited?' he asked.

‘It is an important day for Carnforth's. This is the first ship to be added by my brother to the fleet. It should open new horizons for us. James has done well in just over a year.'

‘He has indeed. And I have news too.'

Lena's heart skipped a beat. What was he going to say? Suggest? Offer?

‘Dr Jollif has offered me a full partnership in his practice. '

‘That is wonderful, Alistair. I am so pleased for you.'

‘It means my future lies here in Whitby.'

Her mind started racing. Was she going to be forced into a decision sooner than she'd expected? If this launching opened up new possibilities for her . . . if James . . .

Her thoughts were interrupted when her cousin Robbie fell into step beside them and said, ‘Cousin Pauline, may I ask you a question?'

‘Of course, Robbie. What is it?'

He looked slightly embarrassed and from the glance he shot Alistair, the doctor knew he would rather put his question to his cousin alone.

‘I see Avril has drifted away from the others and is on her own, I'll go to her,' Alistair said tactfully.