Stay with Me (26 page)

‘James, Dr MacBride is waving at us,' said Olivia. ‘I think he wants us to meet someone he is talking to.'

‘Oh, yes! You go to them, Olivia, I'll be with you in a moment. I want a quick word with Lena.'

 

Olivia left them. When James faced his sister his expression was contrite and serious. ‘Lena, I hope you weren't offended that I didn't ask you to perform the launching ceremony? I thought asking Olivia would make the day extra-special, by linking the new ship and our engagement. That is why I did not mention it beforehand. I wanted it to be a complete surprise to her.'

Lena knew James. In his own euphoric state of mind, he would not notice that her smile was cold as she said, ‘Think nothing of it. Oh, I would have liked to have performed the ceremony, but I can see it made sense to combine it with your proposal. Of course I understand.'

He kissed her on the cheek. ‘Thank you. What have I done to deserve such a wonderful sister?' Then he glanced in the direction of his uncle. ‘Oh, I must go.' He stopped and turned back. ‘It would give me great pleasure to see you engaged to Alistair. We four must always remain close.' He hurried away then towards the group awaiting him.

Lena remained where she was. Her eyes narrowed as she watched her brother. How much credence should she put in his last remark? After all, she already knew that James valued his own feelings above anybody else's.

‘Walk with me?'

She was startled to hear the words spoken close to her ear. ‘Alistair! I didn't notice you.'

‘You were miles away. Where were you?'

She gave a wan smile at that. ‘Only I need know.'

Alistair thought he sensed a rebuke in her tone but ignored it. He took hold of her arm and said, ‘Let's take a closer look at the ship.' He shifted his grip to her hand and started towards it.

Lena felt ill at ease with what she assumed was going to happen. She looked back as if seeking help in her dilemma. From whom? Who could help her? Where was Peter? But he could not interfere. She would have to deal with this herself. Then she saw him talking to Avril. Their eyes met. His jealous glance towards Alistair also pleaded for an answer to his proposal. Her gaze took in Avril then and Lena received a jolt. Her cousin was staring at Alistair with an expression that was very revealing. Avril had known Alistair a long time but Lena had never suspected that her cousin had any other feelings towards him than friendship. It seemed she had been wrong about that.

Unsuspecting, Alistair led her on. Finding a quieter place he stopped.

Lena felt ill at ease. ‘I didn't know you were interested in . . .'

He placed a finger on her lips to stop her. ‘It was an excuse to get you away from everyone.' His eyes had taken on an intensity that struck at her heart. ‘Lena, let's make this a double celebration. Marry me!'

The words thundered in her mind, words that at one time she would have been overjoyed to hear but had anticipated more doubtfully since Peter had entered her life. She had hoped Alistair would not propose before she could implement the decision she had made when Olivia climbed the steps to launch the
John Carnforth.
It would have been easier for her not to face this moment that had been thrust upon her now.

‘Alistair.' Lena's voice was scarcely above a whisper. She hesitated, her eyes damp.

‘Say yes,' he prompted.

‘I can't, not at the moment.' She gave a little shake of her head as if to dismiss the question. ‘So much has happened, I need time . . .'

He looked astonished that her answer had not been an instantaneous yes. ‘But I thought you and I always had an understanding?'

‘Please, Alistair, don't press me now.'

‘But . . . '

‘Please.' Lena turned and walked away.

Astounded and puzzled, he watched her go. What had upset her? What held her back? He knew it had been a trying time for her since her parents were killed, but he thought she'd got over it and was now coping well. Maybe today had brought back too many memories? He should have waited; had misjudged his moment. Annoyed with himself, he strolled back in the direction of the crowds. He would have to face Lena again at tonight's party; he would make sure he did not mishandle
that
meeting.

Not fully aware of where he had walked, he was suddenly conscious of someone standing in his way. ‘Oh, Avril.'

‘You were looking so thoughtful. A penny for them, Alistair?'

He smiled. ‘They would not be worth that to you.'

She gave a little shrug of her shoulders and said, ‘Ah, well, they can remain yours. Come and have something to eat?'

‘That's not a bad idea,' he agreed, grateful for a distraction from thoughts of Lena.

 

As she picked her way through the crowds Lena searched for Peter but saw no sign of him. She became even more exasperated as the day wore on and he was still nowhere to be seen. Her emotions became even more strained when she kept seeing Alistair and Avril who were, to her mind, enjoying each other's company. People wanted to chat with her. Though she tried to respond, she did not sparkle as she usually did. The attempt to do so began to tell on her and she realised she would not be able to face the evening ahead if she did not escape for a while. She sought out James and told him she was going home in order to see that everything was ready for the evening party.

‘But Mrs Campion will be seeing to that,' he protested. ‘Stay.'

‘I'd rather make sure. After all, it is now an extra-special occasion,' she pointed out.

‘You are thoughtful. Thanks, Lena.'

She shrugged her shoulders dismissively, thinking, More than you are to me. But she bit her tongue and only said, ‘Be happy, James.'

‘I will. Let me get someone to see you home, I can't leave now.'

‘I know. I'll be quite safe.'

‘Let me ask Ralph.' He glanced in his manager's direction.

‘No need. He's talking to some of the town officials, no doubt putting in a good word for the firm.'

‘Let me find Alistair then.'

‘No, no.' Lena realised she'd been a little quick with her refusal. ‘He's talking to Avril.' She glanced in their direction. ‘Don't disturb them.' Then she added in a jocular tone, ‘It's not as if I don't know my way.'

As she left the shipyard and celebrations behind a familiar voice brought Lena to a halt. ‘Leaving already?' At the same moment someone stepped out of the shadows ahead.

‘Peter!'

He inclined his head. ‘Miss Carnforth. Or will it be Mrs Nash?'

She stiffened. ‘You ask a strange question.'

‘I saw you today with Alistair.'

‘And thought you could predict the outcome?'

‘I . . .'

‘You should never presume to do that where I am concerned.'

‘Then tell me why was there anger and hurt in your eyes when Miss Nash climbed on to the platform to launch the ship? I take it you had assumed it would be you who performed the ceremony?'

She nodded, relieved to find that one person at least understood her feelings.

‘You are leaving the celebrations early?'

‘Things to see to for this evening.'

‘May I walk you home?'

‘You may.'

‘My arm, Miss Carnforth.'

As she took it their eyes met and she saw hope rekindled in his. ‘Thank you, Mr Hustwick. How formal we are of a sudden.' Then she astonished him by saying, ‘I think we can drop this formality. I have my answer to the question you put to me two days ago.'

Peter stopped walking and turned her to him quickly so that he could look straight into her eyes and discover what she truly meant. ‘You'll marry me then?' His eyes were blazing with hope.

‘Yes, I'll marry you, Peter. I'll marry you!'

There was no resisting that promise. He swept Lena into his arms and kissed her.

‘Come on, let's tell everyone now.' Holding her hand, he started to return to the shipyard but she held him back.

‘No, Peter! We must do this my way. When do you leave for Hull?'

‘I'd intended going tomorrow, but will delay my departure as long as you wish.'

‘Tomorrow will be ideal. I'll be ready then.'

‘You'll come with me?' He was astounded by the speed of events.

‘Yes.'

‘But . . .'

Lena started walking and he matched his pace to hers as she explained what she wanted. ‘No one must know about this; there must be not one hint. I require no one's blessing on my marriage.'

‘But as you have no father, shouldn't I seek permission from your brother?'

‘No!' she replied emphatically. ‘It is my own decision, requiring no one's approval. I am of age, after all.'

‘Whatever you say.'

Though he knew that her relatives and close friends would be shocked by such an abrupt departure, Peter was too intent on securing Lena for his wife to worry unduly about their reaction. They would come round from their disappointment, in time.

‘We must act as if this conversation has not taken place,' she warned him, ‘so be careful this evening. Tell no one. I will be at the Angel at eight tomorrow morning. I think the others will be late to rise after the celebrations. I'm thankful you drove yourself here and have a conveyance ready. Be ready for me. We will be well on our way before anyone knows I have gone.'

‘You think your family might try to stop us?'

‘If we have left I think not, but if they got wind of this before our departure then there would be those who would try persuasion.'

‘You seem to have given this matter much thought?'

‘No. I merely have a mind that can deal rapidly with the detail once I have decided upon a course. Besides, how could I have settled on this? I was not certain myself of my answer to your proposal until a short time ago.'

‘You have made me very happy, Lena. I will do everything in my power to make you happy too.'

‘You will, Peter, I know you will.'

When he left her at the gate of the house in New Buildings she hurried to her room. She had much to do before morning but sat for a few moments, enjoying her exhilaration at the step she had taken, one she knew would bring a great change to her life. She was determined there would be no looking back now; she would reach out and grasp a bright, beckoning future in a world she had thought would be hers by right but which had been snatched away from her by a few words in her father's Will. Now that wouldn't matter any more. The future was hers for the taking.

Peter's steps were light as he started back to the Angel. He had won the girl he had set his mind on during their first meeting in Hull. When he had proposed and Lena had asked for time, he had thought that Alistair, her family and her love of Whitby would dictate her answer and send him back to Hull broken-hearted. But now there was only joy ahead of him. As he grew accustomed to his change in fortune he began to wonder what had made Lena decide in his favour. Was it something to do with what had happened at the ceremony? And why didn't she want to announce their forthcoming marriage to her family? He gave a little shrug of his shoulders and dismissed these questions. What did they matter after all? Lena had said yes and that was all that concerned him.

When he arrived at the house in New Buildings that evening it was ablaze with light, and the atmosphere inside was one of light-hearted enjoyment laced with celebration, as befitted a gathering of family members and a few close friends. As he was introduced around, Peter felt privileged to have been included among this circle, and, although he was introduced merely as the gentleman whose firm had hired the
John Carnforth
for her maiden voyage, he wondered if there were in fact other reasons why he had been included. If the invitation had originated with Lena, why did she want to keep their relationship a secret? Why was she prepared to leave Whitby without making any formal announcement? If James was the instigator on the other hand, was he seeking to consolidate their business relationship or had he some other motive?

‘You are looking rather too serious,' said Lena quietly as she came up beside him, signalling a maid to bring him some wine.

Peter took a sip before he replied. ‘It is a serious step we are taking tomorrow morning. I still feel we should tell your brother of our feelings for each other. Why do we have to sneak off behind his back?'

She frowned. ‘We do it my way or not at all! Any other course would spell disaster for us, and ruin the day for James and Olivia.'

‘I thought it would make for a double celebration?'

‘No, for disaster.'

‘Because of Alistair?'

‘That's who everyone expects me to marry.'

‘But you don't want to?'

‘Expectations aren't always fulfilled.' There was an urgent expression in Lena's eyes as she met his gaze. She had seen Alistair approaching them. ‘If you love me, do it my way,' she said quickly.

He was with them before Peter could reply. ‘I must take Lena away, people are asking me if she will play the piano.'

Peter bowed his agreement.

He stood beside the door to listen, his thoughts dwelling on tomorrow, and as his gaze settled on Alistair and he saw the adoration with which he looked at Lena, Peter knew he was taking her away from a man who loved her.

 

Lena breathed a sigh of relief when she finally reached her bedroom that night and closed the door. The party had gone on until after midnight and she needed to be up early. She retrieved two valises from her closet where she had placed them on her return from the shipyard. She quickly threw some clothes into them; for the rest she would have to go shopping in Hull. She was pleased she need not be dependent on Peter for her needs. She was after all entitled to her income from her father's Will; nothing could change that. Valises packed, she sat down to pen two letters.