Stay with Me (9 page)

‘Isn't such improvement the business of the town?' Lena protested impatiently.

‘Yes, but unless I cajole and insist on bringing the cases to public notice, nothing is done. I've got to be involved and that will take up a lot of my time, as will my attentions to the sick, to try to prevent this illness from spreading. I'll call again as soon as I can but I can't give a definite date at the moment. I hope the trouble will soon be resolved. I'm sorry, Lena, but that is the situation. If only you weren't in mourning, you could work alongside me.'

He hurried away, leaving her with his last sentence haunting her, as it was to do for weeks to come.

Work alongside me?
Among the sick, poverty-stricken and depraved! Was this how Alistair saw their life together if they married? That ‘if' became a very big one as the days passed and she had time to reflect that life with him would always be lived surrounded by illness. Could she stand that? Could she stay beside him, helping him as he expected? Did she really have the devotion to him to overcome such hardship and vicissitude?

Lena was pleased that Alistair was happy in his work. She knew it took a strong character to engage in a profession that not only took him to the homes of the well-off but into scenes of poverty and dire living conditions She admired his desire to improve such conditions and his devotion to the health of Whitby's populace, but wondered if he would ever succeed in his aims; so much more was needed than one man's medical expertise. Was he storming a brick wall? She began to wonder if she could face life with a man who would expect her to be of like mind and to help him blindly.

If only his interest lay in his father's business then she could have become involved in a trade in which she was already interested, and would willingly have faced life beside him, come what may. She began to wonder if she had ever been in love with Alistair or had merely believed she was because everyone else in their social circle expected them to marry. Had that expectation in others rubbed off on them so that they thought they were in love without any strong basis?

Questions mounted day after day and, restricted as she was in her outlets, Lena's mind became more and more troubled.

 

‘Lena!' Alarm rose in Olivia's voice as she crossed the room to greet her friend who was sitting listlessly near the window. The light falling across her face accentuated her pallid drawn features. ‘I've been away a fortnight, and look at you! Hasn't Alistair been to see you? Hasn't Mrs Campion called anyone in?'

Sensing more questions to come, Lena held up her hand to stem them. ‘I'm all right, Olivia.'

‘All right? You don't look it! You need medical attention and I'll see you get it. Alistair will get my tongue round him too!'

‘Olivia, please. You know he was called away ten days ago to Staithes. Four fishing vessels were wrecked. Terrible injuries. He's called on me whenever he's managed to get to Whitby, but the visits were brief as he was so tired.'

‘Shouldn't have been too tired to notice
you
. And what about Mrs Campion? She should have got someone else in to see you if Alistair couldn't.'

‘Olivia, I forbade her. Please don't upset her. She has been looking after me very well and I am improving.'

Olivia's lips tightened. ‘Very well,' she replied, ‘but I'll have Alistair round here as soon as I see him.'

She was true to her word and two days later he walked in, full of concern. ‘Lena, I'm so sorry. Olivia told me . . . I should have noticed . . .'

‘Alistair, don't reproach yourself. You were needed at Staithes. It's been hard on you.'

‘But I should have seen you were not well. Now, let me put things right.'

‘I'm improving, Mrs Campion will tell you that.'

‘That may well be but I'm going to check you.' When Lena started to protest he held up his hand to stop her and exerted his authority in no uncertain terms. ‘You are not well. You are not the Lena I know, and I insist you tell me everything so I can judge what is best for you. I will not stand for any further protests. You are important to me, Lena.' He took her hand, and if she was not mistaken it was more than a doctor's touch when his fingers felt for her pulse.

When he was finished, Alistair nodded. ‘You are healthy enough but you are run down. I think it is late shock at what happened in Scotland, and the fact that you have missed being among people in the way that you are used to. I will give you something to take and I want you to eat plenty of nourishing food, but most of all I want you to stop worrying about what happened and dismiss any other concerns you may have. Try to occupy your mind with pleasant things. I'll get Olivia to visit you every day. It was unfortunate that she was away when you were not well. I'll try and visit you daily myself. Certainly I'll be here tomorrow.'

An hour after Alistair had left, James rushed in and was on his knees in front of Lena almost before she'd realised he was there.

‘Lena! Alistair's just paid me a visit. Why didn't you tell me? I didn't notice.' The concern in his voice was matched by the look in his eyes as he took her hands in his.

She smiled. ‘You never were observant unless it was of ships, and what was happening on the Whitby quays and in the shipyards, and who was trading what with whom.'

‘I'm sorry.'

‘Don't be. I'm all right. Alistair has given me things to take.'

‘Well, if there is anything else you need, tell me.'

‘I will. And you can sit down now and tell me exactly how the business is progressing and how the
John Carnforth
is shaping.' She held up her hands to stem any protest. ‘I promise not to question your decisions or make any suggestions.'

‘There'll be no need for any when you hear what I have to say.' James pulled a chair near to her and sat down. By the time he had finished he knew he had done Lena good; there was a new light in her eyes and he realised her heart lay with the ships and the quays and the world they brought near. Part of him wanted to offer her a position in the firm, but he knew that would not work. There was no room for two principals. He realised his father had known this, too, and had wisely worded his Will so it could not happen, while providing financially for Lena's future.

His sister's eyes followed him as he left the room. How she envied James the world in which he moved.

‘Here!' Ben tossed a coin in the air, sending five urchins scrambling for it. A cheeky, dirt-smattered face emerged triumphant from the mêlée with a yell of, ‘Mine!'

Ben laughed. ‘Away to lookout. The
Suzanna
's due!' The boy started off. ‘Hi, come back here!' The youngster pulled up sharp and turned enquiring eyes to him. ‘Mind you tell no one but me. Knock on the office window and I'll come out.'

The lad nodded and scampered off.

An hour later the rap on the window sent Ben hurrying outside.

‘
Suzanna
beating in fast, sir.'

He tossed another coin, which the urchin grabbed with dexterity then yelled his thanks and raced away.

Ben bustled into the building and stepped briskly to Mr Carnforth's office.

‘The
Suzanna
's been sighted, sir,' he announced, elated at being the first with the news.

James sprang from his chair and hurried to the door. In the passage he paused to tell Ralph, who was beside him in a moment. Both men hurried out into the balmy August morning, observing the activity of a busy port, bringing wealth to ship-owners and merchants and putting money in the pockets of stevedores and labourers.

‘West Pier?' called Ralph.

‘East!' replied James. ‘Won't have to wait for the bridge closing.'

They hurried along Church Street into Henrietta Street beneath the towering East Cliff, negotiated the steep incline on to the stone pier itself, and strode out to the lighthouse from where they were afforded a view of the
Suzanna,
beating in towards the safety of the river.

James felt a rush of pride as he watched her skilfully handled by Captain Merryweather, an experienced sailor of many years' standing whose first voyage as a ten-year-old had been on James's grandfather's herring boat.

‘She looks well,' commented James.

‘Aye, she does that,' said Ralph. He was no sailor but he loved ships and had always been around them, and knew he would be ever grateful to John Carnforth for giving him a job, one in which hard work and the use of his sharp brain had enabled him to reach the post of manager. He saw his future as bright alongside the present owner with his ambitions to expand. Maybe the
Suzanna
was bringing home the fruits of the first suggestion he had made to James.

They watched the ship slip through the gap between the piers with the minimum of fuss. In the calmness of the river she was taken in tow by boats ready for that purpose. As she was taken upstream and beyond the swing bridge to an east-side quay, James and Ralph hurried back the way they had come. As soon as the gangway was run out they went on board where a ruddy-faced Captain Merryweather greeted them with a broad smile, a firm handshake and an excited glint in his eyes.

‘Welcome home, Captain,' James greeted him enthusiastically.

‘Good to see you back, Captain.' Ralph, eager to hear the skipper's news, searched his face for any indication.

‘My cabin, good sirs,' said Merryweather and turned towards the stern. Within a few moments he was ushering them into his quarters. A bottle and three glasses stood ready on the table. Without a word he quickly filled the glasses and handed one to each of them saying, ‘Try that, gentlemen.'

They savoured the wine and looked at Merryweather with questioning eyes as they both murmured their approval then added, ‘Excellent.' ‘The best Madeira I have tasted.'

‘Good! Good! I'm glad you approve.' The captain was filled with pride. His expression showed delight at their comments. ‘I've a hold full of it.'

‘What?' both men gasped. They exchanged glances that were a mixture of disbelief, exuberance and astonishment.

‘It worked!' There was laughter in Ralph's face as he spoke to James.

‘Your idea - genius!' James grasped his hand and shook it vigorously. He turned back to the Captain. ‘You've done well, getting this cargo.'

Captain Merryweather's face shone with pleasure. ‘The idea of giving your captains responsibility for the return cargo, which the firm will trade, naturally ensures we look for the best. It is far more interesting than merely picking up something someone back here has ordered.'

‘And you earn yourselves a better bonus,' said James. ‘Well done! Did you make any enquiries about what I suggested?' He glanced at Ralph, who looked at him questioningly. ‘I didn't say anything about this before sailing because I didn't want to steal your thunder if the idea hadn't worked. Well, Captain?'

‘The firm from whom I bought the Madeira is an import and export business. Yes, they will take any wool we can ship from here, starting next year.'

James let out a whoop of delight. ‘Well done, Captain, well done!' He raised his glass. ‘To the future!' Draining it, he addressed his manager once more.‘Attend to things here, Ralph. I'll see you tomorrow.'

He disembarked from the ship and hurried on his way among the crowds on the quay and streaming both ways across the bridge. James lost no time in reaching New Buildings.

‘Home at this time and looking very pleased with yourself? ' commented Lena when he strode into the drawing-room.

‘I am,' he grinned, flinging himself into a chair opposite his sister. He went on to tell her what had happened and concluded, ‘This was my first trading venture completely on my own initiative. Everything before had been set in motion by Father.'

‘Congratulations,' she said. ‘He would have been proud of you.' Though she hoped she'd kept it out of her expression, she could not deny the touch of jealousy she felt then.

‘I thought you would be pleased to hear it. How have you been feeling of late?'

‘I'm much better, thank you.'

‘You are losing that wan colour and your eyes are brighter. It must be due to Alistair's more frequent visits.'

Lena smiled. ‘Maybe. Thank goodness there have been no more epidemics.'

‘I hear he did well to curtail the last one. Dr Jollif speaks highly of him and his devotion to his calling. Well, I must be off. I want to tell Olivia the good news.'

Within a few minutes his arrival there was being announced by the maid to Mrs Nash and Olivia, who were busy with their patchwork in the sewing-room.

‘Show him into the drawing-room.' When the maid had gone, Mrs Nash eyed her daughter with a twinkle in her eye. ‘I'm sure it's only you he wants to see, Olivia. Off you go - don't keep a young man waiting.'

Olivia blushed but sprang from her chair and was gone in a flash, wondering what brought him here at this time of day. He had been a fairly regular visitor of late but she longed for the day when he would be out of mourning and able to escort her to social functions and private gatherings in the town. She slowed when she reached the hall, smoothed her dress, patted her hair and then made her entry.

‘James!' she exclaimed. ‘What a pleasant surprise. What brings you here at this time of day?'

The door clicked shut behind her. He strode across the room. The bright excitement in his eyes startled her. He swept her into his arms and hugged her.

‘James! What is it?' she cried.

He released her. ‘Sit down here,' he said, leading her to a sofa. He sat down beside her, still holding her hand. Olivia's heart was racing. What was coming?