The Orphan's Dream (42 page)

Outside the rain had turned to sleet and dark clouds seemed to be resting on the rooftops of the warehouses and manufactories. It was a dismal day for sight-seeing but Jerusha's enthusiasm was infectious, and as they approached the docks she grew even more excited. She sat on the edge of her seat. ‘We're almost there. I remember this from when we arrived.' She reached out to clutch her husband's hands. ‘I can hardly wait.'

Mirabel smiled indulgently, but she remained unimpressed. As far as she was concerned one sea-going vessel was much like another. The cab came to a halt and they stepped down onto the wet cobblestones. Ethan unfurled a large black umbrella and escorted them onto the dock. ‘There it is,' he said proudly. ‘The
Munroe Star
. The first of many, I hope.'

To Mirabel the twin-funnelled steamship looked identical to the one tied up on the far side of the dock, but she was too polite to say so. ‘It's very impressive,' she murmured, squinting through the ice-laden rain.

‘It's even better on board. Just you wait and see, honey.' Jerusha seized her hand as she quickened her pace. ‘Ethan, darling, run on ahead and tell the captain that we're coming.'

Ethan obeyed instantly, taking off in long strides with Jerusha and Mirabel following at a more sedate pace. As they boarded the vessel Mirabel could not help feeling let down. So this was the wonderful surprise and the closely guarded secret. She turned her head at the sound of approaching footsteps, parting her lips in a semblance of a polite smile, which froze. Her limbs seemed to be paralysed and she could not move a muscle. She blinked, thinking that it must be a trick of the light or her imagination getting the better of her, but he was still there, standing next to Ethan. ‘Jack?' Her voice seemed to float away on a gust of wind and rain, and for a moment neither of them moved.

Jerusha squeezed Mirabel's hand and released it, giving her a gentle shove. ‘I told you it would be a wonderful surprise, honey.'

Ethan stepped forward. ‘I guess you're acquainted with Captain Starke.'

Mirabel nodded, her gaze fixed on Jack's face as she tried to read his expression. He was smiling, but there was a wary look in his eyes. He inclined his head. ‘It's a pleasure to meet you again, Mrs Kettle.'

Chilled by his formal greeting, Mirabel wished she was anywhere but here on the open deck with sleet rapidly turning into hailstones. ‘I thought you had decided to stay in Florida, Captain Starke.'

Jerusha exchanged worried glances with her husband. ‘We should seek shelter, honey.'

‘Of course,' Ethan said hastily. ‘Lead on, Captain. We'll go to the saloon first, and then perhaps you'd be kind enough to show Mrs Kettle around.'

‘Certainly, sir.' Jack strode towards the companionway without giving Mirabel a second glance.

‘Are you all right, honey? I hope I haven't made a terrible mistake,' Jerusha said anxiously as they hurried along the deck.

‘You meant well,' Mirabel said dazedly. ‘I'm not sure it was such a good idea. It's been months since I last saw him and we didn't part on the best of terms.'

They reached the saloon, which was warm and cosy. The oak panelling and leather upholstery reminded Mirabel of her father's study in Cutler's Castle. It was a male domain, uncluttered by any feminine influence. ‘We intend to take a small number of passengers on each trip,' Ethan said, breaking the ensuing silence. ‘It's not a large vessel but we're just finding our feet, aren't we, Captain Starke?'

‘Yes, indeed, Mr Munroe.' Jack's expression was neutral.

‘We have our own cabin, of course.' Jerusha looked from one to the other, biting her lip. ‘And if you'll excuse me I need to find something I left behind.' She gave her husband a meaningful look. ‘And you said you'd lost a collar stud, honey.'

Ethan stared at her for a moment and then he nodded emphatically. ‘Yes, of course. You'll excuse us for a few minutes, I'm sure.' He hurried after Jerusha, closing the door behind him.

The air crackled with tension, as if a silken chain that bound them together had been stretched to the limit and was about to snap. ‘I don't understand,' Mirabel said in a whisper. ‘What are you doing here, Jack?'

He looked her in the eyes for the first time. ‘Bodger returned to Coconut Grove. I think he had some crazy idea of saving me from myself. Anyway, he told me that your husband had died.'

‘Hubert was taken ill when we reached Newport News. Luckily for me Ethan was staying in the same hotel and he took us back to the D'Angelos' plantation. Hubert is buried there with his ghost orchids.'

‘Should I offer my condolences or felicitations?'

‘That's a cruel thing to say.'

‘Perhaps, but you aren't wearing the customary widow's weeds.'

The inference was plain and the insult calculated. She drew herself up to her full height. ‘Hubert was a good man and I mourned his passing.'

‘So now you're a wealthy widow?' The underlying sarcasm in his voice and the insolent look in his eyes hurt more than she would have thought possible.

‘Don't you dare judge me, Jack Starke. I've had to earn my own living since Hubert died. You've no idea what I've been through since we last met.'

His expression softened. ‘You could have sent word to me with Bodger. I would have come straight away if you had.'

‘Has he come with you?'

‘Yes, of course. It was Bodger who persuaded me to accompany him to Newport News where he introduced me to Munroe, who offered me a job. It was as simple as that.'

His cold tone turned her blood to ice in her veins. ‘I thought you wanted to remain in Florida.'

‘You didn't ask what I wanted. You were only interested in what you wanted. You chose him over me, because you wanted to return to the life you'd made for yourself here in London.'

‘That's so unfair. Hubert was a sick man. I couldn't leave him then.'

His cold gaze rested on her for a moment and then he looked away. ‘Now you're a businesswoman in your own right. You must be very pleased with yourself.'

‘How can you possibly know what I've been doing? You arrived barely two days ago.'

‘Zilla told me about your venture into trade, and your relationship with Edric.'

‘So you visited Zilla first. You didn't think to come and see me.'

‘I can always be assured of a warm welcome from Zilla.'

‘You always go back to her in the end, and I think you always will. I don't know what I ever saw in you, Captain Starke.'

Anger flashed in his eyes and his lips hardened into a thin line. ‘Zilla is an old friend, and a woman I respect, but it seems you were eager enough to go into business with Edric Hamilton. I should warn you that he already has a wife and children.'

‘I know that, and I made sure that Beatrice was happy with the arrangement. Edric and I are partners. It was your precious Zilla who introduced us.' She angled her head. ‘What did she tell you?'

Jack looked away, shrugging his shoulders. ‘She said that he'd squandered the money I used to buy him out on women and drink.'

‘That's all in the past. I truly believe he's doing his best for his family now.'

‘You seem to have a high regard for him.'

Indignation replaced the emotions that raged within her breast. She faced him, glaring. ‘You have a nasty suspicious mind, but you ought to know me better than that.'

‘I know men, and in particular I know Edric. We parted amicably enough, but I could see that he was going nowhere. He's a weak man and you'd be better off without him.'

‘You don't know what you're talking about,' Mirabel cried angrily. ‘I don't need you or Zilla or anyone outside my family.' She could see that her last words had struck home and she pursued her advantage ruthlessly. ‘Yes, I have a family. They're not my blood but they love me and I love them. You walked away from me in Florida. You could have tried to stop me leaving but you did nothing.' She flung out of the cabin, gulping back tears of frustration and anger as she headed for the companionway.

Jack caught up with her as she raced along the deck, slipping and sliding on the icy surface. He grabbed her by the arm. ‘You can't leave like this. The Munroes have planned a special dinner for all of us.'

She wrenched free from his grasp. ‘Are you afraid of insulting your employer, Jack? Dear me, I thought you were your own man, or has all the rum you drank in Florida softened your brain? It's certainly hardened your heart.' She faced him furiously, experiencing a feeling of triumph when his face paled beneath his tan. ‘I don't need you or Edric or any man, come to that. I'm a free woman now and that's the way I intend to stay.' She tossed her head and stalked off down the gangway.

IGNORING THE HAIL
and sleet Mirabel walked briskly, heading in the direction of home. Tears ran unchecked down her cheeks, but she was in a mood to fight the elements or anyone who got in her way. She pushed past the groups of men idling round as they waited in the hope of being hired for a few hours' work, ignoring their suggestive comments, and headed for Great Tower Hill. Her instinct was to go home, but she needed time to herself and she went straight to the office. At least here she was safe from Gertie's probing questions. She set to work balancing the accounts for the last month's trading, but the figures seemed to dance about before her eyes and she found herself staring out of the window into the uniform greyness of the sky and the water.

After a while, when she could hardly feel her fingers and toes, she decided that she ought to light a fire in the grate, but the coal scuttle was empty and when she went outside into the yard she discovered that someone had used up what was left in the sack she had bought and paid for. She returned to the office and was startled to find Ethan standing by the door. ‘I'm so sorry, Belle,' he said quickly. ‘We meant well, honey, but I guess we misjudged the situation.'

‘I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have run off like that, but it was impossible for me to stay.'

‘Jerusha is mighty upset.'

‘I know you both meant it kindly, but Jack and I have nothing more to say to each other, and no doubt your ship will return to America very soon and I shan't see him again.'

‘That's a matter between the two of you, Belle. As for me, I'm on my way to see a shipping agent who'll handle my affairs this side of the Atlantic, but Jerusha asked if you'd take tea with her this afternoon. She feels bad about the way things turned out, and you'd be doing her a kindness if you'd set her mind at rest.'

‘Of course,' Mirabel said earnestly. ‘Tell me where to meet her and I'll be there.'

‘She remembers a place called Gunter's from when she was last in London. She said she'll be there at three o'clock and she hopes you'll join her.'

‘I'll be there, and please tell her not to worry. It's as well I've seen Jack now and we know where we stand.'

Ethan kissed her on the cheek. ‘That's settled then, honey. Goodbye for now, but I hope we'll meet up again before Jerusha and I leave for Paris at the end of the week.'

Mirabel saw him out, closing the door with a thoughtful frown. She would take tea with Jerusha, but first she had something to say to another lady.

Zilla stared at her through a haze of blue smoke as she stubbed out her cigarillo. ‘Really, my dear, I don't know what you're talking about.'

‘Don't play the innocent with me, Zilla. You told Jack that I was consorting with Edric and he believed you.'

Zilla's eyebrows were raised in twin arcs of surprise. ‘Don't be ridiculous. Why would I say something like that?'

‘It's what he thought you said. What did you tell him?'

‘My dear Mabel, can't you see that the poor man is mad with jealousy? I told him that you had gone into a business partnership with his old friend Edric. Where was the harm in that for a man of commonsense? But we're not talking about a rational human being, are we? No, you silly girl, we're dealing with a man who is desperately in love but won't admit his feelings even to himself. They're simple creatures, the male of the species. I ought to know; I deal with them on a daily basis.'

‘You make it all sound so logical.'

Zilla leaned forward, her green eyes dancing with mischief. ‘Bed the brute, Mabel.' She threw back her head and laughed. ‘I'm sorry, my pet. I forgot that you are the virgin widow, and unversed in the ways of love.'

Mirabel rose to her feet. ‘It's not funny, Zilla.'

‘No, I suppose not.'

‘I think he has real feelings for you.'

‘Really?' Zilla reached for her wineglass and took a sip. ‘No, my duck, you're mistaken. I doubt if Jack ever loved me, apart from in the carnal way. More importantly we've remained friends, and in my own selfish way I do care for him. I'd like to see him happy, and I think you are the only woman who's ever touched something deep inside his soul.' She held the wineglass up, gazing into its rich ruby depths. ‘This is more to my liking than any man ever could be. Fine wines and good tobacco will comfort me in my old age.'

‘I should go now,' Mirabel said, glancing at the clock on the mantelshelf. ‘I have to be at Gunter's tea shop at three.'

‘Hurry off then, Mabel. But remember what I've just told you. Jack Starke is yours for the taking. You'd be a fool to let him get away a second time.'

‘I'm not sure whether you've done me a favour by telling me all this, Zilla. He made it clear that he thought the worst of me.'

‘Just send me an invitation to your wedding,' Zilla said, chuckling. ‘You're a capable woman now, Mabel. You can handle a wild one like Jack.'

Mirabel left the house in Tenter Street feeling more confused than she had when she had arrived. She hailed a cab and went straight to Gunter's.