Stay with Me (14 page)

Olivia heard the distress in his voice and placed her hand on his arm. ‘You can only do so much. I admired the way you were with Peg, she quickly trusted you.'

Alistair gave a little smile. ‘I think it was the soup you brought her.'

‘I'll bring her some more tomorrow, if you think it helps.'

‘I'm sure it will comfort her.'

‘Alistair, I'll do what I can to help, you only have to ask.'

He blessed his good fortune in having such an understanding and generous sister. ‘I could not presume on your time.'

‘You can. Well, until . . .' Olivia left her statement hang in the air but Alistair saw a light in her eyes that prompted him to grab her arm and propel her out of the throng of people near the bridge. He searched her face for an answer to the query that had instantly risen in his mind.

‘James? Has he . . .?'

Her laugh rang out ‘No, not yet, but he certainly hinted.'

‘What do you mean?'

‘There might soon be more to celebrate than the launching of the
John Carnforth
!'

‘And you believe he meant a betrothal?'

‘Well, how else would you interpret it?'

‘Just like you.' Alistair's eyes shone with delight. ‘I can think of no better match for you.'

‘Unless it be you and Lena?'

He laughed. ‘That's a nice way of putting it.'

‘Then ask her.'

‘I can't while she's in mourning. Then I would like her to ease her way back into society before we move on. Besides, I don't want to take away any of the excitement for you and James.'

‘You are a very considerate man.' Olivia glanced around. ‘I think we had better move on. People are looking at us, standing here in earnest conversation.' They resumed their walk. ‘Oh, Alistair, not a word. James hasn't proposed yet.'

He put a finger to his lips and said, ‘Sealed.'

 

Lena cast aside her thoughts of Alistair to concentrate on choosing a dress for the evening. After taking particular care over it and finding herself doing the same with her toilette, she wondered why and for whom? To make an impression on Mr Hustwick, for James's sake? To lighten what could degenerate into a dour, uneasy male-centred evening? Or was it to impress Peter who she now believed had more to him than had appeared on first meeting?

Satisfied with her appearance when she surveyed herself in the mirror, Lena picked up her cloak and was about to make for the door when there was a knock upon it. Opening it, she found James outside, top hat in hand.

‘Are you ready?' he asked.

Lena spun around to show herself off. ‘What do you think?' she asked with a smile.

‘Perfect,' he said. ‘You'll be the talk of everyone.'

‘It's good to get out of those drab mourning clothes,' she said as she linked arms with him, wanting his assistance down the stairs.

‘Then why go back to them?'

Surprised by his attitude, she stopped and looked him in the eye. ‘You think it will be all right if I don't?'

‘Why not? The end of the recognised mourning period is not five weeks away.'

‘But what about folk in Whitby?'

‘Do you really care at this stage?'

‘No,' Lena replied lightly. ‘Not at all.'

‘Then that is settled.'

They fell into step and kept their pace steady as they went downstairs. Lena squeezed his arm in appreciation of his support of an end to her mourning. James read not only thanks but also sensed the joy in her whole bearing and aura. Lena would impress tonight and he was pleased about that; it would help in his dealings with Mr Hustwick, and who knew what might come of them?

With the pall of conventional mourning gone from her mind, Lena felt she could give her full attention to Peter and what the future might hold. Tonight could bring her a greater insight into the Hustwick family and their mercantile business.

She knew they had caught the eye of several people in the hall but was disappointed not to find Peter among them. Barely had the thought entered her mind when, as if on cue, the door opened and he walked in, his step brisk as if he were trying to make up time. He caught sight of them both and stopped. His eyes fixed on Lena and did not move until she and James reached the bottom step. That final movement seemed to break the spell and brought him forward to greet them.

‘Sorry not to have been waiting for you,' he apologised. ‘I was held up.'

‘Think nothing of it, Mr Hustwick.' James spoke for them both.

Peter bowed to Lena. ‘May I say how exquisite you look, Miss Carnforth?'

She inclined her head in acknowledgement of his observation. ‘Thank you, Mr Hustwick.'

‘Now, the carriage awaits you. May I help you with your cloak, Miss Carnforth? There is a nip in the air.' Peter took the garment from her and slipped it on to her shoulders.

‘Thank you.' Both men watched Lena's nimble fingers fasten the clasp. Satisfied, she looked at them both with a smile and said, ‘Ready.'

Peter escorted them to the carriage where a coachman sat waiting. When the three of them were seated comfortably, Peter called to him, ‘You know where, Giles?'

‘Indeed I do. Your father's club, sir.' He flicked the reins and the carriage rumbled forward, only gaining greater momentum when Giles deemed it wise to do so.

Lena felt very happy to be sitting between two young gentlemen. One was her staunch ally whose consideration and brotherly love she found uplifting, giving her confidence to face whatever the future held; the other was handsome if practically unknown to her, yet he held an attraction she found enticing even though he had observed the utmost decorum. He was also heir to the sort of mercantile company of which she had always hoped to be a part. Amidst the chatter she wondered about her future, seeing two such differing lives ahead. Did she really have a choice between them? Had a new world opened to her through this unexpected visit to Hull or would her time here show her that her destiny truly lay in Whitby?

To distract her mind from these disturbing thoughts, she put a question to Peter. ‘Mr Hustwick, I think you said you are also a member of this club we are going to?'

‘Yes, but I don't use it as frequently as my father, even though Stockley House is in the centre of town. It is very useful for entertaining clients, though.'

‘Like now?' said James, amusement in his voice.

‘You could say that, but this occasion is graced by a beautiful young lady.'

‘And no such person has graced previous visits?' asked Lena.

Peter laughed. ‘You are fishing, Miss Carnforth. Well, I'll be truthful, yes, I have brought young ladies here, generally friends of the family.'

‘That sounds as though none of them was special to you?'

‘Though I'll bet it was not for want of trying by some of them,' commented James jocularly.

‘I suppose so, but there's been no one with whom I could have spent the rest of my life. Maybe it is my fault. Maybe I'm too particular about finding the right person. But what about you, Mr Carnforth? Does someone hold your future in her hand?'

‘Yes,' put in Lena quickly before her brother could answer. ‘Olivia Nash. And I think my brother will be proposing before too long.'

‘Then let me be the first to congratulate you, Mr Carnforth.'

‘Thank you, but I have not put the question yet. I have known Olivia since childhood.'

‘And has she a brother?' asked Peter.

‘She has. Alistair,' put in James. ‘He's been sweet on my sister since schooldays.'

Peter knew it would not be right to follow up on that information now. Maybe he could glean more about the relationship later. ‘They are from Whitby too?' he asked.

‘Yes,' Lena answered.

‘Then I expect he is in the same trade as your brother.'

‘He could be, he is an only son and his father has a thriving business, but Alistair showed no interest in it.'

‘So what does he do?'

‘He's a doctor.'

Before any more information could be imparted the carriage began to slow. ‘We must be there,' said Peter.

When the vehicle came to a halt he was quickly out to help Lena to the ground. As he did so he whispered close to her ear, ‘Did I detect a certain dislike of the profession this Alistair is following?'

Lena was startled. She had not realised her attitude could be read so easily. A sharp retort sprang to her lips, but at that moment James was out of the coach and beside them so she held back. It would have to wait until later.

‘Welcome to Stockley House.' Peter's soft voice cut through her seething thoughts.

‘It certainly has an imposing exterior,' commented James, eyeing the two-storey building with a critical gaze. The front had four large bays separated by ornamental columns adorned with hanging lanterns, their lights reflecting in the tall sash windows.

They entered through an imposing oak door and were immediately attended by two footmen who greeted them and took their outdoor coats.

‘Mr Hustwick, your father told us to direct you to the lounge. He'll be there.' The footman indicated double doors to the right.

Lena glanced around admiringly at the large hall, sparsely but elegantly furnished, from which a wide staircase with a delicate iron banister swept to the upper floor in a graceful curve. They entered the lounge and her admiration mounted when she saw the ornate Palladian-style plaster ceiling. Heavy patterned curtains covered the windows, exuding an atmosphere of warmth in spite of the size of the room.

William Hustwick, who had placed himself conveniently to be able to see the door, pushed himself up from his chair and came towards them. ‘Miss Carnforth, a delight to have you here.' He bowed and took her proffered hand.

‘Thank you, Mr Hustwick. And may I also thank you for your hospitality?'

He waved away her thanks as if embarrassed then turned and greeted James. ‘Good to see you again, my boy. A profitable day for us both, I hope.'

‘I see no reason why it shouldn't be, sir.'

Hustwick gave a brief satisfied nod. ‘Wine, Peter, wine,' he blustered. ‘Sit down, my dear.' He indicated a chair to Lena. As he escorted her to it, he said, ‘Then an old man can get the weight off his feet.'

‘Mr Hustwick, you are far from old,' Lena said with a smile. She looked up at him as she sat down. ‘I'm sure you have many years in you yet.'

He puffed and blustered, flattered by the praise. ‘The medicine man . . . that's what I call him . . . keeps telling me not to eat and drink so much, but what the . . .'

‘If you enjoy them, why not?' Lena knew she was saying the right thing and had it confirmed when William agreed.

‘You sound like a young lady after my own heart. There's precious little else. Well, pleasant female company and my business, but beyond that . . .' He glanced at James who was taking a seat alongside. ‘What do you think, Mr Carnforth?'

‘If you have what you want, why not? You must have worked hard all your life.' He glanced at his sister. ‘Mr Hustwick told me he built his business from nothing, has got where he wants and is encouraging Peter to keep it that way.'

‘You wouldn't want your son to expand your trade then?' asked Lena.

‘Why give himself all that worry? The firm is built on a solid foundation, and to carry on as we are won't jeopardise that. Expansion would need more investment and could well undermine the foundations.'

‘I suppose there is something in what you say,' she agreed.

Peter had ordered wine from a waiter. On his way to rejoin his own group, he had paused to have a word with two friends whom Lena saw casting glances in her direction.

When their wine came, Mr Hustwick raised his glass and glanced at James and Lena. ‘It is a pleasure to have met you both. To the future!'

‘The future,' they said in unison.

Lena wondered where life would take her, but wasn't that up to her? Such speculation was quickly dismissed as she was brought back into the conversation.

Lena was struck by the elegance of the dining-room which outshone that of the lounge. Pristine white linen tablecloths covered the twenty round tables spaced so that the conversations at one did not intrude on others. Silver cutlery shone beside shimmering glasses.

The waiters were ever attentive throughout the meal. The food was superb, every course cooked and presented to perfection.

‘You are lucky to have such a place as this so near,' commented James towards the end of the meal, during which their conversation had touched on many topics.

‘Indeed we are,' agreed Mr Hustwick. ‘Two enterprising young men built on thier experiences after working in London. I would say they have taken all the good points of London restaurants and tea-houses and brought them here after seeing a lively market among Hull's growing business class. This is a town with a great future and those two young men realised it.'

‘I cannot offer you a place as sumptuous as this,' said James, ‘when I make you an invitation as I am about to do, but we will do our best to wine and dine you well. My new ship the
John Carnforth
will be launched in March next year as you know. This is the ship that will transport your timber on her maiden voyage. I hope you and Peter will attend the launching ceremony and be our guests for four days.'

‘That is very civil of you, Mr Carnforth,' commented William, blowing out his cheeks with satisfaction as he leaned back in his chair. ‘What say you, Peter?'