Stay with Me (21 page)

A few minutes later it was announced that dinner was served and the guests followed their hosts to the dining-room where they quickly found their allotted places at table.

‘So we are together again,' said Peter when Lena found herself beside him, looking for her place. She saw pleasure behind the teasing glance he shot at her. ‘It seems fate is bent on drawing us close.' She made no reply as he held her chair out for her while she sat down. ‘Where might the good doctor be?' He glanced along the table. ‘Ah, near the end with Lady Devlin on one side and Jemima Fox-Patrington on the other.' He leaned towards her and lowered his voice. ‘Fine name, isn't it? And there's money to go with it. She's an only child . . . a good catch for someone.'

‘And might your eyes be turning that way?' Lena retorted.

He chuckled. ‘Not my choice.'

‘Then who would be your choice?'

He pursed his lips in consideration as he let his gaze idle over the other female guests. ‘Well, maybe you,' he said after due consideration.

‘What would your companion say if she heard that?'

‘I'll have to ask her.'

‘Don't you dare,' snapped Lena indignantly. ‘I want no trouble.'

‘Trouble?' he asked in amusement. ‘I can assure you, there will be no trouble. But rest assured - I promise I won't ask her unless you are present.'

That line of conversation was broken when the food began to be served and nearby guests could not be ignored. Brisk and merry talk flowed around the table. Guests settled, at ease with each other, as Marcia and Charles ably manoeuvred the conversation from opposite ends of the table.

When the chance came Lena posed the question that had occupied her mind since first seeing Peter. ‘Are you friendly with the Sugdens and so merited an invitation?'

He gave a teasing smile. ‘Should I keep you guessing or perhaps ask you the same question?'

Lena felt her anger rising at what she could take for criticism of her curiosity, but quelled her irritation and said haughtily, ‘It's easy to answer. Alistair and Charles were at school together in York, kept in touch, and renewed a closer relationship when Charles and Marcia moved here.'

‘I see, then you have a perfectly legitimate reason for being here.' Peter turned his attention to his beef as if he was going to say no more.

‘And you?' she snapped indignantly, keeping her voice low so that her annoyance would not be obvious to others close by.

‘Oh, me?' He feigned surprise, as if astonished she should want to know. ‘I am here because our firm does a great deal of business with Charles, shipping the wool he produces abroad.'

‘But I thought all the wool would have gone to his family's mill?'

‘It does, but we transport all the Sugdens' wool there and thereby have exclusive right to ship the manufactured goods abroad.'

‘That makes sense.'

‘It might interest you to know I negotiated the terms, which proved highly satisfactory to both parties.'

‘Not your father?'

‘You seem surprised?'

‘I thought he ran the business?'

‘He does, but on this occasion he was not well and left the affair to me.'

‘And have there been many more such triumphs?'

‘No, though truly I'm not worried. Things are going along nicely.'

‘But wouldn't you like to expand?'

Peter gave a shake of his head. ‘I'm content with the way things are.'

She knew it was no good pressing the matter but locked the information away in her mind.

The gentleman on her right asked Lena a question about Whitby then and a brisk conversation developed between them. He showed some surprise that she knew so much about the mercantile side of the port. At the same time, Peter became involved in a three-way conversation with the lady on his left and a gentleman on the opposite side of the table, when that gentleman drew them into a conversation on the merits of Constable as a painter.

Lena caught snatches of their discussion and was surprised by Peter's knowledge of painting. It was something she would have to ask him about as she herself had a liking for the work of John Ward of Hull.

When the final course was finished, Marcia rose and was followed by the rest of the ladies to the drawing-room, leaving the men to their cigars and port.

The general talk was of the latest fashions and the opinions expressed in several ladies' magazines. They were not publications to which Lena subscribed, though she did try to keep abreast of fashion trends to some degree. Now she realised that her knowledge should probably be extended, especially if she were to become a doctor's wife. She smiled to herself as she wondered what these ladies would have thought if they had seen her attire when she had roamed Whitby's quays and wharves. Gossip began to take over and when Hull was mentioned Lena strained her ears to catch any comments made about the Hustwick family.

‘My dear Miss Carnforth, or should I follow our hostess's request for informality and say Pauline?' One young lady drew her attention. ‘You were sitting next to the highly eligible Mr Hustwick, and I noticed that at times you were deep in conversation with him. How did you find him?'

‘Polite and attentive,' replied Lena, without elaborating, and was relieved that the matter could be taken no further when the door opened and Charles led in the men to join the ladies.

Lena noticed Peter make straight for the young woman with whom he had arrived at Weaver Hall, whose name she had learned was Greta, though beyond that she knew no more about her. Laughter ran out from their exchanges. Lena's lips tightened in annoyance.

‘I hope you are enjoying yourself.' Alistair's quiet voice broke into her thoughts.

She forced a smile. ‘Oh, yes, indeed.'

‘You looked somewhat preoccupied?'

‘Just wondering how Mama and Papa would have viewed my coming here with you.'

‘I'm sure they would have approved.'

‘I believe you are right.'

Conversation flowed freely among the groups that had formed but host and hostess, without making it appear too obvious, made sure that their guests freely circulated so that a friendly atmosphere was encouraged generally. Wine was served and coffee and sweetmeats made available.

After an hour Marcia clapped her hands, bringing silence to the room. ‘Eliza has agreed to play the piano for us.'

The murmur of approval coming from a number of guests told Lena some of them already knew of Eliza's talent. She found their opinion borne out when Eliza stroked the keys with a delicate touch, drawing out the most exquisite sounds as she played Chopin. She followed the piece with others by Mozart and Brahms. Whenever she finished a piece there were cries for more until finally Marcia intervened and called for a rest for her. She was loudly applauded and everyone wanted to make their own personal thanks until finally they settled down to conversation again.

‘Wasn't that splendid?' Peter voiced his pleasure as he and Greta came to talk to Lena and Alistair.

‘Indeed it was,' replied Alistair.

‘Truly an accomplished performance,' said Greta. ‘I wish I played as well.'

‘You play the piano?' queried Lena.

‘I do,' Greta confirmed, ‘but not as well as Eliza. I could never compare myself to her. Do you play, Lena?'

‘Yes, I do, though I too could not compete with her. What about you, Peter?'

‘No' he replied with a shake of his head.

‘It's never too late,' she pointed out.

‘That's what I keep telling him,' said Greta.

‘I have you to entertain me, my dear.'

Lena squirmed at the thought of these two enjoying a musical evening together.

Greta gave a small dismissive gesture. ‘You make it sound as if I am a frequent visitor to Raby Hall.'

‘You do not live nearby?' queried Lena.

Greta gave a little laugh. ‘Goodness, me, no.'

At that moment Charles approached. ‘I'm sorry to break in, but can I drag Alistair away? Jemima's not feeling too well. I wonder if you would have a word with her, Alistair?'

‘Of course.'

‘Marcia's taken her to the small drawing-room.'

‘Can we be of any help?' Greta asked.

‘No, no. She doesn't want any fuss, but I insisted she see Alistair.' The two men hurried away.

With a challenging smile Peter said, ‘Maybe this is a good opportunity to put that question to the young lady who accompanied me here?'

Lena scowled but realised he had backed her into a corner from which she could not escape.

‘A question for me?' asked Greta, mystified.

‘Earlier, when we were dining, Lena asked me who I would choose from the ladies present this evening.' Lena blushed crimson. ‘I said, “maybe you”, meaning Lena herself. She asked what my companion would say to that, and I replied we would have to ask her but promised not to do so until we three were together. Well, here we are.'

Greta laughed. ‘Peter, you are deliberately embarrassing Lena.' She leaned towards her. ‘This man is a tease, take no notice of him.' She turned back to him. ‘You know full well this has nothing to do with me.' She stopped in full flow. ‘Oh, I see, you were making out that I was very close to you, someone special.' She turned back to Lena. ‘We are close, I suppose, in the way of many cousins.'

‘Cousins?' Lena queried with surprise.

‘Yes,' confirmed Greta. ‘Nothing more than that! He is very dear to me, though as free as the wind in matters of the heart.' She glanced across the room. ‘Someone wants me,' she said, responding to a gesture. ‘I will see you again later.'

Though angry at the trick Peter had played on her by his deception, Lena could not deny that her heart was racing and her thoughts soaring at this news, but he needed admonishing. ‘That was an unkind trick you played on me, letting me think . . . ' Seeing the laughter in his eyes she stopped, shrugged her shoulders and said, ‘Well, I suppose you derived pleasure from it.'

‘I did, and will do anew because now I have to make it up to you in some way. You must visit Hull again, then I can keep my promise to take you on the river.'

He did not receive her response because at that moment Marcia reappeared with Alistair and announced, ‘Jemima will be all right. Alistair has diagnosed nothing serious. He has given her a sedative. A good night's sleep should do wonders.'

Murmurs of relief ran round the room. Sensing the atmosphere, which had dipped a little on Jemima's indisposition, lift again, Charles announced, ‘Tomorrow we have planned a day out to Kirkham Abbey, weather permitting, and I believe the signs are good. Anyone who wants to ride there can take one of our horses; carriages will be provided for those who wish a more leisurely journey. Those who do not want to go are very welcome to stay here and enjoy our home. All I ask is that you let Marcia know your intentions before you go to bed this evening.'

Alistair crossed the room to Lena and Peter. Not wanting Peter to reveal that they already knew each other from her visit to Hull, she quickly stepped in to make a more comprehensive introduction. ‘Alistair, it was Peter's father with whom James negotiated when I accompanied him to Hull. Peter kindly showed me the town and countryside. '

‘It was a pleasure to find someone interested in Hull,' he put in, using a non-committal tone when he realised that she had not previously mentioned any details of her visit to Alistair.

‘Then I must thank you for looking after Miss Carnforth in a strange town.'

‘She was a charming companion, and brought a much-needed lightness of atmosphere to the moments when the four of us dined together. If Lena hadn't been there, my father would have talked nothing but business.' To move away from the subject Peter added, ‘Will you both be going to Kirkham tomorrow?'

‘I think I had better stay here because of my patient. I have recommended that she has a quiet day tomorrow,' said Alistair.

‘Then I shall stay with you,' offered Lena.

‘No, there is no need. You must go and enjoy yourself,' he urged.

‘I'll be on my own.'

‘You can accompany me and my cousin,' put in Peter quickly.

‘There you are, my dear, you can't refuse,' said Alistair, putting weight behind Peter's offer.

Lena hesitated. She wanted to agree but did not want to make it look too obvious. The chance to spend more time with Peter, even with his cousin around, was tempting. She wanted to know more about him, and in her mind was already busy making comparisons between him and Alistair. ‘Very well,' she agreed, not at all reluctantly.

‘Excellent,' said Peter. ‘You can rest assured that Miss Carnforth will be well looked after and returned safely to you.' He turned to Lena. ‘Do you ride or will we take a carriage?'

‘I'm afraid I do not ride,' she said, a touch of regret in her voice.

‘Then it will be a carriage. I will tell Marcia of our intention. ' He made his excuses and left them to seek out Greta first.

When he was able to get her on her own, he informed her of the arrangements.

‘Oh, dear.' She pouted. ‘I had so looked forward to riding. Charles tells me he has some fine horses in his stable.'

‘Please, on this occasion, accompany Lena and me in the carriage.'

‘Ah!' The light of knowing curiosity came to her eyes. ‘Do I detect a growing interest in Miss Lena Carnforth?'

Peter smiled. ‘Who knows?'

‘I suspect I am right, but what about the good doctor? Do her feelings lie in that direction?'