Stay with Me (29 page)

‘Hush, Peter. I am here in Hull, not Whitby, and I am with you.'

‘Music to my ears,' he whispered as he embraced her.

Eventually Lena gently pulled herself from his arms, holding his hand while she reached out to take Greta's as well. ‘Thank you,' she said.

Greta smiled at them both, and Lena began to hope that one day she could replace the friendship she had lost with James and Olivia.

The trials of the day receded with the passing hours, and when Peter said goodnight to return to his father's house Lena was beginning to feel more settled, a feeling that deepened when she and Greta sat together in the drawing-room. The staff had been introduced to her, she had been shown round the house and told by Greta to regard it as her home for as long as she liked.

‘I am more than grateful for what you are doing,' said Lena.

‘Peter is very dear to me. I want him to be happy. He has no one else but me, and I have no one else but him. We were close before I went away.'

‘I gathered as much at Weaver Hall.'

‘I am pleased to be near him again and to see him so happy. Keep him that way, won't you?'

‘And his father, how do you get on with him?'

‘You met him when you were in Hull. What did you make of him?'

‘Bluff but likeable, probably a fool to himself since his wife died.'

‘I do understand what you are insinuating and must say you are probably right. But his wife's death hit him hard and overindulgence in all things was his escape from misery.'

‘But he had his business to occupy his mind.'

‘Right, and it did so. But you can't work for twenty-four hours a day. There had to be an outlet.'

‘One thing I detected on my first brief visit was that although Peter is involved in the business, he has little responsibility or say in it.'

‘That is true. He was involved from an early age but has got into the habit of letting things be as long as they keep him comfortable. Not a bad policy, I suppose, if you are content, which he seems to be.'

Lena took these words to bed with her and, as she lay down, speculated on the future of Hustwick's of Hull.

 

The question of that future was brought vividly back to mind when she was woken by a loud hammering on her door early the next morning and Greta burst in, still in her nightdress and robe.

‘Sorry, Lena, but Peter's father has collapsed and is asking for you.'

She sat up in bed. ‘Me?' She was rising to dress before Greta had left.

A distant clock struck six.

Ten minutes later the two young women were leaving the house. Neither of them spoke as Greta led the way, both reserving their breath to walk as fast as they could.

Reaching the Hustwicks' house they were ushered quickly upstairs where a solemn-faced Peter, hearing them coming, met them on the landing. He answered their unspoken query. ‘Two doctors are with him. It's his heart. They don't hold out much hope. I heard him cry out and found him collapsed on the floor. He's asking for you, Lena.' Then he ushered them both into the room. They glanced at the doctors as they went closer to the bedside but neither man spoke.

‘Uncle William,' said Greta quietly as she laid her hand on his and looked down into a pale face that used to be so florid.

He opened his eyes and gave a brief smile. ‘Thank you for coming,' he said with difficulty. ‘Is the other young lady with you?'

‘I am here,' said Lena, stepping forward and taking his other hand.

He gave a little nod. ‘I remember you from earlier.'

‘And I you, sir.'

He moved a finger as if to quieten her. He had to speak. ‘The doctors give me no hope but I was determined to see you again. Peter tells me he is going to marry you. I am pleased . . . you have my blessing.'

‘Thank you.' Instinctively Lena bent forward and kissed him on the forehead.

‘Peter has told me all that happened yesterday.' William winced with pain then took a determined grip on himself. ‘I am glad you stood up to those who would have dissuaded you. You have spunk, young lady, and I admire that in people. See that you always have it.' A startled grimace crossed his face then; he stiffened and sank back on the pillows.

The doctors stepped forward quickly; Lena and Greta moved out of the way. A moment passed before the doctors straightened up and looked at Peter. One of them shook his head slowly and the other confirmed his meaning with a solemn expression.

Peter stepped over to the bed and looked down at his father, making a silent goodbye. Then he turned to Greta and Lena who, with tears in their eyes, came into his arms.

Lena's mind was still on his father's last words. Spunk? Unknowingly William Hustwick had stifled all initiative in his son and it could prove hard for Peter to resurrect it, But, she thought, I have enough for both of us.

When James and Alistair reached Whitby the next day, having stayed overnight in Beverley, they found the Nashes with the MacBrides, as if needing each other's support to face the news. Their hopes were dashed when they saw the sombre faces of the two men.

‘There was nothing we could do,' James concluded. ‘Lena would not budge even though we pointed out she would be tainted by scandal.'

‘What's wrong with her?' cried Olivia. ‘This is not the Lena I grew up with and loved.' Her lips tightened and a catch came into her voice as she added, ‘I never want to see her again. She's hurt too many people and thought only of herself.' Tears streamed down her face as she finished speaking.

Her mother put a comforting arm round her.

‘What is to be done?' asked Albert.

‘There's little we can do,' his son told him.

‘I suggest we don't make any hasty decisions now,' put in Mary MacBride, which brought a nod of agreement from her husband. ‘Think things over, sleep on them and see what our attitudes are tomorrow.'

They agreed, but when the Nashes joined James and the MacBrides the following morning no one had any constructive suggestion to make.

‘I've thought long and hard during the night and, as I see it, only Lena can change this situation, and I think that highly unlikely,' said Alistair.

‘Alistair is right,' James agreed. ‘I don't think we can do any more. We have our lives to live. I know there will be a big gap in them without Lena but she has brought shame on this family by her hasty action and is not worthy of our future consideration. I've already told her that if she refuses to break this engagement she will never be welcome back in Whitby. I would therefore be obliged if no one in this room attempts to communicate with her.'

His request hit his uncle and aunt hard because of the liking they had for their niece, but, after her behaviour they could understand his attitude.

Albert and Georgina glanced at their son, who remained stony-faced, but his little nod at James's words confirmed what he had told them last night in the privacy of their own home. Then, they had expressed their horror and surprise at what Lena had done. They had always thought, like most people, that the two children who had grown up together would one day marry; now all they could do was to support their son and daughter through their disillusion and disappointment.

A loud knocking at the front door interrupted James. The urgency it conveyed set them looking askance at each other. A few moments later a maid appeared to say, ‘Mr Ralph Bell would like to see Mr Carnforth on a matter of importance.'

James hurried from the room. ‘What is it, Ralph?'

‘A ship from Hull has just docked. It has brought news the captain heard just before she left. Mr William Hustwick died yesterday.'

‘What?' James's face registered disbelief. ‘There was no indication that he was in danger when I was in Hull, though it's true he did not attend the ceremony here. Are you sure the source is reliable?'

‘Yes,' replied Ralph. ‘I've had personal dealings with Captain Hanson. He would check any facts before he passed them on.'

James nodded. ‘Thanks for letting me know.' He started to turn away then stopped. ‘Will you keep your eye on things? I may not be in the office for a day or so.'

‘Of course,' Ralph replied, but could not hide the curiosity he felt.

‘Look, I may as well tell you myself rather than let you hear it from someone else. It will soon be all over town and rumours don't always represent the true facts. Miss Pauline has left Whitby with Peter Hustwick.'

For a moment Ralph could not believe what he was hearing, but coming from Miss Carnforth's brother it must be true.

‘Not to return?'

‘Never. She won't be welcome here.'

‘But I thought she and . . . '

‘So did we all,' cut in James. ‘My sister has chosen another path, without anyone's approval.'

‘I'm sorry.' Ralph saw no reason to prolong the conversation so asked, ‘Does this alter anything about the
John Carnforth
?'

‘No. We have a contract for her maiden voyage which we will fulfil, but I have told Peter Hustwick in no uncertain terms that after that we will never hire a ship to Hustwick's again. As planned, you and I will sail on her to Hull, see her set out on her maiden voyage.'

‘If it will be painful for you to be there, I could go alone.'

James gave a little shake of his head. ‘I will be there.' Ralph left and James returned to the drawing-room. ‘A ship just in from Hull has brought the news that Mr William Hustwick died yesterday of a heart attack.'

Everyone was incredulous but it was Olivia who broke the hush. ‘I hope you won't be going to the funeral, James.' There was a vicious undertone to her words and her eyes held his.

‘Of course I won't,' he replied firmly, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind that his decision had already been made. ‘But I will be sailing on the
John Carnforth
to hand her over for her maiden voyage. It will only be a business visit. Afterwards Hull will never see me again.'

Olivia gave a small nod of approval.

‘Then things seem to be settled,' observed Dr MacBride. ‘We can do no more. I really should get back to Dundee so we will leave the day after tomorrow. Mary and I and our family thank you for your hospitality and extend ours to you. You will receive a warm welcome any time you wish to come north. And, of course,' he chuckled, ‘we expect to be invited to the wedding.'

‘We couldn't possibly have that without the MacBrides,' said Olivia, with a smile James was glad to see return.

 

Further down the Yorkshire coast another wedding was being discussed, but overshadowed by a recent death.

‘The funeral arrangements are all made for the day after tomorrow,' Peter informed Lena and Greta when he arrived at Clancy House. ‘Eleven o'clock, Holy Trinity Church, and afterwards at our town house. Will you act as hostess for me, Greta?'

‘Of course I will,' she replied quickly. ‘I'll go round there now and brief your staff. Will they be staying on or will you be closing the household?'

‘I will keep them in my employment until I decide what to do, after I've discussed the matter with Lena.'

‘I'll leave you to it then,' said Greta, heading for the door.

When it closed Peter gave his fiancée an apologetic look. ‘This is not turning out as I had planned. I'd intended we should marry soon, to still the idle tongues, but I'll have to observe a period of mourning.'

‘I know, Peter. I experienced it myself not so long ago. A year for me. How I chafed at it!'

‘You have no need to wear mourning clothes now as you had no direct connection with my father. It is not so bad for me, I will at least be at work and mixing with people, but I will observe mourning for six months. We shall plan our wedding for soon afterwards. Does that sound reasonable to you?'

‘Of course. Whatever you wish.'

‘I have had a word with Greta and she is quite amenable to your staying with her meanwhile. In fact, I think she is pleased of the company.'

‘That's wonderful, Peter. I'm so glad. It settles my mind about the immediate future.'

‘Then why don't we think about my two houses now? As you know I live mostly at Raby and . . .'

‘Please don't sell it on my account,' she broke in quickly. ‘I fell in love with it when you first showed me round.'

Peter smiled. ‘That pleases me. Now what about the town house?'

‘I don't know it. My only visit to it was the other day.'

‘If it has bad memories for you, then I'll sell.'

‘On the contrary, although the circumstances of my visit were sad, there was also comfort in the knowledge that your father asked to see me and seemed to approve of our connection.'

‘He did,' agreed Peter, recollecting the circumstances.

‘Then why sell the house? It is convenient for you for work.'

‘True. It could be useful. I'm going to have to apply myself much more to the business now. More than Father ever allowed.'

‘I'm sure you will manage.'

He pulled a face. ‘I'm not so sure, but the way things are, the business just about runs itself. As long as it continues to do so, we will have nothing to worry about.'

Lena held back from criticising this attitude; it was not the time to try to exert any pressure on him. Instead she said, ‘My father schooled me in the ways of mercantile trading so I have some knowledge that might be useful. If I can be of help . . .' She left the suggestion hanging in the air.