In Hiding Read online

  “I must get you stowed away somewhere safe,” urged Joe.

  Nancy was shaking, she was so scared.

  Running away from home and escaping from her tyrannical and brutal father was a huge step to take, but stowing away on this ship with Joe was an even bigger one.

  “Oh Joe, are we doin’ the right thing?” she frowned. “There’s still time for me to go ’ome. I can tell Dad I had to go to t’other side of London to buy ’im a nice piece of fish.”

  “He wouldn’t believe you, sweetheart. He’d take his belt to you again!”

  “But Joe, what if this Captain won’t marry us? What if your Master finds out and dismisses you?”

  “Then I’ll think of some other plan, but you’re not goin ’back to that devil, Nancy! You’re my girl and you’re stayin’ with me.”

  At the end of the long first class corridor, Joe found a small metal doorway standing ajar. He pushed it open and discovered an iron ladder leading down through a maze of pipes.

  At the bottom where the ladder turned in the other direction and vanished through a hatch to another deck, there was a sheltered area behind a stack of boxes.

  “Here!” Joe said glancing round. “Stay ’ere for now. I’ll bring you food and blankets as soon as we sail.”

  “But Joe – what about – you know – I’ll need the bathroom!” Nancy whispered, her face going red.

  Joe cursed under his breath.

  “Don’t worry. I noticed one just along that top corridor. It’ll be the one us servants who are cabined in first class ’ave to use. I’ll get you in and out when the coast is clear.”

  He gave her a quick kiss, then clambered up the ladder and raced along to the Earl’s cabin, grabbing an armful of clean towels off a trolley as he passed.

  “Joe! I’ve been calling for you,” snapped the Earl impatiently as he knocked and entered the big cabin.

  “Sorry, my Lord. I’ve been obtainin’ some extra towels. I didn’t think the bathroom had been stocked adequately for your needs.”

  The Earl shot him a sharp look.

  The boy looked jumpy and nervous. He wondered if he was worried about going to sea and decided to keep him busy so he would not have time to think about feeling ill.

  Suddenly there came the booming roar of the ship’s siren.

  They were about to sail and through the open porthole of his elegant cabin, he could hear the cheering crowds and the blare of the brass band playing on deck.

  The Earl turned away to his desk and began to sort out the reference books he had brought with him. He wondered if Miss Waites was on deck, watching the fun.

  Well, there was no reason why she should miss it. Just because that ship’s Officer had seemed such a callow youth, peacocking around in his white uniform.

  He slammed a book shut, making Joe, who was unpacking one of his trunks, jump and drop an armful of dress shirts.

  Just then there was a quiet knock on the cabin door.

  Joe answered it and announced that Miss Waites would like to speak to the Earl if it was convenient.

  “Come in!” called the Earl, greeting her eagerly and suppressing a wry smile that she was still wearing that ridiculous brown hat.

  “I hope your cabin is satisfactory? Is there a problem? I had imagined you to be on deck waving goodbye to England.”

  Tamina shook her head gravely.

  “No problem at all, my Lord. My cabin is very charming and I would like to thank you for arranging for me to be on this deck. And I am afraid that loud ceremonies such as those going on at present hold no interest for me. I was just trying to be polite to the young Officer.

  “No, I have come to see you because so far I have done nothing to earn my wages! I was wondering if there was anything you needed me to do for you right away. Perhaps letters or telegrams you would like me to write out.”

  The black mood that had for some reason settled on the Earl’s broad shoulders slipped away.

  The room seemed more comfortable, the air lighter and he could even enjoy the cheering and the music playing on deck.

  “No, Miss Waites, I think tomorrow morning will be a good time to start our work. For the rest of the day I suggest you explore the ship. It seems a very fine vessel.”

  Tamina murmured her thanks and left the room.

  She returned to her cabin feeling suddenly a little lonely. How nice it would have been if the Earl had suggested accompanying her on a journey of discovery.

  But, of course, he could not.

  Tonight he would eat his dinner in the first class dining room and she would find a seat in the second class area, no doubt being escorted to a table where other single ladies were seated.

  She pulled off her horrible hat and began to brush out her long golden hair, wondering why she was not feeling happy.

  She was about to embark on a marvellous adventure and she was escaping from England and Edmund.

  There was no reason at all to feel miserable she chided herself.

  But she did.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Tamina had just returned to her cabin after a brisk walk along the Promenade Deck. The sun was setting and the greeny-grey waters of the English Channel were touched with gold and crimson as it dipped into the Western sky.

  The walk had cheered her immensely.

  She had felt a rush of freedom once England had disappeared into the distance and she could no longer see land.

  Edmund and all her worries were already beginning to fade and she realised that perhaps her heart had not been broken as thoroughly as she had originally thought.

  Tamina had washed and changed for dinner, hoping that her blue skirt and white lawn blouse with a single strand of pearls would be considered the right attire for a working girl.

  She was just folding her hair into a severe French pleat, suitable for a secretary, when a tap at the door heralded Joe.

  “A message from ’is Lordship, Miss Waites,” he said. “He asks if you would dine with ’im this evenin’ as he wishes to discuss a work plan for ’is book.”

  Tamina felt her cheeks glow pink and she turned away so the young valet could not see how pleased she was.

  Of course it was just a working meal with her employer, but she was still delighted to be invited.

  The first class restaurant was a blaze of light and noise as Tamina walked through the door.

  A trio of musicians were playing pleasant music, a background to the murmur of voices and the tinkle of knives and forks as the meal was served.

  Great ornate pillars of blue marble divided the room into comfortable sections and the vast glass chandeliers gleamed down onto the vivid colours of the ladies’ dresses and the austere black and white of the gentlemen in their dinner jackets.

  It was a magnificent room.

  The linen tablecloths and napkins were pure snowy white and the glasses and cutlery gleamed in the brilliant light, sending sparks of colour around the room.

  On each table was a bowl full of blue and white flowers – the Diamond Shipping Company colours.

  The same blue could be found on the china menu holders and napkin rings and the seats of the gilt chairs were covered in dark blue velvet.

  The weather since they set sail had been so calm and peaceful that only a few of the passengers had succumbed to seasickness and most of the tables were full.

  “Lord Daventry’s table, please,” she murmured to the Headwaiter and was immediately escorted through the throng of diners to the best part of the room, well away from the serving doors and the musicians.

  The Earl, immaculate in white tie and tails, stood as she approached and she smiled as the waiter held a gilt chair for her.

  “Thank you so much for asking me to dine, my Lord. I am grateful for a chance to see this lovely room.”

  The Earl smiled and beckoned to a waiter to pour the wine.

  He was conscious that explanations about his book could easily have waited until the next morning, but he had not wanted to eat a
lone.

  No, he had wanted to observe the expression in Miss Waites’s startling sapphire eyes as she gazed round, taking in the scene.

  Even dressed simply and soberly, she shone like a blazing candle flame. Her fine white blouse and simple pearl necklet made the evening gowns of the other women look loud and tawdry, no matter how many diamonds and rubies they were wearing.

  “Did you bring a ball gown with you, Miss Waites?” he asked suddenly as they sipped a superb consommé enriched with dry sherry to give it extra flavour.

  Tamina glanced across the white roses and blue cornflowers of the table centrepiece.

  “Why yes, I did, my Lord. I was not sure if you would require me to attend any formal functions to take notes. I would have changed tonight, but Joe led me to believe you were already waiting to dine and I already know your views well about ladies being late for their appointments!”

  The Earl smiled.

  “The Captain will be holding a select party tomorrow night, followed by dinner and dancing. I would suggest you dress formally and attend with me as there might well be comments I need you to write down as I think of them.”

  Tamina felt her cheeks flush.

  “I brought a notebook and pencil with me tonight for just such a purpose,” she said, indicating her leather bag, not wanting him to think she had considered this anything other than a business meeting.

  The Earl pushed his soup bowl to one side.

  He was sure there were all sorts of points about the history of Madeira and interesting places to see on the island that he should be committing to paper, but at the moment he could think of none of them.

  His gaze fell once again on the smooth creamy skin of her neck where the pearl necklet gleamed.

  He frowned – if he was not mistaken, that was a very fine piece of jewellery.

  He wondered how a mere secretary came to own such an expensive item, a present from an ex-employer, perhaps? But why should anyone buy a young woman such a valuable piece?

  “Your necklet – ” he began suspiciously.

  Tamina raised a hand to finger the pearls, her eyes lighting with happiness.

  “A gift from my brothers,” she responded warmly. “For my sixteenth birthday. I love it because it is so beautiful, but I love it even more because they chose it for me.”

  The Earl’s frown vanished.

  How stupid of him. Of course any jewellery a young girl like Miss Waites owned could only be gifts from her immediate family.

  She was not another Lady Eunice.

  There was certainly no dissembling in her nature, no subterfuge or lies. No betrayal of her honour.

  ‘And even if it had been a present from another man, why should that worry me?’ he thought angrily. ‘Tabitha Waites is just my secretary. A hard working girl I employ to do a job.’

  And he decided that he would refrain from asking her any more questions about her life.

  The rest of the meal passed swiftly. A beautifully cooked lemon sole followed by a lightly spiced roasted chicken.

  But by the time the fresh fruit was served, Tamina felt that some of the sparkle had died out of the evening, although she could not understand why.

  She was aware of many people watching her as the Earl escorted her out of the dining room.

  She felt her lips twitch as she fought back a smile.

  How awkward it would be if any of those present recognised her! She had seen no familiar faces, but life has a strange way of producing odd coincidences.

  “Would you care to take a turn on the deck before retiring?” the Earl suggested.

  Tamina nodded.

  “That would be very agreeable. I love to look at the moon reflected on the sea. It is so beautiful.”

  “Do you need a coat, Miss Waites?”

  Tamina shook her head, unaware that a lock of golden hair had escaped her chignon and was lying across her shoulder.

  “No, thank you, my Lord. My wrap is made of velvet and quite warm. And there is no breeze tonight.”

  Together they walked along the Promenade deck amongst several other passengers who were taking the night air. But the further they walked, the crowds thinned until at last they were the only couple on that part of the deck.

  Tamina now stopped and leaning against the railing gazed out in awe to where the moon was rising, casting a ribbon of silver across the dark sea.

  “Oh, how wonderful!” she exclaimed.

  The Earl stared down at her face.

  He had an absurd desire to reach out and tuck back behind her ear the stray blonde curl that had escaped its bonds.

  He cursed silently under his breath. What was wrong with him? This was moon madness.

  “Well, we have a busy day ahead of us,” he said formally. “We had better retire.”

  Then he felt a wave of irritation against himself because the young girl’s wondering expression was wiped away, and the self-possessed secretary was there once more.

  The Earl escorted Tamina back to her cabin and bade her a brief goodnight.

  She watched as he walked away along the corridor to his stateroom, puzzled as to why his relaxed demeanour in the early part of the evening had changed so drastically.

  Had it been her fault? Did he find her company boring?

  She knew she had a tendency to chatter – her old Nanny had always told her that she talked too much.

  Some gentlemen did not like that, especially at meal times. Tamina resolved to be a little more reserved if the occasion arose again.

  She did not sleep well that night.

  She told herself it was because of the strange bed, the rocking of the ship and that she was still heartsick by Edmund and his betrayal.

  But she knew that it was none of them that stood between her and slumber. It was the look in a pair of dark brown eyes that she could see as soon as she closed her own and tried to sleep.

  *

  The next morning there was a distinct swell and the sky outside Tamina’s porthole looked sullen, grey and overcast.

  She dressed swiftly, determined to be ready for whatever the day held in store.

  Her face looked pale in the dressing table mirror and she was angry with herself for getting so little rest.

  The Earl of Daventry was indeed an interesting and fascinating man, there was no doubt about it. He was also her employer! That was the fact that she must not forget, she told herself firmly.

  Lying awake wondering what his opinion of her might be was a completely useless exercise.

  As she walked out of her room into the passage she stopped.

  A few yards ahead of her she could see Joe.

  She was just about to call out a cheerful “good morning,” but hesitated.

  The young man was carrying a bundle wrapped in a napkin. He was hurrying along the passageway, glancing uneasily from side to side, almost as if he was scared someone would catch him.

  Two elderly passengers now appeared from their staterooms. They nodded a brief good morning to her and Tamina smiled in return, but kept them between her and Joe.

  She was not quite sure why she wanted to know what he was doing.

  He could be on an errand for the Earl, of course, but somehow she did not think he was.

  She turned a corner cautiously and then stopped.

  The passageway stretched in front of her. There were now several people making their way towards the stairway, but there was no sign of Joe!

  Tamina frowned.

  Where could he have gone? There was no door to the outer deck along this part of the companionway. He must have entered another cabin.

  Gravely she made her way towards the second class dining room for breakfast. She was seated at a table with two other single ladies who were travelling on their own.

  But Tamina found it now difficult to make polite conversation.

  Yes, the ship was wonderful and no, she did not feel the slightest bit seasick. Yes, she was working for the Earl of Daventry and yes, the tragedy that h
ad befallen his family was terrible and yes, he was a kind and considerate employer.

  But as she chatted politely, sipped her coffee, nibbled on a piece of toast and wondered –Joe’s whole demeanour had seemed so suspicious. And what had he been carrying so secretly inside that napkin?

  Tamina knew why she was worried.

  ‘The Earl has endured so much tragedy and loss recently,’ she said to herself. ‘He sets such store on loyalty that I feel he would be devastated if he discovered Joe was a thief or some kind of criminal.’

  After breakfast Tamina took a short brisk walk along an outside deck enjoying the steady breeze that brought colour into her cheeks.

  She did not find the increasingly rough motion of the ship unpleasant, although she could tell by the pale green faces of some of her companions that they were suffering from the onset of seasickness!

  At ten o’clock precisely, she tapped on the door of the Earl’s stateroom.

  Joe led her through to a large sitting room where the Earl was seated at his desk. He was wearing a green brocade waistcoat, but his jacket was thrown across the back of his chair and with his shirt sleeves rolled up, he looked much younger and less stern this morning.

  He was freshly shaved, but his thick dark hair was tousled, as if the brush had given up the fight!

  The desk was covered with books and papers and he waved his hand at them as he greeted Tamina.

  “Ah, good morning, Miss Waites. I trust you slept well?”

  “Very well, thank you, my Lord.”

  “And you are ready to begin work?”

  Tamina drew out a large notepad from the leather holdall she was carrying.

  “Yes, indeed. I am only surprised, my Lord, to see that you have already begun.”

  The Earl smiled and ran slim fingers through his hair, making it clear to Tamina exactly why it was so untidy this early in the morning.

  “I wanted to put my notes and thoughts in order before you arrived, Miss Waites. I have been told by one of the crew that the weather may well deteriorate this evening and so there is every chance that we will be unable to work tomorrow.”

  Tamina settled herself in a chair at the other side of the desk and looked at him, trying not to smile.