by Hawke, Jessa
“But now I want to settle down.”
“You don’t know how to settle down.”
George took a deep breath as he expressed his plan. “I’m tired of travelling. I’d be happy to take a more sedate position in the geographic society.”
“Boardroom?”
“Yes. An advisory role. You know, train the next generation of explorers. With my eighteen years in the field, I could consult. How does that sound?”
Albert’s expression suddenly lightened. “I’d be able to keep my watchful eye on you as well. But why the change of heart? Craven’s offer was for more fieldwork... not a boardroom job. My daughter isn’t that beautiful to give up the life you have enjoyed much success.”
“I have travelled the world... from one horizon to the next. Trust me... nothing is as beautiful as Isabel.”
“But you’re old... Twice her age in fact.”
George displayed a confident grin. “I am still young enough to plough the most stubborn of fields.”
“Christ, steady on, Filthy Frolics.”
“That feeling of disgust that you feel right now, that’s exactly how I felt when you called me old.”
Albert pictured his young daughter, and then slipped into a nostalgic daze. “She’s just graduated from finishing school... I was hoping to find someone her own age.”
“And have you found one? No... Plus, all girls grow up. I’m sure she’ll be excited to live the life of a proper lady of the house.”
“I think you’ll be surprised by her temperament. Isabel is quite unique. She’s more interested in engineering than anything to do with woman’s duties. I think she’ll see herself more as a business partner than your wife.”
“An independent spirit... sounds a challenge.”
Albert groaned as he ran his hands across his face. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with this.”
“Look, Old Boy - you want me to hang around? Then I need rewarding.”
“I’ll reward you handsomely. But not with my own flesh and bone. Not with my only child.”
“You make me sound like a blood thirsty Aztec who’s going to sacrifice Isabel to the sun God. All I’m interested in is finally having a loving, committed relationship.”
Albert folded his arms across his chest. He breathed heavily while staring at George. “I’m a protective father, that’s all.”
“I want to make her my wife. I will cherish Isabel. So much so, she’ll think she is a queen.”
“I will pass on your interest. And return to you with Isabel’s thoughts. But if she says no... I want you to respect her decision. If she says yes, I want you committed to me, to the society, but above all... to Isabel.”
George couldn’t hide his smile as he reached across the table and firmly shook Albert’s hand. “Of course, Old Boy... we’ll be family.”
Chapter 7
Albert sat behind his large desk while scribbling his signature on the bottom of a handwritten letter. After placing the pen back into the inkwell he leaned forward then softly blew onto the damp ink. A heavy double knock caused Albert to raise his eyes towards the oak panelled door. “Yes?”
“It’s me, Edward. I believe you want to see me.”
“Yes, yes I do. You may enter.” Albert began to fold the letter using his ruler to guide the creases. He felt annoyed that Edward left the door ajar. “It’s not your stable, Edward. Close the door properly behind you”
“Sorry.”
“I have some unfortunate news.”
After closing the door Edward stood opposite Albert’s desk. “What is it Mr Crompton?”
“Edward...”
“Yes, Mr Crompton.”
Albert slipped the letter into a prepared envelope. “There is no gentlemanly way about saying this. So I’ll just have to be blunt.” Standing from his chair he handed Edward the envelope. “Edward, I have to let you go.”
“Mr Crompton?”
“I’m sorry.”
“But why? What have I done? I drive you to the office on time, without fail. I do all of what you ask and more. Never once have I took a wrong turn”
Albert sat back on his leather chair, leaving Edward standing. “You have done nothing wrong... other than steal the heart of my daughter.”
“What?”
“Don’t deny it, Boy.”
“I...”
“You’re a good looking chap that I’m sure has no problem with the ladies.”
“But Mr Crompton, I have done nothing to merit losing my job.”
Albert leaned back on his chair then folded his arms across his large belly. “Hand the paymaster the letter to receive your compensation. You’ll find that I have been more than generous.”
“Generous..? I think you’re treating me unfairly.”
“Don’t be ungrateful Boy.”
Edward patted the letter up and down on his hand. “I’m not ungrateful.” He took a moment to steady his nerves before stating, “But I do want a proper explanation.”
“I have given you one already.” Albert pointed toward the door. “Now take your tackle back to the Liverpool. I don’t want the likes of you here... demanding an explanation on why I don’t want you corrupting my innocent daughter. B’Jesus... what the friggin' world coming to?”
“Mr Crompton... Please. I promise, I told Isabel we can’t be together. I have already put distance between us because I know there is no future.”
“I can’t rest with you here, Edward. You have to leave.”
“But I love this job. I love these horses. Please, I don’t want to go back to the irregular work of the docks”
Albert glanced up at the mosaic ceiling depicting a maritime scenario. “You were born a docker. It should be like going home for you.” He then faced Edward once more. “Bringing you here was a mistake. A mistake one on which I have much regret. I’m sorry.”
“I will go. But give me the grace of a month.”
“A whole month? Not possible.”
Edward stood tall while he spoke from his heart. “To find work somewhere else, as well as settle a few payments first... then you have my word, I will be gone. Never to bother you again.”
“You have some backbone, Edward.”
“Please show me this mercy.”
Albert twiddled his forms while processing Edward’s proposal in his mind. “Sounds fair to me.”
“Thank you, Mr Crompton.”
“But only on the condition that you totally ignore Isabel.” Albert thrust his finger towards Edward.” And I mean to the point of rudeness. I don’t want you to even look at her. Do you understand?”
“I agree.”
“Good.” Albert stood from his chair. He then ran his hands down his tweed blazer. “I have to be harsh, but I never wanted this.” His eyes then met Edward’s “Believe me, I have nothing against you. Just, I can’t have Isabel falling in love with a man who isn’t suitable.”
“I understand.”
“Now, now return to your duties.”
“Thank you, Sir.”Edward turned and walked towards the door, fighting the tears that were threatening to spill down his cheeks.
~
Stood on the steps of the shipping office, Isabel smiled at Edward who waited diligently beside his carriage. She whispered, “Eddie... Eddie.” To her frustration Edward did not flinch. She then glanced back into the foyer of the shipping office where Albert seemed locked in conversation with the group of American investors. Confident that Albert was going to be busy for a while she hurried over to Edward on the street. “Hey, since when have you developed a deaf ear?”
“How can I help you Ma’am.”
“I gave you permission to call me by my first name, Eddie.”
“I have no such right to call you by your first name, Ma’am?”
Isabel felt saddened that Edward refused to make eye contact. “So... you’re ignoring me?”
“It’s the right thing to do.”
Isabel took a step backwards. “The r
ight thing to do... never felt so wrong.”
Chapter 7
Albert groaned while slowly climbing the grand staircase of his large country mansion. He felt his that his bones ached more than they should and believed his heart was not what it once was. Despite his worries, Albert continued to climb with purpose.
After one knock, Albert opened his daughter’s bedroom door. “Isabel.” The sight of his daughter peering down a bronze coated telescope aimed at a ship on the river reminded him of himself.
“Father! You should wait for me to answer before knocking.”
“Daughter like father... hey? Has the Cumbrian finally set sail?”
“That’s her. But she’s over three hours behind schedule. You need to ruffle a few feathers at the office.”
“Ruffle? I’ve plucked a few feathers. But it’s a miracle its only three hours later. Apparently a fire broke out in her coal bunker.”
Isabel opened a mahogany case that sat on her writing desk. Holding the lid open, she studied the case’s contents which included a full set of telescope lenses. “Talking about extinguishing fires... I have kept my distance from Edward.”
“I know.”
“So what do you want?”
Albert slowly sat on the edge of his daughter’s bed. “I’m not getting any younger... My bones ache and to be frank. I think I will be joining your mother in the not so distant future.”
“Don’t say that, Father.”
“Oh don’t worry about me. I look forward to setting eyes on your mother’s most pleasant features again.”
“I do miss mother too. Not that I remember her much. Sadly not much at all.”
“You’re the image of her.”Albert shuffled to one side as Isabel sat by his side. He then gently brushed the cheek of his daughter. “I always wanted a son. But in you, Isabel, I see the brains and fortitude that will allow you to succeed in this world of men. ”
“I don’t doubt that father?”
“But still, a strong woman needs a strong man. Especially in the shipping industry. It takes a certain type of steel to manage seadogs and deal with hardnosed merchants.”
“I told you, Father. I’m in no rush to marry”
Albert cleared his throat so he could project a more commanding tone. “I know, I know. But it’s time now.” He paced his delivery to add weight to his words. “George Coldstone of the Geographic Society has proposed a rendezvous with you.”
“Dr Coldstone. Really? I thought he would be too busy going native in Borneo or hunting large black women on the savannah.”
“Isabel.”
Isabel climbed from the bed and walked to the telescope. She then peered down the lens to view an incoming ship. “If you want my honest opinion, Father. George is rather dashing... for the older gentleman, that is. I would prefer a man in his twenties.”
“He may be relatively old. But George is an intelligent, successful and from an esteemed family. You could do a lot worse.”
“I have always seen him as an uncle that I was fond of, rather than a person I would want romance with. Kind, yes, dashing... most definitely. But he’s older, and I've known him from when I was a child. Doesn’t seem right.”
George stepped up to the telescope and swung it away from an annoyed Isabel. “Forty is not ancient. I know plenty of fulfilled couples who have large age gaps.”
“I know father... But you know that I’m a free spirit with my own heart and feelings.”
“Stubborn is what you are.”
Isabel scoffed, “I take after you then.” She snatched the telescope from her father. “Honestly, sometimes I think your ears are just stapled on... because I swear you never listen to a word I say.”
“I want to secure your future.”
“I don’t need a man to be safe and secure.”
“A man can offer you love and guidance. I will not always be here to help you.”
Isabel groaned as she straightened her back. “I will be inheriting the shipping company... and mostly like take your role as patron of the Geographic Society. I think that is more than a secure future.”
“But... But you’re twenty three and not even a whiff of marital promise.”
“Edward springs to mind.”
“You must forget about Edward. Move on, Isabel.”
Isabel ground her teeth but knew she had no choice. “I will meet George. But I can’t promise wedding bells. So I don’t want you to build your hopes up.”
“I won’t. But George said he saw you at the service in St Luke’s last Sunday. By all accounts you left quite an impression on him. I can’t believe you did not notice him.”
Isabel nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders. “I had a lot on my mind, Father. I would have thought you had too. But it seems nowadays all you think about is marrying me off.”
“It’s my one last duty as a father.”
Chapter 7
Sat on a bench under an ancient oak within the grounds of her family home, Isabel looked over the ornamental boating lake. The sun made the water glisten while every now and then a fish bobbed to the surface causing ripples to disturb the mirrored sky. Despite the idyllic surrounding she turned to scowl at Miss Black. “I have to be frank Miss Black...I have nothing but disdain for you.”
“I have heard much worse from you, Ma’am. What has got your knickers in a twist today? I thought you would be excited about meeting Mr. Coldstone.”
“I would be a little... but not with you acting as my shadow.”
“It’s your father’s orders.”
Isabel waved the whale bone fan next to her face as her stress added to the stifling summer heat. “I understand... but what I resent the most is your slyness.”
“Beg your pardon?”
“I know you snitched on me and Edward.”
“Again, I only carry out your father’s wishes. It’s clear that Edward is not the man for you.”
“But you think George is?”
Miss Black shrugged her rounded shoulders hidden under a black shall. “He is a man of class and grand stature. In your father’s eyes, he’s perfect.”
“What about mine? Does my opinion not count?”
“Today you will have your say.” Miss Black’s elderly face beamed a smile which hinted at a past beauty. “If I’m honest, I saw him today. I think you’ll be more than pleased.”
“I remember him from my childhood... he could have only have gotten older and fatter.”
Miss Black chuckled. “I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
~
Isabel walked towards the tall and dark haired George. She thought his skin appeared olive but weathered, as if he had lived a full life. Excited, she quickened her pace. But the quiet cough from the chaperoning Miss Black reminded her to walk at a lady like pace. “George Coldstone.” Isabel offered a smile. “It’s been a good while.”
“I think you were twelve years of age the last time I saw you.”
“Eleven, I do believe.”
George glanced at Miss Black who stood behind Isabel. “Chaperone? It’s only a walk around the orchards.”
“Isabel’s father insisted.”
George gestured for Isabel to walk with him along the avenue of apple trees. “I must admit you have come a long way since I last set eyes on you. If I’m honest I thought you were a sickly runt back then.”
“I struggled a lot without mother. Emotionally, I was a wreck... I suppose it must have showed.”
“You clearly recovered well. For now... now you’re as pretty as a garden rose.”
Isabel face lifted with a hint of a smile. “A garden rose. Not a bad compliment.”
“I’m not a wordsmith. Nor am I poet.”
“Shame” Isabel mocked George with an overblown sigh. “I like the arts. Nothing woos me like a romantic poem.” She then heard another cough from the shadowing Miss Black. “Since when has the word, woo, had a place in Miss Black’s dictionary of forbidden words?”
“Since I deemed
it forbidden.”
George glanced at Isabel who shyly avoided his eyes as they walked among the trees. “I do like the theatre and reading. I also write.”
“Yes. I have seen your name on father’s journals.”
“However, I mustn’t lead you on. As my journal articles are rewritten for me by my ghost-writer. My own sentences read like a badly composed shopping list.”
“I like to write when I have the time.” Isabel stopped walking and deliberately made eye contact with George. She thought his eyes were dark and piercing. “But since I’ve taken on more of an active role at the company... well, I just don’t have the time to dedicate myself.”
“Well, when we become engaged in matrimony...”
“When?”
“OK... if, we become man and wife. Then you can take a more relaxed role in the company.”
Isabel continued to walk down the snaking coral path. “I will sit at the helm of the company once my father steps down from his position. And I don’t want to be a ceremonial figurehead.”
“Don’t you want children?”
“Yes. Yes I do.”
“Good. So do I. We can start working on it as soon as you wish.”
Miss Black suddenly shouted in despair. “Jesus wept... Talking about procreation is strictly forbidden. You’ll both get me sacked!”
George ignored Miss Black and stared at a disgruntled Isabel. “But one day you will have to make a choice between work and children.”
“I thought this was supposed to be about romance? But it’s turned into something akin to the Spanish Inquisition.”
“Sorry. It’s just I really like you and wouldn’t want to have a false start.”
“I suppose you don’t have much time for false starts, considering your advanced years.”
George winced. “Your sharp wit cuts like a knife.”
“Don’t worry... I still think you’re a very handsome gentleman.”
“You do?”
Isabel felt glad that Miss Black had given up chaperoning, instead choosing to suck boiled sweets under the shade of a tree. “Most definitely.” It hadn’t escaped Isabel’s attention that George’s cheeks were flushed with colour after hearing her compliment. “I do believe the fearless Dr Coldstone is blushing.”
