Jeff Spargo refused to allow anyone to go to Roscarrock and inform Hannah of her grandmother’s death and he insisted Leah stay at home and keep Viv company, so Hannah didn’t learn about Constance’s demise until the postman commiserated with her two days later. She asked Mrs Opie if she could go down to the village; she had already taken her two half days off that week.
‘That explains why Leah did not turn up to do her work,’ Feena Opie said. ‘Of course you may go, Hannah, but are you sure you want to? From what I have gathered from Leah, your grandmother had no time for you at all. Your father won’t welcome you at the house and there is nothing you can do.’
‘I suppose you’re right,’ Hannah replied miserably. She didn’t particularly mourn her grandmother’s passing but it was one more family occasion she had missed. She made a mental note to tell Leah not to discuss the family’s business with Mrs Opie. ‘I won’t be able to go to the funeral either but I would like to be in the village then. I’ll take some time off when I know what day it is to be held, probably the day after tomorrow.’
‘I am sorry about your family circumstances, Hannah.’ Mrs Opie gazed at her closely. ‘But never mind, you’re happy here now, aren’t you? There’s something I want to discuss with you. I haven’t been out of the house for years and I have a yearning to look up some of my old friends. I can’t possibly manage on my own with Pogo and I couldn’t bear to leave him behind. How would you like to come to London with me as my companion? We’ll stay in a top hotel and it will give you an opportunity to see the sights.’
‘I’d love to!’ Hannah exclaimed.
‘That’s settled then. I’ll see to the arrangements.’
‘When will we be going?’
‘There’s no point in a delay. We should be able to set off straight after your grandmother’s funeral.’
There was something Hannah was concerned about. Gregory Opie had finished his stage play, had taken it up to London and had come back a couple of days later saying he was going to start on his next novel. Without her and Mrs Opie here, Leah would be at his mercy. Mrs Opie had also thought of it.
‘I won’t require Leah while we’re away. I’ll pay her a retainer so she won’t lose her wages. I’ll give them to you and you can send them and a message to your sister Sarah’s house for her.’
When Hannah went about her duties, Feena Opie made a list of the things she would take to London with her and the things she wanted to order for herself and Hannah. It was a long list, she was planning to keep Hannah away for several months.
That night, Daniel turned up again at Roscarrock. Hannah reluctantly let him into the servants’ hall. ‘You shouldn’t have come here, Danny. I’ve told you that Mr Gregory saw us going into the cottage and what he assumed we were doing in there.’
‘I don’t care what he thinks,’ he said, sitting in the cosy armchair she had vacated. ‘You hardly come down to the village these days and when you do you spend more time with your aunt than me. I thought we were friends, Hannah – more than that.’
Hannah didn’t sit down. ‘I’m sorry, Danny, but things have been awkward.’
‘How?’
Hannah couldn’t tell him the truth, that since talking to Matt she had no desire to see Daniel as a romantic partner. She was more attracted to Matt than to him, but she didn’t want either of them; her life here held the greatest sway over her hopes for the future. ‘I’ve been very busy,’ she answered lamely.
‘Well, you aren’t busy now,’ he said putting on a cheery voice. ‘How about making us a cup of tea?’
‘I can’t. Mrs Opie hasn’t given me permission to have friends here, only family,’ she said firmly. ‘Please, Danny, you must go.’
He took some moments before he got up and Hannah was reminded of how stubborn he could be. He came close to her, took her in his arms and tried to kiss her. Hannah turned her head away. ‘Don’t, Danny.’
‘Why not, for crying out loud?’
‘Someone might come in.’
He gripped her tighter. ‘I think you’re lying. You’ve kissed me before. Why don’t you want to any more?’
Hannah wrenched herself free. ‘I’m sorry, Danny, but I don’t want to be attached to anyone right now. I’m enjoying my new life here and that’s all that’s important to me.’
A dark shadow passed over his face. This was the first time a woman had rejected his advances and he didn’t like it. But Hannah really was special to him and his disappointment was immense. ‘Is it because it’s too soon after breaking up with Matt?’
‘It’s partly that,’ she said to placate him; Daniel would argue all night if she didn’t offer a crumb to salvage his pride. ‘And partly the reason I gave you. Please, Danny, I’d thought we’d agreed to go back to the way we were. Can’t we stay like that, at least for the time being?’
‘If that’s what you want,’ he sighed, then forced himself to smile with his old familiar charm. ‘You will seek me out when you’re down in the village from now on and not avoid me?’
‘I promise.’ She returned his smile, seeing her boyhood friend in his handsome features and not the impatience and umbrage lurking behind them. ‘But we’ll still have to meet secretly. I don’t want Aunty Janet nagging me.’
That suited Daniel. He pressed a hand on her shoulder. ‘I’m glad we’ve sorted that out, me girl. I’d hate to think we couldn’t always be friends. I suppose I’d better go then.’ Before he left he kissed her cheek in a brotherly peck but was determined that somehow he would soon turn their relationship into something more intimate.
On the day of the funeral, wearing black even though she wasn’t going to the chapel or churchyard, Hannah made her way to her Aunt Janet’s house. She was pleased to see that Leah and the girl who had met Mitch on the quay were there; Hannah had been wondering what had happened between the mysterious stranger and her brother.
‘This is Viv Hickey,’ Leah proudly introduced the pale-faced, auburn-haired girl who had already become a close friend. ‘She and Mitch are getting married.’
Hannah shook Viv’s hand. ‘I’m pleased to hear it, Viv. That’s wonderful news.’
Janet was on her knees pulling dishes out of the cupboards of the kitchen dresser for the funeral tea, and she asked Leah to help her.
Viv felt rather shy to be left facing Mitch’s only fair-haired sister who, because of her position at the big house, was considered a cut above the ordinary girls in the village. She rubbed her hands down the black dress she was wearing. It had belonged to Janet who had cut it down to size and restyled it for her, leaving two large pleats under the bust for when she grew in size with the baby. Viv had put her hair up and Mitch had bought her a new pair of shoes. She looked smart and pretty but felt shabby in Hannah’s presence.
‘Mitch has told me a lot about you,’ she said quietly.
‘I suppose he’s told you why I won’t be going to the funeral.’
‘Yes, but he wants you to come to our wedding. He’s going to ask his father to let you come.’
‘It would be lovely if I could, Viv. Have you set the date?’
Viv blushed. ‘It’s two weeks on Saturday. It’s quick because I’m pregnant.’
Hannah had an overwhelming desire to hug Viv and Viv was very surprised when she did. ‘That’s wonderful news. I’m so pleased for you both. Mitch will make a good father, he’s been so kind to me since I was forced to leave home. Mother must be over the moon, she’ll have three new grandchildren next year.’
‘All the family have been very kind to me,’ Viv said, which was true – apart from Josh who made her flesh crawl the way he sometimes ran his eyes over her body as if he was mentally undressing her. She stared at Hannah a moment. ‘You and your sisters all have lovely names. Are there any other Hannahs in the village?’
‘Only an old lady who died a few years ago.’ Hannah was taken aback by the question but before she could ask why Viv asked, Leah came forward with an armful of dishes.
‘Come on, Viv. We’d better get back. Mum will be waiting to put food on these plates.’
Viv took half of Leah’s burden and made for the door. Leah whispered in Hannah’s ear, ‘Will you tell Mrs Opie I should be able to come back to work next week? She’s not angry with me, is she?’
‘I will and she’s not,’ Hannah replied in a whisper, opening and closing the door for the girls.
‘I can’t get over the change in that girl,’ Janet said, referring to Leah. ‘She’s come out of her shell even more since Viv’s been staying in the house. ’Tis a pity Mitch got the maid into trouble, but she seems a nice little soul, hard working and happy to oblige. Even your father seems to like her.’
‘I wish he could learn to like me,’ Hannah said wistfully, taking off her hat and coat and sitting down. She was going to stay here until her aunt got back from the funeral to tell her how everything went.
‘Pity you’re staying here all alone,’ Janet said, putting on her best hat. ‘I can’t see it being a big funeral. Your grandmother wasn’t well liked, but then she only had herself to blame for that. Most of the boats have put to sea.’ Janet faced Hannah squarely. ‘Of course Matt hasn’t gone out with the Sunrise.’
‘Why not?’
‘Haven’t you heard?’ Janet took off her glasses and cleaned them furiously on her handkerchief in a disapproving manner. ‘That’s the trouble with you living up there, you might as well be in another part of the country,’ she said shortly.
I soon will be, Hannah felt like saying, but in her aunt’s present mood that piece of information was best kept until later, and she was impatient to learn about Matt. ‘What’s happened to Matt?’
‘Last week he had his finger torn off on the boat. Carried on working, of course, as it looked like he wasn’t going to bleed to death, but the wound became anguished and he’s come over all whist. It was Fred Jose’s fault, the stupid idiot. He let the line go without warning and it took Matt’s finger off with it. Rufus says he won’t have him on the boat again if there’s one more incident.’
‘Poor Matt,’ Hannah said, suppressing a shudder. She was cross with Daniel for saying nothing to her about it.
‘Poor Matt. Is that all you’ve got to say? It wouldn’t hurt you to go up and see him. Betterfit you do that than sitting here on your own. Mrs Penney is going to the funeral so Matt might be glad of a bit of company.’
‘Don’t worry, Aunty Janet, I’ll go and see Matt before the afternoon is over,’ Hannah said wryly, but she was keen to see him.
She walked up to Seaview Cottage the moment she judged the funeral party would be inside the chapel. A harmony of Celtic voices was raised in singing ‘Abide With Me’ when she walked past. She tapped on the kitchen door of the Penneys’ home and went in. The fire had been banked down in the range and there was a delicious smell of chicken broth. The table was set for two people, presumably for the evening meal. Matt wasn’t there. She crept along the passage, tapped on the door of the parlour but he wasn’t in there either. The house seemed very quiet but Hannah doubted he had gone out if he was too poorly to work. She climbed the stairs to see if he was resting, calling his name; she felt something of an intruder.
Matt was lying on top of his bed in his clothes, fast asleep. A fire was burning in the hearth, and true to his statement of several months ago, the room was exceedingly untidy. Hannah went to the bed and gazed down on him. His face was flushed and there was a slight sweat on his forehead and in the well of his neck which was revealed by his open shirt. His bandaged hand was lying on his chest, the other hand gripping the wrist protectively. He looked forlorn, a woeful expression on his face, yet strongly masculine and very appealing. She looked at his wide mouth. She had known those parted, sensuous lips and she had enjoyed them. Daniel’s kisses had in no way compared to Matt’s.
She tiptoed over discarded clothes and a pile of old magazines on sailing he must have been browsing through, intending to put a few lumps of coal on the fire to keep it going then to put a chair near the bed and watch over him until he woke up. As she put the chair down she spied the jewellery box he had given her for her birthday in an open drawer. She lifted it out and ran her fingers over it. Now she had the chance to study it she saw it was a perfect work of art. Made in solid, dark golden wood, it was intricately carved round the edges and the top was inlaid with a pattern of mother-of-pearl. It was as splendid as anything she had seen in Roscarrock. Matt must have chosen it with great care. Carefully, she opened the lid and the ballerina twirled and the music played. Hannah whirled round to see if it had woken Matt.
He stirred and opened his eyes. ‘Hannah?’
‘Hello, Matt,’ she said softly. ‘I’m sorry I woke you.’
He blinked and rubbed at an eye with his good hand. ‘I thought I was dreaming for a moment.’
Hannah felt guilty to have been going through his things. She put the jewellery box back in the drawer.
‘No, don’t,’ Matt said, pulling himself up into a sitting position. ‘It’s yours, Hannah. I want you to have it.’
‘Thanks, Matt,’ she said shyly, putting the jewellery box down on the bedside table to take with her when she left. She took off her hat and coat and sat down again. ‘I only heard about your accident today. How are you feeling now? Can I get you a cup of tea or something?’
He took a sip of water from the glass on the table. ‘My head’s aching a bit and my finger, what’s left of it, is very sore. I don’t want anything, thank you. I hope you’re not going for a while.’
‘I’d like to stay and chat.’ She was gazing intently at him and although she felt she was being silly, she wondered again how he had obtained the little scar on his chin. It was as good as anything to talk about. ‘How did you get that scar on your chin, Matt? You must be able to remember.’
‘Well, I don’t.’ He flushed and looked away.
Hannah thought there was a mystery here and, hoping she could get on a friendlier footing with him, she teased him. ‘Oh, come on, I can see from your face you do remember. Was it through a childhood prank? Were you up to mischief?’
‘No,’ he said dismissively. ‘It happened a long time ago.’
She leaned over him. ‘What were you doing?’
‘Nothing.’
‘You must have been doing something,’ she persisted, not sparing his discomfort.
‘If you must know,’ his dark eyes suddenly bore into hers, ‘I fell out of bed and hit my chin on a wash-stand.’
‘How on earth could you do a thing like that?’ she laughed.
‘I wasn’t alone, there wasn’t much room in the bed.’
Hannah’s smile died. ‘You mean you were with someone, a woman?’
‘That’s right.’
‘Not in this bed?’ Hannah asked indignantly.
‘No, somewhere else.’
‘Where? Who was she?’
‘I don’t think that’s any of your business, Hannah.’ He was enjoying himself. He’d only ever wanted to be equal with her, but Hannah had managed, sometimes quite ruthlessly, to gain the upper hand over him for a long time. It was good to be able to exploit her feelings for a change.
‘How many times did you go with her?’ she demanded.
‘Really, Hannah, I can’t see why you’re interested. You didn’t think I was a virgin at my age, did you?’
Hannah couldn’t stand the thought of him being involved with another woman, even if it had been in the past. She’d assumed she had the sole rights to Matt’s romancing, his lovemaking. She sprang to her feet, pushing back the chair.
‘Who was she? Have there been others? Are you sleeping in anyone else’s bed now?’ Her voice rose the more she went on.
‘Why are you shouting at me, Hannah? Are you jealous?’
It brought her up short. A few minutes ago she wouldn’t have believed she could behave like this. ‘Yes, yes I am!’ She wanted to smash her hand across his face, pull his hair, hurt him. ‘Damn you, Matt Penney, how dare you be so… so…’
‘What, Hannah?’
‘Attractive to me,’ she said throatily, becoming suddenly still and sitting down on the bed close to him.
She gazed at him for some moments and he gazed steadily back. Then, all other thoughts pushed aside by the passion she felt rising for him, she put her arms round his neck and, careful not to hurt his hand, she pushed him down on the bed and crushed her mouth over his. Matt wrapped his arms round her and kissed her with equal ardour, making her realise how much she had missed this with him. She moved so she was lying on top of him. She devoured his lips for several moments then she kissed his eyes, his nose, bit his ears. Pulling open his shirt she ran her lips hungrily down over his chin, neck and chest. She went back to his lips again and again, feasting on him, exploring him in a way she had never done before.
Matt kept his hurt hand up out of the way but he returned her hungry caresses, undoing the buttons on the front of her dress and pulling it off her shoulders, exposing her perfect figure to his touch, to press against his bare flesh. His body was tingling deliciously. Hannah ran a row of kisses from his throat down to the pit of his stomach and he became intensely aroused. He lifted her face from his body.
‘Stop it, Hannah, you’re driving me crazy.’ His voice was husky with desire.
She knew she should stop, common sense and respectability demanded it, but she reared over him and demanded his mouth again.
Matt couldn’t bear it. He pushed her away from him, none too gently. ‘I can’t keep control if you go on like this,’ he gasped, but he was desperate for her not to stop.
‘Don’t talk, Matt,’ she breathed into his face.
Matt reversed their positions. He was so agitated that even if he’d had the use of both his hands she would have had to help him loosen the rest of their clothes.
Hannah didn’t mind the moment of pain, pleasure ripped through her the next instant and with instinct born of her blossoming womanhood she moved in perfect timing with Matt. His need was so great his first release came quickly, then catching his breath he measured his pace, taking her with him to an exquisite simultaneous climax.
They lay on their sides, holding each other, allowing the wonderful moments of their fulfilment to wash over them. Hannah nestled into his hot, damp chest and marvelled that he could have driven her to such wild abandonment. She didn’t regret it but it scared her a little and she had no idea what she wanted from him in the future. Perhaps her time in London would help her to decide.
Matt loved Hannah with all his being but he did not take their moments of lovemaking for granted. Hannah had changed a lot since she’d moved out of the village, she wasn’t looking for a ring on her finger like most of the young women he knew. But if she never returned his love, if she refused for some reason to see him again, the beautiful moments of their passion and coupling, the knowledge that she had wanted him so much, and to be her first lover, would remain a triumph and a comfort to him for the rest of his life.
‘I’m going away for a little while to London with Mrs Opie, Matt,’ she said, keeping her face against his strong chest.
‘Will you come and see me when you get back?’
‘Yes.’
They didn’t say anything else, content for now to leave it to fate to take them where it willed.