Stay with Me by Jessica Blair

surprised at his sister’s observation but deciding that if this was her attitude, he would go along with it. It would be for the best and would enable her to come to terms all the sooner with the devastating loss they had just suffered. ‘I’m glad to find you so reconciled to your new condition. I hope it won’t be a setback to have to sit through the reading of the Will tomorrow? I received a note from old Mr Witherspoon, Father’s solicitor. He would like to come here tomorrow morning at ten to read the Will. I sent word back that it would be acceptable. I hope you agree?’
    Lena nodded. ‘Yes, I do. How were things at the office?’
    â€˜Ralph had looked after everything, but of course he couldn’t make any major decisions.’
    â€˜Have there been any to make?’
    â€˜No. It has been a quiet time, though the growth of the Empire generally suggests there may well be chances for expansion for the more far-sighted.’
    She nodded. ‘Father did mention that possibility to me two months ago.’
    James started. ‘He never said anything of it to me.’ The sudden harshness in his voice with was not lost on Lena.
    She was quick to come to her father’s defence. ‘It was just a casual remark he made one day when I visited the office. I don’t know where you were - possibly at the Wanderer. She had just docked with a cargo from the West Indies. Her arrival may have prompted him to suggest there were further opportunities to be had in that direction.’
    James felt a pang of jealousy that Lena had been taken into their father’s confidence and that this possible development had not been mentioned to him personally. He tried to persuade himself that it had been merely an oversight on Father’s part or that such an advance was not an immediate proposition. Nevertheless, it did raise a query in his mind - had John left any provision in his Will to involve Lena in the future running of the firm?
    Similar thoughts entertained her mind as she settled into bed for the night. Lena admitted to herself that she had experienced a touch of delight to discover that her father had confided something in her and not in James. Did this signify she would be permitted, by a clause in his Will, to have a say in the future management of the family firm?
    She felt secretly sure that it would be so. After all, her father had always encouraged her interest in the business and how it was run. Tomorrow would reveal all.
    Â 
    Walter Witherspoon arrived at precisely ten o’clock. The maid who answered the door had been instructed about his arrival. After taking his hat and coat she escorted him to the drawing-room where Lena and James were awaiting him.
    The solicitor was nervous and it showed in the way his narrow shoulders, set on a thin frame, seemed to stoop more, giving him a hunched appearance and the impression that he was peering at whomever he addressed. In spite of forty years spent in the profession he had entered at the age of twenty-five, he had never grown easy about reading Wills to bereaved relations, for he had never mastered the art of expressing commiserations and sympathy.
    â€˜Mr Witherspoon.’ A friendly tone in his voice, James rose from his chair and extended a hand in welcome.
    The solicitor felt his own bony hand crushed in its firm grip. He gulped a little but managed to splutter, ‘Mr James . . . er . . . Mr Carnforth. I’m sorry for your loss.’ He turned quickly to Lena who sat in a chair, hands primly placed together on her lap. ‘Miss Carnforth, my commis—er . . . commiserations.’ He bowed to her. ‘A terrible loss.’
    Lena inclined her head. ‘Indeed, Mr Witherspoon.’ Then she added quickly, to relieve his nervous embarrassment, ‘You’ll take some chocolate?’
    â€˜Very kind, Miss Carnforth. Very kind indeed.’
    She glanced at her brother who was already on his way to