Cold All the Way Through, But Warming

Discussions

The ride in the motor cab down to the docks was more than a little tense. Will and I wound up facing Jeanie and Samuel, and despite Jeanie's best efforts to try and engage all of us in conversation, silence eventually won out. I tried to keep an eye on Samuel as we pulled up to the offices, he kept his face neutral as the cab stopped and the driver let us out. I could see his eyes, the same clear blue as Will's, begin to rove around and take in the docks. The Star had sailed back for New York, but plenty of other ships had taken her place and the crush of colliers, porters and sailors lent an air of industry to the proceedings. I caught sight of Mr. Welton making his way toward us, I gestured to him as he came up. "Captain Murdoch, this is Julian Welton, our manager in Southampton. Would you care to see the offices first or see if Mr. Welton could arrange for you to see some of our ships?"

Samuel cast a despairing glance at the brick warehouse, "I'd rather be seein' yer ships first."

"Mr. Welton, could that be arranged?" I gave him a smile, hoping he'd catch on. "My future father-in-law was a great captain in his day, and he is interested in exactly what our ships are capable of."

"Of course, will you ladies be joining us?" Mr. Welton gave a nod toward Jeanie and I. "We have five of our ships in, and one will actually be departing shortly if you would care to see her off."

Jeanie shook her head, "I've done enough clamberin' through ships, I'll be stayin' out here."

"Perhaps you'd like to wait in my office with me? I could arrange for tea to be brought up." I turned to her, she was nodding and appeared to be somewhat tired. "Well, let's let the men head off and we'll get all settled." I offered her my arm, and gave Will's hand a squeeze before heading off. I wouldn't have minded going through the ships with them, seeing all the holds and boilers, speaking to the captains about their routes and their crews, but there were times when men had to do things without any feminine interference, and I could feel this was one of them. We walked slowly through the warehouse, and even slower up the stairs to the offices. In fact we paused on a step for a moment before she seemed to collect herself and start up again. Jeanie sat heavily in a chair in a corner of the office while I asked a clerk to bring us some tea. I ignored the large chair behind the desk, instead sitting by Jeanie at the table. "Are you alright, Mrs. Murdoch?"

"I told ye, Jeanie lass," She had her eyes closed, breathing deeply through her nose. "I had some pains last night, and they didn't let up in the mornin'."

"Is there anything I could send for? Some aspirin, maybe?" I started from my chair, "I could have a doctor called."

"Don't bother yerself, it will fade with time." She opened her eyes, taking in the office. "Sit, sit. 'Tis a fine place ye have, though I imagine it's nothin' compared to yer place in America." I watched her look around, considering the large bookcases stuffed with ledgers and models, the huge windows letting in the light and looking out over the docks. The rich royal blue damask curtains that kept watch on them were held aside with white silk ties, the colors of Dalian shipping repeated in the upholstery and rugs across the office. I stared out them for a moment, watching the gulls sweep by and the clouds scudding across the sky.

"It was my father's office, he always came down when we visited London. It's very similar to my office in New York." I felt the slight twist at my heart as I moved back to my chair, and was grateful that a clerk bustled in with a plain tea service on a tray that he left on the table. It gave me a moment to collect myself, to try and keep my feelings in check. I poured for myself and Jeanie, and gladly took a sip. "I've made several visits myself during my stay here."

"Will said ye lost yer father in the sinkin'." Jeanie blew softly on her own cup. "I am sorry fer that, losin' a parent is hard on a child."

"It is," I stared at the tea in my cup, inhaling the scent and hoping to keep the tears from my eyes. "I miss him very much."