“So?” he asked again.
“I don’t really know. Maybe stay on for a couple of weeks,” she answered easily, then paused. When she continued her voice was more careful. “Why do you ask?”
He took a deep breath; his chest didn’t ache any more, his breath was unsteady.
“I was thinking…George offered me a job to set up a mother and baby clinic on La Canette. I…” He blew the breath out through his lips then said the words, “I think I’m going to accept and stay.”
“Oh…” She was quiet.
He was quiet.
Busy thoughts, question and answers ran through his mind and he suspected hers too.
“Laura?” It came out in a low whisper.
“I’m here,” she whispered back.
“Would you consider staying on for a while?”
She drew a sharp breath. “You told me you were not a commitment kind of man.”
“I know. But…” He paused.If you can make a heap of all your winnings, lose and start again… “Laura, could we try?”
Chapter Thirty-One
The storm broketwo hours later. Millie had returned to Guernsey to see Lord M and help bring him back.
Laura had just finished painting the silk underskirt. The dress hung on its mannequin to dry, and she had come home early. Millie would be back tomorrow but the Casemate would be closed for a half-day holiday. All the workers were going down to the port to welcome Lord M.
It tugged at her heart how the women were trying so hard to show gratitude because they knew Lord M was on their side trying to help their business. Mrs Wheatley had finally left her position and no one was in any doubt the business’s days were numbered unless a miracle saved them.
Earlier that morning, a delegation of the women led by Rovena had come to see Laura in her workroom at the back. They asked her if she’d like to take over the manager’s position.
And do what?
Mrs Wheatley didn’t abandon ship for no reason. The fabrics they made, the rich damask curtains and soft furnishings were still too expensive to make and could not compete with mass-produced material from the Far East. And Laura was unlikely to find too many brides to make dresses for here.
Then Adam had called with his questions.
Was she going to do the same thing she did with Jacob, abandon her career for a man?
Because when she thought Millie had changed her mind about the dress, she had nearly fallen apart.
The words came back to her, Millie’s words:I had to protect myself, build wonderful things for myself that wouldn’t melt away if some man left me.
Staying on La Canette, wonderful though it could be, was not a career.
For the last two hours, she’d felt as if someone had put her inside a washing machine and turned on the spin cycle.
Nicole had arranged for Emmett to take pictures of the workers at the port holding up aWelcome Home Lord Mbanner.
Mrs B, on her way down the first floor gallery had stopped to chat with Laura. She had just finished observing that Nicole, “Like her or not, was doing her best to celebrate Lord M’s return and had organized the photoshoot. I can respect her for that.”
Then the woman herself marched towards them like a galleon in full sail, spotted Laura and advanced on her. “How dare you, how dare you?” she almost shouted.
Laura, about to go to the kitchen for lunch was momentarily stunned.
“What now?”
