Free Obsession by Claire Lorrimer Page A

ensure God’s pardon!’
    She still looked worried, wondering whether with Harriet’s loss of memory of her sister’s name as well as her own, she would really be able accurately to recall the route to her relative’s house. Privately, she had disagreed with Sister Mary Francis that Harriet was a ‘fallen woman’ whose dire situation had been brought about by a love affair disapproved of by her parents, and that she had run away with the unsuitable gentleman who had deserted her, thus forcing her on to the streets. This suspicion was reinforced by the number of times, whilst in her coma, that Harriet had called for someone whose name had sounded like Luke to ‘come back’ to her.
    Now, despite Harriet’s assurance that she could clearly recall the route to her sister’s house, Sister Brigitte still doubted if her patient, whom she had grown fond of these past weeks, would ever in fact arrive safely. Mother Superior had refused to allow her to travel with Harriet to Ireland, so she had taken the precaution of giving her the name of the convent in Dublin where she must tell the cab driver to take her if she became lost.
    She now clasped Harriet’s hands, saying, ‘May God go with you, child, and keep you free of sin.’
    There were tears in Harriet’s eyes as she watched the warm-hearted nun who had taken such limitless care of her, often throughout the long nights, walk slowly down the gangplank and disappear amongst the milling crowds of sailors, dock workers and people on the jetty. She turned to find Lady Cavanagh staring at her.
    ‘Your nun told me you had been very ill,’ she said. ‘I hope you will not feel ill during our passage to Ireland. It can be very rough at times, you know.’
    Harriet smiled. ‘It is kind of you to ask,’ she said. ‘As it happens, I am a very good sailor. Two years ago I crossed the English Channel in a gale, and …’ She broke off, aware that mention of her husband and their honeymoon might arouse this woman’s curiosity, and cause her to ask awkward questions such as why she was without her maid or, indeed, her husband or a relative to escort her.
    ‘I do assure you that Sister Brigitte was worrying about me quite unduly,’ Harriet said. ‘Please do not let me delay you as I am sure you want to get settled in your cabin. I will find a steward to show me to mine.’
    Seeing the older woman hesitating, she added, ‘If I should have need of assistance, I can ask for his help, but thank you for your kind offer.’
    Relieved that the young girl sounded so self-reliant, Lady Cavanagh departed to her cabin with her maid. A steward appeared to take Harriet to her cabin. Having deposited her few belongings in the small space available, she decided to find a sheltered spot on deck. A passing sailor opened out a deck chair for her and she settled down to watch the crew making preparations for departure. The sight brought back memories of similar occasions on her honeymoon and a deep pang of longing for Brook.
    Her thoughts were distracted by the crowds of men, women and children pushing past her on their way down to steerage below deck. All were loaded with luggage for the journey. It was a full half hour later that she heard the sound of the boat’s engines throbbing as the steamer prepared to leave the dock.
    A number of passengers were now braving the cold and were standing at the rails waving to their friends or relatives who had come to see them off. It was not long, however, before the steam packet had left the shelter of the dock walls and was heading out into a choppy sea.
    Harriet could look down to the lowest deck, where the passengers were competing to take possession of one of the wooden-tiered bunks lining each side of the cramped interior. The only light came through the open hatchways. The noise of people talking and children shouting or crying was deafening as families climbed into the bunk beds which were stacked to the ceiling above in three tiers. Although