Web of Dreams (Casteel 5)

"Now, Cleave?" Momma asked with irritation in her voice.

"I'm afraid so. You can hold things down here for a while, Jillian. Leigh, would you like to come along? You should learn about the business. Someday, all this will be yours. If it lasts," he added.

"Now don't go taking her down to the engine room," Momma ordered, "like you did last time. She doesn't have to know how things work."

"Of course she does. She should know things inside out, and besides," Daddy said, "she seems to have a proclivity toward mechanical things. I bet she could take apart an engine and put it back together in no time now, couldn't you, Leigh?"

"Hardly an accomplishment for a young lady to brag about," Momma snapped. "I wish you would treat her more like what she is and not like some tomboy. Really, Cleave." There was an extra edge of annoyance in Momma's voice, as though she had, forgotten even about the fancy party going on all around us. I held my breath for fear they were going to get into an argument about it right then and there.

"We're not going down to the engine room, Momma. I'm not dressed for that."

"I'm glad you have that much sense at least, which is far more than your father has," she said, glaring at Daddy.

"Well, let's get started then, so we can come right back," he said to me, and we went off to the bridge of the ship, leaving Momma fuming, I knew.

I had met the captain of The Jillian before, Captain Thomas Willshaw, an ex--British Navy officer, and I liked him very much because he always looked and spoke to me when Daddy and I were with him, and he seemed to enjoy explaining things to me. While Daddy and he discussed the journey, the navigator took out the nautical maps and traced our route for me.

"I'm happy that you're not bored with all this, Leigh,"

Daddy said. "There is no reason why you won't be able to run a big business when you are out of school."

I nodded, but I thought how different Daddy and Momma really are and how differently they see things, especially things for me.

When we stepped out on the deck again on our way back to the ballroom, Daddy took my hand and we looked out over the great ship.

"You see, Leigh, a man has to have a deeper reason for working, for striving and building all this. His ego is not enough. He has to believe he is building it all for a more substantial reason. I'm building it all for you. I should say battling it all for you, since the entire luxury liner industry is in turmoil right now.

"I know I work too hard and don't get to spend enough time with you, but do you understand what I mean, Leigh?" he asked, his face as tight and as serious as I had ever seen it.

"Yes, Daddy."

"I mean I don't mean to pull you away from all the things girls love. Your mother thinks I'm always trying to make you into a son instead of a daughter, but I just want you to be capable of owning all this and overseeing it. I wouldn't want it placed in the hands of some trusteeship just because hadn't given you adequate preparation."

"Daddy, I'm so proud that you think I'm smart enough and that you think one day I will be capable of helping you here. It means more to me than all the parties and dance dresses in the world."

His face relaxed and broke into a smile. "Good," he said. He kissed me twice and pulled me to him and for the first time in days I realized suddenly that I felt warm and safe.

"Well, my little princess, we'd better get back to the party or your mother will have me strung up on the yardarm."

When we returned, the party was in full swing. The dance floor was crowded, and everyone was indulging in the fine foods.

Daddy got right into conversations with people and I wandered about looking for Momma, but I couldn't find her. I looked for Tony, too, but couldn't find him either. I decided to have something to eat. A little while later, I spotted Momma and Tony entering the ballroom. Tony went off to speak to some people and Momma joined me at my table.

"I was showing Tony the ship," she explained, with a giggle. "Well, I'm glad there's no grease on your elbows this time."

"Daddy just wants me to understand things."

"You pay people to understand things for you. That's the point in being the owner," she replied. She kept gazing Tony's way, clearly waiting for him to turn toward her. It wasn't like her not to circulate among all the guests, I thought. Usually, for all her complaining, she enjoyed being the owner's wife and helping to decide who would be invited to the captain's table later on in the voyage. Momma saw the way I was staring at her.

"Why are you gorging on all this food?" she asked me. "It's never too early to start worrying about your figure."

"I'm not gorging, Momma. I haven't eaten very much all day and I just look . . ."

Suddenly, her face got funny and cold and her eyes got small. "How do I really look tonight, Leigh? Do I look prettier than any woman here? Have you seen anyone who looks younger or more beautiful?" She seemed almost in a frenzy. Then her voice changed. "You can tell me the truth," she purred. But her eyes were still hard, like ice chips. She gripped my arm hurtingly.

"Momma," I began, but she didn't hear me.

"Just look at some of these women," she said, nodding toward the party crowd. "Some have become so fat, they've lost all their femininity. No wonder their husbands hover about me like panting dogs." Her face softened back to the mother I was used to. She looked back at Tony and he turned her way. Even across the vast room, they seemed to be able to communicate, for she turned back to me to say she would see me later and hurried off to join him.