Sheltering Rain Read Online Free PDF Page B

mention of Ireland had been counterbalanced by the words “private trust.” But it was her father’s face Joy gazed at, desperately searching for some sign of approval.
    â€œIt’s awfully sudden. I don’t see why you can’t wait.”
    â€œDo you think you love her?” Her father, leaning back in his chair, his gin and tonic in hand, stared at Edward. Joy flushed. It seemed almost obscene, him saying it out loud like that.
    Edward looked at her for a long time, and then took her hand, making her color again. No man had ever even touched her in front of her parents.
    â€œI don’t know if either of us could call it love yet,” he said slowly, almost addressing Joy. “But I’m not young and foolish; I’ve met lots of girls, and I know as surely as I know anything that Joy is unlike anyone I’ve ever met.”
    â€œYou can say that again,” muttered her mother.
    â€œAll I can say is I think I can make her happy. If I had longer, I would be able to put your mind at rest. But, the fact is, I’ve got to sail pretty well straightaway.”
    It didn’t occur to Joy to question the speed of his feelings. She was simply fiercely grateful that they appeared to match the strength of her own. Still reeling from the fact that someone had called her unique in a good way, it took her some minutes to realize that his hand had started to sweat.
    â€œIt’s too soon, Graham. Tell them. They don’t even know each other.”
    Joy caught the brightness in her mother’s eyes, the agitation behind them. She’s jealous, she thought suddenly. She’s jealous because she’s disappointed in her own life and she can’t bear the thought that someone might be about to sweep me out of mine.
    Her father stared at Edward for a while longer, as if working something out. Edward held his gaze.
    â€œWell, they do things faster these days,” said Graham, motioning to Bei-Lin to fetch some more drinks. “You remember what it was like in the war, Alice.”
    Joy had to fight to suppress a little thrill of excitement. She squeezed Edward’s hand and felt the faintest of returns.
    Her father drained his glass. He appeared to be momentarily absorbed in something outside the window.
    â€œSo, say I said yes, young man. What would you plan to do about it in thirty-six hours?”
    â€œWe want to get married,” said Joy, breathlessly. She felt able to speak now that it seemed they were only arguing over timing.
    Her father didn’t appear to hear her. He was talking to Edward.
    â€œI’ll respect your wishes, sir.”
    â€œThen I’ll say you have my blessing. To get engaged.”
    Joy’s heart leapt. And fell. “You can marry when you’re next on shore leave.”
    There was a stunned silence in the room. Joy, fighting back disappointment, was dimly aware of the shuffling sound of Bei-Lin, behind the door, rushing off to tell the cook. Her mother was staring at her and back at her father. What would people think?
    â€œIf you’re serious about each other, then it won’t hurt to wait. You can buy the ring, make all the announcements, and then get married later.” Her father put his glass heavily down on the lacquered table, as if signifying that judgment had been passed.
    Joy turned to look at Edward, who was letting out a slow, deep breath. Please disagree, she willed. Tell him you’ve got to marry me now. Take me away on your big gray ship.
    But Edward said nothing.
    Gazing at him, Joy experienced the first thrill of disappointment in her new partner, the first microcosmic, bitter recognition that the man in whom she placed her highest hopes, her greatest trust, might not be entirely what she had hoped.
    â€œWhen will that be?” she said, trying to keep the tremor from her voice. “When do you think you’ll be off your ship?”
    â€œOur next proper stop is New York,” he said,