A Scandalous Arrangement Read Free

correct. I do hope so on this occasion, Miss Wynne. Mr. Luke? He is the new owner of the mill, I assume.”
    “His tenure will be brief. I intend to own Wynne’s.” In her heart she already did, and had been the owner for the last ten years. It was a pity the law did not see it her way, but she would find a way to set that right.
    “I see. Very well, I will not disclose anything of the current situation outside of this office, though I do believe you should take Mrs. Wynne and Miss Georgina into your confidence. Their support would be invaluable whilst you… whilst you…” He had no apparent enthusiasm for completing his sentence, and Victoria had no wish to hear it in any case. Mr. Timmins flattened his lips as his employer shook her head, her refusal to share this catastrophic news quite emphatic. “Very well. Is there anything I might do to assist you?”
    “Yes, there is. I expect to be very busy for the next few days so I will require you to be in charge here. Starting now, if you would.”
    “It is already after five o’clock, Miss Wynne. May I suggest you go home, enjoy a meal with your family, and sleep on this? We can discuss our tactics in the morning.”
    “So late? Have all the workers left then?”
    “Yes. The looms shut down thirty minutes ago.”
    Goodness, she had not even noticed the silence from the factory floor. Mr. Timmins was right, she did need to take break. She needed to regroup. Victoria managed a tremulous smile for her loyal employee. “You are quite correct. I will leave now. Would you mind locking up, please?”
    “Of course, Miss Wynne. I will see you in the morning.”
     
    * * *
     
    “Cauliflower, dear?” Hester Wynne leaned across the dining table to offer the tureen to Victoria. “You look pale, Victoria. Is something amiss?”
    Victoria gave herself a mental shake. “No, mama, I am perfectly fine. Just tired. It has been a long day.”
    Hester tutted as she rose and came around the table to serve her daughter vegetables. “You work too hard, Victoria, and too long. You need a holiday, my dear. Perhaps we could find a few days to spend in Harrogate. Just the three of us. That would be nice, I think. We would enjoy the spa. Or Scarborough, even.”
    Victoria shook her head. “I can’t, not right now. The mill is so busy, and I have much to settle.” She glanced up, softening her tone as she took in her mother’s anxious expression. “Maybe later in the year. When the weather improves.”
    The older woman bestowed a considering gaze on her eldest child, then nodded. “In the summer then. Definitely. I insist. Georgina, please pass your sister some potatoes.”
    Between them Hester and Georgina Wynne ensured that Victoria was well supplied with food, then they both peered at her as she pushed their efforts around on her plate.
    “Is the beef not to your liking? I believe Mrs. Bridger purchased it especially with you in mind.” Georgina’s question several minutes later interrupted Victoria’s frantic head-spinning.
    “What? Yes, it is very nice. Perfectly tender. Mrs. Bridger has done well, as always.”
    “Then why do you not eat it? We have the finest cook in town, you always say so. You should do her food justice.”
    “As I said, I am tired, and not especially hungry I find. Please convey my apologies and my appreciation to Mrs. Bridger.” Victoria laid down her knife and fork and crumpled her napkin before tossing it onto the table. She rose. “I wonder, would you both excuse me, please?”
    “I trust you do not intend to return to work.” Hester’s tone was tart as she watched her daughter’s progress toward the door.
    Victoria paused, and half turned. “No. Well, not really. I do have some figures to look over. Not much, I promise, just an hour or so. I’ll be in the library.”
    “Very well, dear. I’ll pop in and say goodnight later then.” Hester sounded less than impressed, but Victoria was too accustomed to managing her own time to take