Alicia Read Free Page B

town.”He laid the mitts carefully on the counter and murmured, after a questioning glance at Mr. Dean, a reduced price for the item.
    Alicia watched appreciatively as the old woman’s stubbornly set face relaxed somewhat in her belief that the battle was won. Not that her ladyship immediately agreed to the purchase; she examined the mitts minutely and, unable to find any fault with them, grudgingly said, “You may put them on my account.”Mr. Dean voiced his appreciation and excused himself while his assistant wrapped the tiny package.
    Wiping his forehead, he returned to Alicia muttering apologetically of the dowager marchioness of Stronbert before he resumed his discussion of the shop. Just as they entered the rear cubicle that served as an office, Alicia saw the customer depart with a swish of her incredible orange-striped puce walking dress over old-fashioned panniers.
    “I fear I have not been up to keeping ahead of the paper work this last half year,”Mr. Dean remarked with a wave at the disorderly piles, “but you will find that everything is paid for immediately.”He began to cough discreetly, and turned aside from them when he was unable to contain the racking gasps which overtook him. Alicia quickly pulled up a chair for him and Stephen gently seated him in it. It was several minutes before he was able to recover himself to speak further with them.
    “I beg your pardon,”he finally managed. He turned red-rimmed eyes to Alicia and explained, “I am anxious to sell the property and the business, as you can see, due to my health. I should like to show you the cottage myself, but I fear I need to rest for a moment.”He handed a ring of large keys to Stephen and explained that the cottage was right behind the shop, facing on Fetter Lane and could be reached through the rear of the shop or by going back to the entrance and turning down the lane. “I wish you will understand that the cottage is very small and not in the best order at this moment,”he apologized. “I have not taken care of it as I should since my wife died several years ago.”
    Alicia chose to exit through the rear of the office and found a small L-shaped, overgrown garden with a well-traversed path leading to the small white cottage. There was not a great deal of space in the kitchen or the maid’s room, and the dining room and sitting room beyond were only of moderate size. But the wood wainscoting was attractive. Somehow it reminded Alicia in miniature of the home of a friend she had had as a girl. The entry hall had stairs leading directly up to the floor above, where two bedrooms came off either side. These rooms were dusty and dark, and Alicia hurried to open the dark and fading draperies. When the autumn sun shone into the rooms, dust drops dancing in its beams, there was an indefinable change in the atmosphere. Alicia and her daughter smiled at one another suddenly and a decision was made. “We shall have it,”Alicia announced.
    Stephen turned an alarmed countenance on his sister. “But you have not even seen it from the front yet. And what about the shop? Mr. Dean is obviously months behind in his bookkeeping and...”
    “Now, Stephen, you know that matters not the very least. If you are willing, I would have you negotiate the price with him. But do not take advantage of his illness. I can afford to pay a fair price since the cottage will be adequate for us.”
    “But, Alicia, it is tiny!”he protested.
    “Yes, but it is also charming and we shall easily make do. And Stephen, make sure that the assistant, Mr. Allerton, is willing to work for a woman. Also, find out how soon I may take possession. I want things settled as quickly as possible. My solicitor is in Scarborough, and the funds from the sale of Katterly Grange, my share of them, are immediately available.”
    Stephen could not accept this rash decision without demur. He was used to handling all the business for his family and found it difficult to see his sister