Arian Read Free Page A

into submission by the fate life had meted out to her. Well, whatever stories lie behind her demure façade, that was her business and none of his.
    As the girl moved away, Calvin turned his attention to Jamie O’Conner. The man was leaning forwards on the wooden settle, his legs stretched out before him, his pipe clenched between his teeth and he was watching the girl with a look of concern. Calvin wondered what he was thinking. At least the man wasn’t a gossip, he kept his own counsel.
    Perversely, Calvin suddenly wished to draw the man out, make conversation with him.
    ‘Farm thriving?’ He asked casually and Jamie took his time in deliberation before answering the question.
    ‘Pretty busy this time of year.’ Jamie smiled suddenly and his face was transformed. He was a man that most women would find irresistible and it was clear he was a man at peace with the world and himself. Calvin envied him.
    ‘Early lambing always means work for everyone on the farm but I’ve got the excuse of coming into town for some seed. Could have sent the labourer sure enough but I felt the urge to bend my arm over a drink as a change from driving a plough.’
    Calvin had liked Jamie O’Conner when he’d first met him and now he found himself warming to the man even more. They were from different worlds and yet Calvin recognized the strength of purpose in him.
    ‘You are a lucky man,’ he said almost absently and Jamie nodded.
    ‘Aye, I’ve got my land, a fine wife, a son and now another babbi on the way. You could surely call me lucky.’
    Calvin raised his hand without turning, calling for another drink. His arm met something soft, and there was a sharp intake of breath behind him and the crash of smashing china.
    Calvin was on his feet in an instant and turned to meet the apologetic eyes of Arian Smale.
    ‘Sorry, sir,’ she said quickly. ‘I hope there’s no ale on your sleeve.’
    The landlord hurried across the sawdust-covered floor and bellowed angrily, his face red.
    ‘For God’s sake, was you born awkward?’ He raised his hand as if to cuff the girl but Calvin grasped his wrist.
    ‘No harm done,’ he said easily. ‘In any case it was my fault not hers.’
    ‘She’s a trouble-maker, that one,’ the landlord said staring down at Arian with baleful eyes. ‘Needs teaching a lesson and I’m just the one to do it. Whatever I try to do for her, she treats me like I’m dog shit, pardon my language, sir.’
    He turned to Arian, ‘Get out into the kitchen, out of my sight,’ he said. ‘I’ll deal with you later.’
    Arian was removing the sacking apron from around her waist with an air of resignation. She ignored the customers and faced the landlord.
    ‘I’m not going to let you hit me,’ her voice was cold, ‘and I’m not coming to your bed, whatever your threats or promises, I’d rather leave here.’
    ‘What and go back to sleeping rough?’ The landlord sounded incredulous. ‘Nothing but a tinker you are and what I say is—’
    The rest of his sentence was cut off as Jamie shouldered him aside and took Arian by the arm. ‘You are coming home with me,’ he said. ‘You know Fon wants you to stay with us, give her a hand, like.’ He gestured around the room. ‘There’s no need for you to work at this sort of job and you know it.’
    ‘Thank you, Jamie,’ Arian said quietly, ‘but you’ve got enough mouths to feed without me adding to your burdens. Don’t worry, I’ll soon find something else.’
    ‘What about working for me?’ Calvin was surprised when the words came out of his mouth. He certainly hadn’t meant to say them.
    ‘As what?’ Arian was looking at him with suspicion in her eyes. Calvin noticed that the lashes sweeping her cheeks when she looked away from him were dark in contrast with the lightness of her hair.
    ‘As a servant, what else?’ he said easily. ‘I’ve a housekeeper, new at her job, and a cook who is growing old, and both of them could do with help.’ He