Arian Read Free Page B

shrugged, ‘It’s entirely up to you. I live up at Stormhill Manor if you are interested.’
    He picked up his hat and dropped some money on the damp table top. ‘Here, landlord,’ he said, ‘that should compensate you for the loss of your mug of ale.’ He smiled, ‘As for the loss of your barmaid, I don’t think you’ll mind that very much, will you?’
    Outside, in the clear air, Calvin took a deep breath. What was he about, taking pity on the girl? She probably was trouble as the landlord claimed. Arian Smale had been involved in several scandals already, considering she was just a slip of a girl. He shrugged as he strode away from the hotel. Arian Smale was nothing to do with him, she could go to hell her own way for all he cared.
    Arian hurried from the hotel and regardless of the bite of the rough cobbles against the thin soles of her shoes began to run after the retreating figure of Calvin Temple. His offer had been a genuine one and though she didn’t relish fetching and carrying for the rich of the town, neither did she relish the thought of sleeping outdoors again, not after having had a bed, however humble, in the upper reaches of the Castle Hotel.
    ‘Sir,’ she said breathlessly, ‘I’ll take the job if it’s still on offer.’
    ‘How good of you.’ Calvin’s shoulder seemed to hunch away from her as though he was embarrassed at her nearness.
    ‘Can I come up to the manor now. Please,’ she added as an afterthought.
    ‘That will be all right.’ Calvin glanced at her with a complete lack of interest that somehow piqued Arian. She knew she wasn’t looking her best, her hair needed washing and her clothes were faded and torn but all the same, she was used to seeing lust in the eyes of any man who took the trouble to really look at her.
    She knew about Lord Temple’s troubles. Everyone in Swansea had heard that he’d been cuckolded by his wife, that he’d learned that the child she’d borne was not his and had cast her out without a penny to her name, and that he’d even closed down Eline’s business enterprises, cleverly depriving her of any profit from them.
    Arian had worked for Eline briefly, but that was before Price Davies had started his campaign of hatred against her. Arian shivered, pushing away the painful memories.
    ‘Are you cold?’ Calvin Temple looked down at her, his eyebrows raised, a frown creasing his forehead. He was a handsome man but there was an impatience about him, about the way he moved, even about the way he spoke.
    ‘I’m all right,’ Arian said with feigned indifference. ‘I’m used to being out in the weather.’
    The drive leading to Stormhill Manor was tree lined and long and when the impressive structure came into view, Arian took a deep breath wondering how Eline Temple could have brought herself to give up all this for a love match with a cobbler in some poky rented room.
    Calvin Temple led the way into the spacious hallway and when a young servant girl bobbed a curtsy to him, he gestured for Arian to be taken to the kitchens.
    ‘Tell Mrs Bob to find her something to eat and to see to it that there’s a room ready and some warm, clean clothing, er …’
    ‘Bella, sir and if it please your lordship, where can I get clothes from, none of us her size, see?’
    Calvin glanced first at the maid’s rounded body and then he turned to where Arian stood, slight and delicate.
    ‘I see the problem.’ He put his hand in his pocket and took out some money. ‘Run out and fetch some clothes then, Bella. You can be trusted to buy skirts and undergarments, can’t you?’
    Before Arian could protest, he turned away. ‘Don’t worry,’ he said dryly, ‘it can come out of your first month’s money, you won’t owe me a thing.’
    He opened the doors to what appeared to be the library, numerous volumes of books ranging the walls, protected by glass doors. A cheerful fire gleamed in the hearth and a leather-topped desk and chair took precedence over any other