Midnight at Mallyncourt Read Free Page A

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    â€œYou make five pounds a month,” he said.
    â€œHow did you know that?”
    â€œI know everything I need to know about you, Miss Randall. You’re a competent actress, well worth that salary, but you’re worried about your job. You hope to open a dress shop in London. You’re saving toward that goal. Recently there’s been a certain amount of tension. It seems Gerald Prince has suddenly developed an interest in you, and Prince is another man accustomed to having his own way. If foiled, he’s been known to take severe measures. If you continue to reject his suit, you might well find yourself out of work.”
    â€œYou—you’ve been talking to members of the company.”
    â€œNever mind that. Am I correct?”
    â€œI see no reason why I should confirm or deny anything you might—”
    â€œI’m correct,” he continued. “You’re in a rather ticklish situation. After observing your conduct this afternoon, I believe I’m safe in assuming that you will continue to reject his suit. That means dismissal—tomorrow, next week, next month, whenever Prince finally sees the futility of his pursuit.”
    â€œI’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Mr. Baker.”
    â€œI disagree, Miss Randall. You are, alas, a woman, and a damnably attractive one at that. Your reputation went up in flames the moment you left York with the company. No respectable man would marry you after you’ve been on the stage—sad but true in this age of ours. Nor could you find employment as a governess. You’ve saved enough to keep you for a while, but as soon as that money is gone—” He shook his head, making a slight gesture that somehow managed to describe imminent doom.
    â€œHow could that possibly concern you ?”
    â€œUnder other circumstances, it wouldn’t concern me at all. I’m not a bleeding heart. I couldn’t care less about the suffering masses. The plight of the poor, the slum dwellers, the downtrodden and exploited factory workers—let Mr. Dickens and his ilk bleed for them. I haven’t the slightest interest. Quite frankly, I find the victims of society a tedious bore. I’m interested in your own plight because I can make use of it. If that weren’t the case, you could go to hell in a carriage and I wouldn’t lift a hand to help you.”
    â€œYour frankness is overwhelming.”
    â€œIt’s another of my more attractive qualities.”
    â€œI’ve never met a man so—so—”
    â€œDastardly?” he suggested.
    â€œTotally ruthless!” I snapped. “You seem to take pride in it.”
    â€œAlas, you’re right,” he said, apparently downcast. “I have very few of the redeeming virtues, but one must accept oneself as one is, and I, it seems, am a thorough cad. You agree with me. I can see it in your eyes. Cad I am, but at least I don’t pretend to be a saint. Hypocrisy is one of the few bad traits I don’t possess.”
    He spoke with gentle mockery, painting himself as a blackhearted villain, unfeeling, unscrupulous, but I wondered if that was entirely the case. He was cold and selfish and insufferably arrogant, but I was sure there was more to the man than met the eye. Even though I loathed him, even though I longed to fly at his face with nails unsheathed, I couldn’t help but be fascinated, and I was extremely eager to hear about the ‘business proposition’ he had in mind. However, I would have gone to the stake before letting him suspect it. Chin still haughtily tilted, I tried to maintain a frigid dignity.
    Edward Baker gazed at me thoughtfully.
    â€œYou make five pounds a month, Miss Randall,” he said. “I’m willing to pay you five hundred pounds for one brief engagement.”
    â€œI can’t be bought, Mr. Baker.”
    â€œI don’t wish to buy you . I wish to buy your skills as an