Sweet Rosie Read Free

feel in mine at the moment.’
    ‘Ah well, I’m older and wiser than you, lad.’ She pushed him playfully in the back. ‘And, remember, Eynon is far wealthier than Llinos Mainwaring even though she married a rich foreigner.’
    Watt was aware of her watching him as he dressed. He smiled at her as she stood neat and ready for duty, impatiently waiting for him.
    ‘You never did like Llinos, did you?’
    ‘Sure, I don’t care one way or another about the woman,’ Maura said icily. ‘She seems happy enough with the Indian fella but it’s not the sort of life for a lady, is it?’
    ‘I thought you didn’t care one way or another about her?’ There was a touch of asperity to Watt’s tone that was not lost on Maura.
    ‘Go on, defend her!’ Maura’s colour was high. ‘You’re like a little lap dog around her. I just don’t understand you.’
    ‘I’m not a lap dog,’ Watt said. ‘I’m grateful to Llinos, she gave me a home when I was alone. I love her like a sister.’
    Maura’s shoulders were stiff. ‘Are you sure about that?’
    Watt relaxed suddenly. ‘You’re jealous!’ he said. ‘You are actually jealous of my affection for Llinos Mainwaring.’ Laughingly, he swept her into his arms and threw her on the bed. ‘You silly goose!’ He leaned close to her, his fingers twined in her red hair. ‘I love Llinos like a sister, I love you like an eager lover should love the woman of his dreams.’ He kissed her and though she wriggled a little, her mouth was warm against his. Finally, she pushed him away.
    ‘Sure an’ now I’ll have to comb my hair again!’ She pretended to be angry but the glint in her eyes told him she was mollified.
    ‘Right then, I’ll be off back to Pottery House.’ Watt allowed his arm to linger around Maura’s shoulders. ‘Will I see you tonight?’
    ‘You’d better!’ She touched his face lightly and her features were softened with love. Watt’s heart beat faster; she made him feel ten feet tall. He was loved and that was the most precious gift any woman could give a man.
    The kilns above the pottery wall shimmered with heat and Watt, approaching uphill towards Pottery Row, watched, without really seeing it, the cloud of mist rising from the ovens. As he drew nearer, the sharp smell of turpentine and lead oxide brought a wave of nostalgic memories. Watt had worked at the pottery as a child; he had come from the workhouse and his first job had been collecting the shards of pottery, cleaning up the yard and acting as a dogsbody for all the other workers.
    Watt smiled; now he was manager, handling imports of china clay, ordering the raw material for the work. He had the power to hire and fire. He was a fair man and so long as folk gave their best, that was enough for him.
    As Watt neared the house, Joe emerged holding his son by the hand. Joe was a handsome man; he stood tall and powerful, his long black hair framing a strong-boned face. But today there was an air of sadness about him; a drooping of the shoulders that was uncharacteristic of the man. Joe usually dealt with life’s blows with fortitude and courage.
    ‘How is Llinos feeling today, Joe?’
    ‘She’s much stronger now. Go talk to her, Watt, I’m sure she won’t rest until she begins to take charge of the pottery affairs again.’
    Watt entered the house, the sun shone across the hallway in a slant of warmth. The hall and stairs were richly carpeted now, unlike the old days when threadbare rugs were the only luxury Llinos could afford. The curving banister shone with polishing and Watt sighed in contentment. Pottery House was his home and though it was not as palatial as the home of Eynon Morton-Edwards, it suited him just fine.
    Llinos was sitting near the window of her bedroom; the sun was sending shards of light across her face and Watt’s gut contracted, she had a pureness of features that brought an ache to his heart. Her face lit up when she saw him.
    ‘Watt, I’m glad you’re back. Come and