The Sea Shell Girl (29 page)

‘Is she still on vacation?' Merry asked.

‘Indeed. She is spending a couple of months with relatives in Scotland. Not my choice of venue this time of year but she's had this yen to go back ever since we visited many moons ago. She loves to paint and thought the scenery stunning. I have to confess I found the place too cold and wet for my liking,' he said, taking a sip of his wine.

That would explain the waterproofs, Merry thought.

‘She'll be away for Christmas then?'

‘Alas, yes. She deserves a break, though, for it fell to her
to nurse Mother through her final illness last year.' His eyes clouded and he took another sip of his wine.

‘I'm sorry,' Merry murmured. ‘That must have been a difficult time for you.'

‘It was. That's why I encouraged Saphira to use some of her inheritance to follow her dream of returning to Scotland. She has Mother's necklace, of course, but still wasn't sure about spending money on a vacation, especially as it necessitated her buying fabrics and all that other paraphernalia. I understand she went a bit mad,' he smiled.

Merry stared guiltily at her pink blouse and green skirt. She'd assumed Saphira was used to buying new clothes and hadn't realized the girl had been sharing her inheritance. Suddenly aware Carey was talking again, she jerked back to the present.

‘She said she couldn't resist all those bright colours after wearing sober clothes for so long. Mind you, since her birthday she seems to have developed a love of parties so at least I'll be spared those.'

‘Parties?' she asked. ‘Do you have many?'

‘Saphira and her friend Alexandria always seem to be planning something or another,' he shrugged.

‘You see a lot of Alexandria then?' she asked, trying to keep her voice light.

‘Well, of course, she's a family friend.' Although he also kept his voice light, Merry couldn't help noticing he looked uncomfortable.

As silence fell over the little cabin, Merry stared out over the water. Whatever had possessed her to ask about Alexandria? Hadn't her grandmother always told her she should only pose a question if she really wanted to hear the answer?

‘I must apologize for burdening you with my troubles,' Carey said. ‘We were so fond of Mother and her death left a gaping hole in our lives. I don't normally talk about it but you have such a sympathetic ear. Forgive me?' he asked, staring at her so intensely that, despite herself, she felt her pulses quicken and all thought of Alexandria disappeared. ‘I'd much rather hear more about you. Do you have any plans for Christmas?'

‘I shall be going home to Porthsallos,' she replied.

‘Then we must have our own celebration beforehand,' he said. ‘That's always supposing you can bear to spend more time with me?'

‘I'll think about it,' she teased, eager to return to the banter that normally existed between them.

‘Well, in that case …' he began, but just then the brougham drew up outside.

‘Goodness, don't tell me two hours have passed already? We'd better get you back before Mr Fairbright sends out a search party,' Carey said, rising to his feet.

Quickly she helped him pack the remaining food back
into the hamper, then they hurried outside. The winter sun was already setting, casting pink and orange shadows across the horizon.

‘It's such a pretty sight,' she sighed.

‘Indeed it is,' he replied, staring at her until she felt her cheeks flushing the colour of the sky. Quickly she looked back over the water. ‘Your eyes blaze like cornflowers while your hair has the shimmer of snowdrops,' he whispered.

She smiled, wondering at his words. He made her feel quite special. Then the devil appeared on her shoulder.

‘What about Alexandria. What flower is she?' she asked.

‘Alexandria?' he asked, looking surprised. ‘Well, she'd be a hothouse bloom, I guess.' Typical, Merry thought. She reminded Carey of the common flowers that grew in hedgerows and woods whilst the stunning red-haired Alexandria was some exotic blossom.

He put out his hand to help her but she pretended not to notice and climbed into the carriage unaided. If he noticed her reticence on the return journey, he chose to ignore it, pointing out the ships and landmarks they were passing. It was only when they drew up in the yard outside the store that he leaned forward.

‘About that pre-Christmas celebration we mentioned earlier. May I take you out for luncheon next Sunday? I'll treat you to the finest food in town.' She shook her head and he frowned. ‘You mean I have bored you with my ramblings so that you cannot bear to spend more time with me?' he asked, looking so affronted, she couldn't help but laugh.

‘No, you chump. I meant I couldn't imagine there being any food finer than you have already treated me to.'

‘That's all right then. Honestly, Merry, we do need to spend more time together for we seemed to have jumped to some strange conclusions today, don't we? Now I think you'd better go in for I can see we are being watched,' he said, pointing to the attic window.

‘That Freckles,' she sighed. ‘Until next Sunday then.' She allowed him to help her down from the carriage. Then, to her surprise, he leaned forward and grazed her cheek with his lips. As the carriage drove away, she put her finger to her tingling cheek.

‘Suppose you had to suffer the Madison again,' Freckles sighed as Merry entered their room. ‘My heart bleeds for you, girl, it really does.'

‘Actually we had a picnic in a log cabin down by the river,' Merry replied.

‘What, just you and the lieutenant? Ay, ay, nudge, nudge, wink, wink and I saw him kiss her too,' Freckles chortled, digging Prunella in the ribs. ‘Well, Chester and me, we … Oh, there's the gong. You lot coming?'

‘No, I'm not hungry,' Merry replied.

‘Nor me. Nicholas and I had a rather splendid luncheon together,' Prunella flushed.

‘Blimey, you wait till I tell Chester he's short-changed me. A poke of chips, indeed,' Freckles muttered, hurrying from the room.

‘You had a good day then?' Merry asked Prunella.

‘Oh, I did,' she enthused. ‘Teddy went to see the boys in the ironmongers and Nicholas asked if I'd like to step out for a bite to eat. He is so different when the others
aren't there. He sort of comes into his own and is so …' She stuttered to a halt, her hazel eyes gleaming with emotion. ‘How about you – did you manage to act the lady?'

Merry carefully hung up her cashmere wrap, then perched on the bed. ‘Most of the time, though I fear I let my feelings show more than they should at times,' she replied, but Prunella had already climbed into bed and her eyes were closed.

Clambering out of her clothes, Merry smoothed down the folds of her skirt and the silk of her blouse and sighed. How kind Saphira had been letting her have the surplus material, especially as Merry now knew she had been spending her inheritance. She'd certainly jumped to conclusions thinking Saphira was used to buying new things. As soon as she returned, she'd make sure she knew how grateful she was. Perhaps she'd jumped to conclusions about Alexandria, too, although the thought of Carey comparing the woman to a hothouse bloom whilst alluding to herself as a wayside flower still rankled. Did that reflect his opinion of her? She took a pride in her job but the fact remained she was an assistant in a store, and a trainee one at that.

All this analysing was making her head hurt and, unable to think any more, she jumped into bed and closed her eyes.

‘I forgot to tell you that Nicco was waiting for you again yesterday,' Freckles told Merry over breakfast the next morning. ‘He was right mad when I told him you'd gone out. Asked all sorts of questions, he did. Kept going on about loyalty and you being his intended. Chester didn't
like the way he was looking and just said we'd tell you he'd called. Nicco said to be sure to tell you he'd promised your mother he'd take you home for Christmas and would be waiting outside the store at first light to collect you.'

‘Oh,' Merry said, her spirits sinking even lower. She wasn't sure she could put up with Nicco's overbearing manner these days. So much had happened since she'd last seen him, she felt like a different person. ‘Well, we'd better get a move on. It'll soon be time for the store to open.'

Mr Fairbright was leaving the shop floor as they filed in.

‘Good morning, ladies. I have an important meeting upstairs and have just been discussing strategy with Mrs Smale. She will brief you before the opening bell.' With a brief nod, he hurried up the stairs and the trainees turned to their manageress expectantly.

‘Right, ladies, my first job is to tell you to look out for fingersmiths. Apparently there have been reports of thefts from other stores, so keep alert, and if you spot anyone loitering suspiciously you are to notify myself or, if I am busy, Mrs Winter.'

‘Are these people dangerous?' Prunella whispered, glancing anxiously around the empty store.

‘No, I don't think so, Miss Prim. More like opportunists. However, Mr Jenkins will be keeping a weather eye on us in ladieswear.'

‘Oh, that's a relief, I don't think. He couldn't wrestle a rat,' Freckles whispered. Privately Merry agreed but the manageress, full of her importance, was in full flood.

‘With the store being so busy it would be easy for someone to pocket an accessory or some small item. That is
why Mr Fairbright has taken the precaution of having our displays moved to higher shelves.' She gestured to the display stands, which had indeed been raised. ‘Clients can still see them but will require assistance should they wish to examine anything. However, we will need to be vigilant.'

‘Don't worry, Mrs Smale, I'll keep me peepers peeled,' Freckles declared.

‘Thank you, Miss Brice. Just one other thing before you go to your stations. As these next two weeks are predicted to be our busiest time of year, from today until Christmas Eve the store will be remaining open during the luncheon period. You will therefore stagger your meal break with each taking no more than twenty minutes.'

‘Blimey oh rimey, that's slave labour,' Freckles muttered.

‘Miss Brice?' Mrs Smale sighed.

‘I said I suppose it will be a favour,' Freckles said innocently.

Mrs Smale gave her a sharp look. ‘If by favour you mean you are prepared to give your time freely, then I'll inform Mr Fairbright of your kindness, Miss Brice. He did assure me your efforts would be reflected in your Christmas box but …' She left her words hanging.

‘Then it would be rude to refuse his generous offer,' Freckles grinned.

The day passed in a hectic whirl as, despite the cold weather, clients descended upon the store, intent on fulfilling their Christmas lists. The shop was so busy that even the manageress and supervisor temporarily buried their differences as they endeavoured to deal with
everyone. Merry had never wrapped so many purchases in a day, and ensuring the counters were tidy and the stocks replenished took all her attention. She was just attaching another reel of ribbon when a familiar voice made her stomach sink.

‘I say, girl, do you think you can assist?'

Fighting down the desire to wipe the sneer from the haughty Alexandria's face, and ignoring the titters of her friends, Merry forced a smile.

‘How may I help you, Miss Courtland?'

‘I am in need of Christmas gifts for my staff. I have no idea what to buy them and thought with you being a shop girl you would,' she said with an affected sigh.

‘May I interest you in a cup of cheer?' Joanie asked, appearing at the woman's side with her tray of mulled wine.

Alexandria sniffed and shook her head. ‘At this time of day, I don't think so, do you?' she replied, turning to her friends, who shook their heads too. Looking put out, Joanie moved on to another group of clients.

‘Shame, it'd warm you up, you old trout,' Freckles muttered.

‘I beg your pardon,' Alexandria exclaimed.

‘I said there's a lot of cold air about,' Freckles responded with a polite smile.

‘Who exactly are you buying for?' Merry asked quickly as she saw Mrs Winter making her way towards them.

‘Well, the cook, the housekeeper and I suppose I'd better get that maid of all things something as well. Tea towels or dusters would fit the bill, I suppose.'

As the woman waved her gloved hand in an offhand manner, Merry felt her temper rising. ‘A bit boring,
though, don't you think?' she ventured, ignoring the woman's raised brow. ‘I understand that these days it is the done thing to give a gift of a personal nature to show one's gratitude. Or do you not feel that would be appropriate?'

‘As I thought, this is more your sort of thing, so what would you suggest?'

‘With the weather being as it is, something to keep them warm would be appreciated, I'm sure,' Merry replied, staring at the fox fur stole and matching hat Alexandria was wearing. ‘How about a nice warm shawl each, or a hat or some gloves?' As the woman's brow arched even higher, Merry fought down the urge to laugh. ‘We have some lovely ones in the finest wool. But they are rather expensive so perhaps that is more than you wanted to spend?'

Aware that her friends were waiting for her answer, Alexandria nodded and waved her hand. ‘Money is not an issue, Miss Dyer. I really don't have time to spend in idle speculation. Select whatever you judge suitable and add it to my account.'

‘Of course, Miss Courtland,' Merry demurred. ‘Be sure I shall arrange to have three of our finest shawls with matching hats and gloves gift-wrapped and set aside for collection as per your instructions.' She watched as the woman swallowed hard.

‘Getting ideas above your station, shop girl? Well, you can be sure I shall not forget this,' the woman hissed before turning and marching from the store, followed by her friends.

‘Goodness, well done, Miss Dyer,' Mrs Winter cried. ‘I
came over to assist only to find you selling some of our finest knitwear.'

‘Well, I'm sure her staff deserve to receive good-quality presents for their services,' Merry replied. ‘Especially having to deal with that haughty madam every day,' she added under her breath.

‘Blimey oh rimey, girl,' Freckles muttered. ‘Imagine if we was on commission, you'd be getting a jolly good Christmas present of your own. Mind you, I didn't care for the way she glared at you as she left. Now I know what they mean when they say “if looks could kill”.'

Merry shrugged, thinking it wouldn't do the woman any harm to treat her staff, for once, especially if she spoke to them in the same condescending manner.

It was a long day and by the time the store closed all Merry wanted to do was eat her supper and fall into bed. However, as she made her way to the staff-room Mr Fairbright beckoned her from the stairs. Her heart sank. Don't say Miss Courtland had complained about her. To her relief, though, her employer smiled.