Free Wishes on the Wind by Elaine Barbieri

her lips, the girl turned abruptly and resumed her work. Flushing at her abrupt dismissal, David felt the last of his patience slip away. Frowning, he gripped the girl's shoulder and turned her back to face him.
        "I haven't finished speaking to you, and I don't like being dismissed."
        Anger flared in the girl's eyes. "Take your hand off me."
        David dropped his hand back to his side, cursing himself for again allowing their conversation to get out of hand. He tried once more.
        "I don't expect you to believe me now, but I intended this conversation as a friendly overture. We started out poorly when we first met and I"
        "You're wasting your time, Mr. David." The girl's lips twitched at the form of address used by the servants. "I don't like you, and I never will. You have too high an opinion of yourself for my taste. I'll wash your clothes, and serve your table, and do everything that's required in my position, but I'll not pretend that you've pulled the wool over my eyes like you have the rest of the staff here. I know what you think of me and my own, and what you think of the rest of the staff, for that matter. You think yourself a step above us all, most especially the 'Pap' from the valley. You play on your charm and good looks, and wrap your aunt and everyone else around your little finger, but my eyes were opened up to you the first time we met. So, you see, if you'll leave me be, Mr. David, I'll be happy to do the same. If that's all right with you sir ."
        The ice in her gaze freezing him, David nodded stiffly, and the girl turned back to the laundry without another word. David felt his face flush anew. He was striding back toward the tree where Fabian awaited him when he realized he had been set roughly in his place, whether he liked it or not. Vowing he wouldn't give the little Irish brat the same chance again, he snatched at Fabian's reins, pulling the stallion along behind him as he strode back toward the stables.
        Minutes later he walked into the morning room, his expression determined, as Aunt Letty turned toward him with a smile.
        
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        Meghan swung the empty laundry basket onto the bench outside the kitchen door and took a deep, steadying breath. Her first step into the kitchen was met with Cook's and Mabel's intense frowns, and she raised her chin against the dropping sensation in the pit of her stomach.
        They had seen it all. She was in for it, now.
        "All right, miss, what did you say to Mr. David to send him walking off in a temper? Tell me the truth! I'll find out sooner or later if you don't."
        Cook's angry inquiry started Meghan's heart hammering savagely, but her tone was level as she replied, "What I said to Mr. David is my business."
        "Oh, the gall of her!"
        Mabel's gasped interjection heightened Cook's irate flush.
        "I run this kitchen, miss! Everything that goes on in it and in this house is my business, and I'll thank you not to think anything different!"
        Turning at the sound of a step in the hall, Cook paused as Margaret Seller appeared in the doorway and addressed her. "Mrs. Lang would like to see you."
        Her expression tight, Cook turned back to Meg. "We'll finish this when I get back, miss. In the meantime, get to them potatoes and put your cap back on your head! You look the true hooligan you are with that wild hair streaming about your face."
        Deliberately avoiding Mabel's eye, Meghan pulled her cap out of her pocket and put it on her head. Quickly stuffing her hair out of sight beneath it, she picked up a knife and began peeling the potatoes as ordered.
        Meghan's mind was reeling. Now she had done it! By indulging her temper and her shrewish tongue, she had queered it for herself in this house with the pampered David Lang and the staff alike. She didn't doubt David Lang had gone directly