Free Angels at War by Freda Lightfoot Page A

moment at least, they were still living together as man and wife, and causing considerable gossip in the town as a consequence. She certainly couldn’t risk further scandal by allowing herself to be attracted to another man.
    Livia rallied sufficiently to flick him a dismissive glance, and decided to switch arguments. ‘I feel bound to say, Mr Grayson, that it does not take an Act of Parliament to provide decent living conditions for your own workers. Have you any idea of the revolting mess that passes for the food which you expect them to eat; the fines that are imposed for no justifiable reason, and the long hours for poor pay? And before you say it, I’m fully aware that my father set the standards in this store, but that doesn’tmean you can’t change them. I’m not surprised the staff sent a delegation.’
    She was obliged to take a step backwards at the explosion of anger in response to these words.
    ‘No doubt at your instigation!’
    ‘And did you listen?’ she calmly responded.
    ‘As a matter of fact I did. Nevertheless, the issue is complex.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘Because I say so. My pockets are not bottomless pits. I will do what I can, when I can.’
    How she infuriated him. He knew full well the place needed modernising. It looked tired and dated, and was very Victorian in its values. He could afford to make changes, so why didn’t he? Grayson stifled a tired sigh. He’d had such plans, but the heart had somehow gone out of him. He’d taken on this job thinking the challenge would bring him out of himself, restore him to life, but so far it was having quite the opposite effect.
    She was still on the attack. ‘In the meantime, you continue to exploit them. That doesn’t seem quite fair. Throwing money about is not the only way of dealing with a problem. Better communication between employer and employees can work wonders.’
    ‘When I require your advice, Miss Angel, Iwill ask for it.’ His mouth tightened into a hard line. ‘Confound it, can’t you see this is no place for a young lady such as yourself.’
    She looked at him in surprise. ‘I don’t see why.’
    ‘This is a tough business, and you’ve led a sheltered life. These girls come from poor homes where they were often starved or beaten. They’re not polite, genteel gels brought up to pass plates of cakes and do embroidery.’
    Livia could scarcely believe what she was hearing. ‘You know nothing about me, or how I was brought up.’
    ‘It’s fairly obvious. No doubt you had servants at your beck and call, pretty clothes to wear and garden parties to attend. But these are working girls, many with family problems,’ he repeated with pedantic patience, ‘and you should never make promises to them that you can’t keep.’
    Livia could not deny that garden parties and servants had featured in her life at Angel House. But it was what went on behind closed doors after the guests had gone that was the problem. Not that she had any intention of disclosing family secrets to this obnoxious man. Her views on business was all that need concern him.
    ‘I too have a living to earn, Mr Grayson, and intend to keep every one of those promises. Let us hope you can do the same.’ And spinning onher heel, she stormed out of the office. She was halfway up the stairs when she heard the door slam.
     
    Mercy believed that all her problems stemmed from having been abandoned by her father as a child, and when, after her mother’s death, she’d gone to him seeking help, Josiah Angel had locked her in the workhouse. Despite all of that she had to admit that she’d never lacked for a mother’s love, even if it was a hand-to-mouth existence. It had been Florrie’s view on life that being poor didn’t mean you couldn’t love your children and do your best for them. Mercy’s own strength and ability to cope must be down to her. If she possessed any confidence and belief in herself, then it must be as a consequence of all the love and devotion showered