Free Pengelly's Daughter by Nicola Pryce Page B

Madame Merrick anything today. She’s in a terrible state.’
    â€˜Is she still sulking about her precious patronage?’
    â€˜Well, yes, but ye mustn’t mock, Rosehannon. She’s taken it into her head she needs Lady April Cavendish and nothing’ll stop her. She’s heard Lady April has four daughters and she’s that determined. Just think what it would mean for her business.’
    â€˜Four daughters, all as haughty and arrogant as their mother? The thought lls me with horror!’
    â€˜Hush or you’ll make her even angrier. She’s in a right old state because Mrs Hoskins asked for tea and now she thinks we should serve tea to all her customers. But we don’t have anywhere to boil the water and we can’t risk a re – not with the fabrics in the storehouse. Madame Merrick’s gone to Mr Melhuish to ask if she could keep a kettle on the boil in his forge.’
    â€˜Sounds like an unnecessary fuss if you ask me – anyway she’s going to be in a worse state when I tell her about the discrepancies.’
    We watched Madame Merrick striding up the steps, frowning and muttering to herself. ‘Don’t bother her, Rosehannon – least not yet,’ Mother pleaded. ‘Wait awhile, and let me talk to her when she’s in a better frame of mind – you know how angry you make her sometimes. This tiswas between you does us no good.’
    Madame Merrick burst through the door, a look of thunder on her face. ‘Insolent man! I will not be spoken to like that…I am not a seamstress .’
    Her new dress was more immaculate than ever. She strode angrily across the room, the beautiful silk robe with its ne lace underskirts swishing against the wooden oorboards. She was wearing a new lace cap threaded with satin ribbon and a beautifully embroidered chu, held in position by a ne silver brooch, a blue gemstone glittering at its centre.
    â€˜I will serve my ladies tea,’ she said with absolute determination. ‘I will show them what a genteel establishment we have here…whether that blacksmith likes it or not. We will just have to see what Mr Tregellas has to say – he will support me. After all, it is his yard and his decision will overrule that insolent, half-dressed brute.’ At the mention of Mr Tregellas, she saw me inch. ‘Ah, good morning Miss Pengelly, you’re very late this morning.’
    â€˜Good morning, Madame Merrick,’ I curtseyed. I wanted to remain in Mother’s favour but I really needed to discuss the accounts. ‘I can see you’re busy, and a bit preoccupied, but when you’ve a moment I’d like to discuss some invoices with you.’ Mother let go of my hand, immediately seeking the safety of the storeroom.
    â€˜Busy! Preoccupied! Pah ! I have a hundred and one things to do today…That cotton shipment has gone to St Austell instead of coming to Fosse and I need it if I am to nish the bodice lining for Mrs Hoskins’ gown. Mrs Hoskins herself can only come for her next tting on Saturday…though why I do not know as she surely has nothing better to do. When will I be able to go all the way to St Austell to fetch it? Preoccupied, you say? The lace alone will take another two days…’ She stopped, her hawk eyes staring straight at me. ‘Which invoices?’
    â€˜Several…Actually, there are quite a few – the rolls of blue silk, the red velvet…and that last batch of lemon satin. I can show you exactly which ones they are.’
    â€˜Never mind which ones they are – I know which ones they are. You will nd them among the other receipts.’
    â€˜Madame Merrick, I’ve looked everywhere for them. They aren’t there.’
    â€˜Then you are mistaken . If you look again, tomorrow, you will nd them.’
    â€˜I can look now if you like but I know they’re