Free The Shoemaker's Daughter by Iris Gower Page B

capable of hating each other, take Cain and Abel for example.’
    He rose and put his hand on Emily’s shoulder. ‘Let’s leave the subject, shall we, I don’t want us to quarrel, there’s a more serious matter I want to talk about.’
    ‘What could be more serious than the trouble Craig is in?’ Emily asked quickly.
    ‘It’s your father,’ Spencer said, ‘I’m sorry to be the one to tell you but you have to know, he is in financial difficulties.’ He paused to let his words sink in. ‘Your father is a worried man and he is looking to you to make a good marriage, that way at least your own future will be secure.’
    Emily bit her lip, ‘I didn’t know, my father hasn’t said anything to me.’ It couldn’t be true that her father’s leather business was failing, could it, and yet hadn’t he urged caution on several occasions lately? Even to refusing her new boots. She thought guiltily of the money she had been spending on new clothes and of the new slippers she had ordered with the amethyst decoration. And then the full implication of her cousin’s words fell into place.
    ‘Marriage? But I’ve been promised to Craig for years, I can’t break my word.’
    ‘You may have to break your word, Emily.’ There was something spiteful about the way Spencer spoke the words, they held an almost gloating ring.
    Emily moved away from her cousin, anger forcing a harsh note into her voice. ‘No, if I can’t marry Craig, I will never marry.’
    ‘We’ll see,’ Spencer said softly. He put down his glass and rose to his feet. ‘I’ve taken up quite enough of your time, my dear cousin.’ He moved into the hallway and in the hazy light falling through the stained-glass window, he might have been Craig. Then he looked down at her and the similarity was gone.
    The maid came through from the back of the house and bobbed a curtsy to Emily. ‘That person is here again, Miss Grenfell, she says she has slippers for you, shall I show her in for the fitting?’
    ‘Tell her to wait,’ Emily said quickly, she didn’t want Spencer to learn anything about where Craig was hiding.
    ‘Hold on there,’ Spencer said easily, as though sensing Emily’s wish to get rid of him. ‘I need some boots repaired, I’d like to see the workmanship of this shoemaker.’
    ‘She does mostly ladies’ slippers,’ Emily said, ‘I don’t think she would be of any use to you.’
    Spencer smiled and turned back into the room. ‘Nonsense, I must decide that for myself.’ He seated himself in a chair and Emily paused for a moment, she could hardly ask the maid to bring the girl into the drawing-room where Spencer would be listening to every word. Resolutely, she moved swiftly towards the kitchen.
    The girl was standing near the back door, obviously she had not been invited inside. Over her arm was a basket covered with a snowy cloth.
    ‘Your slippers are ready,’ she said, her eyes challenging. ‘If you are not pleased with them then don’t pay me.’
    Emily swallowed her pride. ‘My cousin is here,’ she said in a low voice, ‘Craig’s brother, be careful . . .’
    ‘Oh, there’s the little shoemaker, bring her inside, Emily, let me see her workmanship.’ Spencer had followed her and was standing smiling at her.
    ‘Come in,’ Emily said shortly. She was very conscious of the girl following her towards the drawing-room and a sudden sense of jealousy bit like sharp teeth as Emily imagined them together, Craig, and this girl who, however poor she might be, had beauty as well as dignity.
    Spencer was staring with obvious delight at the young girl standing before him.
    ‘I understand you are a shoemaker.’ He said thoughtfully, ‘I would very much like you to make a pair of boots for me. How do you work, do you buy in the uppers or do you do the entire job yourself?’
    ‘I’d prefer to do it all myself, sir,’ the girl said. ‘I can buy uppers from abroad if French calf is required but there is nothing wrong with our