Free The Royal Lacemaker by Linda Finlay Page A

each of them
     in turn.
    ‘You are skilled lace makers and I
     trust you to work diligently. However, if anyone requires help they only have to
     ask. Mrs Bodney has already outlined our schedule and we know the deadline we are
     working to.’ Lily paused, endeavouring to meet their glares with a friendly
     smile. Although silence greeted her words, she continued to smile until her face was
     as stiff as the washing on a frosty morning.
    ‘Well, I’m pleased
     it’s you who’s overseeing us, Lily,’ Mary said eventually.
     ‘And I’d just like to say how sorry I was to hear about your
     mother.’
    ‘Thank you, Mary,’ Lily
     answered and, feeling tears welling, she swallowed hard. Then, to cover her emotion,
     she said in her best imitation of Mrs Bodney, ‘Well now, let’s get on
     with our work, shall we?’ Picking up her bobbins, she began weaving the
     threads under and over, following the pattern she’d pricked out. There were a
     few mutters but, to her relief, everyone followed her example.
    Halfway through the morning, she was
     disturbed by the sound of clattering followed by muffled giggles. Looking up, she
     saw Cora and Nell rolling their bobbins across the floor to each other.
    ‘Stop that this
     instant,’ she ordered, jumping to her feet. Cora stared at Nell and then
     deliberately sent another spinning towards her. As Nell giggled, Lily marched over
     and snatched up the offending bobbins.
    ‘If you wish to behave like
     children, then take yourselves outside,’ she instructed. As Cora and Nell
     stared at her defiantly, the others looked up from their work. An undercurrent of
     excitement rippled around the room as they waited to see how Lily was going to
     handle the situation. Well, there could be only one outcome, Lily thought. Carefully
     she inspected the thread remaining on the bobbins.
    ‘Cora and Nell, luckily for you
     the thread hasn’t soiled otherwise I would have had to deduct the damages from
     your wages,’ she said.
    Their looks of amusement turned to
     outrage.
    ‘You wouldn’t dare,’
     Cora spluttered while Nell’s pale complexion turned ashen.
    ‘As I said, it won’t be
     necessary this time, Cora. However, if you don’t return to your work
     immediately, I shall deduct money for time wasted.’
    Nell promptly sat down and after a few
     moments Cora followed. The other ladies resumed their work and Lily breathed a sigh
     of relief.
    The rest of the morning passed
     uneventfully and when the church clock chimed noon, Lily rang the little bell
     signalling it was time for their break. As the lace makers filed outside into the
     yard, there were a few baleful looks cast in her direction but Mary smiled at her
     reassuringly.
    ‘Give them time, Lily,’ she
     whispered.
    Lily nodded and was just wondering
     whether sheshould join them when Tilda tapped on the door and
     announced that Squire Clinsden was waiting to see her. Biting back the retort that
     sprang to her lips, she followed the maid through to the parlour where the man was
     impatiently pacing the floor.
    ‘Lily, my condolences on the sad
     demise of your mother,’ he said solicitously, but as soon as the door had shut
     behind the maid, his demeanour changed. ‘I take it you are ready to end this
     farce,’ he growled.
    ‘I’m sorry, sir, I’m
     not sure I understand you,’ she said, trying to keep her voice level.
    ‘Oh, we understand each other
     perfectly, Lily, so don’t play games.’
    ‘Sir, I have duties to attend to,
     so please state your business,’ she said, looking him square in the face.
    ‘Don’t you get uppity with
     me, young lady; in order to save you and your family from being homeless I offered
     you a position in my household. I’m here for your answer. You needn’t
     think I made a special visit, though. I had business in Bransbeer and thought
     I’d see to two birds in one go,’ he said, guffawing at what he clearly
     saw as his wit. She shuddered, guessing the