Free A Wicked Deception by Margaret Tanner

such extreme conditions? It would be hard, no use denying that. Priscilla would try to break her in Michael’s absence.
     

 
    Chapter Four
     
     
    A week of sheer drudgery crawled by. Melanie’s back and arms ached, her hands became chafed and red, but she kept doggedly working. Where she got the strength from she didn’t know. Pride stopped her from taking up the offer Priscilla had made through Mrs. Smith. “If you want a change of job, apologize for your outrageous behavior.”
    Never , she vowed, pummeling the clothes vigorously. She yelped when scalding water splashed up on to the back of one hand. An angry red mark instantly appeared. No point complaining to Mrs. Prince, there would be scant sympathy, more likely abuse for being so careless.
    Melanie dry retched every time she watched Belle and Mrs. Prince eat greasy mutton chops with hunks of bread for lunch. Neither seemed to mind the numerous flies crawling all over their food, death from starvation would be preferable.
    Most days Annie sneaked down with some bread and butter. Today she had brought down the bread and two slices of cold lamb wrapped in a cloth, and they sat in the shade of a tree to eat it.
    “You look terrible. ” Annie touched Melanie’s cheek in a gesture of sympathy. “You’ll die if you stay in here. Mr. Guilford arrived home yesterday, why don’t you try and see him.”
    “Never. ” Melanie dropped the bread back on the cloth after taking a couple of nibbles. “I wouldn’t give Priscilla the satisfaction of seeing me in this state.” And she did look awful. Each morning she glanced into the filthy fly-spotted mirror, but it couldn’t hide her pale skin and sunken eyes.
    She ate her breakfast and evening meal in the kitchen, but felt too exhausted to eat properly. If Annie didn’t sneak her down some food for lunch, she went without.
    The temptation to take the easy way out and ask for lighter work became stronger each day. Only the thought of Priscilla’s triumph stopped her. They could burn her at the stake, flog her at the whipping triangle. She would never take back what she said about Tom Ogilvy.
    O utside the laundry the sun poured down, but inside a furnace like blast enveloped everything. She picked up the bread again and listlessly chewed at it. After a few bites she shoved it in her apron pocket so Belle could have it later on. The poor girl devoured her food like a starving dog.
    “Thank you for bringing t his down, Annie, but you shouldn’t take such a risk. No telling what Mrs. Smith will do if she catches you.”
    Giving her friend a wave, Melanie w earily trudged back inside to start boiling a fresh lot of lard for candles and soap.
    Melanie worked with the sleeves of her dress rolled up to the elbows and usually undid the top two buttons on her bodice. Several ugly burns scarred her arms, where she had accidentally knocked up against the copper. The scald mark on her hand still throbbed. If it started to blister she would have to get Annie to put some salve on it so it wouldn’t get infected.
    How could anyone work in this place at the height of summer without completely melting away?
    “What the hell’s going on her e?”
    She raised her head on hearing the enraged male voice and let out a gasp of shock as Robbie marched towards her.
    “So, this is what working for Guilford means. Out.” His fist was raised, his eyes blazed. She had never seen him so enraged. “You can stay with us until James gets home. Our tent is better than this … this hell hole.”
    He strode towards her, but skidded to a halt when he got up close . His eyes blazed as they swept her from head to foot. His jaw clenched. “How the hell could you let them do this to you?” he raged. “I ought to kill Guilford.”
    Straightening up, she ran her hand across her aching lower back. “Don’t carry on, I’m all right.”
    “All right! Have you seen yourself in the mirror lately?” He grabbed her hand and dragged her out into the