Free Arian by Iris Gower Page A

covertly, trying to decide what it was about him that made her think of Price Davies. It wasn’t physical likeness, not exactly, although there were similarities in appearance. No, it was some look in the eye, some air of contained power as though Simples could suddenly turn into a dangerous animal.
    He glanced back over his shoulder as though aware of her scrutiny. ‘Any problems, Miss Smale?’ he asked and she shook her head without replying.
    It was not often that they were together in the office for any length of time. Mr Simples had other duties that fortunately kept him busy – but when they were, Arian was unable to concentrate on her work, she kept feeling his eyes boring into her although he was in fact acting as though she wasn’t there.
    She took a deep breath. Her task was to prove that she could handle the household accounts alone, the sooner the better, then she would scarcely ever be alone with the steward.
    The work on the books was not difficult; now that she had charge of the outgoings there was an easy method of assessing the month’s expenditure. So long as every detail of any purchases was noted in the book, it was normally only a few hours’ work to balance the figures at the end of the month. But now that Mr Simples had started delving into the back accounts, goodness knows how long it would take her to sort them out.
    She dropped her pencil and became aware that she was being watched.
    ‘Day-dreaming, Miss Smale?’ Mr Simples rose and came to stand over her, leaning forward to check the figures on the open page. Arian resisted the urge to move away from him, not wishing to offend. But, as though he sensed her withdrawal, he straightened.
    ‘You don’t much like me, do you, Miss Smale?’ he said abruptly and she looked up at him in surprise. It was the first time he had said anything remotely personal.
    ‘I’ve never given it any thought,’ she said quickly, and his half smile told her he knew that she lied. ‘I certainly respect your acumen,’ she said. ‘You are sharp with figures and I envy you that.’
    ‘Well thank you, compliments no less, but I still feel that you do not like me. Why?’
    Arian shrugged. ‘You remind me of someone I’d rather forget.’ She looked up at him. ‘Unfair of me, I’ll agree, but it’s something I can’t help.’
    ‘Well then, I must prove to you that I am not like that other man. It has to be a lover, doesn’t it?’
    Arian turned away. ‘There’s no point in talking about it, Mr Simples. It’s my business and anyway, it’s all in the past.’
    He walked away then, so light on his feet that she scarcely heard him leave the room. She shivered and chewed the end of her pencil. Why did he have the ability to make her feel threatened?
    She rose and closed the book with a snap. She had done enough today. She would get out of the room, away from the feeling of being trapped. This was not the way she wanted to live her life – she wanted action, the chance to make a success of a business which would take her away from servitude to any man.
    She hurried down the curving staircase and stood for a moment in the hall which was redolent with the smell of beeswax. The door to the library stood open and on an impulse, Arian moved towards the huge bookcase that lined one of the walls.
    She looked up at the books and selected one at random. It was difficult to read, the language being involved and ancient.
    ‘A bit ambitious of you.’ The leather chair facing the fire swung round and Calvin Temple was observing her, his eyes sharp. ‘It’s a translation from the French. Are you particularly interested in philosophy, Miss Smale?’
    She flushed. ‘There is no need to be patronising, sir,’ she said quickly. ‘My father did edit a newspaper so I’m not without some reading skills, or had you forgotten?’
    ‘Ah yes, Robert Smale, of the Cambrian , I had forgotten. I apologize.’ He rose and took the book from her hands and reaching up, selected