Read Online Across the Counter by Mary Burchell - Free Book Online

the other girl went on. “ I think it was a shame that he couldn’t have had a few years as owner of the place. But although he apparently couldn’t persuade the old man not to sell out, at least he retained a strong family interest in the business. No doubt you’ve met him already?”
    “Oh, yes,” said Katherine, faintly self-conscious at the recollection that she had almost cried in front of him in a coffee bar not twenty-four hours ago. “I’m making it my business to meet as many people in the firm as possible,” she added a trifle formally.
    “Well then, I expect you’ll be coming to the Kendale Ball on Saturday? Almost everyone will be there.”
    “The Kendale Ball?”
    “Yes. We have it every year just about this time, at the Assembly Rooms—which really are very Regency and lovely. It’s the one social event where nearly everyone mixes. Much more so than they do in a London store, I imagine.”
    “I’m sure,” agreed Katherine, thinking of the strict lines of social demarcation in the Bremmisons hierarchy.
    “Then you’ll come?”
    “I don’t really know. It’s a little awkward to go to a dance in a strange city. I’d have to find a partner and—”
    “I’ll rustle one up for you, if you like,” declared Miss Falloden with the utmost good humor. “It wouldn’t be difficult.” And she glanced at Katherine with frank and friendly admiration.
    “Oh, thank you!” Katherine laughed and colored slightly. “Or I could, of course, get my brother to take me if he’s free,” she added, suddenly remembering the useful nearness of her own family.
    Miss Falloden looked interested and inquiring so Katherine explained briefly about her family. And when the other girl said with sincerity, “How lovely!” Katherine went on her way feeling that life was a lot more attractive than it had seemed when she was discussing order books with Miss Lester.
    On returning to what she regarded as her own department, she discovered a subtle change in the atmosphere. The one or two customers were being attended to with an assiduous goodwill that had not been evident before, and she wondered amusedly if Miss Lester had already administered something between a warning and a pep talk.
    As soon as she reentered the office, however, she realized she had been flattering herself in supposing that she had anything to do with the change. The increased efficiency and alertness in the department was immediately explained by the fact that the good-looking assistant managing director was sitting there talking with Aileen Lester.
    He got up at once when Katherine entered. But Miss Lester remained seated—probably to show that she was on her own home ground here and that it was Katherine who was the (not very welcome) visitor.
    Paul Kendale in the office was a very different person from the man who had brought her sandwiches and coffee and listened to her sad story the previous evening. And although Katherine neither expected nor wished anything else, there was a momentary difficulty in making the readjustment.
    However, as he immediately began to ask her abrupt and searching questions about her morning’s investigation, a formal and businesslike atmosphere was very soon established. Aileen Lester made no attempt to withdraw during this conversation, and Katherine could not help being aware that Miss Lester’s special relationship with the Kendale family was being stressed for her benefit.
    If Paul Kendale noticed this, he gave no sign of doing so. To both the girls he was very much the assistant managing director and no personal note was struck at all. Until, that is to say, he rose once more to go. Then turning to Katherine he said, “So you’re beginning to find your way around and get to know people?”
    “Yes, indeed. Everyone is very kind and helpful,” Katherine declared diplomatically if not very truthfully, classing Miss Lester and Miss Falloden together in this general, unexceptional statement.
    “It’s