Read Online Beyond Innocence by Joanna Lloyd - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Joanna Lloyd
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the best I’ve had for near on fifteen months,” Electra conceded. William’s had been a kind gesture, especially after what she had said to him. It seemed important to defend him.
Callum looked from one to the other and raised a bushy eyebrow. William changed the subject. He offered to show her through the rest of the house and introduce her to the house servants. Later, if she was up to it, they could take a wander through the immediate grounds.
“I’ll leave ye to it then, aye? Perhaps when ye’re settled I can show ye what we do around here,” suggested Callum.
“I would like that, Callum. I must admit all I know about William’s property is that he keeps sheep. Actually, I’m very adept at spinning and carding wool if the need arises,” she said with a grin.
“Ah, a lass with a sense o’ humour. Until the morrow.” He laughed, donned his hat, and strode out the door.
“The first person I must introduce you to is Shi Liang. He basically runs the house, does the cooking, keeps an eye on the other house servants, and most of the time, mistakes himself for my mother,” said William.
She laughed at his attempt to lighten the mood. This was someone important to the household, she thought. But what a strange name.
He led her out the back door toward a separate wooden slab-built structure that was the kitchen. Despite the heat of the day, a fire roared off to one side and delicious cooking smells emanated from a number of pots that bubbled over the fire. A slim, Chinese man of small stature and indeterminate age hurried toward them. He wore a loose, long-sleeved jacket and black baggy trousers, and his hair hung in a long greased queue down his back. His hands were clasped in front of him.
“Ah velly pletty wife, sir. You not send me away now?” His brow furrowed and his slanted eyes pleaded with William.
Electra had not encountered an Oriental before and stepped back involuntarily. William’s eyes narrowed at her reaction. She regained her composure and stepped forward once more, determined to show no weakness or fear to her new husband.
“Of course he won’t. I will need you to teach me everything about the household. I am happy to meet you, Shi Liang.” She smiled and held out her hand. Shi Liang bowed low over her hand, glowing with pleasure at her response.
William exhaled slowly and a look of grudging admiration passed over his face. It seemed she had passed that challenge. What would the next be?
“Please missee anything you want, I get. Forget other lazy girl, she good for nothing.” He looked sideways at William, “Solly Master William, but is true. She needing much disciprine.” He bowed again to Electra and turned, still mumbling, to stir his pots.
They left the kitchen and walked back into the house.
“When do I get to meet the lazy girl who needs much disciprine?” grinned Electra.
He smiled at her imitation of Shi Liang. “Very shortly. I believe she is in the library dusting. But first, I want to thank you for how you handled Shi Liang. I could see you weren’t completely comfortable with a dreaded Oriental . You were very gracious.”
She dismissed his compliment with a wave of her hand. “Most women, regardless of their background, avoid the Chinese like the plague. But I have had a number of domestic servants since my arrival in New South Wales and Shi Liang outstrips them all. He is indispensable to the household and a good loyal worker.”
“It sounds like you would have had to get rid of me, if I had not accepted him?” she challenged.
“Luckily it didn’t come to that,” he answered. She halted, her mouth agape at his statement.
“I’m joking, Elec … Mrs. Radcliffe,” William said, laughter in his voice.
Electra cast him a wary look as they climbed the last of the stairs and proceeded to the library door.
“Oh for goodness sake, just call me Electra and be done with it,” she said, as she swept into the library.
“Bloody hell, it’s the
Callum looked from one to the other and raised a bushy eyebrow. William changed the subject. He offered to show her through the rest of the house and introduce her to the house servants. Later, if she was up to it, they could take a wander through the immediate grounds.
“I’ll leave ye to it then, aye? Perhaps when ye’re settled I can show ye what we do around here,” suggested Callum.
“I would like that, Callum. I must admit all I know about William’s property is that he keeps sheep. Actually, I’m very adept at spinning and carding wool if the need arises,” she said with a grin.
“Ah, a lass with a sense o’ humour. Until the morrow.” He laughed, donned his hat, and strode out the door.
“The first person I must introduce you to is Shi Liang. He basically runs the house, does the cooking, keeps an eye on the other house servants, and most of the time, mistakes himself for my mother,” said William.
She laughed at his attempt to lighten the mood. This was someone important to the household, she thought. But what a strange name.
He led her out the back door toward a separate wooden slab-built structure that was the kitchen. Despite the heat of the day, a fire roared off to one side and delicious cooking smells emanated from a number of pots that bubbled over the fire. A slim, Chinese man of small stature and indeterminate age hurried toward them. He wore a loose, long-sleeved jacket and black baggy trousers, and his hair hung in a long greased queue down his back. His hands were clasped in front of him.
“Ah velly pletty wife, sir. You not send me away now?” His brow furrowed and his slanted eyes pleaded with William.
Electra had not encountered an Oriental before and stepped back involuntarily. William’s eyes narrowed at her reaction. She regained her composure and stepped forward once more, determined to show no weakness or fear to her new husband.
“Of course he won’t. I will need you to teach me everything about the household. I am happy to meet you, Shi Liang.” She smiled and held out her hand. Shi Liang bowed low over her hand, glowing with pleasure at her response.
William exhaled slowly and a look of grudging admiration passed over his face. It seemed she had passed that challenge. What would the next be?
“Please missee anything you want, I get. Forget other lazy girl, she good for nothing.” He looked sideways at William, “Solly Master William, but is true. She needing much disciprine.” He bowed again to Electra and turned, still mumbling, to stir his pots.
They left the kitchen and walked back into the house.
“When do I get to meet the lazy girl who needs much disciprine?” grinned Electra.
He smiled at her imitation of Shi Liang. “Very shortly. I believe she is in the library dusting. But first, I want to thank you for how you handled Shi Liang. I could see you weren’t completely comfortable with a dreaded Oriental . You were very gracious.”
She dismissed his compliment with a wave of her hand. “Most women, regardless of their background, avoid the Chinese like the plague. But I have had a number of domestic servants since my arrival in New South Wales and Shi Liang outstrips them all. He is indispensable to the household and a good loyal worker.”
“It sounds like you would have had to get rid of me, if I had not accepted him?” she challenged.
“Luckily it didn’t come to that,” he answered. She halted, her mouth agape at his statement.
“I’m joking, Elec … Mrs. Radcliffe,” William said, laughter in his voice.
Electra cast him a wary look as they climbed the last of the stairs and proceeded to the library door.
“Oh for goodness sake, just call me Electra and be done with it,” she said, as she swept into the library.
“Bloody hell, it’s the
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