Read Online Cinderella Sister by Dilly Court - Free Book Online Page A

thrust the garden gate open and walked past her, making his way to the front door. ‘Not exactly, but we’ve got to do something about the Frenchman.’
    Forgetting all about the ale, she followed him into the house. ‘Why? What’s happened?’
    Matt paused, turning to stare down at her with a worried frown. ‘The padre at the mission can speak French and he acted as translator so that I could question the sailors from the wrecked vessel.’
    ‘Don’t keep me in suspense,’ Lily said breathlessly. ‘What did they say?’
    ‘To be honest I couldn’t get much sense out of them as to how they managed to ground the ship or how the fire broke out, but I did find out who we’ve been harbouring in the attic.’
    Lily’s heart sank. ‘Don’t tell me he’s a criminal on the run.’
    ‘No such thing. His name is Armand Labrosse and his father owns a fleet of merchant ships. They are an old and much respected French family and we have the fellow sleeping in the attic with the bats, rats and a leaking roof.’
    ‘I knew it,’ Lily breathed, hardly able to contain her excitement. ‘I had a feeling he was someone special.’
    ‘Never mind that. We must make the chap comfortable. Light a fire in Grandpa’s old bedroom, and make up the bed. We must move Monsieur Labrosse before he comes to and finds himself in the attic.’
    Lily frowned. ‘You thought the room was good enough for an ordinary sailor.’
    ‘Well it’s not good enough for the son of a rich and powerful man. I could lose my job over this, and if Monsieur Labrosse senior complained to the London Dock Company we would find ourselves out on the street.’
    ‘But why? I don’t understand.’
    ‘There are reasons. Just do as I say, Lily, and make up the bed in Grandpa’s old room. Our whole future depends on this.’

Chapter Four
    ‘Haven’t you finished yet, Lily?’ Matt stood in the doorway of the bedroom where their grandfather had slept until his rheumaticky legs made it impossible for him to climb the stairs. ‘It doesn’t look very welcoming. What in heaven’s name have you been doing all this time?’
    ‘I’ve done my best,’ she said defensively. ‘I can’t help it if everything is old and shabby, but at least it’s clean and warm. I’ve just got to finish making the bed and then you can bring him down.’ Matt’s impatient tone and critical words were hurtful, especially when she had tried so hard to do as he asked. She had cleaned the grate, which had been filled with soot, seagulls’ feathers and crumbling pieces of the chimney stack, and she had managed to get the fire going after several unsuccessful attempts. Not only that, but she had taken the rugs out into the yard and beaten them until her arms ached, and she was now making up the bed with the freshly laundered sheets. Someone would have to go without clean bedlinen for another week at least. To make matters worse, Grandpa’s room was directly below and she could hear his bell clanging impatiently as he waited for his midday meal and ale. She shot a resentful glance ather brother. ‘You’re being very unfair, Matt. I can’t work miracles.’
    ‘I didn’t mean to criticise you, Lil,’ Matt said in a gentler tone. ‘I can see that you’ve worked hard, but I want our friend upstairs to be comfortable. He’ll need more pillows for a start, so you’d best take them off the boys’ beds. They won’t notice the difference.’
    ‘I wouldn’t bet on it.’ Lily sniffed as she plumped up the bolster and laid it across the bed. ‘I’ll do it, but I’m not taking the blame when they find out.’
    ‘Don’t worry about that. I’ll deal with them.’ Matt strolled over to the window and tugged at one of the curtains, sending a shower of dust onto the windowsill and causing a jagged tear in the moth-eaten material. ‘We must have something better than this.’
    Lily smoothed the counterpane and straightened up, holding her hand to her aching back. ‘That’s