Read Online Copper Kingdom by Iris Gower - Free Book Online Page A

not, guessing what’s in me mind like that. Oh, all right then, I might as well tell you, there’s a job for you in the laundry and you start today, right now if you’ve a mind to.’
    Mali sat down abruptly in her chair, excitement and apprehension warring within her; she was going to work for the first time in her life and suddenly, she was afraid.

Chapter Five
    Bea Cardigan sat in the conservatory, her sewing lying idle on her lap. A pale winter sun shone in through the windows, shedding a slant of light over the glossy aspidistra plants that rose stoutly from thick china pots. A feeling of discontentment pulled down the corners of her full mouth and her dark eyes held a dreamy faraway expression, for her thirtieth birthday was fast approaching and there was no sign of marriage anywhere on her horizon.
    Her father seemed content to keep her at his side indefinitely and who could blame him? In his daughter, James Cardigan had a convenient hostess and companion, the roles she had undertaken on her mother’s death ten years ago now almost to the day. She was beginning to think that her father did not wish her to marry, ever.
    It was true that he had occasionally brought home some presentable young man for Bea’s inspection but she had always been indifferent, the would-be suitor had invariably been immature and somewhat gauche and she had begun to doubt the true sincerity of her father’s intentions. She smiled softly, wrapping her arms around her body as though hugging the secret, kept to herself these many years, that of her love for Sterling Richardson.
    He had been part of her life ever since she could remember and the mere sight of his strong clean features and his thatch of golden hair was enough to set her heart fluttering. She believed that he cared for her too for he was always kind and considerate and yet thus far, he had not seen fit to approach her father and ask his permission to court her.
    At that moment, James Cardigan entered the room. He moved towards her smiling, a big handsome man with a strong nose and a high intelligent forehead. He leaned forward and kissed the top of her head.
    â€˜Day dreaming again, Bea?’ he asked goodhumouredly, holding out his hand to take hers. She looked up at him, suddenly concerned.
    â€˜You look tired, Daddy,’ she said softly. ‘Is anything wrong?’
    He sat down beside her and pinched her cheek playfully. ‘Of course nothing’s wrong.’ He rested his arm lightly around her shoulders. ‘I’m just wondering what will happen to the company now that old Arthur Richardson is gone. I haven’t played a very big part in the running of things these last years but then I felt I wasn’t needed, perhaps now I am.’
    â€˜Everything will be all right,’ Bea said lightly. ‘I’m sure Sterling is very capable, he did help his father a great deal, you know.’
    James looked at her thoughtfully and Bea felt the colour rise to her cheeks. Had she betrayed her true feelings for Sterling? But her father was engrossed in his own thoughts and did not notice her discomfort.
    â€˜I expect the boy’s capable enough,’ he said. ‘And yet he’s still so young and there are wolves in the business world only too ready to dupe someone inexperienced.’ He sighed. ‘Well, I’ve invited Sterling to take tea with us, so I suppose I’ll soon learn all about his plans for the company.’
    Bea rose to her feet, suddenly flustered. The thought of seeing Sterling was like wine to her senses. She looked down at her dull tweed skirt and bit her lip in vexation. She felt a momentary impatience with her father for not warning her of Sterling’s visit sooner but as she looked at him, slumped on the hard-backed oak settle, her ill humour dissolved in a rush of love.
    â€˜Everything will be all right, Daddy, you’ll see.’ She wound her arms around his neck and kissed his