Read Online Evergreen Falls by Kimberley Freeman - Free Book Online Page A

especially into the glittering chandelier that hung in the center of the room. A long rug ran from the door to an oak desk, where a distinguished-looking woman sat reading through a large, leather-bound register. Something about her presence compelled Violet to walk towards her: she would tell Violet what to do and where to go.
    “Hello,” Violet said, approaching warily.
    The woman looked up. She had the air of aristocracy about her,with her hooked nose and white hair piled high and severe on her head. She wore an elegant blue dress with an equally elegant gray cardigan over it, and ropes of lustrous pearls. “Oh, you poor child. You’re wet through!”
    “I’m Violet Armstrong. I’m . . . new.”
    The woman rose, beaming, and held out her hand. “So pleased to have you here, my dear. I’m Miss Zander, the manageress.” She made “manageress” sound like an exotic, foreign term. “Clive spoke so highly of you.”
    “Clive. He was supposed to meet me at the train.”
    “Tomorrow,” Miss Zander said. “We were expecting you tomorrow.”
    Violet cursed herself. First impression: mix up the days and turn up soaking wet.
    “It’s of little consequence,” Miss Zander continued. “Here, let me find somebody to watch the front desk and I’ll take you to your new room.” She beckoned a bellboy for Violet’s luggage and muttered a room number to him, then summoned a pretty, red-haired girl to mind the reception desk. Violet admired her smart blue uniform and white scarf and wondered if one day she would be able to work the desk. Already her head was full of dreams. Welcoming the wealthy guests, being admired for the nobility of her smile and the set of her pretty chin . . .
    “Come along, keep up,” Miss Zander said from across the room. “I don’t have the whole day to show you about.”
    Miss Zander marched her down the hall and stopped at a cupboard with a red door. From around her waist she pulled out a long braided rope holding a set of keys. She eyed Violet up and down. “Hm. You’re a little slimmer than Clive Betts had me expect. Still . . .” She yanked open the door and pulled out three uniforms for Violet. “These should fit.”
    Violet took the clothes in her arms: black dresses buttoned atthe front with two rows of white buttons, and white bandeau headbands.
    Miss Zander locked the door and marched off again. “It’s bed and board, and we’ll match your salary at the Senator. Let Alexandria know how much you were being paid. Don’t think to lie; she’ll call them on the telephone to check.”
    “Who’s Alexandria?”
    “The redhead at the front desk. My deputy.”
    “How do I get her job?”
    Miss Zander rounded on her, peered at her for a moment, then laughed loudly. “Dear, you’d get her job by being born a different person from a very different family.”
    The comment stung, but Violet smiled through it.
    “Now, follow me. This corridor is used for storage, works, office administration, and, of course, the kitchen. Upstairs are the guests. You never need to go there. Ever.” She paused for dramatic effect. “Downstairs are the staff lodgings and the staff dining room, which is the only place you will ever eat.”
    “Where do the guests eat?”
    “The grand dining room and the ballroom are one and the same space. That’s where you’ll be serving food. You must, under no circumstances, ever take food from the upstairs dining room. Nor can you smoke. Evergreen Spa is a cigarette-free hotel. We are a health resort, you know.”
    “It’s fine, I don’t smoke.” This wasn’t strictly true. Violet always had a shiny case of cigarettes in her bag, for dances or parties or just for flirting, even though she didn’t relish the feel of the smoke scratching her throat.
    “Good. It’s a filthy habit. For training, I’ll put you with Myrtle, who’s very experienced, and she’ll show you what to do. Down here.” They began to descend a staircase. No carpet or rug,