Read Online Golden Hope by Johanna Nicholls - Free Book Online Page B

convict – and had probably fled the battle at the sound of the troopers’ first gunshot.
    He increased the speed of his work at the sight of Noni James crossing the cobblestones towards the flower beds. By all accounts Pius was intent on seeing his daughter ‘marry up’ into ‘old family money’ – a limited choice in Hoffnung.
    Noni was nineteen and ripe for marriage – a virgin in reputation only. He didn’t hold that against her. It was her snobbery that riled him.
    The setting sun outlined Noni’s slender body through the thin layer of a white muslin gown that was modest – until the sun’s rays betrayed her. It left little to Rom’s imagination. Conscious of her covert glances, he mopped his face with his shirt-tail, revealing a flash of bare chest. Determined to ignore her, he continued working.
    She crossed to the water tank and unlocked the padlock chained in times of drought to protect their precious water supply against theft. She filled a tin cup with water and approached him, her head held high.
    â€˜Here, Delaney, you better drink this.’
    â€˜Thanks a lot,’ he said, draining the water in one long draught. Their hands touched by accident as he returned the mug to her.
    She drew back as if he had burned her. ‘You best toe the line, lad, if you want future work from my father. Don’t be getting any ideas above your station.’
    â€˜Oh? What ideas would that be, Miss?’ he asked innocently enough, enjoying her discomfort.
    â€˜Father has rejected several potential suitors. He says only one man in town is worthy enough to marry me.’
    â€˜Right. I get it you’re saving yourself – for Mr Right.’ The words were said with respect but the glint in his eye must have betrayed him. The girl’s face flushed bright pink.
    â€˜You may think it a joke, Delaney, but a respectable girl has to protect her reputation. Father keeps a shotgun beside the family Bible – in case any man takes it into his head to have the wrong idea about me.’
    â€˜Your father’s a wise man. You can’t be too careful, Miss James. The world is full of us blokes with wrong ideas.’
    She gasped, clearly unsure whether to return to the house or retain a tenuous hold on her dignity.
    What’s she waiting for? I’m not going to put a foot wrong, sweetheart. Girls like you are trouble.
    He continued to shovel coal, masking his words with seeming politeness. ‘ It must be difficult to find Mr Right in a town this small, Miss James.’
    â€˜None of your business, Delaney,’ she said with a toss of the head. ‘Best get back to work if you expect Father to pay you.’
    Yet she remained watching him so Rom could not resist adding fuel to the fire.
    â€˜Sonny Jantzen’s pretty stiff competition for any of us blokes. Being heir to a goldmine and all that.’
    Noni’s blush confirmed the name was right on target.
    Seething with anger, she stammered. ‘How – how presumptuous. A no-hoper like you! Who do you think you are?’
    â€˜Well,’ Rom said casually, ‘you could say I’m the bloke who won the bank’s prize – to save Hoffnung.’
    Her intended retort was broken by the whistle blast from the mine head that marked the miners’ last shift.
    The sound was more than welcome. Six o’clock. Half an hour to get me cleaned up before the circus.
    Rom held Noni’s eyes with slow deliberation as he removed his shirt and slung it casually over his shoulder. Standing head and shoulders above her, she was forced to look up to him. His height was the one advantage he had over her.
    Noni tried to regain the upper hand. ‘I’ll call Father to pay you your wages. You’ll need cash to attend the circus.’
    â€˜No hurry. I’m the guest of honour – seeing I’m responsible for bringing the circus to town. I trust you and Mr Right will