Read Online Love or Duty by Roberta Grieve - Free Book Online Page B

asset to the business. But it was no use dwelling on that. Dora would have a fit if he so much as hinted that he’d like his daughter to work with him. And he knew his partner would never agree either.

     
    As they walked along the seafront, enjoying the mild autumn sunshine, Louise tentatively broached the subject that had been worrying her. She couldn’t bear to see that drawn, grey look on her father’s face.
    ‘I know something’s on your mind, Father. I wish you’d tell me,’ she said, slipping her hand through his arm.
    ‘I don’t want you to worry, my dear. There’s nothing you can do anyway.’ Stanley sighed.
    ‘So there is something wrong?’
    ‘Well, I must confess, things could be better – but not a word to your mother. You know how she fusses.’
    ‘I won’t say anything,’ Louise promised. ‘But why can’t you confide in me? Maybe it would help to talk things over.’
    Stanley hesitated, then patted her hand. They strolled slowly between the flowerbeds, now bereft of their colourful summer bedding, and Louise listened apprehensively as her father confided his fears for the business he had worked so hard to build up over the years.
    ‘You don’t seriously think Mr Spencer has been cooking the books, do you?’ she asked.
    ‘Of course not.’ Stanley sounded shocked. But Louise could see the thought wasn’t new to him. He just didn’t want to believe it. He tugged at his moustache. ‘No, no, my dear. I’m sure that’s not the case. Things will start to look up soon I’m sure.’
    Louise hoped he was right. She didn’t mind helping out in the house, had even begun to enjoy the challenge of cooking for the family, though how they would manage if they ever had to let Polly go, she couldn’t imagine. But she hated to see the pinched worried look on her father’s face and his struggle to control the faint flicker of irritation at Dora’s frequent demands. He tried so hard to please, but she never seemed to be satisfied.
    Louise squeezed his arm and smiled up at him. ‘Whatever happens, Father, we’ll manage,’ she assured him.
    As they neared Steyne House they saw Sarah at the front gate, excitedly waving a letter.
    ‘It’s come,’ she squealed. ‘The letter about the concert at the Albert Hall.’ Her violet eyes shone and her cheeks were flushed with pride.
    Louise had been so taken up with running the household, not to mention worrying about her father, she had quite forgotten that Sarah had auditioned for the concert some time ago. The letter was from Maurice Weeks, the theatrical agent who, with Dora, was promoting Sarah’s career.
    ‘Congratulations, we’re so proud of you,’ Louise said, giving her sister an impulsive hug. ‘Aren’t we, Father?’ she added, turning to Stanley, whose worried frown disappeared at once.
    ‘Of course, darling,’ he said, smiling widely as Sarah grabbed his hand and almost dragged him up the front path.
    Louise was pleased that he managed to keep the smile in place when Sarah declared that she simply must have a new dress for the occasion, adding ‘… and shoes, and a hat.’
    As they entered the house, Polly appeared in the hall, wringing her hands. ‘Oh there you are, Miss. I was beginning to get worried.’ She glanced over her shoulder anxiously as the drawing room door opened.
    Dora, her rosebud lips pinched tightly together, stood in the doorway, her blue eyes glittering. ‘Where on earth have you been, Louise? I thought you were supervising dinner. Polly hasn’t the first idea how to go about things and here’s your father home and the table not even set.’
    Louise’s lips tightened too. ‘Everything is under control, Mother,’ she said as evenly as she could manage through clenched teeth, wondering at the strength of will which kept her from expressing her true feelings.
    Stanley seemed to guess how she felt, smiling at her over Dora’s head and taking his wife’s hand. ‘I don’t mind waiting, dearest,’ he said.