Read Online Tall Poppies by Janet Woods - Free Book Online Page A

health.’
    â€˜You can tell him you nearly ran into me with your car.’
    He chuckled at that.
    Mrs Mortimer hovered nearby, clearly eavesdropping. Without the major by her side, nobody approached her.
    Livia lowered her voice. ‘As for my sister and brother, I’d wish for better than an overcrowded orphanage, but there are so many homeless children in London I should be grateful they have a roof over their heads. It was kind of Denton to enquire.’
    â€˜He also said to tell you that the pheasant’s feather is his constant companion.’ A dark eyebrow lifted in a query.
    She laughed. ‘He stole a pheasant’s feather from my hat to take with him. He thought it would bring him luck.’
    Dr Elliot grinned, and said over the muted conversation of the other guests, ‘You’re blushing, Miss Carr. Did my son flirt so very much with you? He has an over-abundance of charm on occasion.’
    Like father, like son, she thought, and said, ‘I am not blushing.’ But nevertheless, her hands went to her cheeks and she lowered her voice. ‘Actually, he did flirt a little  . . . but I didn’t take any notice. I’m a housemaid with two orphaned siblings to support, so I can’t allow myself to harbour romantic notions about any man, especially someone of his standing.’
    â€˜That’s very sensible of you, my dear, but war is a great leveller, and you can never tell what’s around the corner. Is that some of cook’s apple cake over there? A large slice please, Livia, since I can’t resist it  . . .’
    His wife joined him. ‘Behave yourself, Andrew. Give him a small piece of cake, dear; he’s of an age where he must watch his waistline.’
    â€˜This is Livia Carr, Helen. I was just passing on Denton’s message.’
    A smile lit up her face. ‘Andrew has told me a lot about you, so I’m pleased we’ve finally met. I understand that you’re George and Eloise Carr’s daughter.’
    â€˜Yes, Mrs Elliot.’
    â€˜Such a coincidence; I attended the same school as your mother, though we were in different boarding houses. Eloise James, she was then. I attended her wedding to George Carr. And met them again at a party in London. It was a long time ago, about fifteen years. They were a very popular couple, I recall  . . . always entertaining.’
    If they hadn’t worked so hard at being popular they might have left something to help support their children, she thought, and vowed that she’d never be irresponsible with money if she married and became a mother.
    Helen Elliot reached out to squeeze her hand. ‘I’m sorry, that was insensitive of me  . . . especially since you find yourself in such difficult circumstances. You would have led a very different life if they’d lived, I imagine.’
    Livia shrugged. ‘It’s been six years, Mrs Elliot. Moping about it won’t bring them back.’
    â€˜That’s the ticket,’ Dr Elliot said, and ambled off.
    Helen Elliot lingered. ‘I understand you have a brother and sister to support?’
    Livia nodded. ‘They’ve just turned eight, and they can’t remember our parents, which is a blessing. When I have time, I’m hoping to find them somewhere near here where they can stay, so I can see them more often.’
    â€˜You must come and visit us one day, so we can have a proper chat.’
    â€˜I’d like that.’
    Mrs Mortimer cut in, her smile so thin it could have skinned a tomato. ‘You’ll have to excuse the maid, Mrs Elliot, she has work to do. Go to the kitchen and fetch some hot water, Carr.’
    â€˜We have hot water.’
    After Helen Elliot moved off, Mrs Mortimer frowned. ‘You’re being paid to work, not to stand and gossip. It was a good job the major wasn’t here to see what was going on.’
    As if on cue the major entered,