Read Online The Courteous Cad by Catherine Palmer - Free Book Online Page A

affections, past or present. William knew that, but he convinced himself this public exposure was for the best. Miss Watson, after all, had nearly incited a riot in his mill.
    Despite her professions of religious zeal the night before, her attachment to the American must be the source of her actions today. Whether she had intended to impress Walker or truly to denounce the young piecers’ working conditions, William could not say. It hardly mattered. The incident must end, and as Walker drew near, he saw that it would.
    “Good morning, Miss Watson.” Walker gave her a peremptory bow.
    “You must imagine how surprised I am to see you,” she replied.
    Her attempt at a curtsy caused a definite wobble, and William reached out to steady her. She turned flashing green eyes on him.
    “Thank you, but I am perfectly fine, Mr. Sherbourne,” she snapped, brushing his hand from her arm. Her attention returned to the blacksmith. “I understand I am to congratulate you, sir. You will marry soon.”
    Walker gave a nod but made no response.
    “I am told you have been employed at Thorne Mill these many months since the last occasion of our meeting,” Prudence continued. “Mr. Walker, what is your opinion of the treatment given the children who labor here?”
    “The smithy is upstairs,” he said. “I have no children working in that place.”
    “Aha, you see?” William spoke up. “All is well, Miss Watson. Your fears come to naught.”
    For a moment, he believed the incident was ended. He stepped toward Prudence, determined to escort her from the building as swiftly as possible. But she turned on him.
    “Whether your blacksmith or any other person in your employ dares to speak the truth, Mr. Sherbourne, I have only to look around me to see the unpardonable reality. Your mill is a death trap. You maim and cripple children every day, leaving them broken, ignorant, and without hope.”
    Now she drew herself up to her full height and unleashed the last of her venom. “You, sir, are the most contemptible man I have ever met. You may be certain that wherever I go from this moment on, I shall revile and condemn your name.”
    So saying, she turned and marched down the aisle between the rows of machines. William watched her go, the hem of her skirt dragging a little behind her and picking up bits of lint and dust. Without looking back, she stepped out the door and was gone.
    He turned to speak to Walker, but the blacksmith was already halfway up the stairs to the second floor. Before William could take a single step, the great waterwheel came to life, machines began to crank and whine, spindles started to whirl and spit out reams of brightly colored yarn, and worsted cloth once again rolled from the looms.
    The children, he noted, swiftly vanished to their posts. Invisible as they crept about the stone floor beneath the looms, the boys and girls worked in silence. William was glad. He crossed the mill to the door, making an effort to avoid meeting the eye of any in his employ. If he saw young Davy Smith, he would be unable to quell the rising tide of self-loathing that filled his chest. Of that he had no doubt.

    “Evil man!” Prudence splashed her face with cold water in a vain effort to wash away her tears. “I hate him, Mary. There can be no other feeling toward such a vile, hideous wretch of a human being. I despise him to the very depths of my heart.”
    Mary had ordered tea sent up to their room at the inn, and now she poured out two cups. “You may call me fickle, but I liked Mr. Sherbourne better today. I confess, Pru, I have reverted to my good opinion of him.”
    “Good opinion?” Prudence whirled around to face her sister. “You have a good opinion of that beast? You must be joking! He humiliated me in front of everyone.”
    “You humiliated him first, dearest.”
    “But he deserved it. Did you see those poor children? So frail and ill—all of them! I have no doubt he feeds them gruel and oatcake every day of the