Read Online The Sea Shell Girl by Linda Finlay - Free Book Online Page B

counting out the money.
    ‘Miss Brown, I fear you have made a mistake,’ Merry said, looking down at the coins on the counter.
    ‘How dare you make such an accusation? I can assure you I never make mistakes. Take your money and go before I have you up for slander,’ Miss Brown ordered shrilly, pointing to the door.
    ‘But you don’t understand …’ Merry began.
    ‘Ladies, please!’ Mr Fairbright protested, appearing beside them. ‘What seems to be the problem?’
    ‘This knitter girl here had the audacity to accuse me of short-changing her!’ Miss Brown cried, her cheeks as red as the spots on his kerchief. ‘As you are well aware, I never make mistakes and …’ She stuttered to a halt as the agent held up his hand.
    ‘Miss Dyer, perhaps you can explain?’
    ‘I was trying to, sir. Miss Brown has paid me for twelve frocks and given me enough yarn for twelve more …’
    ‘Which is what your order was for,’ the woman spat.
    ‘Did you not look at the chit I issued, Miss Brown?’ Mr Fairbright asked.
    The woman smiled superciliously. ‘As you know I pride myself on knowing what you expect from each of your customers and …’
    ‘And you didn’t think it necessary to check my authorization?’ Mr Fairbright’s voice was low and measured.
    ‘Well, there was no need, was there?’
    ‘Clearly there was, Miss Brown,’ he said, turning to Merry. ‘I think I can see the problem. You were explaining you had only provided me with eleven?’
    Merry nodded. ‘I couldn’t possibly accept payment or replacement yarn for more than I provided.’
    ‘Your honesty is commendable, Miss Dyer, and I am truly grateful. Miss Brown, please issue payment in accordance with the instructions on my chit and then come to my office. I apologize for the mistake and hope you have a pleasant journey home, Miss Dyer.’
    ‘You’ll pay for that,’ Miss Brown hissed as the agent’s door closed behind him.
    ‘I only want paying what I’m owed, thank you,’ Merry replied. The woman glowered then took her time reading the chit. Finally she slapped the correct amount down on the counter and snatched the extra wool from her parcel.
    ‘Thank you, Miss Brown,’ Merry said sweetly.
    Outside, she leaned against the wall and breathed in deeply. What a nasty woman that Miss Brown was.
Everything had taken longer than she’d anticipated and she hoped she still had time to go to the market. Then she saw Nicco waiting in his cart and cursed. This really wasn’t her day.
    ‘You look flustered,’ he said, as she climbed up beside him. ‘What’s wrong?’
    She shook her head.
    ‘Well, something’s ruffled your pretty feathers.’
    ‘It was just a misunderstanding about payment,’ she shrugged, lapsing into silence as he steered the donkey confidently through the busy traffic. Then a carriage swept past them, throwing dirt up in its wake.
    ‘I shall insist Father lends me his pony and trap next time,’ Nicco spluttered, but Merry hardly noticed for she’d seen Lady Sutherland, the lady from the granite house, in the carriage that had overtaken them. Her elegant outfit and coiffure only served to remind Merry that her purpose had been thwarted. She stared sadly down at her Sunday best, noting how cheap and unfashionable it looked.
    ‘I said next time we shall travel here by pony and trap,’ Nicco repeated.
    ‘Next time?’ she asked, her heart sinking. She really would have to think of some way of avoiding him. Perhaps there was another way to get here? She’d ask Kelys. Then she felt a jab in her side.
    ‘Not going to sleep again, I hope. I expect some company in return for the time I invest in these journeys, you know.’ Invest? He made it sound as if she was some kind of project or enterprise. As his voice droned on, she sighed inwardly. ‘Now what was it you said about being short-changed? I hope you stood your ground.’
    Why does everyone jump to the wrong conclusion? Merry wondered.
    ‘I didn’t have to, Nicco.