Ivory Innocence Read Online Free Page B

in soon. I've made some sandwiches and scones, and we'll have a hot supper later. Does that suit you?"
    "I'll fit in with whatever you've planned," Ivory said, taking off her jacket before sitting at one of the chairs by the big table. "It was very kind of you to offer to put me up for the night," Ivory said, feeling at home in the familiar room. "I wouldn't have fancied having to drive all the way back to Bournemouth this evening."
    "I should just think not!" said Mrs. Garth. "Why, you look tired out. How did you get on—or shouldn't I ask?"
    "Very well, thank you. Mr. Kendrake offered me the job, on a three-months' trial basis. I'll be coming back next Saturday to make a start."
    "So soon?"
    "There didn't seem to be any point in delaying. Janey seems a bit difficult at the moment, and Mrs. Barnes has enough on her hands, looking after that huge house."
    She looked around as she heard Rob come in the door. He grinned at her. "So you'll be coming back to Hedley after all. That'll be nice, won't it, Mum?"
    "Lovely," his mother agreed. "We've missed you, Ivory. We missed you when you were away at college, but at least you came home for holidays. This year it's seemed strange, with the cottage standing there."
    "I know," Ivory said softly.
    After tea, she went out to look at the pony grazing in the field behind the orchard with two other horses. Cherry, as Rebecca called him, was entirely black except for a few white hairs in his tail. He came trotting to the fence and nuzzled Rebecca's hand while Ivory stroked his head.
    "Why Cherry?" Ivory asked.
    "Well, you have black cherries, don't you?" Rebecca said with unassailable logic. Tossing her golden hair, she scrambled over the fence and leapt up to the pony's back, grabbing the rope bridle. She urged him into a trot, showing off for Ivory's benefit.
    "A little brat, isn't she?" Rob said fondly, coming to lean on the fence beside Ivory. "She reminds me of you, not many years ago."
    "Oh, thanks," Ivory said drily.
    "I was wondering," Rob added. "Would you like to go out for a drink after supper? I've got some chores to do first, but if we go about nine we'll have time for a couple of beers. Okay?"
    "Yes, fine," Ivory said.
    Smiling, Rob touched her arm and sauntered away, the sun gilding his tousled fair hair as he ducked under apple tree branches. A shower of fading blossoms fluttered onto the grass, their pink glory almost gone now that the leaves were unfurling.
    After supper she drove with Rob down to the pub, with its low black beams hung with hunting prints and a huge fireplace where a brass urn full of flowers stood. Several people recognized her and asked how she was doing. It was some time before she was able to escape to a corner table alone with Rob.
    "The village hasn't seemed the same since your grandmother died," he told her. "She was an institution—the last old-fashioned lady of the manor, even if she had fallen on hard times."
    "She was a proud woman," Ivory said.
    "Brave, too. I've often wondered why they stayed in Hedley."
    "They belonged here!" she said passionately. "But their very presence must have been a reminder to George Kendrake of what he'd done. Why do you think he stayed away from the Hall? His conscience must have troubled him. Unfortunately, it didn't trouble him enough, or he'd have tried to make amends. It makes me so angry when I think—"
    Rob's hand covered hers, stopping the flow of bitterness. "Hush, love. It's no good getting agitated about it. It's all ancient history. And you're going to have to work at the Hall."
    "Yes." Still trembling with rage, she pulled her hand free of his clasp, making Rob give her a puzzled sidelong look.
    "I can't really understand why you want to go there, Ivory," he said. "I hope you're not going to regret it. It won't be easy, being an employee and knowing all the time that your ancestors lived there in style."
    Ivory sipped her lager and lime, her eyes on the round table in front of her. Not for anything