Sinful Seduction Read Online Free Page B

from the look on ma’s face she might have been one of the little princesses herself. ‘You look a proper treat, love,’ she said, her eyes shining with pride. Tears welled up and she dashed them away with a grubby hand. ‘Well, I’d best be off now, pet,’ she said, swallowing the lump in her throat. She kissed Maggie’s cheek and forced a smile. ‘Now you be a good girl and do whatever Mrs Hardcastle and Mrs McAlister tells you and you’ll get on fine.’
    Maggie flung her arms around her mother’s thin body and clung to her tightly. ‘You take care, ma,’ she whispered. ‘I’ll visit every month on my afternoon off.’
    Her mother pushed her away and shook her head. ‘No love, I don’t think that’s a good idea, do you? I’ll try and come here instead, if I can get away from His Nibs.’
    She turned to Mrs Hardcastle. ‘Thanks again, Moll,’ she said fervently. ‘You don’t know how much this means to me. You’ll get your reward in heaven, just see if you don’t.’
    â€˜I’ll see you out, Kate,’ said Moll, patting her hand sympathetically. ‘Oh, and before I forget, here’s them old clothes back.’ She picked up a brown paper parcel, thrust it into Kate’s arms and winked. ‘And there’s a bit of cold meat, some bread and butter and a few eggs in there too, so mind and not drop it.’ She rolled her eyes towards the ceiling. ‘That lot won’t miss a few odds and ends from the pantry.’
    Kate opened her mouth to thank her again, but nothing came. Turning on her heel she walked out of the kitchen, before she broke down completely. Moll followed her, and at the door she turned round. ‘You lot look after the little ‘un while I says goodbye to me friend.’
    Suddenly bereft, Maggie stared after, trying not to cry, and at a sound behind her she whirled round to face the other girls, prepared to do battle if necessary to establish herself. She looked at the circle of curious faces.
    The one called Emily grinned at her and she relaxed. ‘Cheer up, love,’ she advised. ‘It ain’t that bad ‘ere.’
    â€˜Yers,’ chimed in Ellen. ‘Mrs McAlister, the cook, is a decent old stick. You do right by her and she’ll do right by you. She ain’t ‘alf strict, but she’s fair with it.’
    â€˜And the grub’s good,’ added Mary, patting her belly. ‘Soon put a bit of meat on yer bones.’
    Mrs H bustled back in and they scattered back to their work, leaving Maggie standing. ‘Right,’ she said briskly. ‘You can start by giving Mary a hand with them vegetables.’ She wagged a finger. ‘Now mind, I want them peeled fine. We’ll ‘ave no waste in this house.’ Maggie bobbed a curtsey and Mrs H smiled. ‘Nice to see your ma’s brought you up proper. Now off you go and get on with it.’
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    An hour later Maggie was finished. Mrs H examined her handiwork and nodded with satisfaction. ‘Good girl,’ she said. ‘Now, while Ellen’s putting them on to boil, Mary can take you for a quick look round and show you where you’ll be sleeping.’
    By the time she had finished her guided tour, Maggie didn’t know whether she was coming or going. Her head was spinning as she tried to remember her way round the warren of the servants’ quarters. Numbly she followed a chattering Mary up a narrow flight of wooden stairs to the top floor.
    â€˜â€˜Ere we go,’ announced Mary, flinging open the door. ‘This is our room.’ She looked at Maggie suspiciously. ‘Yer don’t snore, do yer? The last girl used to snore sumfink dreadful. Could hardly get a wink of sleep for the racket.’ Maggie shook her head. ‘That’s good,’ beamed Mary, and waved a hand. ‘So what do yer think of it?’
    Maggie stared round and