Fields of Blue Flax by Sue Lawrence Read Free Book Online Page A

wi’ the way you look. Just mak’ sure you speak proper.’
    She knocked on the door and announced, ‘Elizabeth Barrie, Madam,’ and shuffled backwards out of the door.
    An elegant lady in a striped gown of violet silk, her auburn hair tied in a neat bun at the nape of her neck, stood up from a seat by the wide bay window.
    ‘Come in, Elizabeth, let me see you.’
    Elizabeth stepped towards her and stood up to her full height.
    ‘My, you’re a tall girl. How old are you? Seventeen?’
    ‘Yes, Madam.’
    She peered into her face. ‘What extraordinary eyes you have. The colour of molasses.’ She sat down and gestured to her companion to sit too.
    Elizabeth perched nervously on the edge of the chair.
    ‘And when was your birthday?’ Mrs Donaldson asked, dipping her pen into the ink pot at her desk.
    ‘February 29th.’
    ‘Ah, no wonder you look so young, you only have birthdays every four years!’ She looked pleased with her little joke; Elizabeth was unsure whether to smile. ‘Now, tell me a little about your work at the Patullos’.’
    ‘Yes, Madam.’ She cleared her throat. ‘I was a table maid for Mr and Mrs Patullo for three years and…’
    ‘You began employment at the age of fourteen?’
    ‘Yes, Madam, but only light duties, helping in the laundry and the dairy, sometimes serving at table. Then last year Cook was ill and off work for a wee while so I helped the mistress in the kitchen. I learnt a lot.’ Mrs Donaldson paused to take a note of this and Elizabeth cast a sidelong glance through the bay window. All she could see was grey.
    ‘I see. And was this cook the Mrs Jessica Malcolm who has referred you here?’
    ‘Aye – I mean yes, Madam. Cook was awful kind to me but she thought I would do better to move to the city so,since she knew Meg, she asked if there might be a position here.’
    Elizabeth looked once more out the window. She realised the grey must be water.
    ‘Excuse me for asking, Madam, but is that the sea?’
    ‘Yes. Well, it’s really an estuary, the widest part of the River Tay before it spills out into the North Sea. Have you never seen the sea?’
    ‘No, Madam. I thought it was blue.’
    ‘Grey on a day like today. Blue when the sky is blue. Presumably you have never visited Dundee before?’
    ‘No, never.’
    ‘The view from this room is the most wonderful aspect of this house.’ Mrs Donaldson swept her arm gracefully towards the window as if taking a bow. ‘Most days we can see all the way over to Fife, unless there is a low mist. You know what they say about living with a good view, Elizabeth?’
    ‘No, Madam.’
    ‘Those who live with a view live longer.’ She dipped her pen once more into the ink well. ‘And before you began employment at the Patullos’ in Strathmartine, where were you?’
    ‘Tannadice.’
    ‘Tannadice? I believe my husband has passed through there, visiting his farmers. Are there flax fields there?’
    ‘Fields and fields of blue flax the length and breadth o’ Angus,’ Elizabeth said, smiling.
    ‘As I thought. Your family are there?’
    ‘Aye.’ Elizabeth’s voice faltered. ‘Sorry, yes, Madam.’
    Mrs Donaldson put down her pen and studied Elizabeth’s face once more, taking in those striking dark eyes. ‘I thinkthat, given the references I have from Mrs Patullo about how diligent you are, we might be able to accommodate you here. Should we decide you are to serve at table however, your diction must be improved.’
    Elizabeth swallowed. She had no idea what diction was.
    ‘And one final thing. We are blessed with five children and though we employ a nurse, it is important to me that you like children. The little one is only three.’
    ‘Mrs Patullo has seven bairns and there’s always plenty noise, they run aboot all over the farmhouse.’
    ‘Our children do not run about and they are never noisy, Elizabeth,’ she said, standing up, the heavy silk of her dress rustling. ‘Now, I will have Meg show you the room you will