Paradise Park by Iris Gower Read Free Book Online Page B

decent job again if folk were reminded she was one of the shanty-town women.
    Mrs Buchan was alone in her room and for that Rhiannon was grateful. If she was to be humiliated at least it would be in private. She bobbed a curtsy. ‘I hope I haven’t done anything wrong, Mrs Buchan?’
    â€˜It’s come to my attention that you are of questionable reputation.’ Jayne Buchan stared at her in open curiosity. ‘Is it true that you were once . . . how shall I put it? . . . a loose woman?’
    There was little point in lying. ‘It’s true, Mrs Buchan, but I gave up that life a long time ago. I worked as a respectable housekeeper for Mr Cookson the engineer for almost a year.’
    Mrs Buchan stared at her. ‘And you were not averse to sleeping in his bed, I understand?’
    Rhiannon sighed in resignation. ‘That’s right. It seemed fair exchange for a life of comfort with only one man to please instead of many.’
    â€˜Well, I don’t see how I can keep you on here.’
    â€˜That’s all right, Mrs Buchan, I understand. I’ll pack my things at once.’
    â€˜What made you do it, Rhiannon? Surely working in service – indeed, anything – must be preferable to being a whore.’
    Rhiannon was stung by Mrs Buchan’s tone. She drew a deep breath, willing herself to be calm. She longed to ask if Hetty had been the bearer of ill tidings but what was the point? She decided to be truthful, and if it shocked Mrs Buchan out of her smugness so much the better.
    â€˜I lost my innocence while I was still only a child,’ she said flatly. ‘The lodger in the house where I lived thought he would teach me a lesson about life and he kept on teaching me until I was old enough to protest.’ She shrugged. ‘After that it seemed easy to fall into another man’s arms in return for food and a place to sleep.’
    â€˜How dreadful.’ Mrs Buchan stared at her in wide-eyed horror. ‘Was this man ever punished?’
    Rhiannon shook her head. ‘Why punish a man for deflowering a girl from the slums? It probably happened every day where I lived. I lost my self-respect. I thought I was worthless, fit only for the company of drunkards who would use me for a night then pass me on to the next man. I’m sorry for it now and if I could go back I’d change my life.’ She sighed heavily. ‘I don’t expect you to understand, Mrs Buchan. I’ll go and pack and get out of your way as soon as I can manage it.’
    â€˜No, wait,’ Mrs Buchan said. ‘I’m impressed by what you say and, what’s more, I’m going to keep you. I think you deserve a chance in life, a chance you never had as a child. I can see you’ve repented of your old life and tried to reform.’ She paused. ‘Another thing, Cook speaks highly of you and I have a lot of respect for her opinion. If you keep out of trouble while you’re here I’ll have no reason to dismiss you.’
    Rhiannon looked at her in surprise. ‘Will you really keep me on?’
    â€˜I never say anything I don’t mean.’ Mrs Buchan smiled. ‘I’ve got a feeling you and I are going to get on very well indeed. You may go now, Rhiannon.’
    â€˜Thank you, Mrs Buchan.’ At the door Rhiannon paused. ‘Was it Hetty who told you about my past, Mrs Buchan?’
    â€˜Hetty? Why, no. It was that dreadful Miss Cookson. She was at a rather inferior gathering I attended at the assembly rooms and she forced her card on me. When I refused to take it she became quite sharp and told me I was employing a whore of Babylon. Silly woman.’
    â€˜Well, don’t worry, Mrs Buchan, I won’t let you down. You have my word on that.’
    â€˜I know you won’t, Rhiannon, because if you do, you’ll be out on the streets before you can look round.’ She smiled. ‘But remember what I told you