River Of Fire by Mary Jo Putney Read Free Book Online Page B

Then the smaller maid, the hardworking one, got to her feet. One by one, the other servants followed her lead. Before Rebecca's bemused eyes, the casual group began to resemble a squad of well-disciplined soldiers.
    Captain Wilding said in a cool voice, "Standards have been lax. That will change. Anyone who considers the work too burdensome is welcome to seek employment elsewhere. Problems and complaints are to be brought to me. Under no circumstances are Sir Anthony and Miss Seaton to be disturbed unnecessarily. Is that clear?"
    It was clear. The captain went around the room and learned the names and duties of everyone before he dismissed the group. The servants filed out, looking not precisely intimidated, but certainly impressed. Rebecca had to admit that she was impressed, too.
    The captain had interviewed the two candidates for cook with equal efficiency. The first applicant was a very grand Frenchman. After examining the letters of recommendation, Wilding asked the Frenchman to prepare something for himself and Miss Seaton. Offended at the idea of having to prove himself in such a lowly manner, the applicant had stalked out.
    The next candidate was also French, but female, plump and placid. Her references were not quite as glowing as those of her predecessor. However, when asked to prove her skill, she had merely raised her brows for a moment, then set to work. Twenty minutes later, she sent her judges a tantalizing dessert omelette and a pot of steaming coffee.
    Rebecca's doubts about the hiring process vanished with her first bite. "Lovely." She took another bite. "Clever of her her to use brandied cherries for a quick sauce. Will you hire her?"
    Captain Wilding, who sat on the opposite side of the breakfast room table, swallowed a substantial bite of omelette. "Yes. Madame Brunei passed all three tests very well."
    Rebecca cut another bite. "What three tests?"
    "First and most important was attitude. She was willing to do what was necessary." The captain drank some of the excellent coffee. "Secondly, she was ingenious. In a matter of minutes, she determined what she could make from available ingredients that would be swift and impressive. Lastly, her results were delicious."
    Rebecca's fork paused in midair. "Shouldn't her ability to cook come first?"
    "All the skill in the world is wasted if someone is too temperamental to do the job. A cooperative nature is doubly important in a household where there have been problems."
    Thoughtfully Rebecca finished her omelette. The new secretary had a better understanding of human nature than his stevedore's appearance implied. He also seemed fond of art. Perhaps Sir Anthony hadn't chosen so badly after all. She got to her feet. "You're off to a good start, Captain. I will see you at dinner."
    His dark brows rose. "So I've passed
your
tests?"
    Uncomfortably aware of how skeptical she had been, she said, "You were hired by my father. It is not my place to test you."
    "You are too modest, Miss Seaton," he said with a hint of irony. "I'm sure your father would not retain a secretary whom you found disagreeable."
    "True. But I would not quickly complain of a man who pleases my father." She found herself staring at him again. What really went on behind those craggy features? He had been a model of courtesy, but she felt sure that blandness was not his real nature. What had made him so different from the other men she knew? She would never find out as long as he felt constrained to watch every word for fear he would be discharged.
    On impulse, she said, "No one should have to be always circumspect, so I give you leave to speak freely around me. I won't use your words to persuade my father to get rid of you."
    His brows rose. "You're giving me carte blanche to be a crude, tactless soldier?"
    "Exactly."
    A mischievous light glinted in his clear gray eyes. "You wouldn't object even if I expressed a desire to kiss you?"
    She stared at him, hot color rising in her face. "I beg your