Saturday's Child by Dallas Schulze Read Free Book Online Page B

the boss of me and it's not likely he ever will be."
    "I doubt Johnny would agree with that," Katie said. "When you go out walking with a man on a Sunday afternoon, it's inclined to give them ideas. When Johnny looks at you, it's clear he's got ideas aplenty."
    "Then he'll just have to get those ideas out of his head," Edith said mulishly. "I'll not be marrying a man who works in a stable."
    "It's respectable work."
    "I'm not saying anything against him, but if I marry, it will be a man with some ambition. This is a new century and there's opportunities about for a man who looks for them. Just as soon as I've finished my course at Mrs. Lutmiller's Academy of Typewriting and Essential Office Skills, I'm going to get myself a job in a fine office and I'll have a room in a respectable boarding house. I won't need a man to take care of me. I'll be independent. And I won't be wearing a uniform ever again." She flicked a disdainful hand over the starched white apron that covered her gray skirt.
    "Well, I wish you luck. But I'd settle for a good man who wanted a home and family."
    "You're too old-fashioned, Katie. Soon women will have the vote, you'll see. And then there won't be anything we can't do."
    "Perhaps. But in the meantime, you'd better be getting back to work and I've got to give this dress to Miss Ann's maid so that she can press it." She stood up as Edith lifted the tray.
    They left the room together, Edith going down the narrow stairway first, stopping to wait for Katie when they reached the hall.
    "Now, you won't back out tomorrow, will you? If you do, you'll break my heart."
    Looking at Edith's round, smiling face, Katie found it hard to imagine anything breaking her heart, but she shook her head.
    "I won't back out. But if they refuse to let us in, I'll say I told you so."
    "Well, well, what have we here? As pretty a pair of doves as a man is likely to find." The two girls turned at the sound of the low, overly intimate voice.
    Katie didn't recognize the tall, rather thin man who'd spoken, but from the way Edith stiffened, she guessed that her friend did.
    "May I help you, sir?'.' Edith's tone was neutral, but it wasn't hard to see that the gentleman found no favor with her.
    "May you help me? An interesting question." He smiled at Edith before transferring his attention to Katie. Meeting his eyes for a moment, Katie felt a shiver run up her spine. She'd met her share of wolves during her time in the theater and she'd learned how to put them off. But there was something in this man's eyes that made her uneasy. "You're new here, aren't you, my girl? What's your name?"
    "Katie, sir." She dropped a curtsy, keeping her eyes on the floor.
    "Katie," he purred. "A pretty name for a pretty girl."
    Katie jumped as he put out a hand and caught her chin, tilting her face upward. Dislike flashed in her eyes and she made no attempt to hide it. She didn't try to pull back, sensing that it would only encourage his interest.
    "Perhaps I'll see if you could be assigned to tend my room, Katie. Would you like that?"
    "I'm here to work on gowns for Miss Sterling's wedding, sir. If you'll excuse me, I'm expected elsewhere."
    She moved back, forcing his hand to fall as she turned and moved toward the stairs, aware of Edith following her. Behind her, she could feel the man's eyes lingering on her until she was out of sight. She waited until they'd reached the first landing before turning to Edith.
    "Who was that?"
    "Joseph Landers," Edith told her. "You stay out of his sight. The man's mean clear through. Gives me the shivers, he does. He's Mr. Sterling's nephew and the apple of Mrs. Sterling's eyes."
    Catching the sound of Mrs. Dixon's keys, she hurried down the stairs. "Tomorrow at one o'clock. Don't forget. You promised."
    Katie continued downward more slowly, one hand absently stroking the fine silk of the dress she carried. Mr. Sterling's nephew. That meant he was Quentin's cousin. She shivered, remembering the cold gleam in his eyes.