Copper Kingdom Read Online Free PDF Page B

warmth. She drew her shawl more closely around her shoulders, listening to the screams of delight from the children as they chased a rat into the canal.
    Her father had left the house almost an hour ago. He had pulled a cap on his unruly hair and wound a scarf around his bull neck and Mali, watching him walk down the row, his big shoulders slumped, did not begrudge him the relief he would find in a jug of ale at the Mexico Fountain.
    Abruptly the music died, even the children were silent, watching as a tall figure made his way easily along the cobbled street. It was as if he was being drawn towards Mali by an invisible thread as inexorably he moved forward.
    She stepped back a pace into the light of the kitchen and the man followed her without so much as by your leave.
    â€˜Mr Richardson!’ She heard the disbelief in her voice but even through her anger, she could not help but feel the magnetism of him. He closed the door and Mali swallowed hard.
    â€˜I don’t know what you think you’re doing here,’ she said. ‘If it’s to put us out into the street, then don’t bother, we know well enough that the cottage is yours.’
    He took off his black hat and his hair gleamed brightly in the warm glow from the lamp. He smiled easily and seated himself in a chair, staring up at her, and his dark blue, almost violet eyes seemed to be undressing her.
    â€˜I haven’t come to “put you out into the street” at all,’ he said smoothly. ‘On the contrary.’ His eyes continued to gaze at her with disconcerting frankness and Mali became aware that her hair was hanging in untidy curls upon her shoulders and that she was wearing one of her oldest skirts that had been patched and mended many times.
    â€˜Then what do you want?’ she asked hotly. She folded her arms around her waist, drawing the shawl closer. It was a gesture of self protection and she saw by his quick smile that he understood it.
    â€˜Don’t worry.’ He leaned forward in the chair, his eyes warm with laughter. ‘I won’t ravish you.’
    Mali bit her lip in anger. ‘Dad would give you a hammering if you so much as touched me,’ she said quickly and then felt very foolish as his smile widened.
    â€˜I don’t know what you find so funny!’ she said. ‘But say your piece, whatever it is, and go.’ She moved towards the fire and absently pushed the large kettle onto the flames.
    â€˜Ah, good, you’re about to make me some tea.’ He spoke evenly and Mali took a deep breath, searching her mind for something scathing to say to him but then he was on his feet, standing beside her.
    â€˜I’ve come to offer your father his old job back.’ He was so close that she could smell the clean soapy scent of him. She felt small and insignificant against his tallness and once the meaning of his words sunk in she was bereft of speech.
    He leaned towards her and before she knew what he was about, he had taken her face between his hands.
    â€˜You are a very pretty girl,’ he said lightly, and for a breathless moment she thought that he meant to kiss her.
    Suddenly she came to her senses. ‘Get away from me!’ She pushed at him fiercely and smiling, he moved away from her. She felt shaken but as Sterling resumed his seat he seemed to be completely in control of the situation. Mali tried to compose herself and spoke without looking at him.
    â€˜I don’t know if Dad will want the job, he’s a proud man.’ She was angered by the way her voice trembled but there was nothing she could do about it. ‘I’ll tell him you called. Now leave me, please.’
    â€˜Very well.’ Swiftly he rose to his feet. ‘Tell your father that I will expect him to start first shift in the morning.’ All at once he was again the great Mr Richardson, copper boss. It was as though he had never taken her face between his hands and looked into her