Marrying Miss Martha Read Online Free PDF Page B

says she needs your love.”
    Maybe she did and maybe he would find a way, Ben thought glumly, but in the meantime it was heavy going. Even Hepzibah was having trouble with Georgie, and there had been several scenes and tantrums.
    What the hell did he know about bringing up girls of sixteen? Especially girls as contrary and wilful as his half-sister. He prayed these schoolteachers would be up to scratch.
    * * * *
    When Ben got back to the mill, he found a man waiting to see him, a man ill-dressed for such a cold day and who looked vaguely familiar. He nearly refused to see him, then chided himself. Had he not vowed when he took over the mill to treat decently and kindly all the people with whom he dealt? “What can I do for you?”
    “I’m looking for a job, Mr Seaton.”
    “We’re not taking on any more hands at present, I’m afraid.”
    “I heard you’re getting new machinery. I’m good with machines.”
    Ben frowned. He did need an assistant engineer, but this man looked more like a labourer than a skilled worker. “Where did you train? Do you have references?”
    “I don’t have references and I trained by working on machines whenever I could. I’m good with them.”
    “Where did you work last?”
    “Brindley’s. He dismissed me yesterday.”
    Ben knew he should send the other away, but there was something about the man’s expression, dogged and yet desperate, that touched him. “Why did he do that?”
    “Because I wouldn’t take the guards off the machinery and make it unsafe for the little ’uns who clean it. I’ve been working as his engineer.”
    “What’s your name?”
    There was the slightest hesitation, then, “Daniel Porter.”
    Of course! That hair colour. “You’re James Porter’s son.”
    “Aye.”
    “My father dismissed yours.”
    “I’m not like him. Are you like your father?” When no immediate answer was forthcoming, Porter sighed and turned towards the door.
    “Wait!”
    He turned round.
    “I’ll take you to see Ross Turner, my engineer. If you can convince him you know how to work with machines, I’ll give you a trial. But at the first sign of trouble, you’re out.”
    “I’m not a troublemaker and I’ll be grateful for a chance to prove it, Mr Seaton. I have a mother and sister dependent on me.”
    When they went to see Ross, Ben stood back, watching as his engineer checked out Porter’s claim to understand machinery. Soon the two men were leaning over some engine parts talking eagerly, hands waving, completely forgetting their employer. He had to move forward and take Ross’s arm before his engineer could be distracted from the piece of equipment he was stripping. “Well? Does he get the job or not?”
    “What? Oh yes, of course he does.”
    Ben saw Porter close his eyes for a moment and relief play starkly over his thin face. “You can have a month’s trial, then.”
    “I shall need a house, too, Mr Seaton. We’ve to be out of Brindley’s house by the end of the week. He only gave us that time because he thinks I’ll go begging for my job back and when he hears I’ve been taken on here, he’ll have us thrown out. I know he will.”
    It was very likely. Everyone knew that Noll Brindley did nothing out of kindness and cared only about money. “Ross will arrange that for you.”
    As Ben walked slowly back to his office, he wondered if he’d done the right thing. Well, if Porter caused any trouble he’d be out on his ear. But if he did know about machines, he’d be a godsend.
    * * * *
    The journey north severely tried the patience of all three travellers and made Edward turn peevish, but soon after noon on the second day they saw the small town of Tapton lying below them in a narrow Pennine valley. As the coach jolted down the deeply rutted road they were able to take a good look at their possible future home.
    “Wright told me Tapton was little more than a village at the turn of the century and has grown rapidly, thanks to the mills offering