again there was an abrupt change of subject and Hester enquired—somewhat surprisingly—how Rachel was getting on with her work.
“Very well, thank you.” She forced a smile. “Both Uncle and Mr. Mayforth are easy to work for. And now I’ve got things in order, I’m not in the least overworked In fact, I sometimes think I should tell Uncle that I haven’t anything like enough to do.”
“I shouldn't do that,” said Hester, who certainly would not, for it was not her habit to insist on giving value for money. “If you get bored, there are always smaller, interesting jobs you can take on. People are continually looking for efficient secretaries with a little time on their hands.” And then she appeared to lose interest in the subject.
But she must have kept in mind what her niece had said. For a day or two later, just as Rachel was finishing her afternoon’s work, she was called to the telephone and a well-pitched vaguely familiar voice enquired if that were Miss Linding.
Rachel said it was. And, while she was still trying to decide where she had heard those firm overtones before, the voice went on,
“My dear, I wonder if you could help me. This is Fiona McGrath speaking. A friend of mine—Mrs. Cullenthorpe—was visiting your aunt today, and I understand from her that I just might be lucky enough to get you to do some secretarial work for me, in connection with a big charity affair we are getting up. It would be such a help if you would.”
“But I—I’m working for my uncle, you know,” Rachel explained quickly, her first instinct being to reject anything that would bring her into
Fiona McGrath’s orbit.
“I know. But, according to Lady Linding, you have some free time and might like to do some extra work, if it interested you. My own secretary is terribly busy, and I really can’t put any more on to her. Would you consider it?”
The tone was so pleasant, and Fiona McGrath was making such a favour of it all, that it was going to be extraordinarily difficult to refuse without seeming ungracious. Besides—Rachel suddenly made a surprising discovery—she was not at all sure that she wanted to refuse. If she went to work in the McGrath household, she would be able to see for herself just what was happening. And, though that might prove painful, at least it would keep one from cherishing any illusions.
“Could I know a little more about what would be required?” she asked, in order to give herself more time.
“Of course. It’s the usual sort of thing, you know. Lists, invitations, letters to people one hopes to interest. A lot of social correspondence. But the event itself is going to be very attractive. Florian is bringing his whole Collection over from Paris, with five of his mannequins, and there will be a big supper party and dance at the Gloria.”
“It sounds wonderful,” Rachel said sincerely.
‘‘Well, it should be rather fun. And naturally, I should want you to be there,” added Miss McGrath, by way of dangling an extra bait. “Why don’t you come over and have a chat with me about it, and stay on to dinner? I’m having one or two people, quite informally. Including Florian himself,” she interjected carelessly. “He’s over here from Paris, to discuss details.”
Rachel wondered, passingly, what one wore when one went to dine with the greatest dress designer in the world. But the whole thing sounded much too intriguing to be queried any further, and she said she would willingly come.
“Be here by six, then, and we can talk first,” Fiona McGrath instructed her. “And I’m immensely grateful to you, my dear.”
Both tone and words implied that Rachel had already accepted unconditionally. Which, Rachel decided, was probably the case.
Her uncle was pleased when she told him about the suggested arrangement, particularly when he heard that the idea had more or less originated with Hester.
“Of course, my dear! It’s time you had some relaxation,” declared
“Very well, thank you.” She forced a smile. “Both Uncle and Mr. Mayforth are easy to work for. And now I’ve got things in order, I’m not in the least overworked In fact, I sometimes think I should tell Uncle that I haven’t anything like enough to do.”
“I shouldn't do that,” said Hester, who certainly would not, for it was not her habit to insist on giving value for money. “If you get bored, there are always smaller, interesting jobs you can take on. People are continually looking for efficient secretaries with a little time on their hands.” And then she appeared to lose interest in the subject.
But she must have kept in mind what her niece had said. For a day or two later, just as Rachel was finishing her afternoon’s work, she was called to the telephone and a well-pitched vaguely familiar voice enquired if that were Miss Linding.
Rachel said it was. And, while she was still trying to decide where she had heard those firm overtones before, the voice went on,
“My dear, I wonder if you could help me. This is Fiona McGrath speaking. A friend of mine—Mrs. Cullenthorpe—was visiting your aunt today, and I understand from her that I just might be lucky enough to get you to do some secretarial work for me, in connection with a big charity affair we are getting up. It would be such a help if you would.”
“But I—I’m working for my uncle, you know,” Rachel explained quickly, her first instinct being to reject anything that would bring her into
Fiona McGrath’s orbit.
“I know. But, according to Lady Linding, you have some free time and might like to do some extra work, if it interested you. My own secretary is terribly busy, and I really can’t put any more on to her. Would you consider it?”
The tone was so pleasant, and Fiona McGrath was making such a favour of it all, that it was going to be extraordinarily difficult to refuse without seeming ungracious. Besides—Rachel suddenly made a surprising discovery—she was not at all sure that she wanted to refuse. If she went to work in the McGrath household, she would be able to see for herself just what was happening. And, though that might prove painful, at least it would keep one from cherishing any illusions.
“Could I know a little more about what would be required?” she asked, in order to give herself more time.
“Of course. It’s the usual sort of thing, you know. Lists, invitations, letters to people one hopes to interest. A lot of social correspondence. But the event itself is going to be very attractive. Florian is bringing his whole Collection over from Paris, with five of his mannequins, and there will be a big supper party and dance at the Gloria.”
“It sounds wonderful,” Rachel said sincerely.
‘‘Well, it should be rather fun. And naturally, I should want you to be there,” added Miss McGrath, by way of dangling an extra bait. “Why don’t you come over and have a chat with me about it, and stay on to dinner? I’m having one or two people, quite informally. Including Florian himself,” she interjected carelessly. “He’s over here from Paris, to discuss details.”
Rachel wondered, passingly, what one wore when one went to dine with the greatest dress designer in the world. But the whole thing sounded much too intriguing to be queried any further, and she said she would willingly come.
“Be here by six, then, and we can talk first,” Fiona McGrath instructed her. “And I’m immensely grateful to you, my dear.”
Both tone and words implied that Rachel had already accepted unconditionally. Which, Rachel decided, was probably the case.
Her uncle was pleased when she told him about the suggested arrangement, particularly when he heard that the idea had more or less originated with Hester.
“Of course, my dear! It’s time you had some relaxation,” declared
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