Sea Mistress by Iris Gower Page B

now.’
    â€˜Well, Mr Marchant would not want the leather for delivery to France, that’s for sure.’ Mr Elias leaned back in his chair, ‘They send us the most lovely calfskin, want to export more, not import any leather, that’s the French for you.’
    Ellie was feeling more foolish by the minute. ‘I think I should go, it was silly of me to have come here so unprepared.’
    The outer door opened and the rush of salt breeze carried with it the tang of the sea. Paul Marchant was suddenly in the office filling it with his presence. ‘Elias, we’ll be sailing soon and . . .’ his eyebrows lifted when he saw Ellie sitting there, looking up at him in some agitation.
    He was a handsome man, broad of shoulder and with the healthy complexion earned by years of weathering in the sun and sea air. ‘Good morning.’ He stood beside Ellie’s chair, looking down at her, his eyes full of interest. ‘I wasn’t expecting to see anything so lovely when I walked into my office this morning.’
    Ellie felt her colour rising, she was used to Matthew’s rather blunt approaches, but coming from a gentleman of Paul Marchant’s standing, such charm disconcerted her.
    â€˜I’m afraid I may have wasted Mr Elias’s time,’ she said. She moved her bag on her lap, uncertain whether to leave and after a moment’s hesitation, she rose to her feet.
    â€˜The young lady, Mrs Hopkins,’ Mr Elias paused, was there an emphasis on her married name, Ellie wondered? ‘Mrs Hopkins was enquiring about an unpaid bill. Her husband owns a tannery, you see, sir.’
    â€˜Yes, I do see,’ Paul thrust his hands into his pockets and studied her, he had a subtle air about him which managed to convey the impression that Ellie was the one woman in the world he wanted to talk to. At this moment, she certainly seemed to be the sole object of his interest. His charm was palpable and what’s more he was aware of it. He was the same type as Matthew Hewson except he was garbed in gentleman’s clothes.
    â€˜How much leather are we talking about and in what quantity?’ Paul smiled disarmingly. ‘When was the delivery date?’
    â€˜I’m afraid I came here quite unprepared.’ Ellie’s embarrassment increased, ‘I’m sorry, I don’t know answers to any of your questions.’
    â€˜Don’t look so worried, I’m sure we can sort this out.’ Paul leaned slightly closer and Ellie resisted the temptation to step away from him.
    â€˜Our tannery is called Glyn Hir, we . . .’
    â€˜Ah, yes, of course, very good stuff comes out of your place. Old Jubilee Hopkins is well known around Swansea, his name is synonymous with quality. Think no more about it, the matter will be dealt with as soon as I return from my trip to Ireland.’
    â€˜I’d better go,’ Ellie moved towards the door, ‘I’ll speak to Jubilee, he hasn’t been well or he’d have called to see you himself. He knows much more about the business side of things than I do,’ she added apologetically.
    â€˜I insist I accompany you past the entrance of the docks,’ Paul’s voice indicated it was a casual gesture. Somehow, Ellie knew that the move was quite calculated.
    â€˜Can’t have you being carried off by any of the foreign sailors who come ashore here, can we?’ Paul was exerting his charm, smiling down at her, his strangely violet eyes full of meaning.
    â€˜It’s all right, really.’ Ellie drew her gloves more tightly over her fingers, she was ill at ease with this man, she was aware that he posed a threat without really knowing why.
    Mr Elias rose from his chair, ‘Good day to you, Mrs Hopkins.’ His practical attitude broke the tension, ‘I trust you’ll soon sort matters out to your satisfaction.’
    There was nothing for it but to allow Paul Marchant to