Better than one of the family , she thought at times , after one of her altercations with Dan .sx For Drogo didn't shout or bawl her out for refusing to take in washing from the local tavern owner's wife , scowling when she'd exclaimed heatedly that didn't he think she did enough work , foraging for cockles in the sand , or else up at dawn , down at the quayside to bargain with the fishermen , and then coming home to cook and tidy up after him !sx .sx The reins held loosely in her hands , her skirts riding up to reveal her bare knees , she gazed about her at the peaceful morning .sx Seagulls shrieked their defiance over her head , outraged at the presence of humans at such an early hour .sx The rising sun splashed the sea and sky with scarlet and gold ribbons as the little donkey trod placidly along the cliff path .sx Thinking back to the man , Marcus Dillon , she told herself she wasn't nervous .sx She had never been at a loss for crisp repartee , and would treat this like any other job .sx All the same , when she stopped outside the front gate of the small white cottage , her dear began to beat a little more swiftly and the palms of her hands were damp .sx Her knock was answered at once and the artist stared down at her , giving Alys the impression that he'd been waiting for her eagerly .sx " Good morning , " he said briskly , and stood back to allow her to enter .sx She had already tied Drogo to a sapling on the common in front of the cottage and hoped he wouldn't become too bored and try to uproot the young tree .sx There was plenty of grass for him to enjoy and he was usually patient when she tied him up like this , for it meant he could doze again , uninterrupted by her foot nudging him on his way .sx Marcus did not ask her to sit and so she stood , hands folded across the faded pink cotton of her skirt , and stared at him unflinching .sx He grinned , thinking she was conducting herself like a grand duchess .sx There was no sign of servility and no indication of the self - seeking attitude he had expected .sx " Glad you were able to come , " he told her .sx Alys lifted a strand of black hair and tucked it into the neat chignon which she'd managed to achieve with the aid of innumurable innumerable< hair pins and patience .sx " I said I would .sx " .sx Once again he thrilled to the lilting sing - song quality of her voice , not at all like the harsher tones of her hawker cronies , not in the least as he'd expected .sx He looked at her thoughtfully , his head on one side .sx " The first thing I need to do is get rid of these .sx " Suiting the action to the words he reached forward and unceremoniously began tugging the pins from her thick mass of hair .sx He heard her gasp of indignation .sx " What did you do that for ?sx It took me ages .sx .. " .sx " I thought I made myself clear .sx " His tone brooked no argument .sx " I want you looking exactly as you did when I first saw you , riding across the sands , not got up like some lah - de - dah society lady .sx " .sx Her cheeks flushed crimson and he strove to commit to memory the lovely colour as the blood swept beneath the delicate skin .sx He decided he would have to come up with a lot of insults if he was to get that tone right !sx .sx " Come on .sx " He took her hand and pulled her abruptly into a room that obviously did duty as his studio .sx Without speaking , her mistrustful gaze never leaving him , Alys watched as he adjusted a seat on a slightly raised platform before the large , uncurtained window .sx " What about Drogo ?sx " she asked him bluntly .sx " I thought you were going to paint him , too ?sx " .sx " You first .sx I need to sketch your head and shoulders this morning , get some idea of the composition .sx Drogo won't be neglected .sx I may be able to get a rough draft of him as well .sx Now , " brusquely he beckoned her to seat herself on the chair , " Do you mind ?sx We're wasting time .sx " .sx He turned her shoulder , tilted her head , moved her arms until she felt as inhuman as a lump of clay .sx He showed as much emotion as though she was , too !sx she thought with brooding resentment .sx Finally satisfied , he warned her that on no account was she to move from the position he had achieved .sx " For how long ?sx " she demanded with a flash of her old spirit .sx " Until I say you can .sx " He frowned .sx " There , you've moved your head already !sx " With cool fingers he corrected her pose , arranging the long silken strands of hair to his liking .sx " Talk if you want to .sx " .sx Puzzled , she stared at him .sx " What about ?sx " .sx " Anything .sx Most women can't sit still for more than two minutes without wanting to tell me all about their lovers or how their parents don't understand them .sx " .sx " I haven't got a lover .sx Or parents , " she said stiffly .sx She didn't think he'd heard her for he made no reply , although she saw how his jaw tightened .sx It wasn't as easy as it looked .sx The prize of a whole guinea for sitting still and letting someone paint her had been an inducement she couldn't resist .sx She couldn't have known about the muscles that after a while would cry out in agony , demanding to be eased and stretched .sx After two hours , with five minute rests when he could see she was tiring , Marcus told her she could relax .sx Standing , feeling the blood beginning to circulate again , Alys made an endeavour to peep at the work on the easel .sx With a sharp command , he stopped her .sx " Why not ?sx " she asked , puzzled .sx " I only want to look .sx " .sx " You'll see it when it's ready - providing you can sit still long enough for me to finish it !sx " .sx She was hurt at the implication that she had been as fidgety as a child .sx Later , she sat in a wicker chair on the tiny white - railed verandah sic !sx and watched as with lightning expertise he made rough sketches of the donkey , who by now seemed to have fallen into a doze .sx " As long as you don't expect Drogo to stand still for you as well , " she warned .sx " He's got a mind of his own , has Drogo .sx " .sx Looking over his shoulder , he commented only that it might be a good idea if she made herself useful and put the kettle on .sx Implying , she thought , with a niggle of irritation , that he was not paying her a whole guinea to sit and watch him work .sx She found the large airy kitchen and filled a kettle at the tap .sx The tea was brewing when Marcus came in .sx Seating himself at the table and propping his feet on a chair next to him , he drawled , " You can be mother .sx " .sx She went to him every morning , sometimes riding Drogo , sometimes allowing the little donkey to stay dozing in his stall .sx She never knew what to expect from Marcus Dillon .sx Kindness and consideration one morning , abrasive sarcasm the next .sx She was dying to see what he'd made of her on that square of canvas but he forbade her even a glimpse .sx One morning , the sunlight pouring in through the big window making it almost impossible to keep her eyes open , she jerked upright when he suddenly strode forward and took her by the shoulder , shaking her roughly .sx " If you must spend half the night with your heavy - handed boy - friend , kindly make sure he allows you enough sleep to be able to function properly the next morning !sx You're worse than that blasted donkey , dozing off every few minutes .sx " .sx " I'm sorry .sx " A flush stained her cheeks , whether from anger or guilt he wasn't sure .sx He noticed she had not denied his accusations about not getting enough sleep and a sudden tremor of jealousy twisted inside him , startling him so that his hands tightened on her shoulders .sx She winched and it was his turn to apologise , although it came out grudgingly .sx He turned back to his easel .sx " All right .sx If you could bring yourself to stay awake long enough to complete this morning's session , I would appreciate it .sx " .sx She pulled a face behind his back , quickly resuming the pose when he turned and shot her a suspicious glance .sx She wondered what he would have said had he known she was thinking of Evan Jenkins and not some " heavy - handed " boy from the town as he'd claimed .sx But all the brooding resentment brought on by Marcus's brusque treatment was worth it , she decided , the day she stood and gazed at the yellow silk frock in the Co - op window .sx The Craven Bay Co - operative Stores was the grandest shop in town .sx In fact , the only shop where you could buy decent apparel .sx As a child , she'd been in with her mother , though not very often , and had gazed in awe at the solid dark wood counters and display cabinets and the funny arrangements of wires that ran like tram lines above them , carrying money to a cage - like office form where a clerk returned change .sx Superior sales assistants glared at you from lofty heights , or so it had seemed to the little girl .sx They all wore black skirts and crisp white cotton blouses and clearly wondered what the shabby woman and child could possibly be wanting here .sx There had been a smell of polish , of musty carpets and the faded scent of lavender drifting from the toiletry counter .sx Alys found it almost unchanged .sx The assistants seemed a little older , but no less superior .sx Still , she wouldn't let them intimidate her .sx She had made up her mind ; she had the necessary money and she was going to enjoy spending it .sx The showroom where the dresses were displayed was up a wide , polished staircase with a narrow strip of dark red carpet and a polished banister rail .sx On the landing above , small gilt chairs were placed at strategic intervals for the benefit of the ladies who found climbing the stairs difficult .sx Many would ask for a chair to be fetched while they discussed the fit or colour of a garment , and would sit in their elaborate hats looking , Alys would think with a stifled giggle , like feathered cartwheels while they considered the merits of a blue or a coffee - coloured gown for the next social gathering .sx In spite of her resolve to let nothing daunt her , Alys was aware of curious stare following her progress .sx Sales ladies paused in their arrangement of a skirt on a display model or a piece of lace , and turned to watch her as she passed .sx She straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin , trying to look as though it was an everyday occurrence for her , this visit to Craven Bay's most fashionable store .sx The sales lady she approached looked doubtful when she explained that there was a frock in the window , a yellow silk frock , and she wanted to try it on .sx Although the girl was neatly dressed in a dark skirt and printed pink blouse , still the sales assistant hesitated before she went to check if they had the dress in Alys's size .sx It would be much simpler if they didn't , she caught herself thinking .sx This wasn't their usual kind of customer .sx But they had the size and so she guided Alys to a curtained enclosure at the back of the showroom and hovered uneasily outside .sx At last Alys stepped out , and handing back the dress , murmured .sx " Thank you , it fits beautifully .sx I'll take it .sx Will you wrap it up , please ?sx " .sx Counting out the money from her little hoard was the sweetest moment of her young life .sx " To paint you !sx " Mary O'Malley's eyes opened so wide they seemed in danger of falling out .sx " To paint you !sx " .sx Alys repressed the rude retort that rose to her lips at her friend's astounded stare .sx " There's no need to sound as though I was some sort of a freak that no one could possibly want to look at !sx Marcus told me I had good bone structure and would still look young when I was an old , old woman .sx "