Page 13 of A Cinderella to Redeem the Earl

He was clearly determined to have his way. And she did have a great deal to do. Instead of arguing, she needed to give him his breakfast and send him on his way.

She gathered her supplies from the pantry and set out what she needed. She would have to wait to break her fast until he was gone.

As she worked, he sat silently watching. She tried hard to ignore his presence, but failed. Her hand shook as she poured coffee into a mug for him and one for her.

She passed him the cream and sugar, which he refused. She added generous dollops of each to her own cup.

The fire was now hot enough for cooking and so, after a few sips of coffee, she fried the bacon, scrambled two eggs and cooked two slices of toast.

‘That bacon smells delicious,’ he said as she served him.

‘It is excellent,’ she replied. ‘Not too lean, but meaty.’

She handed him a knife and fork and a napkin and began scrubbing down the stove.

‘Where is your home?’ he asked.

‘My home?’ The question took her aback. She turned to face him.

He picked up his coffee cup with one eyebrow raised. He wanted an answer.

‘I grew up in a small village in Kent, Bexley.’

He nodded slowly. ‘I see.’

‘And you?’ she asked feeling emboldened by his interest.

‘Here, at this house. And in Marseilles.’

‘France. I have never travelled outside England. How interesting it must have been.’ She turned back to her work.

‘Interesting is one word for it.’

‘What word would you use?’

‘Educational.’

There was a tinge of wryness in his tone, but she could not read much in his expression when she glanced back at his face. ‘Travel broadens the mind, they say.’

He chuckled and there was a warmth in that soft sound this time. Her stomach gave a little hop.

Most unnerving.

‘They do say so indeed,’ he said and bit into his toast with strong white teeth. Why did he have to look so gorgeous simply chewing on a bite of toast?

She forced herself to turn back to her work. Keeping her hands busy meant she would not be tempted to stand gazing at him like a besotted fool.

By the time she had cleaned the top of the stove, His Lordship was rising to his feet. To her surprise, he took his plate and cup to the sink, passing close behind her. She froze, but he did not touch her or even seem to notice.

‘Thank you for accommodating me,’ he said.

‘You were quick,’ she said, then wished she had bitten her tongue. It was not her place to comment on his speed and she could not help but feel pleased that he had enjoyed his meal. She put a pan of water on the hob to heat for washing up.

‘I learned early to eat fast or risk going hungry,’ he said, seemingly unperturbed.

‘At school, I suppose,’ she said. She’d heard that some of the schools the boys attended were quite beastly.

His chuckle had a bitter edge. ‘I suppose you could call it a school.’