Page 18 of A Cinderella to Redeem the Earl

‘Why not? As you say, the surroundings are far more pleasant than downstairs. I will even show you a shortcut to the kitchens, if you wish.’

‘That would be most helpful, thank you.’

‘I am pleased to be of use.’ He could not keep the wry note out of his voice.

She stifled a chuckle. He grinned at her. ‘Come on. It’s this way.’

He guided her down the stairs. After lighting one of the lamps set on a chest at the bottom, he led her along the gloomy tunnel he had discovered when exploring the wine cellars.

She shivered.

‘Not afraid, are you?’ he said recalling her previous reaction to thunder.

‘Not at all. Just a little chilly.’

Yes, it was a great deal cooler down here and damp, too. He resisted a sudden urge to give her his coat and picked up his pace instead. ‘It won’t take long.’

‘This goes under the courtyard?’ Her voice echoed off the brick-lined walls.

‘It does.’ As they neared the end, he pointed to the doors on either side. ‘These are the wine cellars. They used to be full of wine sent down by my father and his father before him. All gone now, apart from what I have purchased myself. Everything from before was sold off to cover my father’s debts.’

‘Oh, dear,’ she said. ‘Was he also a gambler?’

He gritted his teeth at the implied criticism. His father had never gambled a penny in his life until her father had tempted him down the road to hell. ‘He certainly had a run of bad luck. But he wasn’t what you would call a dyed-in-the-wool gambler, no.’

‘I am sorry. It is none of my business.’

Itwasher business. But she did not need to know that yet. He pushed open the door at the end. ‘And here we are back at the kitchens.’

She looked up at him with a smile. ‘That is indeed a much faster way. I can deliver your food much more easily. Thank you.’

He smiled back. ‘My pleasure. Now if you will excuse me, I have some business that requires my attention elsewhere.’

‘Of course.’ She dipped a little curtsy.

A mad idea bounced into his head. He hesitated. When had he become so tentative? He always followed his instincts. They never let him down. ‘Since there is no one in residence at the moment, apart from you and me, you may as well join me for dinner.’

Her mouth dropped open. ‘I could not. It would not be right.’

The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea. ‘Where is the sense in us each dining in a solitary state, using up candles in two rooms instead of one, when it would be far more economical to dine together?’

‘It isn’t appropriate.’

He sensed her weakening. ‘Who is to know? I won’t tell if you won’t. Either dine with me in the drawing room or provide my dinner in the servants’ hall and dine with me there. I am not asking.’

She huffed out a sigh. ‘Very well. I will dine with you in the drawing room, if you insist.’

‘I do.’

Before she could change her mind, he walked away. For several moments, he felt her watching him, as if trying to understand the reason behind his invitation.

The wariness in her face after he had made his suggestion warned him he would have to tread very carefully if he was not going to scare her off.

Having dinner with her employer was the stupidest thing she had ever done.

She should have left the issue of where he dined well alone and she would not be in this mess. But, no. She had to interfere.

She had already got a fire going in the drawing room, lit the candles and set the table. Now all that was required was the food.