Page 27 of A Cinderella to Redeem the Earl

The footmen began moving the tables to the edges of the room, clearing a space in the centre as the two women left arm in arm for the room set aside for the staff to rest.

Leaving Pip in charge, Damian accompanied Albert back to the safe in his study. He put all the notes and coins in the safe, apart from a number of coins to act as a float when the gambling started again later, and locked the door.

‘Mrs Lamb seemed to be doing very well,’ he remarked mildly. ‘I was surprised to see her working tonight.’

It must not have been said as mildly as he intended because Albert started and turned red. ‘We were short two girls, My Lord. I hope that was all right.’

It was better than all right. Wasn’t it?

‘Of course. She seems very popular with the gentlemen. How is it that we were missing two girls?’

‘As you know, Your Lordship, since you yourself gave her permission, Betsy went to visit her old mum. Then Meg went and took a bad turn on the way down here. I had to do something.’

He could have removed one of the tables. But that would have been less than satisfactory to his guests. Not to mention considerably reduce his profits since only a finite number of gamblers could sit at each table at one time.

‘Besides,’ Albert continued, ‘she must have seen it was a problem because she offered.’

Now that was interesting.

He nodded. ‘She seemed to take to it very well.’

‘Like a duck to water,’ Albert said. ‘She said she had played cards with her pa. Seems to know all the rules. I watched her for a while just to be sure.’

‘Very good. But please inform me of any changes to the staff in future, would you, Albert?’

‘Of course, My Lord.’

The sounds of the orchestra in full swing wafted along the corridor as they made their way back. As usual, he stopped to speak to the staff where they were resting. The room had once been known as the music room, but he had filled it with comfortable sofas and chairs and there was lemonade to drink if they wished.

‘Good job, everyone,’ he said, giving them a broad grin. ‘The night is going very well indeed. I look for the second half to be as good as the first.’

There were nods and smiles all around. They received a bonus based on the night’s takings, so they were always cheered to hear things were going well.

He wandered the room, speaking to this one and that as he went until he arrived beside Mrs Lamb, seated with Sukey on a sofa. Sukey got up to let him sit down.

Mrs Lamb had removed her mask, but she still looked remarkably stunning in her old-fashioned costume. ‘Thank you for coming to our aid,’ he said.

‘Oh, it was no trouble. I am enjoying myself.’

‘Are you now?’

‘I am. I must say I was glad of the mask. Although, I think...’

She hesitated.

He gave her an encouraging smile. ‘You think?’

‘Well...it is possible that I recognised a couple of people among the guests. I would not want them to recognise me.’

‘People you have met at the houses of your other employers?’ he asked, knowing full well that was not what she meant.

Her full lips tightened slightly. ‘Not exactly. People I knew before I became a cook.’

For someone living a lie, she wasn’t very good at concealing things.

‘Do you think they will recognise you?’

She sighed and shook her head. ‘If they haven’t recognised me by now, I doubt they will. It was a long time since I met them.’