Page 32 of A Cinderella to Redeem the Earl

‘Allow me.’

He had moved so swiftly, so silently, she hadn’t heard him come up behind her. She jumped. And he took the scuttle from her now rather nerveless hands.

‘Not too much,’ she said. ‘Or it will smoke. Er... I mean, thank you.’

‘Tell me when to stop.’

He shook the coal in a few pieces at a time. ‘Yes, that is enough.’

He put the scuttle down and brushed the coal dust off his hands. ‘That thing is heavy.’

‘Yes.’

He looked around. ‘And where do you fill it?’

‘In the coal cellar. Beside your wine cellars,’ she added when he looked vaguely about him.

‘Oh, I see. Do I need to order more?’

‘You are being very conciliatory this morning.’

He grimaced and it really was a naughty lad’s expression. ‘I...er...well, I was talking to Pip and he mentioned that of all the tables last night, yours was the most profitable. So I thought I would ask if you would continue on as a croupier on party nights.’

She looked at the mess. Normally she would have had this all cleaned up before she went to bed. Not that she really had anything else much to do today since there would be no one else at the house but her.

She shook her head. ‘I don’t think so. I am a cook. That is why you hired me. And besides,’ she went on, thinking about what her taking on these additional duties would mean, ‘I don’t want to put Betsy or Meg out of work.’

‘You don’t need to worry about that.’

‘Oh, but I do. You might not care about what happens to those ladies, but I do. They rely on the money you pay them.’

‘I mean, you won’t be putting them out of work. They will continue as before. I have had another idea. I ran it by Pip and he thinks it is a grand idea.’

‘What sort of idea?’ He was looking too pleased with himself.

‘I would like you to become my hostess. To be in charge of the girls while Pip and I look after the guests and security.’

‘I don’t think I understand.’

‘You would attend the parties, dinner and, afterwards, when we play cards, move from table to table, ensuring the guests are happy, talking with them, making sure they have drinks. Generally acting as the hostess of the evening. You could also relieve each girl in turn so we never have an empty table and that way all the tables will benefit from your presence. You will, of course, be well recompensed, based on earnings for the night.’

The girls were paid according to the earnings at their table. ‘Based on earnings at all the tables?’

‘Yes.’

‘Why?’

‘I think—well, we think the house will do better, to be honest.’

Last night had been fun. At least, it had until the end. And there had been no one there who had shown any sign of recognition. The two men whose names she had recognised had visited her father only, not the family. Besides, the mask had protected her identity. But the next party might be different. What if someone she did know was one of the attendees. A relative, or a friend of Alan’s. It was too much of a risk.

She shook her head. ‘It is a kind offer, but I prefer to remain as your cook.’

He looked at the dishes stacked on the table. ‘I suppose you did not have time to clear up last night.’

‘Neither time nor inclination.’

‘Yes, of course. You must have been tired. It was a long night for everyone. I will get you some help from the village, so you won’t have to face a pile of dirty dishes in the morning, if that would help change your mind. Oh, I almost forgot.’ He pulled a sheaf of banknotes from his pocket and handed them to her. ‘This is your share of the takings from last night.’