Page 34 of A Cinderella to Redeem the Earl

He had been shocked at how pleased he had felt when she had agreed to his proposal. It wasn’t like him to feel so...giddy? He was used to being in charge of his emotions.

As a consequence, he had given himself some space. Got himself under control. After all, he wasn’t the sort of man who needed anyone else to make him happy. And now it was time to put the second part of his plan in motion.

Having dressed for the outdoors, he wandered down to the servants’ hall for breakfast.

Mrs Lamb was already sitting at the table, reading a newspaper.

She rose upon his entry. ‘My Lord. I am sorry I did not realise you had stayed over last night or I would have prepared more of a breakfast.’

He had purposely not relayed his intention to stay the night—the first time he had done so for two weeks.

He had wanted to take her by surprise.

‘No matter.’

‘Were you planning on staying for dinner?’

‘I was, if that won’t put you out too much.’ He could see her mind racing to take stock of what food she had on hand.

He browsed the offerings on the buffet. A couple of slices of cold ham, toast, marmalade, some sweet breads, and fruit.

‘Did you make this marmalade?’ he asked.

‘I did. From the oranges you provided and the last of the little oranges from your tree.’

A sly reminder that the tree needed some care, no doubt. Well, she need not bother. He was leaving England once he had accomplished his purpose. He had decided.

He poured himself coffee and put the ham on his plate with a slice of toast and a scoop of marmalade.

He took the seat opposite her and, having eaten the ham, slathered the preserve on to his toast. He was aware of her watching him.

He took a bite of toast. ‘Oh.’ He had not been expecting it to taste so extraordinary.

‘Is something wrong?’

‘What on earth did you put in it? It isn’t marmalade, its ambrosia.’ It was. It had all the flavour of oranges, but more.

She chuckled, clearly pleased with his reaction. ‘It is a secret.’

He wanted to smile back. Damn the woman. It seemed he had no armour against her charm. ‘You had better be careful. I may end up sending you a cartload of oranges instead of a box.’

‘Unfortunately, I have run out of the secret ingredient.’

‘Which is?’

She smiled enigmatically.

He laughed. ‘I will find out, you know.’ He tasted the marmalade again. ‘I think it is some sort of liquor.’

She raised an eyebrow. She definitely did not intend to reveal a thing. And he was enjoying teasing her, he realised.

She got up and poured herself another coffee and sat down again. ‘How long will you be staying, My Lord? Only I may need to send to the village for supplies.’

‘A day or so. I thought I might see if I could bag a duck for dinner before I started on some paperwork.’

‘A duck would be a welcome addition to what I have on hand.’ She looked as if she would say more.

‘What?’ he asked.