Page 54 of A Cinderella to Redeem the Earl

‘What was happening?’ Pip asked, clearly referring to the contretemps from a few minutes ago.

‘A bit of rudeness from one of our very important guests. I think it is almost time to call an end to the game,’ Damian said.

He didn’t want it getting out of hand.

When all the guests had departed, the three partners sat in Damian’s study with a glass of whisky in hand, while Pip counted the money and Damian worked on the IOUs. It had become a ritual with them since Damian had done it the first time so Pamela could see exactly what was going on. It had worked so well, they had continued meeting and counting after each party.

‘So many vowels,’ Pamela said, looking at the pile of scraps of paper scrawled with numbers and signatures.

Damien wrote down the numbers alongside the names.

‘I see Long lost a hundred pounds,’ he said. ‘That makes close to three hundred he owes us. I wonder if he can afford to pay?’

Damian hoped not. A man who couldn’t pay his debts had to leave the country.

Pip looked up. ‘He will have to borrow if not.’ He wrote an amount in the ledger and pushed the bundle of notes and coins to Pamela to double-check his counting.

Damien could not help watching the businesslike way Pamela tackled the task. Businesslike and incredibly feminine.

Pamela put down a pile of twenty-pound notes. ‘I don’t think he should be invited again. I am guessing he drank so much because he is scared.’

Damian shrugged. ‘As you wish. But my guess is he will take it very ill if he is not given the opportunity to win back some of what he lost.’

She looked concerned. ‘Perhaps you should speak to someone in his family about what is going on.’ She started counting the pile of guineas.

Damian gave her a hard look. ‘Why do you care so much about the fellow? He came close to insulting you.’

‘I believe the Longs were once friends with my family. It has been a great deal of time since I have seen any of them, of course, but I do not feel comfortable about letting him fall into a debt he might never be able to repay.’

‘He must repay,’ Damian said. ‘It is the rule.’

Either that or be forced to flee the country. What a satisfying result that would be.

Pip looked from one to the other. ‘Well, my dears, I amfinis.’ He took the register from Pamela. ‘It is time for my bed. I am off to Town early tomorrow. If you have finished, Madame Lamb, I will put the money in the safe and collect it in the morning to take to the bank.’

Pamela compared his total with hers and nodded. ‘Please leave me twenty pounds in small denominations for purchases for the kitchen.’

He bowed. ‘Very well. It shall be as you wish.’

Chapter Nine

Pamela leaned back in her chair with a sigh.

‘Tired?’ Damian asked his voice solicitous.

‘A little,’ she admitted. Bone tired, if she was to tell the truth. It might look as if she might do nothing but float around chit-chatting with the guests, but keeping some of these men civil and in order required a great deal of stamina. As well as diplomacy.

‘Let me escort you to your chamber,’ he said. The kindness in his voice made her feel strangely tearful. It was a long time since anyone had really cared about how she felt. Mother had been too busy establishing herself in London society to really notice much of anything.

Damian helped her to her feet and walked her along the corridor. ‘You know,’ he said, ‘you really ought to move to one of the guest bedrooms. The bed in your current room is small and looks far from comfortable.’

‘I like being near the kitchen. It makes it easier to get up and get the fire going first thing.’

‘Hmmm. That is another thing. I think that you are really doing far too much. I am going to insist that we hire a new cook and relieve you of those duties.’

‘Oh. But—’

‘The cook would be under your supervision, of course. But you go to bed very late after each party and then you must be up very early to make breakfast and such. Lack of sleep must, in time, wear you down.’