Page 48 of A Cinderella to Redeem the Earl
‘The contract needs to include something about the dissolution of the partnership, in case one or other of us wishes to leave. It should acknowledge each person’s investment. In my case, it will be my forgone wages.’
She watched him closely, wondering what he would say to her suggestion. She would never forget how angry her father had been when he had discovered that his wife had foolishly invested in a scheme that left the last ones to join paying their money to those who had set up the venture and there were no business profits to be had. Indeed, there had been no business.
Having no head for figures, her father had trusted his wife to manage the family finances and she had always done exceedingly well. That time, Mother had been completely hoodwinked.
Pamela did not understand it very well. He had not wanted to burden her with the details, but she had understood the concept of taking money from Peter to pay Paul and that in the end someone along the line would be out of pocket.
Damian looked thoughtful, as if considering the practical aspect of her proposal. At least he hadn’t dismissed her suggestion out of hand. If he had, she would have immediately refused to participate.
‘I will consult with my solicitor and show you what wording he suggests when I return,’ he said.
Inwardly, she breathed a sigh of relief. To her surprise, once she had made the decision to join the partnership, she realised she really wanted to be part of it. And the idea of the profits she would eventually make was dizzying.
Not only would she be a woman of substance, one who commanded respect, her future independence would be assured. She would not have to face the prospect of marriage to a man who might, like Alan, call her appetitesunnatural.
Heat rushed to her face at the recollection. Her stomach fell away, leaving her feeling nauseous.
How she hated that feeling of shame. It made her feel small and worthless.
The new venture meant she never need endure it again. She would be financially self-sufficient and to the devil with any man who thought to denigrate her for her choice.
Three days later she had the contract in her hand.
‘Well?’ Damian said. ‘Does it meet with your approval?’
Pamela looked up from the contract Damian had presented to her upon his arrival from London. ‘It seems to cover all of the points we spoke of, though the language is rather difficult to follow.’
‘If you are concerned that I am trying to pull the wool over your eyes, please feel free to have your own solicitor take a look at it.’
His voice had a chilly edge as if she had somehow impugned his honour. Which she had, she supposed. Her own solicitor. What sort of cook had her own solicitor? She could ask her stepfather’s lawyer. But she had no doubt that he would be off, hot-footed, to tell her mother what she was up to and that would be the end of her foray into independence.
The thought of being forced into marriage made her shiver.
‘Oh, no,’ she said airily. ‘I don’t doubt it is all as you say.’ She signed it with a flourish.
‘I also took the liberty of visiting the employment agency,’ he continued. ‘I concluded your contract with them on your behalf. I will take the cost of the buy-out from your next draw.’
‘Perfect.’
He smiled and held out his hand. ‘Welcome to our partnership, Pamela. May we prosper.’
A niggle of doubt constricted her chest for a moment. What if she was making a huge mistake? What if she lost what little she had? It was too late for doubts.
She took his hand, warm, large and dry, and shook it. ‘Thank you, Damian. And now I must be getting along. I have a great deal to do before our guests arrive tomorrow.’
‘Since you are now a partner, I was thinking you should not need to cook for the staff and you should move to quarters more suitable for your new position.’
Oh, heavens. She surely didn’t want the world to know she was a partner. What if her mother learned of it? Right now, she was unknown, like the rest of the women who worked for him, and the mask kept her identity a secret. But she knew theton. They would be far more curious about her if they thought she was of importance.
‘I think I would rather keep things as they are,’ she said. ‘There is no need for anyone to know that I have an interest in the endeavour, is there?’
For a second, she saw a shadow pass through his lovely brown gaze. Had she hurt his feelings?
Then he shrugged in that charmingly Gallic way of his. ‘If that is your wish.’
‘It is. However, I would like a little more help in the kitchen.’
He chuckled. ‘I would say we ought to vote on it, but I know Pip would vote with you, so, yes. Hire more help in the kitchen. And while we are on the subject of duties, I would very much like you to take over the bookkeeping. It is something you can be working on when I am in town. That is if you wouldn’t mind.’
