Page 74 of A Much Maligned Miss

Caroline clinked her glass against their own. “What will you do now?” she asked Effie.

“Well,” she replied grimly. “I’ve moved in with Vi, temporary like, but she’s only got two rooms and they’re too far out.”

Vi nodded. “They’re in Bethnal Green,” she explained glumly. “It was all I could afford on my wages.”

“I’m proper counting on this place to give me a job behind the bar. Then I can get digs of my own. I don’t suppose Ralph has said anything to you?” she asked hopefully. “Only he did say as he would need to talk it over wiv his lordship.”

“He did mention it,” Caroline said, casting her mind back. She did not think Gervaise had been terribly keen on the idea of female staff, but she did not mention this. Then she thought of Barty Ewell. “And I’m sure Mr. Ewell will agree to it. He seems to have an appreciative eye for the ladies.”

“That’s a good point,” Effie said, tapping her chin. “I keep forgetting he gets a say now.”

“You’ll have to work your wiles on him,” Vi recommended. “Only don’t do it when Jeb’s around.”

“And wot’s it got to do wiv’ Jeb, that’s wot I’d like to know!” Effie said, tossing her red hair. “I can suit meself now, like wot he does! What’s sauce for the gander and all that!” She drained the last drop out of her glass and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

Caroline, finding the first bottle empty, reached for the second. “Good girl,” Vi commented approvingly. “I will say, Caroline you’re improving on me by the minute. Quite the hostess, ain’t she?”

Caroline laughed as she struggled with the cork. “Do you know, it’s just occurred to me. There’s that dormitory room opposite these ones. It was used for workers and craftsmen when this place was being decorated.” The other two gazed back at her blankly.

“I was wondering if, well, if ‘digs’ could be included,” she said, trying out the new word, “as a perk to the job for female bar staff. After all, walking home through the dark streets after a late shift must be a daunting thing and it might encourage applicants.” Noticing how the other two had sat up and were exchanging glances, she stopped. “What? What did I say?”

“You really think they might go for it?” Effie asked eagerly. She scrambled to her feet. “Let’s go and take a look at it now.”

“What about me?” Vi chimed in, hurriedly following. “Caroline, will you put my name forward too? I’m sick to death of my current post at the Fosters Grill.”

“I will,” Caroline assured her and Violet slipped her arm through hers as they crossed the passageway. Caroline paused at the door. “Just to warn you, I’ve heard it is a bit cold in there without the fire lit… And there are only mattresses in there currently, no actual bedframes.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve dossed down on a mattress,” Vi replied sanguinely.

Caroline pushed the door open and they went inside.

29

Gervaise lifted his arm as Caroline groaned softly and rolled over, blinking up at him. “What time is it?”

“Still early. It’s just after seven.”

“I think I drank too much last night,” she confessed.

He smirked. “I think perhaps you did. You were somewhat tipsy.”

A guilty look passed over her face. “I talked your ear off again, didn’t I?”

“Again?”

“Like that awful night on the terrace.”

He gave a soft laugh, reaching over to cover her hand on the coverlet with his own. “You were charming, as always. I was enchanted that night on the terrace.”

“Were you?” She sounded surprised. “You never said so before.”

“Surely it was implied when I ran away with you the next day.”

She squinted up at him doubtfully. “That’s not quite how I remember it.”

“Well, it’s how I remember it,” he told her firmly.

“Oh.” Her gaze wavered and he guessed she was recalling their chat from the previous evening. “Did you—did you agree to my idea about the dormitory room being available to female staff?” she asked as though the recollection was a little hazy.