Don't Call Me Cinderella

Chapter Five: A New Job

It was not a nice civilized talk.

"Permission to speak freely, Sir." Amelia was grinding her teeth together, doing her best to keep her temper under control. Ella was sitting on the couch, trying to stay as warm as possible.

"Permission granted." The Lord still didn't look up from his work. Amelia growled but kept it as silent as she could manage. She needed this job just as much as everyone else around here.

"I don't believe that it's right for you to not care about the fact that one of your servants slept in the hall when it was cold outside. She could have died! There must be something that you can do!"

The Lord finally lifted his eyes to look at Amelia, but he didn't show what he was thinking. "That's very nice of you to come and complain but-"

"ACHOO!" Both pairs of eyes settled on Ella, who was covering her face with her blanket. 

"Bless you." Amelia finally managed to say through her shock. The Lord simply shook his head to continue what he was saying.

"But I can't-"

"ACHOO!"

"Do anything-"

"ACHOO!"

"Unless she files a complaint herself!" He spoke his last sentence hurriedly and eyed the sneezing girl warily. Once he was sure that she was done he opened his mouth.

"ACHOO!" Ella groaned when the final sneeze was done. Not only was it annoying, but she couldn't do anything to stop it. 

"If you are truly sick then please go back to your room!" The Lord's booming voice made her stand up out of impulse, her cheeks becoming flushed soon afterward. 

"Hey! It's not her fault for being allergic to bullshit!"

Ella had to stifle a laugh at Amelia's perfectly serious face. The Lord was not amused, however, and his face made it quite obvious. "What is your complaint? Before you waste any more of my time."

Amelia opened her mouth but he held his hand up to stop her. "You are dismissed. I'd like to speak with Lady Ella, alone." Amelia glared at him, before looking at Ella with soft eyes.

With great hesitation she curtsied and exited the room, leaving a sniffling Ella alone with the Lord. "Now, please explain the incident-"

A knock interrupted him. Ella could practically feel the steam rising off of him. "Come. In." His voice was dangerous, but it did nothing to stop the bubbly child from entering.

"Good morning Uncle! I thought that since my... tutor... is now gone, I could join you in your office." With a sigh, he rubbed his eyes and nodded. 

"Just stay off to the side."

Mary nodded and sat across from where Ella was earlier, pulling out a workbook and pen to keep her occupied. "Explain the incident. Be quick about it."

Ella nodded, doing her best to follow his orders. "To put it simply Sir, after the night I fell asleep with you and Mary I got behind on work, and for some reason, other chores got added to my list, and Mary prefers me over her maid-"

"Stop. Mary, has Lady Ella been taking care of you?" 

Mary looked up and nodded her head. "I like her very much!" The Lord only sighed. 

"Continue." Ella nodded, thinking over what to say in her head.

"It got out of control I guess. I haven't been getting more than an hour of sleep at night recently, and my body hit its breaking point." She ended with a cough, earning a look from Mary.

"I can't do anything about it. You chose to take over another person's job while doing your own." Ella was surprised by this, and angry nonetheless. 

"What do you mean you can't do anything about it?! You're the Lord!"

"What's French for Uncle?"

"Oncle!" The two shouted at the same time before continuing their argument. "As in I can't do anything because it was your stupidity that got you in that mess in the first place!"

"Stupidity! Since when is doing the right thing stupidity?" Ella's tone was on the verge of danger, it was different for her and it honestly excited the Lord to see her mad.

"What's French for English?"

"Anglais!"

Yet again both voices rang together, this time the Lord catching on to Ella answering Mary's questions. "You speak French?" His volume lowered as he studied Ella from a different perspective.

"Yes, I was taught French and Spanish. What does this have to do with anything?" Ella reverted into the quiet little mouse, the lioness inside of her retreating. The Lord narrowed his eyes, seeing no reason for her to lie about such a thing.

"I may have a new job proposition for you." Ella wanted to scold him, tell him that she was just fine where she was, but even she knew that it would be stretching the truth.

She wouldn't mind a new job.

"If, and only if I see it fit, would you become Mary's new tutor?" Ella wouldn't mind it; she liked the little girl, but she also liked her friends that worked beside her.

She bit her lip while going over her options, trying to make the best decision. The Lord saw her hesitation and silently cursed. Mary needed a tutor and Ella needed money.

"Being her tutor pays more than being a maid. You'll go home faster that way." Ella couldn't deny how wonderful that sounded, but she was still unsure. 

"I'll make a deal with you," He leaned forward in interest, beginning to see the boldness return to the female. "When my family moved we left some of my Mother's belongings here," The Lord nodded, remembering a few crates that were locked away in storage. "If I take the job they are to be returned to me."

It seemed like a fair deal, even if she gained more than he did. He had no use for her mother's belongings anyway; she could have them without taking the deal for all he cared. "I'll have them moved to your new room then."

Ella looked at him in confusion, not understanding why she was getting a new room. The Lord studied her, enjoying the power he held over her. "Because you have agreed to be her tutor, you have also agreed to be her personal maid. Your room will be connected to hers."

Ella nodded, wrapping her blanket tighter around herself and holding in a sneeze. "That also means that you'll be working here for at least another..." He pulled out his salary chart and studied it. "Four years."

Ella gasped, almost forgetting about the fact that he was a Lord. "Four years?! That-that's-" She couldn't find the words to finish her sentence, so she decided to just close her mouth and keep her excitement to herself.

"Yes, it's great isn't it?" His tone wasn't nearly as sweet or kind as she had hoped. "You'll start tomorrow. For now, move your things into your new room. I'm sure that Mary would be more than happy to show you where that is."

Mary nodded and jumped up, excited about her new tutor. She figured that it was best to stay silent while they negotiated, not wanting to ruin anything. "Right this way, Miss Ella!"

Mary grabbed her hand and began to walk away. "Mary, she's Lady Ella, not Miss Ella." Mary stopped and looked at her Uncle before flicking her gaze back to Ella. 

"You're a Lady?" Ella nodded, not caring what the child referred to her as, as long as it wasn't disrespectful. Mary's gaze switched to awe as she stared up at her. "Will I be a lady like you one day?"

Ella was unsure of how to answer, so she nodded dumbly. Mary seemed to take it just as well as any other answer and skipped away with Ella in tow.

The Lord, otherwise known as Anthony, couldn't help but chuckle lightly with a small smile. He may not always show it, but he did love his niece, whatever made her happy made him happy.