Page 20 of King of Desire

I meet the staff, learn the rules of the house, balance my schoolwork with the job, and best of all, pay off several debts with the bonus I received.

It’s such a relief to zero out and throw away some of the bills that have been hanging around my neck for the past several months.

I have a few larger ones to go. But now that I can focus on just a few debts, I can start saving for the down payment for the surgeon.

By Thursday morning, I’ve dusted every nook and cranny in the house and I’m beginning to wonder if the staff has ever had a full-time duster, because I have no idea what I’ll do with myself for the next two days.

But I spend the morning actually polishing the silverware, or rather, making sure it’s free of water marks, and then do the same with the plates.

Finally, Mrs. Raith and I are standing together in the ballroom, staring up at the chandeliers.

The one I dusted before Triston insisted I get down clearly sparkles far brighter than the other two.

“They need to be done,” Mrs. Raith grimaces. “It’s so obvious one of them was cleaned and the others weren’t.”

I nod. “I agree.”

She looks over at me, giving me a small smile. “You’ve done well this week.”

“Thank you,” I dip my chin, pleased with the compliment. “I really enjoy working here.”

Mrs. Raith shakes her head like there is something she can’t quite figure out. Did she expect me to be different? Why? “I can see that you do, and I appreciate your work ethic and easy demeanor. Both have been a welcome…” She pauses as though she’s rethinking her words. “And while I appreciate your willingness to finish the chandeliers, I’m not certain it’s a good idea.”

“But we just agreed they should be done.” I have little appetite to argue with Mrs. Raith, but I really want her to be happy with my work.

“By someone else,” Mrs. Raith nods along with her own words. “Mr. Smith seemed rather adamant that you not be up the ladder.”

Mr. Smith… Does Mrs. Raith privately call him Triston and only calls him Mr. Smith when speaking to other staff? Or am I the only one who calls him Triston? “Was it because I was in heels and a regular dress?”

She gives me that look again, like she’s attempting to figure something out. “I’m not sure.”

Triston hasn’t been here the past few days. He’s been working in the office. I look up at the chandelier. “It’s not eventhat high if I use the telescoping duster that has the sprayer on the handle.”

Mrs. Raith nods like she’s agreeing, but then stops. “I could have one of the groundskeepers come in and do the job.”

Everyone on the staff has been busy with party preparations. The idea of passing my one job, dusting, onto someone else, makes my insides twist. “I’d hate to pull them from their prep work. I’m going to do it.”

Mrs. Raith shakes her head. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

I look over at Mrs. Raith, my brow furrowing. She doesn’t speak to anyone else on the staff like this, doesn’t make suggestions. She politely gives orders, they politely follow. I’ve not heard her negotiate this entire week.

“It will be fine,” I murmur, going to retrieve the ladder from the wall where we left it as we assessed the chandeliers. “I’ll be done well before Mr. Smith arrives home.”

Mrs. Raith sighs. “I’ll stay with you to hold the ladder.”

I stop, turning back to her. Now I’m disrupting her day, when the very reason I was hired was to free her from interruption. “You don’t have to do that. I can’t even imagine what your to-do list looks like.”

She smiles. “Nonsense. You’ll help me with something else later. Let’s get this done quickly…together.”

Grabbing the ladder, I pull it open, making certain the arms are locked in place. Then I pull out my telescoping duster with a cleaning spray near the top. Climbing up the ladder, I begin carefully spraying the crystal in sections, wiping as I go. The individual crystals sparkle as I work, but I have to move the ladder several times to reach every part of the chandelier.

Mrs. Raith stands silent guard at the bottom of the ladder. She doesn’t need to hold it. It’s a perfectly stable structure. But I can see her look of concern, so I don’t correct her.

Instead, I work as quickly as I can while making certain I’m getting every crystal. “Tell me about the benefit tomorrow night…what will it be like?”

I know I won’t be here dusting, my duties do not include attending parties, but I wish I could see it. I’ve never gotten to attend an event like this, and I bet they are wonderfully beautiful.

I’ve been watching as the linens and flowers have been delivered. Luxurious fabrics and exotic blooms. Ridiculous amounts of food are filling the industrial refrigerators… shrimp, oysters, massive crudités platters and pastries that look as though they’ve come from France.

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