Rose in Bloom (Sex and the Season #2)(49)

“What about private commissions?”

“What you do on your own time is your business. As long as my work gets done, I don’t care how many private commissions you take. Shall we shake on it?”

Cameron shook Newland’s hand heartily. “I can’t thank you enough, Mr. Newland.”

“Just Newland is fine.”

“All right. I appreciate your confidence in me.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning, around ten, and we’ll go over what I need for the new production. I assume you’ve read Midsummer?”

“Yes, but it was years ago.”

“Here.” Newland handed him a copy of the play. “Read through this tonight so you’re ready to discuss our musical needs in the morning.”

“I will. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow at ten, then.”

“Wonderful. I’ll see you out.”

“Thank you. Oh, by the way, I’m looking for a townhome to rent in the area. Are you aware of any that are available?”

“For just yourself?”

“No, actually. For myself, my mother, and my two sisters. My mother is widowed and they are my responsibility.”

“Yes, yes. I may have just the place, Price. I own a townhome not far from here. It has four bedrooms plus servants’ quarters. I think you will find it quite pleasant. I can take you there now if you like.”

“What are you asking for rent?”

“Five pounds per month.”

“That sounds reasonable. Yes, if you have time, I’d be obliged to see it now.”

The townhome was perfect, and Cameron paid Newland for two months rent. Although it was nearly six o’clock, he stopped at a transport company and arranged to have his household moved later in the week. Then he mounted Apollo and began the long ride home. It was ten o’clock when he reached the stable, and he still had to read through the Shakespeare play and get up early to be at the theatre by ten. He wouldn’t continue this commute. This would be the last night he spent in the cottage.

His mother was waiting up for him. “Better luck today?”

Cameron scooped his mother into his arms and twirled her around. “Much better, Mum,” he said. “We are leaving this place. Pack up. A transport will be here in two days to move you and the girls to our new townhome in Bath.”

“What?”

“You heard me. I got a job. I’m going to be the composer for the new Regal Theatre.”

“Cam, what on earth…?”

“And I rented a townhome for us. It has four bedrooms, plus two parlors and a formal dining room. A schoolroom for the girls. Wait until you see the kitchen. And servants’ quarters too.”

“Can we really afford all this?”

“And indoor plumbing, Mum!”

“You need to answer my question, Cam.”

“Yes, yes, we can. We have two hundred pounds. And I’ll be making three hundred fifty pounds per year as the house composer for the theatre, plus I’ll still be able to take private commissions.”

“Oh, Cam, our time really has come!”

“You bet it has. You should have told me about Papa years ago.”

“I know. You’re absolutely right. It was foolish of me to keep such a silly promise.”

“It’s no matter. Things are looking up. Once you get moved in, I want you to hire a maid and a governess for the girls, and a cook—”

“I’ll do the cooking, Cameron.”

“Don’t be silly.”

“I’m not. We’re not going to be spendthrifts, for goodness’ sake.”

“We have the money.”

“Well, yes, thanks to a few private commissions. But we can’t be sure things will continue to go our way.”

“It’s thanks to one of those commissions that I got this job. The duke sent a copy of my waltz to the owner of the Regal, and he liked it. He recognized my name went I went in today, and he hired me. Of course, it sticks in my craw a bit that I didn’t get the position on my own, but, well, suffice it to say that my new employer made some valid points.”

His mother smiled. “If you’re comfortable with the situation, Cam, so am I.”

“I am. If it means getting you and Trish and Kat out of here, I am. I only wish I had done it years ago.”

“I know. I should have told you the truth long ago.”

“Don’t berate yourself. I should have believed in myself more. It shouldn’t have mattered what my background was. But I’m not going to berate myself either. It’s time to move forward, Mum. We are finally moving forward!” He twirled her around again.

“Goodness, Cam, you’re making me dizzy!”

He kissed her cheek. “Go to bed, Mum. You have a big day tomorrow, packing and all. You’ll need to send a note to the estate telling them we’re vacating the land. And Arnold. You’ll have to let him go. Tell him to keep the money I paid him through next month as severance.”

“Can’t you take care of Arnold, Cam? I hate giving people bad news.”

“I can’t. I have to be back in Bath by ten tomorrow to begin my job.”

“My, you’ll have to get up with the sun. You’d better get to bed.”