Cinderella and the Lady Read online

  She turned and gave Geraldine a sunny smile even though it pained her to do so. “I’m sorry, stepmama. I will try harder to be a better daughter to you.”

  Geraldine’s nostrils flared and an unpleasant look crossed her face. “I have only one daughter. You mean nothing to me,” she said and left the room.

  Ellie sniffed, blinking away the sting in her eyes. When the front door opened and closed, she went over to the window to watch Mina and Geraldine climb into their carriage and drive off. She continued standing there until the carriage disappeared from view. Geraldine’s callous taunts should no longer hurt her, but they did.

  She wandered over to Mina’s desk and sat down, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Lifting one of Mina’s brushes, she slid it through her knotted hair until it was smooth. She tied a ribbon into a bow and pinned it on the side of her head. The small decoration didn’t improve her hair or her face. Again her stomach growled, but she ignored it, taking some blush and stroking it across her cheeks.

  Even with a bit of artificial color on her face, she was the same on the outside—plain and homely. But on the inside she felt bold and inspired for once. She planned on doing something dangerous that if Geraldine found out, would garnish her a beating or worse. After she finished her chores, she would sneak out into the night and spy on the Crane party.

  * * * *

  “Should we save your brother or let him figure out a way to save himself?” the duchess asked, hiding a smile behind the rim of her glass.

  Kristina viewed her brother with pity. He was surrounded by at least ten women, mostly single daughters of Aulnory’s most respected citizens who were all vying for his attention. He glanced their way and mouthed,“Help.”

  She and her mother giggled. Finally, the duke saved his son. He spoke to the ladies, then directed Simon safely to a corner of the room near their host and his wife.

  “Father has taken care of everything,” Kristina said, and brushed aside a piece of her hair sticking to her neck. The room was stifling even with the windows open. She hoped to escape the heat soon and catch some fresh air outside.

  Her mother cooled her face with her fan. “You forgot your fan at home?”

  She nodded and took a sip of her watered-down punch. She hid her peevishness as she drank, preferring a glass of red wine, which she got into the habit of drinking with her grandmother after dinner.

  “Less than a few days ago it felt more like winter than spring. The weather has been so strange of late,” the duchess commented and fanned her face faster. “Tonight is unseasonably warm, especially with so many people in one room.”

  Her family’s ballroom was triple the size of this one and there was enough room to breathe without gagging on the sweat and body odors of others. People kept to the edges of the room in groups, chatting and drinking. Most of the mothers and their daughters watched Simon covertly while the rest stared at her and her mother. A few people had come up to speak to them, mostly acquaintances of her parents who didn’t bother to hide their curiosity over their errant daughter who had returned home after such a long time.

  A group of musicians set up their instruments at the front of the room, a sign the dancing would soon commence. It had been some time since Kristina had danced and hoped some brave gentlemen would ask her to.

  “From your sigh and the coveted way you’re staring at the musicians, you must want to dance,” the duchess said.

  “Am I that obvious?” she smiled when the sounds of violin filled the room.

  The duchess’s arm came around her daughter’s waist. “Your dance card will be filled soon enough. Most of the gentlemen here have been admiring you and your beautiful rose-colored taffeta gown.”

  “Mama, perhaps the gentlemen are admiring you, not me,” she teased back.

  A flag of red appeared on the duchess’s cheeks and she patted the back of her hair. “Nonsense. I’m too old for such things. The only man’s name on my dance card is your father’s.” A dreamy look came over her face. “I remember the first time your father held me in his arms. He was such a skilled dance partner. That was when I started falling in love with him.”

  “Started to? You didn’t fall in love right away?”

  The duchess lifted her fan to cover the bottom part of her face and batted her eyes in her husband’s direction. Even though the duke’s attention was on the man next to him, he lifted his head and focused on his wife with a penetrating stare.

  “Mama, people are staring,” she whispered and fanned her face with her gloved hands. It was one thing for her parents to look at each other with such love and devotion in private, but in public it was embarrassing.

  The duchess waved her fan back and forth in a deliberate move. When the duke tugged on his cravat and coughed, she lowered it, looking pleased. “As I was saying before, I didn’t fall in love with your father then. He was too staid and stiff. But he made me feel special with his compliments, as if I was the only woman in the room worthy of his admiration. It wasn’t until at the next ball where we talked in earnest that I decided he was the man I wanted to marry.” She turned toward Kristina, her eyes bright. “I wish the same for Simon in his search for a bride and the same for you and your future husband, whoever he might be.”

  Kristina didn’t want to ruin her mother’s dream. She would marry eventually, but it wouldn’t be for the type of love her mother and father shared. It would be a marriage based on respect and friendship rather than passion.

  The duchess gave her a soft pat. “Darling, you look peaked. Perhaps it’s best if you take a walk outside—”

  “Hello, your grace. You and your daughter look quite the engaging picture. Why, if I didn’t know, I would think you were sisters.”

  Kristina cut off laugh at the debonair and refined man before them. He bowed with his leg out, then rose, taking the duchess’s hand and placing a kiss on her knuckles.

  “Always a pleasure, Lord Robert. Has the Countess Tremaine come also?” the duchess asked.

  “Wherever Yvonne goes, I follow.” Lord Robert moved to Kristina’s side and indicated where a tall, buxom, elegantly dressed woman stood. She chatted with an austere, shapely looking woman. A younger, petite woman in a bright gown and very stylish hair lingered by their side, staring at Simon with unguarded possession.

  Simon is going to have a handful with that one. Kristina turned her attention back to their new companion after her mother nudged her with her hip.

  “Excuse me for my rudeness. We haven’t been introduced.” Lord Robert bowed.

  “Kristina, this is Lord Robert Ranson. He and his sister, the Countess Tremaine, are our closest neighbors,” the duchess said.

  She held out her hand and Lord Robert gave her an almost identical kiss to the one he gave her mother.

  “A pleasure,” she greeted him and quickly jerked her hand back when she felt something damp. She didn’t appreciate his tongue on her hand, even gloved.

  He acted as if nothing was wrong and gave her a jovial smile. A dimple appeared on the left side of his cheek. His eyes sparkled in mischief and he dipped his head as if he was aware of what inappropriate thing he had done.

  “Will you be in London for the summer or is it Bath this year?” the duchess inquired, oblivious to her daughter’s discomfort.

  “A trip to London is in order soon. I do miss the city life there. But Yvonne doesn’t want to leave. She’s here to support her good friend, the Baroness de Saltin, the woman she’s talking with.” Lord Robert motioned in the direction of his sister.” The baroness became a widow a few days ago and is all alone with only her daughter for company. Yvonne doesn’t want to leave the two women in their time of need,” he said mournfully.

  “Oh, I hadn’t heard of the baron’s passing.” The duchess shook her head. “Such sad tidings.”

  The countess and her party made their way over to Simon and her father. “Didn’t the baron have a first wife who died from in sort of riding accident?” Kristina inquired.
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br />   “Kristina, this is not the most delicate conversation to have now,” the duchess reprimanded with a disgruntled whisper.

  Lord Robert stepped in closer. “It’s old gossip and not talked about, but yes, the baron’s first wife had an unfortunate riding accident over a decade ago. When the baron’s first wife didn’t come home from her morning ride, a search party was formed and they found her body in the river with a broken neck. Her horse must have thrown her. A sad state of affairs.” He gave his chest a light pat. “The baron gave up so much for his wife. He was disowned by his father for marrying her. She was a servant in his parents’ house. I don’t think he ever got over her death, even after he married Geraldine a year later.”

  “The baron and his first wife never had children?” Kristina asked, moved by the tale.

  Lord Robert rubbed the back of his neck. “Um, there’s—”

  “Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. If I could have your attention, I have an important announcement to make,” Mr. Crane broadcasted near the front of the room.

  “Lady Kristina, will you do me the honor of being my partner for the first dance of the evening?” Lord Robert whispered.

  She accepted with the tilt of her head. Other than his freedom with his tongue on her knuckles, she couldn’t find any other fault with him. His charm broke through her initial repugnance while they chatted. As a reward, she granted him his wish.

  A broad smile filled his face and his chest stuck out.

  Swallowing a laugh, she focused on Mr. Crane, like everyone else in the room.

  “Thank you all for coming tonight. Mrs. Crane and I welcome you to our home.” Mr. Crane preened under the smattering of applause. He waved over one of his servants, who delivered a glass of champagne to him. Soon other servants appeared, handing out flutes to the guests.

  “Tonight we celebrate the wonderful and generous community we have here in Aulnory. Thirty years ago, Mrs. Crane and I moved here not knowing anyone. You have treated us with kindness, and we thank you for that. We would also like to thank the Duke and Duchess of Perrault for coming tonight and addressing us with their presence, including their son, Lord Simon, and their daughter, Lady Kristina, who has come home after five long years abroad.”

  “He’s laying it on thick, don’t you think?” Kristina spoke softly into her mother’s ear. The duchess shushed her.

  “Please raise a glass in honor of the citizens of Aulnory and a warm welcome to Lady Kristina.” Mr. Crane lifted his glass and cries of “cheers” filled the room.

  She sipped the sweet, fizzy liquid, wishing she could roll the chilled glass across her forehead. Perhaps I can make my excuses and—

  “Lady Kristina, our waltz awaits.” Lord Robert held out his hand. The music started and couples moved into the middle of the floor.

  The duchess took Kristina’s glass and gave her a soft push forward. “Go ahead, dear. I’m going to freshen up before I grab your father for a dance.”

  Kristina wrapped her hand around the crook of Lord Robert’s elbow instead of taking his hand. Annoyance filled his eyes, but he quickly masked his reaction and gave her a congenial smile.

  “Lord Robert, I don’t allow men to take my hand until after the second dance at least,” she quipped as they walked to the middle of the room.

  He gave her a sheepish look as he faced her and bowed. “My apologies. Perhaps after our waltz, you’ll join me outside on the patio? It’s ghastly hot in here, don’t you think?” He tugged on his cravat and grimaced.

  She erupted into laughter. The couple next to her gave her inquisitive stares. Lord Robert chuckled in return, and when he fixed his hand on her waist and took her other hand in his grip, she permitted him to circle her around the room.

  He’s not a bad sort. She smiled, satisfied she didn’t have to tilt her head up, for his height matched hers. When he asked about her years away, she gladly told him of her experiences, delighted he was interested.

  * * * *

  The open window allowed Ellie to hear the music. She leaned back against the side of the house, partially hidden behind a bush, imagining she was in the arms of a gentleman who had asked her to dance. She hummed along with the violins and what sounded like a flute.

  Not just content with listening, she stuck her head out and lifted up on her toes to watch the dancers. Men and women circled around the room, smiling and talking without a care in the world. The exquisite dresses the women wore made her yearn for her own instead of her old, washed-out dress, one of three she owned. Shaking off her melancholia over her lacking wardrobe, she concentrated on the lavish people inside. Saliva pooled in her mouth as servants roamed around with trays of drink and finger foods.

  Geraldine chatted with a man and woman who were the best dressed there. The man rested his hand on the woman’s back and she smiled up at him in affection. They must be married. Trying to search for Mina, she leapt back when Lord Robert flew by with a strikingly beautiful woman in his arms.

  She gasped and crouched low. For some odd reason her knees started to shake and her head throbbed. The woman in her flowing rose-colored gown was breathtaking. Her brown eyes flashed with in merriment, and her smile was radiant. It appeared Lord Robert also thought the same. He stared at her, captivated, while his hand ran up and down her back in smooth strokes.

  Ellie eyes charted the mesmerizing woman, who had made an unexpected impression on her. Who was she and why was she dancing with Lord Robert? Was he courting her?

  Some of the couples left the dance floor as the music changed into something slower. Lord Robert escorted the woman over to the couple talking to Geraldine. The countess crossed the room to join them. Ellie inhaled and hunched down lower, her forehead and eyes above the sill and nothing else. She would be in deep water if she was caught lurking about.

  “I should leave before I’m found out,” she whispered, reaching into her skirt pocket for Jack. Realizing she left him at home, she dropped her arms to her side. Her gaze found the alluring woman who was near her age. Her companions laughed at something she said and she did the same in return.

  What’s wrong with me? What am I acting this way over a stranger? So what if she has a pleasing face and figure? She shook her head to clear her thoughts. It must be exhaustion. I should go home and rest for a few hours before Geraldine and Mina come…oh no, what is Mina doing?

  Strolling across the room with a glass of pink liquid in hand, Mina bumped into Crane’s eldest daughter, splashing the drink on her skirt. The Crane girl jumped back and wiped at her dress, anger exploding on her face. Mina acted apologetic, wiping at the stain, but causing it to spread further.

  She clapped for Mina and her outrageous daring. It was no accident, and from the enraged look Miss Crane gave her, she knew also.

  The music changed to a livelier beat and people swarmed the middle of the room. Ellie lost sight of Mina and scoured the room, trying to locate her to see if Miss Crane would retaliate in some manner.

  “Much cooler out here than inside.” Lord Robert’s voice resonated from overhead.

  Ellie backed against the wall and peered up at the patio where Lord Robert emerged with his dance partner. He handed the woman a handkerchief to blot her face. She shifted in closer, reassured it was dark enough that the shadows from the house and the greenery surrounding it would hide her.

  “Thank you for your handkerchief. If I had known it would be so warm inside, I would have brought my own. As it is, I forgot my fan.”

  Ellie closed her eyes. The woman’s restrained yet melodious voice rushed over her. What a strange accent. Wanting a better glimpse, she spread apart the bush in front of to get a better look.

  Both Lord Robert and the woman stood a few feet away from her. Lord Robert’s back was to her while the woman faced her, patting her face and neck with the handkerchief. Lord Robert folded his hands behind his back, his fingers twitching as he rocked back on his heels.

  When the woman handed back his linen, he shook his head. “You k
eep it. I have many others. It will please me to know you have something of mine, such as a small slip of cloth, cooled your overheated flesh.”

  Ellie covered her mouth to smother a laugh. Lord Robert’s courting skills were less than desirable.

  The woman coughed into the handkerchief. Her shoulders shook and her eyes danced in merriment.

  A twinge tickled low in Ellie’s belly. Sweat glided down into her bodice. She rolled her lips in between her teeth and pressed her palm over her jittery stomach, fighting the urge to move her hand down lower and cup herself. What’s come over me? Am I coming down with something? I’ve never felt this way before.

  Lord Robert took a step closer to the woman and captured her hand. The woman tried to move back, but Lord Robert didn’t let her go and gathered her to him.

  Ellie was ready to jump on his back if she had to in order to stop him from accosting the woman, but to her surprise, the woman wagged her finger in front of his face.

  “Now, Lord Robert, I’ve enjoyed dancing with you and spending this time together. I would hate for you to ruin everything if you tried something ungentlemanly and stole a kiss. Ymmärrätkö sinä?”

  Her released her and dropped his arms. “Yamarta what?”

  “It’s Finnish for, do you understand?” The woman crossed her arms and lifted an eyebrow.

  Ellie wanted to get a closer look at the foreign visitor, and without realizing it, stepped down on a branch. The crack broke through the silence and her breath caught in her throat.

  “What’s that noise?” The woman moved past Lord Robert and examined the bush Ellie hid behind.

  Lord Robert’s hands came down on the woman’s shoulders. The woman rolled her eyes, and had just curled her hand into a fist when the sounds of glass breaking and loud screams came from inside.

  “What in the world is going on?” Lord Robert asked in a testy voice and turned away.

  Ellie carefully climbed out of the bush. Curious, she snuck a peek inside through the window. What she saw made her shake in silent laughter.