Cinderella and the Lady (12 page)

“You should have grown out of your tantrums by now. The countess won’t allow such immature and childish actions.” Geraldine stopped in the doorway. “Clean up this mess. I want this room to be sparkling. Do you understand?”

She wiped under her nose. “Yes, ma’am.”

Geraldine smiled, showing teeth, and left the room.

Ellie climbed to her feet and stumbled over to the bed after the front door closed downstairs. She lay on the mattress and sobbed against the sheets. The bed slightly dipped. August and Jack had joined her.

When August nuzzled her face, she tucked him against her side and stared ahead, letting more tears fall.

* * * *

The house was silent except for August snoring as he slept. Ellie lay on her back, petting him. Jack snuggled near her shoulder and his whiskers tickled her neck.

Almost an hour had gone by and she still hadn’t moved. All she wanted to do was go to sleep and never wake up. But her head pounded and the side of her mouth still throbbed where Geraldine had hit her.

August mewed and turned in a circle, finding a more comfortable spot to sleep in. With one last pat on the sleeping animal, she left the bed. Dizziness overtook as she walked over to the window and gripped the sill. She inhaled the evening air that had the slight scent of pine and lavender. From her view she could see the main square in the distance. Beyond that was the Perrault estate on the hill. Diana was there, waiting for her.

She shook her head, saddened that the likelihood of attending the ball was now impossible. Even if she wore the mask Diana gave her, she didn’t have a suitable dress or shoes, and her hair was a mess. She also had no way of getting to the ball. If she walked the five-mile distance, it would take her hours and she would be sweaty and exhausted by the time she arrived.

“Stop it. This isn’t doing you any good,” she scolded herself while she put away Geraldine’s clothes. She cleaned up the vanity and her stepmother’s makeup. When she lifted up the colorful ribbons Geraldine decided against wearing in her hair, she clutched them against her chest. These ribbons, ranging in many different shades and colors, would make her hair look presentable and call attention to her exquisite mask.

Her shoulders drooped and she glanced back at the bed. Both August and Jack slept, unaware she was depressed. If only she had someone she could talk to or spend company with to keep her mind off her dismal situation.

Maybe a cup of tea will calm…wait, what if Egan and Clement are home?

She twisted on her heels, clutching the ribbons. A smile spread across her face. Instead of being alone with only her thoughts to keep her company, why not visit with the two men who always made her laugh?

With a skip in her step, she dashed out of her room and down the stairs.

Egan and Clement hadn’t said much from the time Ellie arrived to when they invited her to join them for a late dinner and dessert after. They had stared at her strangely over the course of the meal, which confused her a great deal.

“Thank you for dinner and your company. Too bad Noah isn’t here to join us,” she said.

Egan smiled. “Noah is out gallivanting with his friends.”

“Good for the boy to get out. He’s been in a bear of a mood for the past week.” Clement landed his hand on Egan’s shoulder.

“It must be nice to have friends.” She sighed and started clearing the table.

“Ellie, you’re our guest. Talk with Clement while I take care of this.” Egan gathered the plates, sharing a look with Clement.

She noticed the exchange but didn’t comment, and waited for Clement to engage her in conversation.

Clement folded his hands on the table and cleared his throat. “Care to explain how your cheek became swollen and red?”

She stared down at the table and shrugged. Even when Clement came over to her, she didn’t look up. He sat down next to her and took one of her hands in his.

“Was it Geraldine?”

She wouldn’t cry. She had shed enough tears already tonight. But the tenderness in Clement’s voice almost undid her. “We had an argument before she left for the ball.”

Clement tugged on his chin. “Was this argument about the ball?”

“No.” She could be honest about that.

“When you arrived on our doorstep with bloodshot eyes from crying, my heart almost gave out. I’ve never seen you so upset. Other than the row with Geraldine, is it because you weren’t invited to the ball?”

“I was invited to the ball. Di—” She shut her mouth before she could reveal more.

“You were invited? Wonderful! By whom?”

“Um…one of the duke’s servants gave me the invitation.”

Clement clapped. “Egan, come out here.”

Egan appeared, wiping his hands with a towel. “Yes, my lo…erm, Clem?”

“Our darling Ellie was invited to the ball.” Clement gave her a happy smile.

“Let’s have a look at the invitation.” Egan wiggled his fingers.

She reached into her basket and took out the invitation. The mask glittered across the ceiling.

“What’s the shining thing in your basket?” Egan asked, picking up the basket and placing it on the table. He lifted up the mask and some of Geraldine’s ribbons she had thrown in there.

Clement took one of the ribbons. “Did this servant also give you the mask and ribbons? The mask must have cost a pretty penny.”

“I didn’t steal it—”

“Oh no, child, we would never think that.” Egan lifted the eye mask to his face and put it on. He made a funny face and both Ellie and Clement laughed.

“I can use these ribbons to fix your hair and make you look more beautiful than you are,” Clement said and lifted up a strand of her hair.

“Why would you want to do that?” she asked.

Egan handed Ellie her mask. “We’re going to help you get changed for the ball.”

She glanced back and forth between the two men. “But I can’t! I don’t have anything to wear.” She lifted the hem of her dress and stuck out a clog.

Both men inspected her figure, causing her to grow warm under their gaze. Finally Clement stood and cracked his knuckles. “We can’t do much about your shoes. But as for a dress, we’ll have no problem finding you something that will make every single woman tonight mad with jealousy.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her up from her seat. She had no choice but to follow him, and along with Egan, they took the back stairs down to the first floor.

Clement took out a set of keys when they reached a closed door. “This is where we keep some of the dresses we’ve been experimenting with. I have just the dress for you.” He opened the door and motioned for Ellie to walk inside. With a nudge from Egan, she advanced slowly, amazed by all the marvelous dresses hanging in the room.

“Oh my!” She held her hands up to her face as she inspected the items. She turned back around and both Egan and Clement had their arms around each other’s waists. They beamed in pride.

“See the armoire in the corner? Open it. I think you’ll like what you find inside,” Clement recommended.

She walked the span of the room until she reached the armoire. Grabbing both handles, she opened the doors. Her eyes widened and she gasped in delight.

The most beautiful dress she had ever seen hung there. It was a long sleeved, golden-hued silk gown that didn’t flare out like the usual ball gowns in current fashion. This dress would accentuate her curves and show off a great deal of her skin. Turning the dress to the side, her eyes widened when she saw the back of the dress was very low cut. To wear such a dazzling dress would be daring and bold, both things she longed to be.

Clement came over with measurement tape and a small pillow with pins sticking out. “With a little nip and a tuck, I can fix this for you to wear tonight.”

The fabric of the bodice shimmered under her touch. “How long do you think it would take for you to dress me?” she asked in breathless anticipation.

“Less than an hour.” Clement tapped his hip. “Egan can work on your hair and add some color to your face at the same time.”

“But I have no way of getting to the ball unless I walk. It would take too long.” She hung her head in regret.

Clement clucked her under her chin. “We have a solution to that slight drawback. We’ll take you in our cart and drop you off at the entrance of the drive leading up to the mansion. We’ll come back and pick you.”

“You would do this all for me? Why?” Her voice trembled in emotion.

Clement embraced her. “This is what friends do. We want you to be happy.”

Ellie allowed her tears, happy ones this time, slide down her cheeks.

“Enough, you two.” Egan snapped his fingers. “We can’t have Ellie becoming a watering pot now. Let’s get to work and make her the belle of the ball!”

She didn’t care to be on display like Egan and Clement wanted her to be. Her one hope was that these two wonderful men could work their magic so when she met up with Diana, the woman would be awestruck. Maybe then she would finally admit who she really was and why she had kept her identity a secret. Then they could spend the rest of the evening together, not only dancing, but sharing kisses and much more.

* * * *

Kristina was hot, sticky, and wanted to take off her mask that kept scraping her cheeks. Her mother turned to her and frowned when she lifted her mask up.

“Don’t even think of it. The unveiling will occur at one.” The duchess tapped her satin wine red mask.

She scanned the expanse of the large ballroom where far too many masked guests wearing their very best danced, ate, or chatted in groups. She didn’t know how she would find Elle in this crush. “Why did you and Papa decide to have the unveiling of faces at one and not midnight?”

The duchess spread out the hem of her full-length taffeta ball gown that matched the color of her mask. “Midnight is too predictable. By one, most of our guests will be exhausted and will leave soon after. Then I can take off these blasted heels that are pinching my toes and this mask that will leave a rash on my face. Your father won’t be able to look at me tomorrow,” she said woefully.

Kristina stopped from giggling out of respect for her mother. She searched the room, finding her father a few feet away from them. The duke wore the same colors as his duchess. A smile spanned the duchess’s face and her eyes sparkled under her mask. Her father mouthed something in their direction. Without a word, the duchess approached her husband.

Her parents met each other halfway and stared at one another with elated smiles. Her father took her mother in his arms and said something that made her laugh. The duke kissed the top of his duchess’s hand and escorted her around the room. Kristina soon lost sight of them as guests swarmed the middle of the floor for the next dance set.

“Elle, where are you?” she muttered under her breath, and when a server passed with a tray, she took two flutes of champagne. She drank as she strolled along the edge of the room, keeping an eye out for a woman with short, snarled black curls wearing a gold rhinestone mask. No one fit that description, nor was there any woman in a dress of the servant class among the revelers. She finished her drink, ready for the next one when it was plucked out of her hand.

“Simon!” She gave him a smack against his stomach. He didn’t react as he gulped down the bubbling liquid.

“I’ll get you another one.” Simon lifted his modest black mask over his head and patted his forehead with a handkerchief. People around them, mainly women, whispered to one another behind their gloves and fans, watching him like a hawk would do with its prey.

“You’re supposed to keep your mask on until the unveiling,” she grumbled, ready to defy her parents like her brother did.

“I’m excused from these inane rules tonight because I’m the star attraction.” Simon rolled his eyes and hugged his arms across his chest. He had such a sourpuss on his face that she couldn’t help herself and laughed.

“Go ahead and make fun of my misery. Have you danced without a break or had your feet stepped on by partners who can’t keep their footing or even engage in intelligent conversation?”

“Aw, must be rough for you,” she said in mock sympathy.

“Yes, it is. But it must be done. The sacrifices one makes.” Simon sighed and ran a palm over his hair.

“Yes, the sacrifices you make tonight are such a hassle with all these women who admire you and would love nothing more to be your wife.” She lifted her chin, daring him to argue.

“Someone is in a cranky mood.”

Her mouth dropped. “I’m cranky? Teasing you doesn’t mean—”

When a woman cleared her voice loudly, both siblings turned to face their new companion.

Simon’s face brightened considerably. “Miss de Saltin, a pleasure.” He took the hand of the woman in an emerald mask, complete with a grouping of silver ribbons attached to the side. Her dress was a shade lighter with intricate beading and ribbons along the bodice and down the length of the skirt.

Both stared at one another in admiration. When Kristina cleared her throat, they didn’t acknowledge her. She coughed louder, startling both. “Simon, how did you know this is Miss de Saltin?”

“We danced earlier. Mina was light as a feather on her feet.”

“Oh, Simon, you say the nicest things.” Mina blushed and giggled.

Kristina cleared her throat to stop from snickering over their sickly sweet fawning.
Now they’re on a first-name basis with one another? How interesting.

“Would you do me the honor of another dance?” Mina asked, excitement transparent in her voice.

Simon grimaced. “I should dance with the other ladies. It’s expected every lady have their chance to take a turn around the room with me.”

Mina eyes lost their sparkle.

If there was any woman who would be a good match for Simon, it would be Mina.
“I do believe the musicians are taking a break.” Kristina nudged Simon with her elbow. “Why don’t you escort Miss de Saltin to the refreshment table? This would be the perfect opportunity to fetch her something to drink.”

Mina fanned her face with her hand. “I am quite parched. If you would do me the honor, Lord Simon, I would be grateful.”

Simon gave her a small nod. “It would be nice to sit. We can take a break until I’m called away for my next duty.”

Kristina rolled her eyes. Only Simon would find dancing a duty.

Simon led Mina away, giving Kristina a wave as he did.

Now she was left alone again. The room had grown stifling and the buzz of conversation and girlish squeals from those around her made her head hurt. She would take a rest in the women’s sitting room and then another stroll around the parameter of the room, hoping to find Elle at some point.

But what if she doesn’t come? Then what?
Elle had to come. Kristina had no idea how to get in touch with new lover. Tonight she was going to be completely honest with Elle and reveal to her true identity and propose a way for them to be together for longer than an hour or two here and there. It would be tricky, but she would find a way—

She blinked once, then twice.

A woman dressed in gold from head to toe stood at the edge of the staircase. The provocative gown she wore was unlike any other worn here tonight. It sparkled under the candlelight and barely left anything to the imagination. The woman’s shortened hair was styled with a dash of flair due to the multitude of different color ribbons hanging down her shoulders. People whispered and pointed in her direction, but she didn’t seem to notice. And when the woman lifted the hem of her skirt and those familiar ugly brown clogs appeared, Kristina laughed in delight.

Elle had come!

For once Elle didn’t stare down at the floor or hug herself. She held her head high while wandering around the room. When she turned, Kristina inhaled abruptly from the amount of skin on display. The urge to lick her way up Elle’s back made her tremble in lust.

As she made her way toward Elle, the music started up again and the dancers swirled around her. She gave them no mind. She had a purpose and wouldn’t be deferred by anyone or anything.

Elle stood near a window, staring up at the sky. When Kristina finally reached her, she didn’t say anything at first. She soaked in the line of Elle’s bare back, and how the hair ribbons brushed her shoulders. Soon she would know what it would feel like having those ribbons caressing her body.

Her front pressed against Elle’s back. Elle went still but didn’t turn around. When she lifted a ribbon and tugged on it, Elle tilted her head in Kristina’s direction.

“You look ravishing. If we were alone, I would kiss you until we both couldn’t breathe,” she whispered and sniffed Elle’s hair.

“Then why don’t we go some place private to be alone?” Elle responded back, her voice giving off a slight tremor.

She wanted to dance with her darling first. She viewed the crowded dance floor. Couples turned in dizzying circles, holding one another much too tight. Those who weren’t dancing, drank and carried on in questionable ways to which society matrons would raise an eyebrow. Two men in a corner discreetly held hands and stared at one another in affection.