Cinderella and the Lady (6 page)

“My name? Why?” she asked in alarm. If she discovered her name, she could tattle on her to Geraldine.

“I’m curious. When you meet another person, you usually introduce yourself by giving your name,” the woman stated, although she didn’t volunteer her own.

She scratched her arm and dug the heel of her clog into the grass. “Sorry, miss, I can’t.”

“Whyever not? What are you hiding?” the woman asked in an irritated voice.

Some sort of creature screeched and her attention was soon diverted.

Ellie took the opportunity to flee and ran as fast as she could to safety.

A shout for her to halt motivated her to keep running. She welcomed the darkness that swallowed her up until she found the edge of the property and sprinted into the woods. Her breath echoed in her ears and her heart rattled against her chest, but she didn’t stop until she reached the back of her house and dropped down on the stoop behind the kitchen door.

She stared ahead, waiting for the woman to appear, but she never did.
A gentlewoman would never run after me while wearing such delicate and fine slippers.
Ellie snorted and reclined back on her elbow, staring up at the starry sky. Eventually her fast-beating heart slowed down. When she had calmed, she went inside and into her bedroom to lie on her bed with August and Jack. Peering up at the ceiling, she replayed in her mind the scene between the graceful yet nosy lady and herself. What were the odds of them meeting again? If they did, she would act as if they had never met and hope the lady did the same. Nothing good could come out of their acquaintance.

August purred against her chest and she hugged him close. Jack snuggled on her shoulder. For once Ellie felt safe and content. It had been nice to speak with another person who treated her with some courtesy, even if it had been a woman of substantial means who thought she was a lowly servant girl.

* * * *

After losing sight of her quarry, Kristina kicked at an indent in the grass in frustration and made her way back toward the house. That was the most fun she had the entire night, even with the excitement of the fight she had missed due to her spy in the bushes. She should have acted appalled and scandalized, but when she recognized who it was, she decided it wasn’t worth the hassle to embarrass the poor woman.

She should be slighted the woman hadn’t volunteer her name and was less than forthcoming about whom she worked for. But then again, Kristina had told a boldfaced lie. If she had announced she was her father’s daughter, the skittish woman might have fainted.

Next time she came in contact with the demure servant, she would demand her name and who she worked for. Aulnory was small enough to locate such a person, and perhaps after they talked again, she could see if there was a place for her in her father’s household.

I do need a personal maid to assist me with my hair and bath. If she refuses my offer, I can threaten to snitch on her for being a peeper.
A spark shot up her spine. Her intended plan would definitely be a mutual benefit for both parties involved.

“There you are.” The duchess came out on the patio as Kristina moved up the steps. She joined her mother, who looked flustered and upset.

“Mother, what’s wrong?” she asked in concern.

When the French doors opened and more guests walked out, the duchess tugged her off to the side. “Your father has called for the carriage. We’re leaving. I’m finished here. The way the Crane chit attacked a young lady was uncalled for. I pity the man she ends up marrying. But at least it won’t be Simon.”

“I missed it all. I went outside for some air,” she said and steered her mother back inside.

“And with Lord Robert as your escort. Alone.” The duchess pursed her lips. “I expected better of you not to go off with a gentleman you just met. Lord Robert may have an excellent reputation, but everyone is watching you in particular, waiting for you to misstep. I want nothing more for you to marry, but I hope it’s with a man you can care for and not be forced to wed because you were caught stealing a kiss or canoodling in the shrubbery.”

“I’m not some green girl just out of the nursery,” Kristina said. “I have enough experience with men to be careful. Grandmother made certain to teach me how to handle myself if I’m caught in a difficult situation with an amorous suitor.”

The duchess nodded at some guest as they made their way out into the front foyer. “And what advice did my mother give you?”

“If a gentleman gets fresh, use your knee in a way that will make that gentleman hunch over in pain and bawl like a baby.”

The duchess hugged Kristina. “You are a true delight. I am so happy you have returned home.”

“It’s nice to be back with you, Papa, and Simon,” she said, her thoughts returning once again to her interaction with the puzzling woman she was more than anxious to see again.

Ellie had just poured Geraldine her coffee when Mina came into the dining room, yawning. She skipped over to her mother, gave her a kiss, and sat down. The dark bruise on her cheek and long red scratch on her throat didn’t take away from the glow permeating from her face.

“Does your face hurt?” Ellie asked in sympathy as she placed two pieces of toast on Mina’s plate.

“A little, but it was well worth it.” Mina lifted her hands to her chest and a wistful look crossed her face. “Simon acted like a knight who comes to the rescue of the heroine in one of those silly romances I used to love reading.”

Geraldine stirred her spoon in her coffee. “You did very well last night. Crane’s brat has no finesse and I expected her to react the way she did when you bumped into her a second time and spilled your drink on her gown. She made herself and her parents look like dolts.”

“Now with her out of the way, there’s nothing stopping me from claiming Simon.” Mina cradled her chin in her palm as she rested her elbow on the table. “Perhaps I can have a fall wedding. It would be nice with the changing of the leaves and the weather warm enough to have our ceremony outside on the estate’s ground.”

“I wish you all the best, Mina,” Ellie said with complete sincerity. She turned to walk out of the room when Geraldine latched onto her wrist. She paused and faced her stepmother with trepidation.

“Lord Simon and his mother will be visiting later in the afternoon. I want you to remain out of sight for the time they are here.” Geraldine removed her hand and grimaced, wiping her fingers with her napkin. “Better yet, you may have the rest of the afternoon off, but be back before sunset to serve us dinner.”

Ellie gave Geraldine a short curtsy, thrilled she would have the afternoon free. “Thank you, Ger—stepmother. I’ll tidy up the drawing room for your guests. I’ll even bake a batch of scones, if you like.”

Geraldine nodded in approval, and that butterfly feeling in Ellie’s stomach grew. She quickly left before Geraldine revoked her permission. She would do her best to impress the duchess and her son with her baking skills so Geraldine would continue to be in a generous mood.

An entire afternoon free to do whatever she liked! It was like Christmas and a birthday rolled into one!

* * * *

Kristina tapped her spoon against her plate and slumped in her chair. She was exhausted from tossing and turning for most of the night. The blame was due to provocative dreams of her making love to a woman with short black hair on silk sheets. She woke to a cold sweat and a fierce ache between her legs. The only way she could fall back to sleep was to manipulate her swollen cunny and pluck at her nipples. With aid of her wanton imagination, she brought forth a rush of warm discharge and a satisfactory release of tension in her womb. She ended up dozing for another hour, and when the sun rose in the sky, she got dressed. After breakfast, she would take a ride along the beach, then come back for a nap.

She had just finished eating her breakfast when Simon sat down across from her, looking immaculate with his hair combed back and his cravat tied perfectly and coat buttoned with no wrinkles in sight. She brooded while he waited for a servant to place a plate full of food down in front of him.

“It’s a spectacular morning.” Simon speared a sausage link with his fork and took a bite.

“You’re too cheerful. Is it because you played the hero last night with Miss de Saltin?” She took a sip of her juice.

“You could say that. I’m also picking up a new jacket from my tailor. He’s a talented fellow who’s going to make me the most fashionable man in all of Aulnory.”

She threw a napkin at him. “You’re already a fashion plate. You could wear a potato sack and men would then do the same.”

“I do set precedence for many things.” He gave her a wink.

The clock let off a dong to denote the top of the hour and Kristina motioned at the two empty chairs across from her. “I expected mother and father to join us. Do they usually sleep in?”

Simon chewed off a piece of his toast. “Erm, after a party where they have both been drinking, they tend to sleep in the next day.” A blush flagged his cheeks. “Did you notice how they held hands in the carriage, and when father escorted mother into the house, he whispered something that made her blush and laugh like a schoolgirl?”

Kristina couldn’t remember, since she had been too busy thinking about her evasive party crasher. “I hadn’t noticed.”

Simon tugged on his cravat. “Mother and father don’t sleep in separate bedrooms…”

Her eyes widened. “Ah! I see what you mean. How about we talk about something else? I’m going for a nice, long ride on the beach. Interested in joining me?”

“How about tomorrow? It may take me a few hours to get fitted. Mother and I are also going to visit Mina—I mean, Miss de Saltin.”

She went over to her brother and enveloped him in a hug. He kissed the back of her hand and smiled up at her. His eyes sparkled in cheer.

“You’re too happy to be poked and prodded by another man just for the sake of a new pair of breeches or jacket,” she commented and gave the top of his head a pat. “Does this tailor of yours have an attractive female assistant, perhaps? Or maybe Miss Mina has you in high spirits?”

Simon chuckled and sat forward, moving out of her embrace. “Can’t I be excited about purchasing new clothes? Noah, my tailor, is a congenial sort and very skilled with his hands.” A reflective look crossed his face and then it was gone. He traced the rim of his coffee cup. “Miss de Saltin is a comely woman. I enjoy her company.”

“I’ll leave you to it, then. Have an enjoyable afternoon.” Instead of prodding Simon for more information, Kristina gave him a pat on the head and left the room, intent on a ride that would clear her ennui.

* * * *

Ellie petted August while concentrating on reading the words on the page. She chose a book in the tiny library Geraldine kept, and along with August and Jack in her basket and a bag, she walked the three miles to the beach. She found a nice spot near one of the sand dunes and laid out a blanket to sit on. Jack remained in the basket, nibbling on a small block of cheese, while August was content lazing in her lap.

The book of poetry she read taxed her brain. The words were ones she never recognized before, and some had too many letters for her to understand. With a piece of chalk and an old learning slate, she carefully wrote out the long sentence from one of the lines of poetry.

When she finished, she groaned. Her letters looked more like squiggles and made absolutely no sense.

Throwing the slate off to the side, she shut the book and lounged back on her palms, lifting her face up to the sun. “Why do I even bother?”

August responded by licking her chin. She gave him a hug and brushed her nose against his.

The waves crashed loudly on the shore and boats floated on the horizon. Wind whipped through her hair, and she sighed. Soon she would have to return to the gloom waiting for her at home. But for now she was at peace.

A rider, a woman whose long blond hair flew free behind her, galloped at a swift speed along the water. She wasn’t sidesaddle, but dug her legs on either side of the horse. Ellie should have found that shocking, but the woman looked spectacular in the way she handled her horse.

As the horsewoman galloped past, Ellie wondered how long it took the woman to wash and dry her hair. Probably a good hour or more. Combing back her hair, she grimaced at the grit she found entangled there.
I’ll have to make extra time to wash my hair now
.

She snorted and searched for an apple in her bag. Taking a big bite of the fruit, she closed her eyes and eased back on her elbows. Suddenly the sun disappeared and a shadow materialized over head. She opened her eyes and stopped chewing.

Before her was the lady from the night before!

Ellie sat up straight, squeezing August to her chest. His claws dug into her skin and she loosened her grip.

“Fancy seeing you again,” the woman warmly greeted.

“Um, hello…miss.” She spoke around the apple pieces in her mouth, trying not to choke as she swallowed. To her astonishment, the lady knelt down on the blanket.

“No need to get up. If you don’t mind, I think I’ll sit a spell. I’m winded from my ride.” The lady fixed her skirt over her legs.

A million thoughts piled on top one another as Ellie searched for an excuse about her behavior last night. This time she couldn’t run off. She was stuck.

“You’re shocked to see me again,” the lady said, not seeming miffed at all.

“Aren’t you worried your horse might wander off?” Ellie blurted out, pointing to the horse standing a short distance away.

The lady shook her head and pressed her palms down over her skirt. “I told Champion to stay put. He’ll obey.”

She has such long fingers and perfect-looking nails.
She sighed, wishing her hands weren’t calloused with ragged nails.

“You don’t believe me?” the lady asked, looking troubled.

“It’s a nice day for a ride.” She ignored the question and scratched August behind his ear.

“A near perfect day. I’m glad to see you’re taking advantage of it.”

“Why would you be glad for me?” she asked carefully.

“You must work very hard,” the lady announced and shifted until she set her legs out in front of her, coming within touching distance of Ellie’s foot.

She crossed her legs under her skirt, hiding her bare feet. Her stockings were inside her old, scuffed clogs she had set behind her earlier.

“You have the right idea. I think I’ll do the same.” The lady proceeded to lift up the hem of her skirt and untied her boots.

Ellie should have turned away for propriety’s sake, but couldn’t. The woman plucked off her boots and stockings, showing off her naked ankles and feet. She wiggled her toes and stretched her arms above her head.

When the lady’s chest pressed out underneath her jacket, she did look away then, concentrating on a seagull waddling by.

“Hello there, little chap. It’s nice to make your acquaintance.”

Ellie looked back and her jaw dropped. August had crawled into the woman’s lap and allowed her to pet him. He didn’t let anyone pet him but Ellie.

“What’s your cat’s name?”

August meowed and butted the woman’s hand.
Traitor.
She wanted to snatch her cat back.

The woman’s hand stilled over August. “If you’re not comfortable telling me—”

“It’s August,” she whispered.

“August.” The woman nodded in approval. “A dignified name.”

“He was born in August,” she replied, as if it made perfect sense why the cat had been given his name.

The woman petted August again. She circled her fingers across his back and he arched into her hand. Ellie felt the urge to do the same. Lucky cat.

“Would August’s mistress like to volunteer her name?”

Ellie snapped out of her daze. The phantom touch on her back disappeared. Suddenly realizing she still had her apple, she tossed it away. “Why do you want to know my name? I’m nobody.”

“Everyone is somebody.” The woman gave her a kind smile. “What if I told you mine?”

Ellie lifted up a handful of sand and let it fall through her fingers. She continued sifting her fingers through the sand, forming a small pile next to her.

“You can call me…Elle,” she said, not forthcoming, but just enough where she wouldn’t be caught in a lie.

“You mean like the letter L?” the woman asked, looking delightfully confused.

She smiled. “Exactly.”

“All right…Elle. Since you’ve been nice enough to give me your name, you may call me Diana.”

She mouthed the woman’s name. She liked it, but certainly wouldn’t call her that in her presence. When Diana held out her hand, she didn’t take it.

“Aren’t you going to shake my hand?” Diana asked.

She shook her head. “It wouldn’t be right for someone in my position, miss.”

“I’m giving you permission to shake my hand.” A glower spanned Diana’s face. “And please, stop with the ‘miss’.”

Ellie didn’t take the hand offered but nodded in acceptance. “I’ll keep that in mind for the next time, Lady Diana.”

The glower turned into a scowl. Instead of another reprimand, she snatched Ellie’s hand right off her lap and gave it a hearty pump. “If anyone asks, you can say I touched you first. And seeing as you’re into respecting your betters, you will obey me and call me Diana, not Lady Diana or Miss Diana. Understand?”

Diana gave her hand a squeeze. Ellie kept her hand slack when all she wanted to do was link their fingers together. Diana’s skin was as soft as she had imagined it would be. When Diana didn’t release her, Ellie returned the shake.

“I understand perfectly. Just Diana.”

Diana’s lips lifted into a semblance of a grin. “
Touche
, Elle.”

She had no idea what that word meant but gave no indication she didn’t know. With a tugged on her hand, Diana let go.

“Your name is pretty,” she admitted. She couldn’t think of one Diana she knew of or ever met.

Diana’s lips quirked. “The majority of the women in my family are named after the goddess Diana. Most of the time it’s a middle name so not to confuse, although my two great aunts were both Dianas. And they both happened to be twins!”

Ellie laughed in response and decided to take a chance and not censor herself as she usually did when she was curious about something. “What is a goddess exactly?”

Diana didn’t seem to mind the question and leaned forward as if she was going to share a secret.

Ellie listened carefully as Diana explained.

* * * *

Her lack of guilt over giving a false name should have worried her. But it didn’t. She was honest in a way. Her middle name was Diana. It was well worth it to keep her identity a secret from the engaging woman sitting across from her.

Elle was captivated while she explained the history of the goddess Diana and why she was a much-beloved character from Greek mythology. Elle only interrupted when she had a question. She was a curious sort, and it made her all the more endearing. Her forehead would wrinkle and the tip of her tongue would swipe along her bottom lip as she concentrated.