Cinderella Spell - Laurie Lee Page 0,38

the attic. “Captain Standish will know what to do with you.”

She closed the lid, tossed a blanket on the floor near the door, and placed the sword upon it. She returned to the table to mark the chest on the parchment list. “What other treasures will we find, I wonder?”

Shadows crossed the room as she continued to work. An ornate high back bench hid a pair of brass candlesticks. She pushed the bench against the wall and tugged the chest in front of it. Pulling a sheet from a wardrobe, dust sprinkled over her, causing a sneeze. She wiped her face against the sleeve of her brocade dress. Moving the oak wardrobe proved challenging. Marissa huffed, leaning against the narrow side as she pushed herself backward. The thing scraped the floor as it moved, but Marissa blew hair from her face and kept pushing. Her heart thumped by the time she set the wardrobe in place against the wall beside the bench. A drop of sweat rolled down her cheek. She wiped it away as she added to her list.

She continued to scribble notes, recording furniture, ornate statues, and the contents of each chest. She dragged each object across the attic to form a new pile.

“Very industrious of you, Marissa.”

Marissa looked up from the parchment, and a large smile lit her face. “Mrs. Boyde. What brings you up here?”

“Do you mean aside from the sound of a small army and bits of ceiling falling around me as I try to dust your chambers?”

“It is an old castle.” The common excuse Marissa used for many of her antics led to the expected smile.

“Find anything interesting?”

Marissa pointed to a corner near the stairs. “That old sword. I plan to take it to Captain Standish. I’m not sure why anyone would bury it up here.”

“A sword? Not the sort of thing one stores in an attic.” Mrs. Boyde gave it a cursory glance, and then returned her attention to Marissa. “How can I help you?”

“You have enough work of your own.”

“I’m not just a maid or your governess, Marissa. Nor am I referring to this chore you assigned yourself. What troubles you child?”

Marissa faced the woman. Though she had no doubt of her mother’s love, it was this woman who provided the daily nurturing necessary for a child to grow into a young woman. But she couldn’t explain her actions to herself, let alone another person. She shrugged.

Mrs. Boyde shook her head. “Robert’s not much better off than you. The pair of you have gotten yourselves into a pickle, haven’t you?”

“What’s wrong with Robert?”

“Perhaps you should see for yourself. I’d wash the dirt from your face and hair first, or he may not recognize you.”

Marissa looked at her soot-smudged hands. “I have been busy.”

“Come. I’ll have the chamber maid draw you a bath. Then later, you can pull Robert from his despondency.”

Marissa grabbed the sword and a brocade blanket as she followed Mrs. Boyde down the stairs.

20

Two weeks after the ball, news reached Belton Province. An envoy of the king arrived in a few days.

“What do they mean, we have to try on a slipper?” Millie pushed against the press of people eager to see the announcement nailed to the town square post.

“What does it say?” Cinderella feigned ignorance.

A young man in king’s livery held a scroll. “By order of King William, his royal majesty of the Kingdom and Northern Isles, all eligible ladies are hereby ordered to attend the slippering to take place here, five mornings hence. Neither rank nor duty will prevent any female from attending the slippering. Twenty lashes will be laid on any who impair the King’s command.”

“Oy heard bout this.” Tanisa mumbled to the small group gathered with Millie and Cinderella. “Prince fell in love at the ball.” She opened her gray eyes wide. “Someone or something tore her away. This must be how he means ta find her.”

Millie scoffed. “But maids and scullery girls? Does he think one of us made it to the ball? They’ll get more than a whipping if they find its one like us.” Millie shook her head.

Tanisa grinned. “It’ll be fun ta go. Watch da ladies en all.”

“Perhaps the king will provide cake and punch for us while we wait.” Cinderella teased.

Tanisa’s face brightened. “Do ya think so?”

Millie slapped her on the back of the head. “Imbecile. Best take a chunk of bread and cheese with you, the king won’t provide for the likes of us.”

The others moved away, their excited voices