Cinderella Spell - Laurie Lee Page 0,50
but fall in love with you.”
She smirked. “I am that enchanting?”
“You stole my heart the night of the ball. I will offer my life for yours.”
She placed her hand upon his cheek. “My Robert. How long must we wait to be wed?”
“A royal engagement is forty days. Lady DeGanne will supervise the celebrations and feast.”
“Of which there will be many. The days will pass in a blur.” Marissa interjected, surprising the couple. She stepped back as the other woman twisted around with a harsh scowl on her face. The unsettling glance faded in an instant, and Marissa wondered if her over-active imagination had conjured the expression. She pasted a smile on her face and walked closer.
“Marissa. I did not hear your approach.” Robert moved to her with his hands outstretched in welcome. The warmth of his touch caused her stomach to flop, but she smiled to hide her confusion. He held on to Marissa with one hand and took Cinderella’s hand with his other. “Cinderella, my love, I would like you to meet my dear friend, Marissa.”
The two women greeted each other with a nod. Robert remained impervious to the chill settling around them.
“I confess, I thought you would be older.” Cinderella’s soft voice wrapped around her.
“I am the closest in Monmoore to Robert’s age, but still four years his junior. I have been eager to meet you.” Marissa lied. She linked her fingers behind her back and took a breath to calm her muddled thoughts. “Your room has been set to rights. Would you like me to show you the way?”
Cinderella snaked her arm around Robert’s. “I am tired. And a fresh gown would feel delightful.”
“You will find the first wardrobe has a pair of simple muslin gowns. The modista will meet with you later this afternoon and then tomorrow.”
“With me?”
“For measurements, of course. She’ll fit your gown for this evening and then start a fresh wardrobe for you. She will create a divine trousseau.”
“I will not know what to think or say. You will be there with me?”
Marissa nodded. “I promise. Come, let me lead you to your room.”
Robert didn’t seem eager to release Cinderella, but she managed to slip from his hold and move closer to Marissa, linking arms with her. “You are all that is kind. I had not anticipated such a warm welcome. My flight from the ball must have given you cause for concern.”
Though taller, Marissa felt small and plain beside the delectable Cinderella. “Robert has found you, and all is forgiven. I wish you both great joy.” They walked in silence up the flight of stairs to the guest wing of bedrooms. The long hallway had a series of doors on both sides, and Marissa stopped at the first room on the left. She touched the bronze wreath of ivy.
“This is how you know which room is yours. Each door has a different knocker.” She opened the door and stepped aside, allowing Cinderella to enter the chamber. “There are two rooms, and a water closet. Derea will come to light the evening fire in your sitting room grate. Let her know what time you would like the morning tray delivered. They will set it upon the desk.”
The small sitting room had the mahogany desk carved with roses and a padded high-back chair upholstered in apricot fabric. The entrance to the sitting area was flanked by two wardrobes of the same wood and carvings as the desk.
“The chest of drawers in the water closet contains your unmentionables. The water basin is full, so you may refresh yourself. Miss Callie will be your lady’s maid.”
“It is so much,” Cinderella touched the amber duster on the bed.
“It is a beautiful room. I hope you enjoy staying here for the engagement.” Marissa returned to the door. “The palace can be overwhelming at first, but you will learn to love it as I have. I will meet you at the second bell for dinner.”
“And Robert?”
“He will meet us at the stairs and escort you to the dining hall. There is time to rest, if you like.”
Cinderella curtsied. and Marissa hurried through the doorway, clicking it shut with a sigh of relief. Forty days loomed like a shadow over her. She didn’t dare think of the eternity to follow after Cinderella and Robert wed.
Marissa made her way to her own room, entered with a sigh of relief, and leaned against the door. Emotion raged, yet her thoughts were too muddled to give word to any of them. A chair