Cinderella Spell - Laurie Lee Page 0,58
Boyde over the rim of her cup. “Do you think there is something peculiar about her?”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“I’m not quite sure. Monmoore feels strange having her here.”
“There are stranger things beyond the protection of the palace walls. Are you prepared to face life outside the curtain wall?”
“I feel I must. How difficult can it be? We ask Cinderella for the name of her father’s family and track down her missing relatives. We invite them to Monmoore.”
“And if her stories have been lies?”
“The truth is better than what we have now.” Marissa placed her mug on the side table and stood, agitation visible in her short, tight stride. “Robert behaves like a besotted fool. If this is falling in love, I want none of it.”
“There is much you do not know, but now is not the time. Are you prepared to sleep? I will remain in the sitting room, so do not fear being on your own.”
A yawn gripped her, and then Marissa laughed. “Real sleep would be a blessing.”
Morning light showed through the crack in her curtains, and Marissa rose from her bed. Twisted sheets glimmering with sweat revealed her struggle throughout the night. The chambermaid had not yet arrived when she sat at her dressing desk. She reached for her brush, but it was not resting upon the marble top in its usual place. Instead, she placed her chin in her hand and leaned closer to her reflections.
Her hair was a few shades lighter than cocoa. Her skin looked soft, smooth, and pale as expected of a royal lady. Her eyes were a cross between brown and green. She pursed her lips. A memory of Robert’s arms around her rose to mind, and color suffused her cheeks. She looked away.
Feet pattered across the tiled floor, reminding Marissa of Mrs. Boyde’s promise to stay the night.
Mrs. Boyde grinned. “I thought you would have slept longer.”
“Thank you for staying. I feel rested.” Marissa laughed as Mrs. Boyde yawned. “You could not have been comfortable. Go, get some sleep.”
“What of your plans?”
She shrugged. “Find a way to convince Mother I am ready to go into the world on my own.”
Mrs. Boyde shook her head. “Not on your own. I will go with you.”
“Are you sure? It may not be an easy journey.”
“Your father charged me with your care. There was not an age limit. I will be quite content as your travel companion.”
“Then go rest. Once permission has been granted, we will not have much time until we are on the road.”
“I should at least help you dress.”
“I think I can manage.” Marissa shooed her from the room and then breathed in the quiet. Can I do this? She looked at her reflection in the mirror. For Robert? It wasn’t how she’d imagined going out into the world, but it would be better than having to live through the engagement of Robert and Cinderella. She didn’t push herself to think why that was.
Marissa selected the simplest dress she could don without assistance. I can join Mother for a cup of chocolate in her rooms. She exited her chamber. The knocker on her mother’s door was a wreath of roses. Rather than the bronze like most of the other doors, this wreath was red and green. She knocked twice, her usual habit, and entered.
While Marissa’s rooms were well-supplied, Lady DeGanne’s apartment reflected her high honor of being the king’s wife. The ceiling was twice the height of the other bedrooms. Great tapestries countered the pale-colored walls. Golden cherub frieze looked down from the coffered ceiling. The main room had a sitting area with white couches on a blue rug woven in silk and wool. A breakfast table draped with a white cloth was set with morning tea. But her mother was not sitting at tea. Marissa was surprised to see her staring from the long window, shoulders drooped.
“Mother?” Her voice sounded hollow in the large space. Lady DeGanne did not move. Marissa crossed the room. She placed her hand on her mother’s shoulder to gain her attention. She looked older with darkened skin beneath her eyes. Marissa grabbed her hand. “Did you not sleep well?”
“What?” Lady DeGanne turned. It took a moment to focus her eyes, and then she offered a slim smile. “Good morning, Marissa.”
“You’re pale. Is anything amiss? King William is healthy?”
“Everyone is fine, dear. Just slow getting moving this morning.” She moved away from the window to the table. “Fix the tea. I’ll take mine black.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Lady DeGanne sat,