Ella Enchanted - By Gail Carson Levine Page 0,42

marched up and down an avenue of elms, trying not to freeze. I even tied on my mask in a vain attempt to keep my nose warm. No matter how cold I felt, I was going to stay outside until several guests had arrived.

My toes and fingers were numb before I deemed it safe to enter. As soon as I did, Hattie rushed at me, her new false tresses bouncing.

"Ella! I've missed you so!"

She was about to embrace me and, I warrant, whisper a command in my ear.

I stepped away. "If you speak to me at all today, Hattie," I hissed, "I'll snatch off your wig and pass it around to the guests."

"But--"

"Not a word." Taking off my cloak, I walked to the fire and remained there while the buzz of conversation grew behind me.

There was nothing to tempt me to turn. The flames were more interesting than the talk. I wondered what made the air in front of the fire shimmer so.

"Aren't you going to watch the wedding?" Olive knocked my arm. "Can I stay out here with you?"

The hall was silent. I said, "Don't you want to see your mother wed?" I wanted to be there, to see the horrible event.

"I don't care. I'd rather be with you."

"I'm going in."

She followed me, and we slipped into the last row of seats. Father and Mum Olga faced an alcove in which stood High Chancellor Thomas, who had begun to marry them.

His speech sounded familiar, because he'd used almost the same phrases at Mother's funeral. The audience probably could have recited along with him. I heard coughs. A lady ahead of me snored gently, and Olive was soon asleep as well. A man in our row pulled out a knife and cleaned his fingernails.

Only one viewer was rapt, leaning forward in her seat, nodding at each trite sentiment, smiling while dabbing at wet eyes. I smelled lilacs. Lucinda!

She mustn't see me. As the daughter of the groom, I could hardly keep up the pretense that I spoke only Ayorthaian. She would be livid that I'd fooled her. I put on my mask.

I would leave in the confusion of congratulations when the ceremony ended. I watched her, ready to duck if she turned my way.

As soon as Sir Thomas concluded, Lucinda leaped to her feet. "My friends," she rang out, while advancing on Father and Mum Olga, "never have I been so moved by a ceremony."

Sir Thomas beamed.

"Not because of this man's endless droning..."

There were titters.

"...but because of the love that has united these two, who are no longer in their first youth."

"Madam!" Mum Olga began.

Lucinda didn't hear her. "I am Lucinda, the fairy, and I am going to give you the most wondrous gift."

Mum Olga's voice changed from outrage to delight. "A fairy gift! And everyone here to see! Oh, Sir P., how divine!"

I should have been making my escape, but I stood frozen in place.

Father bowed. "You honor us."

"It's the loveliest gift. No one can say this one is harmful or foolish." She shook her head defiantly. "It's eternal love. As long as you live, you shall love each other."

21

FATHER WAS open-mouthed in horror.

"It's so romantic, Sir P.," Mum Olga sighed, entwining her arm in his.

His face changed, and he chucked her gently under the chin. "If it pleases you, my dear, my life." He looked wondering. "My love."

Olive climbed over my feet, trumpeting, "A real fairy!" She pushed her way to Lucinda.

Well-wishers crowded around Father and Mum Olga, but few were so foolhardy as Olive. The fairy would soon be free to look about. I fled the room.

It was too cold to hide outdoors. I decided to venture upstairs.

The stair rail was an open spiral, perfect for sliding. I resisted a mad impulse to take a ride -- into Lucinda's arms, no doubt. I heard her voice and ran up the stairs.

On the landing I opened a door and stepped into a dark corridor. Closing the door behind me, I sank down and leaned against it with my legs stretched out on marble tiles.

Would Father be happier as a result of the gift? Had Lucinda finally given a present that would benefit its recipients? I tried to imagine their marriage.

Would love blind Father to Mum Olga's shortcomings?

There must have been footsteps, but I didn't hear them. The door opened behind me. I tumbled back and found myself staring up at -- Char!

"Are you well?" he asked anxiously, kneeling next to me.

I sat up and grabbed his sleeve, scrambling