They graced the long dresser, the little table in front of the windows where she sat reading reports each night and looking up at the stars, and each side of the bed. When she woke each morning, it was to the glorious smell of roses and lilacs.
Her clothes filled the walk-in closet. One gown in particular caught her eye. Perfect for her purpose tonight.
Dressed, her excitement building, she ran downstairs and opened the vault. George made a point to show her how to open it, so when he died she could retrieve the contents for his family.
They spent a lot of time yesterday going over things in the house. He wanted her to know about the antiques and furnishings. She thought it was nice his home reflected him. He had a real appreciation for the things he’d collected over the years.
She pulled what she needed out of the vault and made a quick pit stop in front of the hall mirror to put the final touch on her outfit. She took a last look in the mirror and decided she did indeed look like a princess. Now to transform Emma.
Marti glided into the room and Cameron completely lost his train of thought. His mouth hung open in mid-sentence. His gut tightened and his heart stopped.
She looked like a queen in her gold dress. The skirt was full and billowed as she walked. The top was strapless and fitted like a corset. A band of golden beads went across the top of her breasts. She looked magnificent. Around her head and over her forehead she wore what was normally a necklace. Tonight it was a crown of diamonds and emeralds. A very expensive piece he recognized as belonging to George’s dead wife.
Marti carried another necklace, a ruby and diamond choker. The wrap for her dress draped over her arm, and she carried a small bag.
“Are you guys okay?”
George recovered first. “You look like a queen, my dear.”
Cameron remained struck silent.
“Not a queen, Knight, a princess.” She made a deep curtsy and stood. “Princess Marti at your service. Princess Emma, stand and I shall transform you into your true self.”
Emma jumped up from her spot next to her dad on the couch. She stood in front of Marti, while she wrapped the long golden shawl around her and secured it with a ruby and diamond pin on her shoulder.
“It’s so sparkly,” she beamed, a huge smile on her face.
Marti pulled her hair up, tied it in a knot on the back of her head, and secured it with a clip. She crowned her with the ruby and diamond necklace. For the finishing touches, Marti put some pink blush and eye shadow on her. She kissed her and transferred her own lipstick to Emma. Emma smacked her lips together. She spun on her toes to her dad.
“How do I look, Daddy?”
“You look like what you are, sweetheart, my princess.”
Cameron swallowed hard. His throat ached with emotion. He couldn’t help it. She looked beautiful. He couldn’t believe Marti would go through so much trouble for one little girl, a little girl who wasn’t even hers. What a shame Emma wasn’t Marti’s.
He fought the choked up feeling rising in the back of his throat. He looked up at the radiant smile on Marti’s face as she looked down at his little girl. A golden goddess, the both of them.
This is what his daughter wanted. A woman to see her as special. Who didn’t want to be looked at like Marti looked at Emma? He may not be able to give Emma the mother she wanted, but she had Marti tonight. Maybe it would be enough for a lifetime. Having Marti once would never be enough for him. He hoped it would be enough for Emma. It might be all she ever had of being loved by a mother figure like her.
“Come with me, Princess Emma. Your royal tea party awaits.”
“I don’t like tea,” Emma said and scrunched her face in disgust and disappointment.
“Good thing we’re having chocolate shakes.”
“Yum.” Emma jumped and spun around in her princess costume.
“Yum is right.” She took Emma’s hand. Before she passed George, she bent down and kissed his cheek. “Be gentle. He’s already had a hard day.”
Chapter Sixteen
* * *
SHE AND EMMA sat cross-legged on the dining room table drinking milkshakes out of the finest china teacups Marti had ever seen. They used a silver water pitcher to pour their “tea.” A china plate overflowed with cookies. The sugar bowl