Page 5 of Once Upon a Midnight Clear

“A ball?” Ella gasped.

“Yes, a ball, you dolt,” she snapped. “We must see what appropriate gowns the girls have to wear. If we need to have dresses made, I will need to go to town this afternoon.” She paused and gave Ella a glare with her beady blue eyes. “Well? Why are you standing there?” She snapped her fingers. “Get to it!”

“You said all eligible maidens,” she said. “Does that mean I can go, too?”

“You?” she said and laughed. Then she tapped her chin with her forefinger. “Yes, I suppose it does.”

Elation skipped through her. She had never been to a ball before. She hoped she had something to wear. Perhaps something of her mother’s even if it was a tad out of fashion.

“Oh, thank you, Stepmother. Thank—”

“But…” She said, interrupting her momentary joy. “All your chores must be finished by thenincludinghelping with the gowns for the girls. The mending, the sewing, the cleaning, the cooking. All of it.”

Her heart sank, but still a tiny bit of hope glimmered deep down. Perhaps she would be able to get it all done in time for the ball.

“Yes, Stepmother. Of course.”

“Now, be gone.” She waved her away with the swish of a hand.

As Ella headed for the door, Lucinda and Daniella rushed in, their eyes alight with excitement.

“Mother! Did I hear you say there was to be a royal ball?” Lucinda said.

Ella had no doubt Lucinda eavesdropped on their conversation and then brought Daniella along with her to gossip about the upcoming ball with their mother. As she made her way down the stairs, her heart sank lower and lower and she understood she would not be going to the market today or the ball.

Chapter 2

ElladashedbetweenLucinda’sroom and Daniella’s room gathering accessories and gowns and then helping each of them try everything on. All the while, her stepmother hovered behind her telling her what to put on and what to take off.

She helped Lucinda into a bright pink gown with a full skirt. The neckline was trimmed in orange roses. The colors clashed with her red hair. It was absolutely hideous but Ella managed to keep her face expressionless.

“No, no, no!” her stepmother said and then gave an exasperated sigh. “This is not befitting a royal ball. Take that off at once.” She snapped her fingers.

“But, Mother, I like this one!” Lucinda whined. She twirled to show off the full skirt which was devoid of petticoats.

“Not that one. Ella, get her out of it. Where is Daniella?”

“Here, Mother.”

Ella began to undo all the tiny buttons down the back of Lucinda’s gown as Daniella trotted in wearing a blue gown that had seen better days and was definitely out of fashion. It had a scooped neckline and a dropped narrow waist that flowed into a full skirt. The skirt was adorned with ribbons and bows and pink rosettes in the knot of each bow. Unlike her sister, Daniella insisted on the petticoats. She happily twirled with a squeal to show off the fullness.

Stepmother’s face contorted into one of horror. It took everything inside Ella not to giggle.

Her stepmother clucked her tongue in disgust. “That simply won’t do either. I must go to the dressmaker to order new gowns before he’s too busy to take new orders.”

Ella also needed to go to market and hesitated to ask. She hated the thought of traveling with that woman, but there were things she needed for the kitchen.

“Pardon me, Stepmother, may I accompany you? I have a market order to pick up.”

She looked down her nose at Ella with reproach. “Yes, I suppose you can. But ask for nothing at the dressmaker.”

“Yes, of course.” She gave a nod of understanding.

“Oh, can I come, too?” Lucinda asked with a catty smile. She gave Ella a cutting look, clearly not wanting to be outdone.

Ella cringed. The last thing she wanted was to have to go to the village with both her stepmother and Lucinda.

“Me, too!” cried Daniella.

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