Page 86 of Once Upon a Midnight Clear

“Yes, of course, Mother. But she—”

“She didn’t know how to ask you. I truly think she wanted to, but she was afraid you would turn her down.”

He raked a hand through his hair and huffed out a breath. “Why would I refuse her?”

“Because she doesn’t know you love her.”

He snapped his head in her direction and saw the twinkling of knowledge deep within the blue eyes. Resignation made his shoulders droop.

“We hardly know each other.”

“Bah!” She flung her hands up in frustration. “Son, she is the one for you. She has the Spirit of Christmas deep inside her. I saw it in her the first moment I met her. It’s why I went to all the trouble of getting you both to that ball.”

“So, youdidhave a hand in that!” He wagged an accusatory finger at her.

“Of course, I did. I knew the glass slippers would lead her to her true love.” She winked.

He understood his mother was a meddler. He also understood she wanted him to wed and soon because, as she said, she and his father weren’t getting any younger. She wanted grandchildren and, beyond that, Rovenheim needed an heir. He, however, did not realize the lengths she would go to make all that happen.

“And they did,” she added.

“The legend is true then.”

“It’s all true. Why do you think Malvina wanted them so badly? She intended to use the power within them to bend our will to hers. She wants nothing more than to rule Rovenheim, but I made sure she would never escape her fortress again.”

“You used magic.”

“Naturally,” she said with a nod. “But all that aside, are you going to take Ella the slippers? Because your constant brooding is really too much.” He started to reply when she held up a hand and said, “Let me try again. Youaregoing to take Ella the slippers and bring her home.”

He grinned. “Yes, Mother. Iam.”

Chapter 30

AdayafterEllacame back from Rovenheim, the family returned in a flourish. They arrived in a magnificent carriage drawn by white horses with a driver and a footman. Ella was busy sweeping the foyer when they all burst through the door and stopped short at the sight of her. Lucinda and Daniella were in front, gaping at her as though she were a stranger.

“What areyoudoing here?” Lucinda asked.

Lillian, her stepmother, shoved them out of the way.

“Why, Ella. You’ve returned,” she said, mustering surprise with a hint of loathing.

Livingstone, who was Lillian’s new husband, entered last carrying an oversized suitcase in each hand. He was a tall man with a thick head of hair and a mustache. The rest of his face was clean shaven. He had dark brown eyes under bushy brows. He wore an expensive suit as he stomped into the house.

“Why are we loitering in the foyer?” he growled.

Then he, like the others, stopped short as he noticed Ella for the first time and gaped. She shifted from one foot to the other.

“Who’s this?” he asked.

“This is Ella. She was our housemaid before we married, my darling,” her stepmother said, waving at her. A sizeable emerald ring winked on her left hand.

“Ah, well. You said you were unable to find help. Perhaps it’s good she’s returned.” He dropped the suitcases. “Bring those up when you have a moment, won’t you?”

The girls giggled and charged up the stairs. Lillian followed, giving her a look of contempt as Mr. Livingstone followed her, his hand at the small of her back.

Ella wished then she hadn’t bothered to put the bedrooms back in order. She hadn’t washed the sheets and remade the beds. She hadn’t dusted the rugs and the drapes. Or polished the silver.

She gripped the broom handle so hard, her hand cramped. Then she spun on her heel and stomped back to the kitchen. She dropped the broom, put her face in her hands and forced back the hot tears.

---