Page 88 of Once Upon a Midnight Clear

Lucinda was the first to reach the door. She yanked it open just as the man approached with his hand raised to knock.

The man that was the Crown Prince of Rovenheim. He hesitated as surprise washed over his face when he saw Lucinda there.

“Who are you?” she demanded, clearly not expecting a different prince.

He cleared his throat. “I’m here for Miss Ella Rose Tremaine.”

Her heart pounded a little harder. Her palms broke into a hot sweat.

“Ella?” Lillian scoffed as she said her name. “Whatever for? She’s nothing but a servant girl.”

By now, her stepmother reached the bottom of the stairs and moved to stand next to Lucinda, nudging Daniella out of the way.

“She’s more than a servant girl,” Nicholas said in the snootiest tone she’d ever heard. It made her smile.

Lillian looked him up and down, the disdain on her face. “And just who are you?”

“I am the Crown prince of Rovenheim and I’ve come for Ella.”

“Aprince,” Lucinda breathed. Then she dipped a curtsy. “Forgive my mother, your highness.”

His expression said he wasn’t interested in her forgiveness. “Where is Ella?”

He hadn’t noticed her standing there yet. Ella took in his broad-shouldered appearance. He was dressed in a navy-blue cutaway tailcoat with gold buttons trimmed in trailing gold stars and snowflakes with velvet cuffs and collar. He wore a gold silk cravat, brocade vest, white pants and perfectly polished black boots. His wavy chestnut hair was impeccably combed yet still touched his collar. His bright blue eyes held a certain warmth to them she had longed to see again. He was sigh-worthy and possibly the most distinguished and handsome man she’d ever seen.

Nicholas turned to wave at someone in the coach and, a moment later, Percy arrived by his side caring a velvet pillow with the glass slippers perched on top.

Ella sucked in a sharp breath as she realized what he meant to do.

Everyone turned to stare at her.

Nicholas saw her then. Their eyes met, his sparkling with delight, reflecting his genuine happiness at seeing her again. A surge of warmth spread through her body, filling her with an overwhelming sense of happiness. He was here standing in her house. He had come for her.

He shoved past Lucinda and Lillian, his steps sure-footed as he headed right for her. Percy fell in step behind him carrying the pillow with the slippers.

“What’s going on?” Daniella wailed, unable to comprehend what was happening.

Ella knew and hot tears sprang to her eyes. She blinked them away, trying to maintain her composure. It was almost impossible when Nicholas dropped to one knee, taking her hand in his and holding it. His warmth cascaded through her, sending delicious tingles up her spine.

“Ella, you left something behind,” he said, the quirk of a grin on his lips.

“Did I?” As she said it, her breath caught in her throat.

He placed his hand behind her left knee, gently lifting her leg. Percy then stepped up and dropped down to remove her shoe.

“What is the meaning of this?” Lillian said, her angry tone lancing right through Ella. “I demand to know—”

“You demand nothing of me, woman,” Nicholas shot back.

Lucinda and Daniella both gasped in shock, their heads swiveling to look up at their mother. Lillian’s face was a mask of rage as she stood there, hands clasped to her side.

Meanwhile, Percy had removed her worn shoe and slipped on the glass slipper.

“A perfect fit,” Nicholas said, his voice quiet as he looked up at her.

He released her leg, giving her an expectant look. She understood and lifted her other foot so Percy could exchange the shoe for the glass slipper. Looking down at them, she still saw the hairline crack in the toe of the right one.

It didn’t matter, though. He was here and she had the slippers back.

---