Page 97 of A Slipper in the Smoke
“Do not pretend to know me.”
“Oh,” said the Baroness, “but I do, Your Highness. I lived in Navarra for a time. I frequently attended balls at your palace with my husband, Baron Hernandez.”
She’d attended a handful, far less than Elena, and several years ago. There was no way she recognised her. No way she thought she was anyone else. No way, no way—
“The name rings some bells, but I do not believe we spoke often.”
“No, no that’s true. I think you knew my stepdaughter a little better—Elena?”
Elena froze.She knows,a part of her brain screamed.She doesn’t,logic reminded her.She can’t.
But what was she trying to do otherwise?
“Like I said,” Elena said stiffly, “the name rings a bell, but I can’t put a face to it, I’m afraid.”
“Can you not?” The slightest of smiles twitched in the Baroness’ face. “A pity.”
Elena stared back at her. “I pray you will excuse me.”
Elena walked away from her, clicking for Snowdrop to follow in a way she hoped looked commanding rather than terrified. They crossed the room, settling in a small alcove still in full view of Pip.
“Did she recognise you?” Snowdrop asked.
“I don’t know.”
Snowdrop glanced at Pip. “We need to act. Now. Get over there. Pull him away. Tell him whatever you need to. Get him out into the gardens orsomething.If they find out who you are before—”
Before they kill us all.
The sound seemed to have drained from the room, all sensation following. Elena forced herself to move, to cross the room towards Pip, no longer conscious of anything but his face shining over the crowd like a beacon.
She reached his side. “Prince Phillippe?” she said. “I must speak with you. It is a matter of some urgency.”
Pip looked up, his face dropping, sensing her distress. He made his excuses and stepped towards her. “What is it?”
“I—not here. Too many people… I must speak to you in private—”
A hand pressed against her elbow. Snowdrop. She raised a hand towards the dais, where the Baroness was conversing with none other than the Queen herself, their heads bent conspiratorially together.
“Oh no—”
“Princess,” started Pip, “what’s—”
“That girl!” shrieked the Baroness, pointing straight at Elena. “That girl is no princess. She’s my stepdaughter, Elena Hernandez!”
The music died away. Whispers took its place, rising like a crescendo. Guests murmured, guards started to move—
Pip’s eyes widened, staring. “Elena?” he said. “No, no, that can’t be—”
“Pip,” started Elena, “please, you have to listen, your life is—”
“Seize the imposter!” Mira screamed.
“Now, Cinder!” Snowdrop cried.
Several gasps went up at the voice coming from the porcelain mask, but no one looked more shocked than Prince Nero. He shifted from his space, moving through the crowd—
He never reached them.
