Cold Hearted (Villains 8)

“I don’t deny it, Prudence, I just don’t know where to begin. He’s perfect. In every single possible way,” said Lady Tremaine.

Lady Hackle looked very pleased with herself. “What did you talk about? What did he say?” Lady Hackle asked, leaning in as if Lady Tremaine were about to tell her a secret.

“We spent much of the time talking about his home, how lovely it was and how lonely he’s been since his wife passed away. He talked of wanting a mother for his daughter, someone to raise her, and to be a wife to him. He spoke of combining our wealth to create a secure future for our children, and for ourselves,” she said, drifting off to their conversation, remembering how much she wanted him to kiss her. But he was far too much the gentleman to do so.

“Did he ask you to marry him?” her friend asked, clearly eager to see if she could commend herself on her matchmaking skills.

“Not yet. I think he wanted to see if I was disposed to the idea before proposing,” said Lady Tremaine, still looking at the bit of thread on her sleeve.

She didn’t want her friend to know how very much she liked this gentleman. She didn’t really want to admit it to herself. It all seemed so sudden, so out of the blue, and she wondered if she was being foolish. But that’s how things were done in these circles—you met someone, married them, and then found out after you were married if you were a good match. If you were, all the better, and if not, then you spent most of your time apart. Most marriages in Lady Tremaine’s circle were about combining families, social capital, and resources. Too few were inspired by actual love. She had been fortunate with her first marriage. Not only did her family approve of the match, but they were a good couple. But she had somehow thought the second time she found love she would do things differently, take her time. And now she found herself dashing into another marriage without knowing much about the gentleman.

“What will you say if he asks you tonight? You have to say yes,” said Lady Hackle, pink-cheeked as if it were she herself who was in love.

“We don’t know each other that well, Prudence. Doesn’t it all seem too quick?” asked Lady Tremaine.

“What is there to know? He’s a rich man and lives in an enchanted kingdom. He’s handsome, dashing, and highly ranked. He’s a dream!” said Lady Hackle, taking her friend’s hand.

“I’m not sure what I will say, Prudence. We didn’t speak of love. Though I suppose the implication was there.” Lady Tremaine looked up at her friend. She was surprised how much she wanted this man to love her. She feared she was treading into dangerous territory.

“Tell me everything. From beginning to end. Leave nothing out. Not a single word. And then we’ll know what you should do,” said Lady Hackle.

Lady Tremaine took a deep breath. “Very well, Prudence, if you insist. You know what a lovely day it was. You picked the perfect place for our picnic. It was such a gorgeous spot, everything was green, the flowers in bloom, and you know how fond I am of the gazebo across the lake. After the gentlemen returned from their hunt, Sir Richard made his way to me almost immediately and suggested we take a walk. We crossed the little wooden bridge over the lake, and there we talked until you sent Pratt over to let us know everyone was going back to the house. I spoke of my daughters, and he spoke of his, and we talked of what life had been like for both of us after our spouses died. He’s such a practical man, very much like the men here in London. Everything was so sensible. We didn’t speak of love, though he did speak of how he longed for a woman to run his household, to raise his daughter. He spoke of his loneliness, and how much he missed his wife, and how he’d like to have companionship again. And I understood him, because I want those things, too. But I couldn’t help but wonder if he wanted love.”

“Of course he does. He spoke of his loneliness and wanting a wife. What else could he have meant?” asked her friend.

“I feel that is what he meant. At least that is how it felt in the moment. But I might have been swept away by the beauty of it all,” said Lady Tremaine.

“Oh, I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He has eyes for no one else when you’re in the room. I think he is in love with you.” Lady Hackle squeezed Lady Tremaine’s hand.

Lady Tremaine thought Lady Hackle may be right. She felt the same way, and then she realized she knew what she would do.

“If he asks me, Prudence, I do think I will say yes,” she said, taking her hand out of her friend’s and putting it to her heart. “Can you believe it? Me, marrying again, and moving off to the Many Kingdoms? As if one king or queen wasn’t enough, now I’ll be living in a place where the lands are littered with royalty.” Lady Tremaine giggled along with her friend. The giddiness was contagious.

“I imagine your life there with Sir Richard will be quite extravagant,” said Lady Hackle. “Oh, you will have to invite me to visit once you are settled. I have to see your new château.”

“He hasn’t asked me to marry him yet, Prudence!” Lady Tremaine looked up at the sound of the dressing gong. Her heart skipped a beat at the thought of seeing Sir Richard again at dinner.

“Oh my, is it already time to get dressed?” said Lady Hackle. “I thought we had ages. We’d better go upstairs and get ready. I want you looking especially beautiful this evening.”

Lady Tremaine laughed and shook her head at her friend. She had to wonder if they were making too much of all this.

“By the way, how are you finding Rebecca? Are you happy with her?” asked Lady Hackle, rising from the table to make her way to her room to get ready.

“Oh, she’s delightful. Thank you so much for letting her attend me while I’ve been here,” said Lady Tremaine.

“Brilliant. Then you shall keep her. She told me of your troubles with poor old Mrs. Bramble, and she did mention how much she’d love to travel with you to the Many Kingdoms, so I suggested that if you were agreeable, she should stay with you.” Lady Hackle smiled knowingly, and Lady Tremaine let out a loud laugh.

“Oh, you two have been plotting to get me married off, have you?” said Lady Tremaine.

“Well, my dear, I’d say it was about time, wouldn’t you? And why not to a man who looks as if he’s stepped out of the pages of a romance story! I can see you two riding away on a white horse, and I hope you do! I’d love nothing more than to see you happy.”

Once back in her room, Lady Tremaine gave herself over to Rebecca entirely, letting her dictate her clothing and jewelry and style her hair as she chose. She usually wasn’t one for fussing over her appearance, but she wanted to be especially stunning at dinner that evening.

“You look beautiful, my lady,” Rebecca marveled. “I’m sure Sir Richard will find you captivating.”

Lady Tremaine narrowed her eyes at the young woman. “Has there been talk downstairs, Rebecca? About Sir Richard and me?”

Rebecca blushed. “I admit there has, my lady. One of the upstairs maids says she overheard Sir Richard and his valet discussing plans to return to the Many Kingdoms tonight once dinner is over, but he wants to speak to you first.”