Cold Hearted (Villains 8)

She wanted to say she did, but she didn’t.

“Won’t you come back with me to the Many Kingdoms now? I hate the idea of delaying your journey any longer than necessary.” He kissed her hand again, then squeezed it in his own.

“And what of my girls, Richard? I can’t go ahead without them.” Lady Tremaine shook her head. “Of course I’ll leave Lady Hackle’s immediately so I can join you as soon as possible, but this is all happening so quickly. There are things that must be considered, plans to be made. My household needs to be packed and shipped, and there is the matter of my servants. I will have to arrange passage for them, as well as for myself and my girls. My goodness, I have to tell the girls! They’re going to be blindsided,” she said as Sir Richard took her other hand in his.

“There is no need to bring anything other than your personal belongings, Lady Tremaine. My château is beautifully furnished and fully staffed. Bring your lady’s maid and governess for company for you and your girls during the journey, if you wish, but we won’t be in need of them once you are settled into your new home. But come quickly and with haste. I need you by my side,” he said, looking deeply into her eyes.

Just then there was a knock at the door, and Sir Richard’s valet entered. “Excuse me, but we must be going. Sir Richard’s carriage must depart now if he’s to make the ship to the Many Kingdoms.”

“Very well, I’ll be there in a moment,” Sir Richard said.

“I’d better be off. My king needs me,” he said, squeezing her hands a little tighter. Lady Tremaine thought in that moment he would kiss her. They were engaged, after all. It could hardly be inappropriate, they had both married before, and she was no maiden. She closed her eyes waiting for it, and then she felt his lips chastely brush her forehead.

“Goodbye, my dear. Come to me quickly. I can’t wait for you to be my wife,” he said.

She stood there looking into his eyes, and wondered still if he loved her. Perhaps he was uncomfortable kissing her in front of the valet. She wanted to ask, but couldn’t bring herself to.

Lady Tremaine went up to her room and collapsed onto the bed with a deep sigh. She lay there in the dark trying to catch her breath but was startled by a familiar gravelly voice coming from the corner of the room.

“I see you are already besotted by your prince, and you have forgotten all about your poor Mrs. Bramble.”

Lady Tremaine shot up out of bed. She didn’t know how she had missed her before, but now she could make out Mrs. Bramble’s silhouette, in a velvet chair by the window. The moonlight shone on her wild silver hair and cast shadows on her face, making her look like an old crone from a fairy tale.

“He’s not a prince,” said Lady Tremaine, standing up and straightening her dress. “He’s a knight. And of course I have not forgotten about you, Mrs. Bramble. How are you feeling?” She made her way over to the poor woman.

“I’m in a sorry state. A

lone in the world without a friend,” Mrs. Bramble said, her eyes watery and yellow from age.

“You are not alone, Mrs. Bramble. You have me,” said Lady Tremaine.

“You don’t need me anymore. You’re sending me away, don’t you deny it. The witches’ girl told me so. It’s clear she and your fairy tale prince have you in their clutches.”

Lady Tremaine kneeled down so she could look her in the eye. “Stop this now. What’s this talk of witches? I am in no one’s clutches,” she said. She was sorry to see Mrs. Bramble in such a state.

“Rebecca said you’re sending me to live with my sister,” said Mrs. Bramble. “And that you’re moving to the Many Kingdoms.”

Lady Tremaine shook her head. “Well, I can hardly say how she would know I was going to the Many Kingdoms when I have just decided to go myself.”

Mrs. Bramble cackled. It was an ugly, raspy laugh that made Lady Tremaine’s teeth itch. “Oh, you knew you were going off with him the moment you laid eyes on him! You’re already under their spell. You were always a fool for a handsome face and a fat purse,” she said, laughing again.

“Now that is enough!” Lady Tremaine got up and walked to the center of the room. “I don’t know what’s come over you, Mrs. Bramble, but you must pull yourself together. I won’t have you speaking to me like this,” she said, pulling the cord to call Rebecca.

“Mark my words, dearie, you will regret it if you go to the Many Kingdoms. Please just read the book of fairy tales I gave you, it’s all in there. Then you will see why I am so worried about you,” said Mrs. Bramble with imploring eyes.

“I wish there was something I could say to ease your mind, Mrs. Bramble.” Lady Tremaine eyed the door, waiting for Rebecca to knock and put an end to this conversation. “I assure you I will be very happy with Sir Richard.” She was worried for the woman’s state of mind.

“There is a special bond between a nanny and her charge, as you will learn in the pages of that book. I’ve always seen you very clearly, and I know beyond a doubt that something horrible will happen if you leave.”

Lady Tremaine took her hand. She wondered if the poor dear wasn’t suffering from some sort of dementia from old age.

“Why are you so convinced something terrible will happen to me?” she asked. “Why do you think someone will hurt me?” She searched the old woman’s face, wondering what made her look so heart-stricken.

“I’m not worried you will be hurt, my little one. You’re a strong woman, and you can handle anything those witches try to cast your way,” said Mrs. Bramble.

“Then what has you so worried? What are you so afraid of?” asked Lady Tremaine, and the strangest look came over Mrs. Bramble’s face.

“Oh, my dear, don’t you see, I’m worried about those you may hurt, those you will destroy with your hate and cruelty.”