The girl finally looked up. “Yes?”
“Your new mama was speaking to you.”
Cinderella clasped her hands together like a little angel and smiled at Lady Tremaine. “Yes, Lady Tremaine?” she asked.
“Never mind, Cinderella.” Lady Tremaine was hurt and exhausted by the entire ordeal. But then Anastasia spoke up. “You’re being rude, Cinderella.”
“Yes,” Drizella chimed in. “Cinderella, why won’t you call her Mama?”
Both girls watched as Cinderella ignored them, fiddling with her pocket again.
Lady Tremaine reached for her brooch, running her fingers lightly against the cold jade. She was having a hard time with this young girl already and doing her best to keep patient, but she knew that if one of her own daughters was acting this way she wouldn’t stand for it, so she decided she must say something.
“Cinderella, show us what’s in your pocket that has you so distracted you can’t be bothered to listen to a word my daughters and I have said.”
“Oh, I don’t think that is a good idea,” said Cinderella without looking up.
“Cinderella, show us what’s in your pockets now, or I will have Nanny Pinch take you up to your room without any tea,” Lady Tremaine scolded, trying to use the same tactics she’d used on her own daughters in the past.
“That’s fine. I’d prefer to be in my room right now anyway, Stepmother,” Cinderella said with a smile.
Impossible girl! Lady Tremaine thought. She didn’t understand this girl at all. It didn’t seem like she was trying to be insolent or hurtful; she was simply stating her truth.
“Very well, Cinderella, go back to your room, but I must insist you call me Mama.”
Cinderella walked over to Lady Tremaine, reaching her hand out for her to take. “I’m sorry, Lady Tremaine. I can’t call someone who isn’t my mother Mama. But I will happily call you Stepmother, if that pleases you.” She looked up at Lady Tremaine hopefully.
“Very well, Cinderella.” Lady Tremaine sighed, eyeing her strange new stepdaughter warily. “You may stay down here and have your tea with me and your stepsisters before you go back up to your room.”
“If that will make you happy, Stepmother,” she said, looking back down at her pocket.
“Won’t you show us what’s in your pocket?” asked Drizella, breaking ranks and joining Cinderella on the love seat.
“Yes, Cinderella, what is it?” asked Anastasia.
“Girls, Nanny Pinch is about to serve. Must you interrogate Cinderella about what’s inside her pocket while we drink our tea?” Lady Tremaine said jokingly.
She was very happy to see them getting along a little better, munching on finger sandwiches that Nanny Pinch had made, and sipping their tea like perfect princesses. They had gotten off to a sticky start, but she was at last feeling like they could be a happy family together.
Just then Rebecca came into the room. “The Grand Duke is here, my lady. He says he has a message for you from the castle.”
Lady Tremaine stood up, motioning for the girls to do the same. “Show him in,” she said.
The tall man walked in, squinting, Lady Tremaine thought, in order to keep his monocle in place. He was a strange man, this duke. But then, Lady Tremaine thought everyone she met here so far was very odd.
“Sorry to disturb you, Lady Tremaine. But our king has sent me to inform you that Sir Richard will be detained for the next several weeks on court business.”
Lady Tremaine was starting to get agitated. “On our wedding night, of all nights?” She heard the edge in her voice and stopped herself from going on.
“I’m afraid it’s unavoidable, Lady Tremaine. Sir Richard would rather be here, I am sure. But when a king calls one of his knights to his side, it is his duty to the king and the realm to follow orders, no matter what.”
Lady Tremaine sighed. “And what exactly will my husband be doing these next few weeks, may I ask?” Lady Tremaine was finding it hard to hide her frustration.
“You may ask, my lady, but I’m afraid I may not answer. Now if you will excuse me, I will be on my way. Welcome to the Many Kingdoms. I’m sure I will be seeing you at court.” He bowed curtly and left the room without further ceremony.
Lady Tremaine sat there at a complete loss. This was the most unusual day. She wanted to rant and scream, to cry and vent, but she couldn’t. She was in a strange land, in a strange home where she didn’t feel welcome, and now her husband—who had only become so a few short hours ago—was mysteriously away on their wedding night without so mu
ch as an explanation. And for all she knew he wasn’t even the man he presented himself to be when he was in England. She could only hope his coldness to her today after the ceremony was due to stress over this business at the castle, whatever that may be.