Cold Hearted (Villains 8)

She was sad to see Nanny Pinch go back to London, but she had hired a wonderful governess for all the girls by the name of Nanny. Lady Tremaine had asked her if she’d like to go by her actual name accompanied by the title Nanny, but it seemed Nanny was her actual name. So Nanny it was.

She was a lovely older lady with white hair and sparkling eyes. She was a dream of a nanny, patient and kind, and worked wonders with all the girls. They spent their days in the schoolroom, or picnicking in the garden. She encouraged them to put on plays in the library and took them to the village for tea so they could practice being proper young ladies.

Lady Tremaine was quite frankly happy to have the girls out of her hair while she got the house in order and ready for her husband’s return. Since Nanny and the other servants were hired, life felt more like it had back in London. She didn’t constantly have the girls under her feet, and she was feeling less alone. Life was running perfectly again.

As the hour approached for her husband’s return, she became nervous. She went from room to room checking to see if the house was flawless, following behind the maids to make sure everything was just so. She was sure there were flowers in every room, and their home was pristinely clean.

As she did her rounds for the fourth or fifth time, fussing again in her bedroom making sure everything was just right, Rebecca came into the room holding a small basket and wearing a wide grin.

“What do you have there, Rebecca, and why do you look so pleased with yourself?” Lady Tremaine asked.

“It’s a gift for you,” Rebecca said, handing her the basket. “To make up for leaving behind the book of fairy tales.” She looked as though she felt truly sorry, and seemed to have been brooding about it since she had unpacked Lady Tremaine’s things to find she hadn’t packed it after all.

“Perhaps it wasn’t left behind, Rebecca. Don’t rebuke yourself too much. I am sad not to have it, but maybe it will turn up.” Lady Tremaine looked in the basket and noticed there was something wiggling under some red silk.

“You didn’t!” Lady Tremaine squealed like a little girl. She lifted the red silk to reveal the sweetest little black-and-white kitten she had ever seen. “You did! Oh, Rebecca, he is precious.” She took him out of the basket and held him up to get a better look at his adorable face. “Oh my goodness. Who are you? And look at his smart bow!” He squirmed in her hands, and she placed him on the bed. “He is so cute, Rebecca, thank you.”

Just then the kitten sprang off the bed, attaching himself to Lady Tremaine’s beautiful dress and making her laugh. “Oh, you little devil!” she said, detaching the kitten from her dress. “I think I will name you Lucifer. That’s the perfect name for a devilish creature like you, ruining my beautiful dress.”

“Here, my lady, let me take him for you.” Rebecca gingerly took the kitten from Lady Tremaine and put him back in the basket. “I will keep him for you this evening. You don’t need…what did you say his name was again?” she asked.

“Lucifer,” said Lady Tremaine. Rebecca still looked puzzled so Lady Tremaine explained. “He’s a devil, the ruler of the underworld.”

Recognition dawned on her face. “Oh, like Hades!” she said, laughing. “Yes, this little guy is mischievous. I think the name fits.” She smiled and gave him a pat on the head. “It doesn’t look like he damaged your dress,” she said, squinting at it closely, and then looking up at Lady Tremaine’s face. “You look beautiful, my lady. I’m sure Sir Richard will swoon.”

Lady Tremaine wasn’t so sure but didn’t say so to Rebecca.

“Oh,” Rebecca added, “my lady, you’ve forgotten your favorite brooch.” She went to the vanity to fetch it for her.

“I don’t feel like wearing it this evening,” said Lady Tremaine. It reminded her of her late husband, and tonight she wanted to focus on the future.

“I assume you’ve been down to the kitchen a few times to make sure the cook has everything in hand?” asked Rebecca.

“Yes. I think she would have chased me out with a broom if she thought she could get away with it,” Lady Tremaine said, making Rebecca laugh again.

“I checked in on the girls before I came up,” Rebecca continued. “I told Nanny I wanted them to have their dinner and baths early this evening. I thought it w

ould be nice to have the girls in bed right after dinner so you and Sir Richard can enjoy the rest of your evening together alone.”

Lady Tremaine wondered if that was a good idea. “Cinderella will want to see her father,” she said. “Tell Nanny Sir Richard and I will come in to kiss the girls before they go to sleep, don’t you think?”

“That’s a lovely idea,” Rebecca agreed, sighing. “Oh, my lady, you have such a wonderful evening planned. Cook is making all of Sir Richard’s favorites for dinner, and I’ll make sure everything is ready for you in here while you two are having dinner. That way it’s a surprise.”

Lady Tremaine was getting more nervous by the moment. She was hoping with all her heart the man returning to her from the castle was the man she had met in London and not the one who dashed away right after their wedding. “Thank you, Rebecca dear. This is going to be an evening to remember.”

Lady Tremaine assembled the entire staff to greet her husband upon his return. She thought it would be a lovely surprise for him to see how well she had staffed their home while he had been away. They were all lined up in the vestibule in their smart black-and-white uniforms, positioned on either side of the entryway to leave a pathway for Sir Richard so he could walk through and greet each one.

Lady Tremaine stood in the center of the assembly right up front so she could greet her husband the moment he walked through the door. Anastasia, Drizella, and Cinderella stood at the foot of the grand staircase in their prettiest dresses. They looked as perfect as a portrait, all of them standing still and ladylike.

They were all startled by the front door flying open without ceremony, Sir Richard’s voice booming.

“Hello, my love, my most beautiful girl,” he said, walking toward Lady Tremaine. She felt foolish for dreading this moment, worrying if he loved her, wondering if he would be happy to see her when he got home.

“Welcome home, my love,” she said, ready to receive his embrace, but he didn’t take her into his arms. Instead, he passed right by her, rushing over to Cinderella, who was waiting for him, tears in her eyes.

“My sweet girl! How are you? Did you miss your papa?”

Lady Tremaine had never seen a man so happy to see his daughter. He hugged her so tightly she thought he might crush the poor girl.