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Lady Tremaine flushed, even as a sense of dread went through her. Why was he leaving? And why must he speak with her? She had hoped they would have more time together, and she couldn’t imagine it was his plan to ask her to marry him if he was leaving this evening. She suddenly felt rather foolish for decking herself out in red velvet and letting Rebecca adorn her hair in sparkling rubies to match.
It was the first time she hadn’t worn mourning colors since her husband’s death. She had even fastened the jade brooch her husband had given her right in the center of her bodice, making it the crowning piece of her gown. Before Rebecca had told her of Sir Richard’s plans to leave, Lady Tremaine had felt like a new woman who respected and cherished her past but chose not to be lost in it, because she was very much looking forward to her future. But now she didn’t know what to expect. She had been so excited and so looking forward to this new love affair, and now she felt foolish and adrift once more.
“Everything will be just fine, my lady, I’m sure if it,” said Rebecca, helping Lady Tremaine with her long white gloves. “In fact I know it. I often get feelings about how things will turn out, and I think you and Sir Richard are destined for each other.” She went to the door. “Are you ready to go down?” she asked, holding it open with a smile.
“Yes, Rebecca, I suppose I am as ready as I ever will be.”
Lady Tremaine felt nervous milling around the drawing room, waiting for everyone to assemble for dinner. Sir Richard hadn’t arrived yet, and she was starting to wonder if he had just gone straight back to the Many Kingdoms, deciding not to speak with her before leaving after all.
But then she saw him. He looked as if he had stepped out of the pages of Mrs. Bramble’s book of fairy tales. He was far too dashing for his own good, and she felt her face flush again as she wondered what he wanted to discuss. She felt slightly dizzy as he made his way over to her, not even stopping to make polite conversations with those he passed. She was in his direct path, his eyes were fixed on her, and she couldn’t help but feel like hunted prey. He had such a serious look on his face, which made her heart flutter, because she was sure he was about to disappoint her. Men often looked serious when they were about to disappoint a lady.
“My dear Lady Tremaine,” he said as he approached, “may I speak with you in the garden before dinner starts?”
“I think we have time.” She looked at the little gold clock on the mantel.
“Lady Hackle said we can take as much time as we need,” he replied, and took her by the hand, leading her out the double doors into the garden.
They walked over to a pond that was filled with tiny sparkling lights. When she got closer, she saw that they were little mirrored bowls floating on the surface of the water, candles flickering within them, casting remarkable shards of light that danced across Sir Ri
chard’s face and the garden.
“You wanted to speak with me about something, Sir Richard?” she said, standing very still as she awaited his reply. She felt she had to brace herself for what he was about to say. She feared his words would be a blow and she wanted to be ready. She tried to make herself solid and unmovable. Ready for impact.
“I did. I’m afraid I have to leave right after dinner, but I didn’t feel it would be right to leave without speaking to you first, not after our talk earlier today. I wanted to make sure there was no misunderstanding. I wouldn’t want to leave if there was indeed more we had to say.”
Lady Tremaine’s heart sank. This was what she had feared and expected. Of course their conversation had not been the start of a passionate love affair or a new adventure. It had been nothing more than polite small talk.
“You needn’t say more, Sir Richard. I understand you completely,” she said. She felt foolish for thinking their talk today was anything more than two people who had lost their spouses, connecting over their shared pain. She thought he had spoken of wanting a wife and a mother for his child because he wanted her, but it seemed they were only sharing their stories, not their hearts.
She cursed herself for letting herself fall in love with this man so quickly, for imagining a life with him and their children after only a couple of days. After one afternoon of conversation. A conversation she had completely misunderstood.
She stood there, so quiet and still, fearing that if she spoke or moved she might break into little pieces and crumble before him. Surely her heart was breaking, but she wondered if it showed on her face.
“Do you truly understand, Lady Tremaine? Because I do so want my intentions to be clear.”
“Oh your intentions are perfectly clear, Sir Richard,” she said, wanting nothing more than to be out of his company. She couldn’t believe she had let her heart become entangled with this man’s. She wanted to scream, “But I’m in love with you! I thought you were going to ask me to marry you!” But that sort of thing just wasn’t done, especially not in Lady Hackle’s garden right outside of a sitting room filled with lords and ladies. She would be a laughingstock. And now she found herself having to go into the dinner party on the arm of a man who had just broken her heart.
She hated the idea of having to explain all this to Lady Hackle. And she was angry with her friend for encouraging her to fall for this man so quickly. In that moment all she wanted to do was run away, but instead she stood there, passive as ever, just waiting to see what he would say.
“Very well, I think we should go in to dinner then. I am so relieved we are of the same mind,” he said.
She decided then and there she needed to protect her heart, and she was happy she was wearing the brooch her husband had given her, because if she hadn’t been, the blow from Sir Richard would have shattered her.
As they walked back into the drawing room and took their places among the assembled guests still waiting to go into dinner, she felt a cold, steely shiver move through her as she touched her brooch. The feeling stayed with her as they sat down at the dining room table, and she imagined it helped her not to cry and make a fool of herself in front of Sir Richard and the other guests.
She could see that Lady Hackle was concerned for her, but of course they wouldn’t be able to talk until after dinner, and even then it would be hard for the two of them to find some time to chat among themselves.
And then the strangest thing happened. Lady Hackle and Sir Richard seemed to exchange knowing looks, which made Lady Hackle smile, and she stood up, asking for the party’s attention.
“It is with great pleasure that I announce the engagement of my closest friend Lady Tremaine and Sir Richard of the Many Kingdoms! May they both be truly happy as they join their families—Lady Tremaine’s daughters, Anastasia and Drizella, with Sir Richard’s daughter, Cinderella. Everyone, raise your glasses to Lady Tremaine and Sir Richard!”
Lady Tremaine sat there in shock as everyone raised their glasses to celebrate their engagement. And she realized her heart didn’t need protecting after all. She and her daughters were going to live happily ever after, just as her friend Lady Hackle had wished.
Lady Tremaine’s head was spinning after the dinner party. The evening already swirled in her memory like a dream. She tried to hold on to every moment, to form a clear memory she should cherish forever, but it slipped through her fingers, leaving her with fragments. She could hardly believe it was all happening, and so quickly. One moment she thought it was all a misunderstanding, and the next they were engaged.
After dinner Lady Hackle arranged for champagne, chocolates, and fruit in the library so Lady Tremaine and Sir Richard could have a few moments alone before he sailed to the Many Kingdoms.
“I’m sorry to dash off like this, when we have so much left to discuss, but I have been summoned by my king, and it’s my duty to attend to him the moment I’m called to his side. It is my express wish, however, that you and your daughters join me as soon as you are able,” he said, kissing her hand. “I hope you understand.”
