by Jenni James
“What of your lack of sleep? How can someone be aggravated to the point that they refuse to allow you back into your room with them? Provoked to the point that they vengefully mock and abuse you so much that it brings them glee? I have never overheard such malice before this morning. If they are that unkind without you near, how much hatred do they show you directly? Your plight, your strength in maintaining such a cheerfulness despite their ways is extremely touching. It pulls at my heart more than anything I have known.”
“My life has not been that depraved.” She attempted to appease him. “Truly, I do not think of the hardships in the same light you have. They are simply who I am, what I am. The servants have never been treated overly kind. They are not meant to be. Besides, I am more fortunate than most. I have a bed, I have clothes to wear, I have—”
“A bed in the attic. Tell me, Adeline. Does your attic room have a fireplace?”
She was not sure how to answer him. “I have never heard of an attic with a fireplace before.”
“Neither have I. And your clothes? What is the meaning of such clothing as this, when your stepsisters are wearing much nicer materials? Are their clothes not new?”
“I . . . yes, they are. But my stepmother wanted them to be dressed in finery so they could find a husband here.”
“And yet they send you in the same gowns you were given—when? How long have you had such frocks?”
She looked down. “I do not know. A year at least, maybe more. I do not think of such things.”
“This is what I am speaking of. What were your thoughts when your stepsisters had fine gowns bought for this house party? Were you envious?”
She took a deep breath and pulled away from him again. “Why are you persisting in this train of thought? I really did not stop to think of my own feelings. They were pretty dresses that brought out the best of my stepsisters’ features and figures. Beyond that, I did not think more.”
He held both of her shoulders, his faded blue eyes imploring her to understand. “Adeline, what do you do when it is cold in that attic? For I am certain it must be nigh to freezing some nights.”
She looked away. “I do not go up to my room then. When it is too cold, I stay next to the fire down below to keep warm.”
“Cinder-Adeline. This explains why they called you that.”
She could not meet his eye. How much had he overheard? Was she allowed no privacy at all? “Yes, forgive them. They tease me greatly for it. But I do not think they ascertain how dreadfully cold it can be.”
“Of course not. They are tucked away in their beds with cozy fires laid for them in the morning, are they not? Fires laid out by you, I imagine.”
“Yes. We did not have the finances for a fire boy. However, it is a simple chore that I could easily take on.”
“I am not concerned about whether or not the chore is easy. I am concerned about the dear woman before me who does not even understand her own worth enough to hear my words.”
She moved farther away from him and fidgeted with a strand of hair that had come loose from her bun. “I understand what you are attempting to convey. I believe I may understand you perfectly.”
“Do you actually?” he insisted.
She met his stare. “Yes. You are saying that my stepfamily knows full well that the home they live in is mine. The money they buy fine gowns with is mine, and yet they treat me extremely ill.”
“They abuse you, they mock you, and they treat you as their servant.”
“Please stop. I do not see how this will alter anything.”
“My dear, this is what you do not realize. This changes everything.”
“No, Adrian, I am not part of society. I never will be.”
He chuckled. “And that is what is still holding you back? You do not believe you are worthy of their lifestyle? Yet you are the one who is supporting it.” The prince shook his head. “That is not how it works. If you are the one granting them their gowns, you are entitled to have your own—despite your belief of your lowly status.”
“I could not wear such a thing.”
“Why? You have as much right as they do—nay, more.”
She stood up. This was too much. All of this was causing her to feel such agitation within her. She would be mocked even more had she dressed in something as foreign as he wished her to. He might be a charming prince who was a specter, but she was among the living. Perhaps when one passed on, they were granted more liberties. But here—no. The only thing she understood fully was that the guests at this house party would see her and most definitely shun her. Or worse, decide she was worth speaking to because she had money, yet the moment she turned around, they would mock her very existence.
It was useless to try to explain any of this to him. In fact, with her head spinning, she needed to catch her breath and pause for a moment.
“Adeline, have I upset you?” He slowly rose toward her.
“No. I merely need some time for myself. All this information has come so very quickly, I feel I need to slow down and attempt to make order of my thoughts. Alone.”
His face fell. “Are you saying that you wish me to leave?”
Yes. “Uh, perhaps that would be best.” What was the protocol for dismissing ghostly princes? Does one dismiss a prince, ever?
He looked completely crestfallen. “I understand. Forgive me for being such a menace and intruding upon such a personal matter. I should have left it for you to sort out on your own.” He bowed low. “I will depart now.”
Oh, good heavens. “Wait, Adrian. I did not mean to send you packing. I am still hoping to meet you tonight in the library.”
If ghosts could beam, then he did so. “Of course. Let me give you some privacy, and I shall see you then.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN:
In her confusion, Adeline walked out of the hidden garden and found herself sitting upon a stone bench. Could it actually be possible that she was her father’s heir? And if so, why was she never told about it? Even though Adrian believed so, she could not imagine her stepmother and stepsisters were so cruel as to hide such a fact from her. Surely her stepmother had never known such a will existed. Or if she was attempting to be exceptionally cruel, she would have continued to live fully in style, spending away all of Adeline’s inheritance.
She clutched her hands nervously. They would not dare to steal from her, would they? An image of her stepsisters doing just that made Adeline very grateful she was already sitting down. “I cannot believe the worst of them,” she muttered out loud. There was no way to tell if they knew or not. The important thing was to explain to them gently that she was indeed the true heir. But how would she go about doing so?
“Adeline! What are you doing out here?”
She looked up to see Marianna glaring down at her. “Hello.”
“Hello? Hello? Are you jesting? Get yourself into the castle immediately. Lady Middlesong’s guests will be coming around the bend to begin their next garden game in this very spot. What will they think if they encounter a dirty servant lazing about?”
“I beg your pardon, but I just received some distressing news and was attempting to sort out what I have learned.” Adeline stood. “I will leave you now.”
“Just a moment,” Marianna said. “What news have you heard?”
“I—” Adeline took one look at her stepsister’s cross face and excused herself. “Nothing to burden you with.” She fled just as the other guests began to arrive.
She went around the back of the house again and nearly ran into Mrs. Humphries. “Whoa, miss! Where is the fire coming from?”
Adeline felt a grin grow upon her face. “There is none. Merely me attempting to escape my stepsister.”
“’Tis a good thing you ran, then.” The older woman smiled and nodded. “Now come into my room and let me show you a few things I was able to find for you.”
She followed the older woman. “Have the other guests arrived?”
“Yes. All but two gentleman, but they h
ave stopped by the pub and will come before supper.”
Mrs. Humphries put the large key into her door and pushed it open.
Adeline followed her into the room. It was surprisingly full of piles of clothing. What had the housekeeper been doing? “You do not need to provide me with anything. I am perfectly capable of looking after myself.”
“I am convinced you are, but that does not stop me from wishing to help you further.”
Adeline shook her head. She was not certain she could stand the thought of someone worrying over her. It was quite foreign for anyone to do so. “Is there nothing I can do to convince you that I need no assistance?”
The housekeeper turned and gave her such a stare as if she were appalled at the very thought. “Absolutely not. I will choose who to help, and you will not take that pleasure from me.” She turned about in the room. “Now, where was I?” The plump woman headed directly to a sofa and lifted off a beautiful day dress. It was green with shots of pink and yellow. “Now, as long as I got the size correctly, which I am almost certain I did, I shall present you with this lovely gown.”
“For me?” Adeline put her hands to her mouth. “Where did you get it?”
Mrs. Humphries grinned. “That is my secret to keep, and yours merely to enjoy.” She handed the dress to Adeline. “Indulge an old woman and wear it.”
It looked to be of the latest fashion. “I can truthfully say that I have never had such a gown like this before. It is so stunning. I fear I cannot accept such a gift.”
“Nonsense.” The woman put her hands on her hips. “Why, that dress is nothing—and definitely not stunning. For a truly marvelous gown, I will pull that out for dinner tonight. Now try the thing on and scurry out to be part of the guests.”
“The guests!” Adeline’s stomach felt as though it dropped to her knees. “No, I could never appear like this. My stepsister would banish me the moment I walked into the room.”
The housekeeper’s grin slid into a smirk. “I would like to see them attempt to do such a thing. Give me a word with the lady of the house and you will be treated excellently, I assure you.”
“But—”
“No. I will not take any protests from you. Prince Adrian insists that you are well taken care of, and therefore, that is what I am doing.”
“Prince Adrian? Have you spoken to him about me? What has he to do with any of this?”
“Of course. We have spoken for several minutes concerning you and your fate. I ask that you please put the gown on and let us not fuss about this anymore.”
Adeline’s head was swimming. She honestly had not one single idea of what to do. However, she did not want to upset the housekeeper after she went out of her way to assist her. “Thank you.” She clutched the gown to her chest. “And you are sure everything will be well if I attend the house party with the other guests?”
“It will all go smoothly. Now hurry. Off with that hideous gown, and let us get you into something much more the thing.”
CHAPTER TWELVE:
“Adrian,” Adeline whispered. “Prince Adrian. Are you around?” She had slipped into a small drawing room and was standing there in the dark in her pretty new gown, talking to herself like a madwoman. “Please, come if you can hear me. I do not know how to summon spirits, but I am at a loss of what to do without you.”
“I sincerely doubt that,” came his deep voice behind her.
She whirled around. The smug smile upon his face implied that he had been standing there for longer than a moment or two. “And why did you not answer me?” she asked.
“Because I enjoyed watching you plead to the air. It was quite adorably fascinating.”
Adeline arched one brow. “I thought princes were supposed to be charming. In fact, I am rather certain it is what all the fairytale books imply.”
He chuckled. “Well, they are a mite truthful, then. We are charming when our mamas are watching, of course, but dashedly horrid fellows otherwise.”
“Oddly enough, I believe you.”
“Good.” He took a step toward her. “Now, why have you summoned me? I fear I should show some civility or you will quickly flee the room.”
She bit her tongue on the retort she was eager to use and instead held out the skirts of her gown and turned. “Do you see this?”
“Yes, I noticed it the moment I came. It is very fetching on you. I am glad you chose to wear something with more color.”
“I did not drag you here to comment on the gown. That is not the point. The point is that I was given this mysteriously by Mrs. Humphries. The very same woman who says she has been speaking about me with you.”
“Clearly.”
“Well? What do you have to say about this?”
“About what?”
“The gown.”
“Uh . . . I have already implied that it is fetching. What more could you wish for? It flatters your figure?”
“Adrian!” Good heavens, it would seem as if the man was purposely being obtuse.
“And now you are shouting at me. I suggest you lower your voice,” he drawled as if this conversation had suddenly become very tedious.
“Forgive me.” She took a deep breath and then a step back. “I thought you might have had something to do with the gowns, for this is not the only one—it looks like the housekeeper has acquired several of them for me. And she wishes for me to join in the house party as well. I am not quite certain I should. She says she will have a word with Lady Middlesong and that my stepsisters would not dare interfere. However, I am positive they would, and I feel quite out of place wearing this frivolous thing and quite . . . quite alone.”
“And that is why you called me?” he asked. It was then that she noticed the smile he attempted to keep hidden.
“I . . . yes. Why do you look at me like that?”
“Merely enjoying your confusion. I should not. It is unkind of me, I know, but I cannot help myself. You are simply the most endearing creature I have ever beheld.”
“Endearing?”
“That, and I am madly attempting to stall so I do not have to answer your questions.”
And there. They were finally getting somewhere. “So it was you who attained the gowns. How does a spirit go about acquiring a gown of the latest fashion, anyhow?”
“I do not, of course. I have others do it for me.”
“And by ‘others,’ you are implying the housekeeper?”
“She was excessively busy today, but she did write out the order I gave her and had one of the footmen run and fetch them for her.”
“And where did she come by such gowns as this in the country? Already made? It would make one assume that magic has been involved here.”
“And that would be the natural conclusion for any young miss.” Sarcasm dripped from every word.
“Ha. Well, when one is talking to a phantom, one can imagine anything one wishes.”
“’Tis very true.” His blue eyes became serious, all teasing gone. “Adeline, please do not press me for more. Only know that I am behind the mischief you find yourself involved in, and I wish you to enjoy yourself. If you continue to try to sort this out, your mind will be plagued to understand the impossible. Therefore, I suggest you see the blessing that is before you and enjoy yourself. I would give anything to see you smiling and being seen as you should be.”
He was so very handsome, standing there in his princely garb and looking down upon her as if she were the most precious person he had ever known. Her heart did not know whether to beat or skip about. “You should not worry so much about me. I am perfectly capable of attending to whatever need I have.”
One hand went to his chin. “You see, this is where you and I shall disagree, for I believe your needs are vastly different than what you believe they are.”
“Well, I never!” She chuckled. “Can you not understand that perhaps I would know my needs greater than you?”
“Nay, my dear. You do not, and that is the last I will attend to a conversation of
the sort.” His voice seemed to break a little. “And may I say again how exceptional you look in that gown. I fear I may regret bringing you to the attention of the other men as I am. My heart is already growing a might bit weaker in thinking of them desiring to know you more.”
“Oh, bosh. No man will even notice me. Besides, you do not understand how men feel, as you were betrothed to—” Suddenly she gasped, her eyes flying to his. “Who were you betrothed to? Was it Lady Middlesong, since she is who is living here now?”
He grinned. “No. Lady Worthington was the duke’s young cousin. She lost her parents when she was small and was being raised by the duke and his family here. However, you cannot distract me with the past. To answer the first part of your accusation, you are also wrong. I understand how a gentleman’s mind works quite well, for mark my words, not one eye will stray from you once you are presented by Lady Middlesong.”
“Now I am terrified. I would much prefer to stay in the castle and work with the servants.”
He took a swift step to her and caught her waist up in one strong arm. As earlier, her heart began to beat strangely at being so close to him. Indeed, she could feel herself becoming lightheaded at the experience.
“You do not know your own worth. I cannot bear to hear you think so little of yourself. I assure you, my dear, that had I met you at this castle, I would have found myself in your trap before I could sort out my thoughts to even attempt to ask for young Miss Worthington’s hand. It would have been you—always you. As it is now.”
Each breath of hers came in a shallow gasp. He felt as real as any person she had ever known. “What are you implying?”
“Nothing that is important or will change either of our fates.”
His eyes seemed to shine brighter blue than before. So intense and so beautiful. “I do not want to become a guest without you there with me.”
He looked perplexed for a moment. “You will do well on your own.”
“Please come with me.”
His gaze searched her features and settled upon her lips.