Cooper finally looked up from his book in apparent astonishment. “Then why haven’t we seen her? Why would your mother put that story out there if it wasn’t true?”
Stephen hesitated before responding with, “It’s complicated, but the most important thing is that I am escorting Sarah to the New Castle masquerade this Saturday, but she has nothing nice to wear.” And he didn’t know a dress from a frock, or the difference between evening gloves and the ones women wore during the day.
“Ask Emily, she would be all too happy to help, they still correspond often and if she knows it will help out her friend she’ll be happy to help you. Plus she knows all the latest fashions.”
“You said Emily Cramer, where does she live?”
“Over on Highgate, she should be able to help with this and would love to see Sarah. Like I said, Sarah was a lovely girl,” Cooper’s eyes got far away and a slight smile turned up the corner of his lips, “she must be a beautiful and self contained woman.”
“From what I can see she is that.” Stephen glared at his friend. Even though Cooper hadn’t joined the the army they had run into each other often over the years. Stephen knew him for a skirt chaser and a terrible flirt. He vowed to keep Sarah quite away from him. Stephen took his leave and made his way toward Highgate to pay call on Lady Emily.
“Wait a moment Lord Knight. We’ll see if Lady Emily is ready to see you,” the maid said, bowing her way out of the room. Stephen paced around the simple yet elegant entryway, waiting to see Lady Cramer.
“Lady Emily will see you now, Lord Knight. If you would please follow me.” The maid returned to the room and beckoned him in. Stephen strode over and was led to the parlor where Emily and her mother, Lady Cramer were poised on two elegantly appointed sofas. Lady Emily nodded at a seat across from her which Stephen sat in, after bowing and making his entrance.
“I am so glad you could make the time to see me, I hope I won’t take up too much of your time.”
“Is this about Lady Thorton, Lord Knight? Is she okay?” Lady Emily blurted out quickly, sounding slightly panicked.
“Sarah is fine, in fact that is why I’m here,” Stephen shifted in his seat unsure where to start and how much to say.
Lady Cramer, looked at him sharply, “Please continue, My Lord” she insisted. Stephen looked at the two women. If he remembered correctly, Lady Cramer had been a great friend of the first Lady Castlegate.
Stephen, decided to trust them with the truth. “I hope that I am right Lady Cramer, in thinking that you are a friend to Lady Sarah and I think that what I have to say might not shock you too much.” Stephen watched as Lady Cramer and her daughter shared a look. He continued, “Sarah was never injured and is in fact quite healthy. She has been forced, rather abhorrently, to remain isolated from society by my mother.”
Stephen looked up to gauge both of their reactions. Lady Emily bit her lip and looked ready to break the teacup she held. Lady Cramer was calmer, but the stiff way she sat told him she was most distressed by his words.
“I plan to change this situation. I will be escorting her to Lord and Lady New Castle’s masquerade ball on Saturday and was wondering if…”
“If I could help get her ready? Absolutely! “Lady Emily jumped up so fast, Stephen had to lean back into the sofa to avoid getting hit by her outstretched hand. She placed her teacup on a side table and began to pace, “Is there a budget, does she have anything for underthings, does she have shoes..?” Lady Emily trailed off and sat down abruptly, tear wetting her eyes. “Oh my poor Sarah, I don’t even know if she has proper things.” Her mother reached over, taking her hand in her own and patting it comfortingly. “Now dear, stop that, she would have found a way to tell you if things were as bad as that.” Lady Cramer turned to Stephen, “We’ve known for sometime that her letters were less than truthful. Once in a while she is able to slip in something and we knew she was… not happy.”
Stephen looked between the two and nodded. “Let’s just assume she needs everything and there is no budget unless you intend to make me utterly bankrupt, we just need the basics for now. Perhaps, three types of outfits and one evening dress, just to get her started. Afterwards, if she finds a suitor we will have to get more things.” Ignoring Lady Cramer’s raised eyebrow at his last sentence, Stephen stood and started to pace around the small room. “Now about meeting up, do you mind if you meet at the ice cream parlor near the house this time? I just don’t want my mother and sister’s to figure out what I am up to, at least not yet. Which brings me to the last condition, I don’t wish you to tell anyone. Not until I am able to neutralize the issues that created this mess in the first place.”
Lady Emily snorted and Lady Cramer chided her gently. Lady Emily composed her features and turned to Stephen, “That’s fine, shall we say tomorrow at ten at Charlie’s? My mother and I will be there. Can you see yourself out?”
Walking back Stephen tried to find the expected guilt. It wasn’t there. He had never been overly fond of his mother or sisters as they never were particularly warm or loving towards him. In fact, he felt a rather justified righteousness, he’d finally beat them at their own game of social scheming and manipulation.
Chapter Three
Sarah was cleaning the evening dishes when Stephen found her later.
“Oh good, you’re not sleeping," he said, causing her to jump slightly at the sound. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
With a sigh, Sarah stepped back and wiped her hands on her towel before turning toward Stephen. In truth she had been so busy tidying up that she hadn’t even heard him come in. She had a quick and efficient system for every aspect of her job from drapes to the dishes. She had been drying the last plate when he came to see her. She was exhausted and really just wanted to go to sleep. She was sure the faint smudges showed like bruises beneath each eye. “Can I help you, Stephen?”
“I just came to talk and see how you are,” he responded, moving over to sit at the table.
“Okay, talk,” Sarah said, too tired to worry overmuch about manners. She took the seat across from him, resting her sore arms on the cool surface.
“I have a proposition for you,” he said, causing her breathing to catch and her face to contort. “Oh, no not like that,” he rushed to explain reaching out to touch her hand. "I found out what the story around town about where you went after I left and I heard for myself what my mother and sisters call you. I want to make up for what they’ve done. I would like to give you a debut of sorts, this Saturday.”
“But, I don’t have any money, and…”
“Before you object I will pay for this with money from my inheritance. You deserve a debut Sarah and it’s time you got one. Saturday’s ball is a masquerade so no one will even know it’s you. We can arrive before my family who, if I remember correctly, are always unbearably late so you can still be properly introduced. This will let suitors find you. Hopefully by the end of the night you will have at least one and will be well on your way to getting out of this house.”
Sarah bowed her head, hating it here, but not liking the idea of leaving Stephen so soon after reuniting with him one bit.
“Hey, it’s okay. We will not lose each other.” He said as if he sensed her thoughts.
That was a good thing to hear considering the strange attachment she seemed to have with him. Every time she saw him, she got nervous and could swear he could hear her heart beat, see her pulse in her neck and smell her nervous anticipation. Sarah wanted nothing more than to kiss his neck, throat, lips, savor his taste on her tongue. It was a feeling that simultaneously terrified and excited her. She couldn’t get enough of the feeling, she was starting to crave it.
“Okay, but I have nothing to wear.”
“I spoke with your friend Emily today,” Sarah leaned forward with that news. “She agreed to escort you to buy whatever you need. Like I said, I will pay for this debut and we will worry about what comes next when we know what that is.”
Tired, un
able to believe her luck and desperately worried that the strange new feelings she had for Stephen would soon overwhelm her, Sarah stood up. “Sounds like a plan, now can I go to sleep?”
“Yes, but in my bed.” He said, standing also. Sarah was shocked to her core and she knew it showed on her face. She blinked trying to determine if she had imagined it and was even now dreaming, until Stephen blushed deeply and stuttered. “Again not like that, I’ll sleep down here tonight and you can sleep in my room. It will be much warmer there.” He finished lamely and shuffled his feet.
Sarah tried to breathe and gather her wits. “Stephen, I’m used to sleeping on the floor, I don’t need a bed.”
“And I’m used to sleeping on rocks, the bed would feel weird,” Stephen countered already turning to leave, as if the conversation was over.
“Like I said not necessary but appreciated. Now, I would like to turn in.”
“We can discuss taking turns after the ball, but right now you have circles under your eyes the size of grapes which will not do for a lady of quality.” He patted her on the back and Sarah was sure she didn’t imagine it when his hand lingered a little too long, and slipped a little too low.
“Fine, as long as we can discuss this again later.”
“Why didn’t you tell me what was happening here?” Stephen asked, just as Sarah was turning to leave the room.
“I didn’t want to bother you with something so foolish, plus the letter would have never made it to you.”
“It was hardly foolish, Sarah. You were being treated as a maid with no wages, that’s abusive. And that name they call you!”
“Cinderella.”
“I’m sure you could have gotten word to me, slipped in a line somewhere. Why in your last letter did you make it seem as if the nickname was a good one, instead of a mock like it was?”
“You were at war. I was trying to lighten your spirit. Nothing I said was untrue, I supported them and they kept me in this house instead of casting me out. They gave me a nickname, yes not a very nice nickname, but how was I to know you wouldn’t be the same as them? Four years had passed, you could have been a hard hearted person by then. I dreamed of you coming back and saving me somehow and I didn’t want that dream ruined by the idea of you not being the kind person you once were.”
“What made me the same was the thought of you happy and becoming the beautiful woman that you are, that my family were safe while I was off fighting, risking my life so they wouldn’t have to. Your letters helped with that, so whatever the reason for not being one hundred percent truthful, I can at least give you the knowledge that you helped this soldier find the strength to come home.”
With that, Sarah left the room for bed and Stephen settled down on the floor by the fire. Both were wondering what the next day would bring.
The next morning, with Stephen as an escort, Sarah walked toward Charlie’s to meet with Emily, whom she hadn’t seen in years. Suddenly she heard a squeal and a pale pink clad bundle bounced right into her arms. “Emily!” she shouted, “I’ve missed you so much.”
“Why didn’t you ever call on me, I would have dropped everything to help.” Emily’s eyes were wet and a pout was on her lips.
Sarah did not wish to further distress her friend. “Don’t worry about that now, we have some shopping to do.” They went arm and arm towards the shops.
Emily swept into the first shop with the grace of a Greek goddess. Madam Delassio, a plump Frenchwoman with long loose hair and sharp dark eyes, lit up upon seeing who was visiting, “Lady Emily, who is this beautiful creature you brought me? What do you need from me?”
“This is my dearest friend Lady Sarah. She needs the most perfect dress for the masquerade ball on Saturday.”
“That does not give me much time to make one of my masterpieces. No time at all in fact if the ball is tomorrow.”
“Do you have anything on standby she could use? It’s really important.”
“All I have left are my mannequin dresses. If one fits her she can purchase it at a premium.”
“The Madam is world renowned for her artistic genius in designing the most unique and magnificent gowns every season,” Emily said, glowing with pride.
Right behind them was a white multi-layered dress with silver accoutrements. Sarah stood in awe. “Can we try that one first?” she asked, shyly.
“Of course, of course,” Madam Delassio said, clapping her hands for a ladies maid.
After putting on the dress it was perfect. Perfect fit, perfect look, just everything. It was definitely the dress and with a little luck, this dress would get her a husband. Even though, what she really wanted was someone a whole lot closer by her side. Would Stephen like this? Would he ever see her as a woman instead of a kid, a sister?
“We also need two walking dresses and an evening gown. We're in a rush for those too, but not necessarily today.” Emily said.
“Perfect, let me show you my fashion plates,” Madam Delassio said, pulling them over to her circular table on one side of the room. While Emily discussed fabrics, lace, whether the neckline was too high or low on each dress and what size skirt would be more fashionable, Sarah let her mind drift. Out of the two of them, Sarah had always been the least interested in fashion. Now even more so with her mind turned to other things. She knew that she could easily fall in love with Stephen. What she really wasn’t sure of was whether her heart would be safe with him. And whether he even returned her affections. She thought, judging by the way he listened to her, looked at her, that some feelings might be forming but what of those feelings.
Sarah’s father had always liked Stephen, had even offered to buy him a commission which Stephen declined. Stephen wanted to fight and learn the front line before moving up in the ranks. He wanted to do it himself not using someone else’s money or influence. He wanted to earn the title his own father had left him.
When they left the store, they were armed with the dress for tomorrow and ready for the next store. They continued on to buy gloves, shoes and the perfect mask to go with her dress; a beautiful swan complete with plumes of feathers. In every store Sarah fit perfectly in the model pair of shoes, gloves and the mask by the window, requiring no returns to the shop to pick anything up. By the end of the day, Sarah was more than a little tired and overwhelmed, so used to staying confined inside while cleaning the house.
Chapter Four
“Are you ready to go, Sarah?” Stephen asked from his stance at the bottom of the stairs. She looked absolutely beautiful, breathtaking, in her snow white multi-layered gown with swan-like appearance. Just then she covered her most beautiful feature, her face, with a filigreed white mask with plumes of feathers coming off the corners. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and he needed to make her his.
He realized this with a start, hardly believing the direction his thoughts were going. Sarah was his sister. Actually no, Sarah wasn’t his sister but he had known her since she was small. He had left her while she grew up. Technically he wasn’t his sister, did that make this any more right? His feelings were real. If it was just a fling he was after then he would swallow his manly ways and keep his trousers buttoned. But he could picture them in front of the preacher, her quickening with his seed, them both holding their children and growing old together. He couldn’t imagine her even dancing with someone else, never mind spending the rest of her life with them. But could he tell her? Could he risk losing her just so he could have one chance at happiness?
Sarah descended the stairs toward Stephen’s outstretched hand, ready to take her and never let her go. She took it up and turned toward him at the bottom. “You look absolutely radiant this evening, I don’t know who will be courting you but they could never be good enough for you.” Stephen said, in earnest, knowing he did not even deserve to have someone so beautiful on his arm.
“Oh, enough of that, I’m sure I’ll be happy enough just to have one suitor vying for my attention, let’s not talk as if there will be droves.”
That was one of Stephen’s favorite things about her, she didn’t put on airs or think she was worth more than she was. Quite the opposite, she thought she wasn’t good enough, a trait that both warmed and broke Stephen’s hearts at the same time.
“Shall we be going then?” Stephen asked, after clearing his throat so he didn’t accidentally spill out I am the one you should be with. If Sarah found someone else, someone more worthy than he, he would let her go if he had to. He refused to take any risk that Sarah would end up with his mother and sisters again if something happened to him.
“Ready, my good sir,” she responded cheekily.
Hand in hand they travelled over to the carriage, Stephen helping her up before following behind and sitting across from her behind the driver’s seat. At first there was silence as Stephen tried to think of an amusing thing to say. “Do you have any accomplishments, Sarah?”
“Accomplishments?”
“Yes they are rather important for a young lady, sewing, music, the like.”
“I know what accomplishments are, I’m just surprised at the sudden turn in conversation.”
“I was just thinking that if you find suitors they would want to know what your accomplishments are,” never mind his own curiosity on the subject.
“I clean, I sew; although not embroidered pillows like most would expect. I also sing.”
Stephen perked up at that, imagining her low melodic voice wrapped up in a song. Surely she was an alto. “Sing something short for me, I am curious as to your sound.”
“Okay, let me think.”
Sing to me morning song
Rise with the sun
Come with the dawn
Sing to me morning song
And I will sing to you
“Is that good enough?” she asked when finished. Brilliant absolutely brilliant, her sweet timber caused a trance while listening to her. So beautiful was her voice that he was in a daze until he noticed her staring at him.
ROMANCE: SHAPESHIFTER ROMANCE: Dragon Baller's Bride (Dragon Shifter Alpha Male Romance) (Paranormal Romantic Suspense) Page 89