by Emily Sharp
Adara shook her head. “No! I mean jeans and t-shirts and burgers. Not formal dresses with them.”
“I had no idea,” Louise feigned, then smiled as Thomas placed plates in front of them. Returning to the tray, he then turned to Adara.
“Ms. Vandercourt had this bottle of ketchup sourced from the finest grocery store especially for you. May I add it to your fries, or your burger perhaps?”
Adara was laughing so hard, she fanned her face in an attempt to stop the tears, her face a bright red.
“Please. On the side though. And do you have…mustard?” she asked, then laughed harder, and Louise joined in with her.
“Indeed we do. Ms. Vandercourt told me you only wanted the finest things in life,” he said. Reaching behind him, he then brought out the mustard and added some next to the blob of ketchup he had already placed on the plate.
When he turned to Louise, he looked at her expectantly, and she spoke up. “I will have both. Tell the chef who bottled them I will hire him to prepare his secret sauce no matter what the cost.”
“Very well, Madam, I will send out word immediately,” Thomas said.
The look on Adara's face was priceless, it was a mix of shock and happiness. Thomas wheeled the cart away, and Louise looked up at Adara shaking her head.
“What has come over you the last few weeks? You’re like a whole different person. You’re making jokes, laughing, all this,” —she extended her hand to encompass the whole room— “It’s like you’re a whole new person.”
Louise grabbed her cheeseburger. “Do you like that person?”
“Oh, absolutely,” Adara said, her smile reaching Louise's heart.
They dined while making small talk, each bite bringing them closer to the time when Louise would confess what was on her heart. After they had eaten, they drank and laughed. The conversation flowed, and then Thomas began playing the piano.
“Care to dance with me?” Louise asked, rising from her chair.
“I would love nothing more.”
Going to Adara, she took her hand and led her out to the middle of the ballroom floor. Placing her free hand on Adara's hip, her fingers went around her waist. In synchrony, they began to move, their steps perfect, as Louise moved in closer to Adara. The brown eyes, the smile, the woman. She loved everything about her. It was more than looks, it was the beautiful spirit inside of her. The music played and Louise felt whisked away, the evening having gone down perfectly.
“This has been a blast tonight. Truly you have outdone yourself,” Adara said as they continued to move across the floor.
“I like to see you happy. It makes me happy, you know?”
Adara smiled. “I know that. And I think you are becoming happier yourself, letting go of old ways. I see it in your blue eyes.”
Louise's heart skipped a beat. It was the first time Adara had ever mentioned the color of Louise's eyes. Perhaps she had the same feelings for Louise as Louise had for her, the thought exciting her.
With a nod to Thomas, he ended the song, and they stopped dancing. He walked out of the room, the door closing behind him.
Taking Adara's hand, Louise led her to the door. There were two shawls waiting, both light blue in color. Taking one, she wrapped it around Adara.
“Are we going to the gazebo tonight?” she asked with a smile.
Louise laughed as she wrapped the other around her own shoulders. “We are. But first I have one more thing for our fairytale evening.”
Taking her hand, she led her out of the ballroom, and they made their way to the front door. Opening it, she smiled. “Your carriage awaits, my princess.”
“Oh! Look at it!” Adara said as they stepped out into the cool night air. Louise had purchased two horses, both white in color. Behind them was an onion-shaped carriage, also white. Intricate lace with designs of flowers and knights and princesses were etched into the carriage.
“The horses are ours,” Louise said, leading Adara down the marble steps. When they moved beside them, the horses snorted as they both stroked their heads.
“Ours?” Adara said, looking over, a smile on her face.
“Yes. I am having a stable built for them. This one I am petting is named Sun. What are you going to name yours?”
She watched as Adara bit at her lip, then a smile coming to her face. “Star. Like the ones above, smiling down on us.”
Louise smiled, looking up at the painted landscape of black with white stars shining through. “Sun is named after you. For the light you have brought into my darkest time.”
“Oh, Louise,” Adara said, her arms coming around her and embracing her.
After a moment, they walked around to the side of the carriage. Thomas opened the door, the white step falling down. Extending his hand, Adara went in first, with Louise going in behind her.
The carriage was delivered two days ago with the horses, and Louise had instantly fallen in love with both the steeds and the mode of transportation. Inside, the bench was soft, the carpet at their feet luxurious. With a ‘tsk’ from Thomas, the carriage began to move.
“It’s not too cold in here,” Adara said, looking out her window.
“No, it’s not.”
It was quiet for a moment, Louise letting her courage build. Then realizing it was now or never, she turned toward Adara. Her innocence about her made Louise want to cry. The beautiful woman was full of love, but would she be willing to share it?
They passed through the main gate, heading toward the cabins at the other end. Reaching over, she took Adara's hand in her own. “Adara, I need to tell you something.”
“Of course. Tell me anything, you know that.”
Louise nodded, a tear escaping.
“Are you OK?”
“I'm fine, just bear with me. This is hard to say.”
She saw the concerned look on Adara's face, and then Louise felt her other hand being held.
“When you first came here, I saw you as a beautiful woman, and I tried to buy you off with gifts,” Louise said, the memories making her feel shame. “But you could not be bought, and you told me as much.”
Adara nodded.
“Then I wanted to be your friend and have you be mine. At first, I didn't think it was going to happen.”
“But why?” Adara said.
“It doesn't matter now. What does matter is that I learned that you really are my friend. You have no idea how much that means to me. To have someone care for me and not just for my social standing, wealth, or what I look like.”
“It’s because you are a good person,” Adara said, her words stinging Louise's heart.
“I am not.”
Adara went to speak, but Louise cut her off. The carriage shook a bit as the horses gained a little speed.
“Every night I propose to you, asking for your hand in marriage. But tonight I must say something else in its place. Something that money cannot buy.”
Adara gave a small nod.
“You see, through everything, I gave up trying to win you over the last few weeks. It is why I have been different. Something inside me has changed, tearing away old things, making everything new. And I only know one way to say it.”
“I don't understand.”
Louise smiled, her heart soaring as she readied herself for the reaction on Adara's face. All her fears, her worries, were forgotten. Only one thing concerned her now—what Adara would say. Then giving her hands a squeeze, the flood gates opened.
“Adara, I love you.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Adara sat stunned, watching as Louise wept softly in front of her. The words ‘I love you’ rang in her heart, but she was not sure she felt the same. Even after all this time together, she did not know and it frustrated her. For there were moments, like earlier tonight as they danced across the ballroom floor, she felt in love. And then other times, she could not shake a small nagging feeling that told her to leave and never return.
“Louise,” she whispered, her own eyes now wa
tering.
Louise nodded, then removed a gloved hand from hers and wiped at her eye as the carriage turned around.
“I want to share what is on my heart right now.”
“Please. It’s all I ask, the words that come from there.”
Adara closed her eyes for a brief second, trying to find the right words. The sound of the hoofs on the pavement was the only sound she could hear, and the gentle weeping coming from her friend.
“There are times when I feel the same. I do care for you as a friend, no, as a friend I do love you. Beyond that, I cannot deny I feel strong affection for you. Truth be told, I have felt it over the last few months growing stronger every day.”
“I feel the same way as well. The love I have for you cannot be bought. I understand that now, you showed me that.”
Adara wiped at her own eyes, the horses picking up speed as they worked their way up the hill of the drive.
“I ask just one favor from you.”
“Of course,” Louise said, a nod to her head.
“Give me some time tonight…to try to make sense of what is in my heart. But know this, the words you spoke tonight are not just words. They are singing in my soul at this very moment.” And that was true, the feelings washing over Adara were beautiful. Still, she was growing frustrated at herself for not being able to completely understand the conflict of emotions she felt.
“I understand, and please, take your time. If you cannot see me in the same way, know that I cherish our friendship above all else. If my love is not returned, I cannot lie and say mine will go away, but I will never propose or do anything to try to win you over. That part of me is done.”
Adara smiled, leaning over and hugging Louise. Holding her tight, she kissed her cheek.
“Thank you again for this wonderful evening. It truly has been magnificent and one I will never forget.” The horses came to a stop and a few moments later, Thomas was waiting to help her out. When Louise did not follow suit, she asked, “Are you not coming inside?”
“No. I am going to think as well. Have a wonderful evening,” Louise said, her smile genuine.
Adara nodded and watched as Thomas closed the door, creating a barrier between her and Louise. Going to the steps, she went up one, then turned around, watching as the carriage once again took off. It was a carriage made for two but now only held one.
Adara let out a sigh, feeling frustrated. Looking up, she gazed at the tall white marble walls of the castle, the moon lighting it up. A castle, a carriage, a ballroom, the night was truly one out of a fairy tale, and she was the princess in it.
So, why was she hesitant toward Louise? Like she confessed, she did have feelings for her. And yet, she could not come to a decision. Louise made her laugh, adored her, and now she knew truly loved her. Everything about Louise she liked, no, she loved.
Frustrated, she headed inside the castle, and then going up the stairs, felt the frustration grow even more. Once in her room, she began to undress, placing the dress on the bed, smiling at its beauty. Then walking over to the stand-up mirror, she looked herself over. She was beautiful and had known this all her life, but she still had not told Louise the same. Even tonight, she could not say it. But why?
Slipping on her jeans and then a sweater, she went to the bed and put her running shoes on. It was a feeling of darkness, though faint, still lingered around Louise.
Not knowing what to do, a smile came to her face.
Sofia.
She would be the one to help her. Going to her closet, she opened the door and walked through to the other end. Lifting her hand and turning a diamond, the panel slid open to reveal the secret hallway. Hurrying through it, she got to the small stairwell and then moved down another hallway to Sofia's room. Adara was excited. Getting some great advice tonight would clear her mind, and then she would go to Louise once her feelings were sorted out, her fears cast to the side.
When she got to Sofia’s door, she knocked gently.
“Come in.”
Turning the handle, Adara stepped inside. Sofia was on her bed, wearing her pink robe and playing with the purple scarf in her hand that Adara had bought her for Christmas.
“May I speak to you? I could use your advice,” Adara said, closing the door.
“Of course,” Sofia said, moving as if to get up.
“Please, relax,” Adara said, going to the bed and sitting down. She looked at Sofia, whose eyes were red, as though she had been crying.
“Are you doing all right? You seem upset.”
“I am fine. Thank you.”
“Are you sure?”
Sofia nodded. “I am sure. What is going on?”
“So, I need your advice.”
Sofia nodded.
“Tonight we had a lovely dinner, then we danced…” And for the next ten minutes Adara explained not only the night’s events, but how her feelings for Louise had changed over the last few months. As she spoke, Sofia would nod here and there, but did not speak.
“But the nagging thing in the back of my mind, and this is horrible for me to say, it really is, but, I feel like this is all part of her ruse to get me to stay. Or that she is still hiding something from me. I do care for her deeply. I just don't know. What do you think?” Adara asked, letting out a heavy sigh. Her eyes moved over the room, realizing for once how really small it was. There was a lack of any real decoration, and the photo Sofia had shown her once of her mom, a beautiful woman much like Sofia herself, sat on the dresser, the only personal item in the entire room.
“So, do you think she really loves me?” Adara said, turning around and seeing Sofia's lip quiver. Reaching out she took her hand. “I'm sorry, am I putting you in the middle of this? I forget she is your employer.”
Sofia shook her head, “It is not that. Not that at all.”
Confused, Adara turned her body toward Sofia. The woman was now weeping, a slight shake to her head.
“Sofia, what is wrong? We are best friends, you can tell me.”
“I am not your best friend. A good friend would not betray you like I have,” Sofia said, then began to sob.
Adara’s heart raced, wondering what she meant. Sofia scooted over next to her, and Adara placed her arm around her shoulders.
“Sofia, what do you mean? We are best friends. You have not betrayed me.”
“But I have. You see,” she said, shaking her head. “Madam did not want me around you, she was jealous and she wanted to have you all to herself. And so she punished me even more.”
“What are you talking about?” Adara said, feeling a slight tremor of fear move through her, not wanting to hear what was going to come next, but knowing she needed to.
“The advice I have told you, how you two look good together, meant for each other…”
“Yes, you told me many times,” Adara said.
“I was made to do it,” Sofia said.
“I don't understand, Sofia. You lied to me?”
Sofia nodded, standing up and going to the photo on the dresser. Taking it in her hands, she walked back over. “Madam has hated me for a long time. Many, many years. And over the last two years, I am forced to stay here in this castle, under threat. Don't you see, Adara, you must go and never return,” Sofia said, hugging the photo against her breasts.
Adara stood up in shock, not knowing what to think. Her mind and body both felt numb, the world around her spiraling out of control.
“But maybe she has really changed,” Adara said, the words carrying no emotion.
Sofia set the photo down, then turned back toward Adara. Her hands crossed over her stomach, her voice weak as she spoke. “It was all planned. Do you not see everything she does is planned? I work here for nothing, no pay. Once she has you in her grip, she is too powerful to ever let you leave. It is why when you go in June, you must not come back no matter what.”
Adara felt sick, the words causing her to back up to the dresser. Placing her hands on it for support, she looked at Sofia. “But how d
id you end up here? Why are you forced to stay? And why does she not like you?” Adara cried out, confused and scared for Sofia, and maybe a little for herself.
“Madam hates me and tells me that I disgust her.”
“But why? Why would she hate you? You’re the sweetest woman I know!” Adara cried out. There was no one sweeter that Sofia, and she could not imagine her having a bad bone in her body.
“Because I am her sister.”
Adara shook her head, her mind reeling from shock. “But Phillip Vandercourt had only one daughter.”
“Many years ago, my mother was young and living in the small village I would grow up in in France. A man came to it one day, and she fell in love with him. I was the result of that love.”
“So, Louise tracked you down?”
Sofia shook her head.
“Every summer the man I knew was my father would come to visit. He would pay our bills and take me out for the day. Later, when I grew older, I was told the truth. How he was married and had a family of his own, but that he still loved me.”
Adara was speechless, her mind racing as it tried to piece everything together.
“But why does she hate you? There must be more to all this.”
Sofia nodded. “One day when I was eighteen, my father returned, promising me a better life. I was to go to Paris and meet my sister Louise again, which I did. We got along very well. We had met first shortly after her own mother died, then at least once a year after that,” Sofia said, walking over to the dresser, and placing the photo back on it. Turning to Adara she continued. “For those three days in Paris, it was fine. Then there was the fire in the hotel.”
Adara nodded. “The one that burned her.”
Sofia faced her. “In the madness, the crowd panicked in the hallway. The lights were out, parts of the ceiling collapsing, and I, with many others, pushed into Louise, forever scarring her face and taken away the one thing she was known for.”
“Her beauty,” Adara whispered, chills going through her.
“And with threat of having my mother hurt or working the streets as a whore, I must remain here forever unless I can convince you to stay.”