Cold Hearted

by Serena Valentino

  “What will you say if he asks you tonight? You have to say yes,” said Lady Hackle, pink-cheeked as if it were she herself who was in love.

  “We don’t know each other that well, Prudence. Doesn’t it all seem too quick?” asked Lady Tremaine.

  “What is there to know? He’s a rich man and lives in an enchanted kingdom. He’s handsome, dashing, and highly ranked. He’s a dream!” said Lady Hackle, taking her friend’s hand.

  “I’m not sure what I will say, Prudence. We didn’t speak of love. Though I suppose the implication was there.” Lady Tremaine looked up at her friend. She was surprised how much she wanted this man to love her. She feared she was treading into dangerous territory.

  “Tell me everything. From beginning to end. Leave nothing out. Not a single word. And then we’ll know what you should do,” said Lady Hackle.

  Lady Tremaine took a deep breath. “Very well, Prudence, if you insist. You know what a lovely day it was. You picked the perfect place for our picnic. It was such a gorgeous spot, everything was green, the flowers in bloom, and you know how fond I am of the gazebo across the lake. After the gentlemen returned from their hunt, Sir Richard made his way to me almost immediately and suggested we take a walk. We crossed the little wooden bridge over the lake, and there we talked until you sent Pratt over to let us know everyone was going back to the house. I spoke of my daughters, and he spoke of his, and we talked of what life had been like for both of us after our spouses died. He’s such a practical man, very much like the men here in London. Everything was so sensible. We didn’t speak of love, though he did speak of how he longed for a woman to run his household, to raise his daughter. He spoke of his loneliness, and how much he missed his wife, and how he’d like to have companionship again. And I understood him, because I want those things, too. But I couldn’t help but wonder if he wanted love.”

  “Of course he does. He spoke of his loneliness and wanting a wife. What else could he have meant?” asked her friend.

  “I feel that is what he meant. At least that is how it felt in the moment. But I might have been swept away by the beauty of it all,” said Lady Tremaine.

  “Oh, I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He has eyes for no one else when you’re in the room. I think he is in love with you.” Lady Hackle squeezed Lady Tremaine’s hand.

  Lady Tremaine thought Lady Hackle may be right. She felt the same way, and then she realized she knew what she would do.

  “If he asks me, Prudence, I do think I will say yes,” she said, taking her hand out of her friend’s and putting it to her heart. “Can you believe it? Me, marrying again, and moving off to the Many Kingdoms? As if one king or queen wasn’t enough, now I’ll be living in a place where the lands are littered with royalty.” Lady Tremaine giggled along with her friend. The giddiness was contagious.

  “I imagine your life there with Sir Richard will be quite extravagant,” said Lady Hackle. “Oh, you will have to invite me to visit once you are settled. I have to see your new château.”

  “He hasn’t asked me to marry him yet, Prudence!” Lady Tremaine looked up at the sound of the dressing gong. Her heart skipped a beat at the thought of seeing Sir Richard again at dinner.

  “Oh my, is it already time to get dressed?” said Lady Hackle. “I thought we had ages. We’d better go upstairs and get ready. I want you looking especially beautiful this evening.”

  Lady Tremaine laughed and shook her head at her friend. She had to wonder if they were making too much of all this.

  “By the way, how are you finding Rebecca? Are you happy with her?” asked Lady Hackle, rising from the table to make her way to her room to get ready.

  “Oh, she’s delightful. Thank you so much for letting her attend me while I’ve been here,” said Lady Tremaine.

  “Brilliant. Then you shall keep her. She told me of your troubles with poor old Mrs. Bramble, and she did mention how much she’d love to travel with you to the Many Kingdoms, so I suggested that if you were agreeable, she should stay with you.” Lady Hackle smiled knowingly, and Lady Tremaine let out a loud laugh.

  “Oh, you two have been plotting to get me married off, have you?” said Lady Tremaine.

  “Well, my dear, I’d say it was about time, wouldn’t you? And why not to a man who looks as if he’s stepped out of the pages of a romance story! I can see you two riding away on a white horse, and I hope you do! I’d love nothing more than to see you happy.”

  Once back in her room, Lady Tremaine gave herself over to Rebecca entirely, letting her dictate her clothing and jewelry and style her hair as she chose. She usually wasn’t one for fussing over her appearance, but she wanted to be especially stunning at dinner that evening.

  “You look beautiful, my lady,” Rebecca marveled. “I’m sure Sir Richard will find you captivating.”

  Lady Tremaine narrowed her eyes at the young woman. “Has there been talk downstairs, Rebecca? About Sir Richard and me?”

  Rebecca blushed. “I admit there has, my lady. One of the upstairs maids says she overheard Sir Richard and his valet discussing plans to return to the Many Kingdoms tonight once dinner is over, but he wants to speak to you first.”

  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.”

  She wanted to say she did, but she didn’t.

  “Won’t you come back with me to the Many Kingdoms now? I hate the idea of delaying your journey any longer than necessary.” He kissed her hand again, then squeezed it in his own.

  “And what of my girls, Richard? I can’t go ahead without them.” Lady Tremaine shook her head. “Of course I’ll leave Lady Hackle’s immediately so I can join you as soon as possible, but this is all happening so quickly. There are things that must be considered, plans to be made. My household needs to be packed and shipped, and there is the matter of my servants. I will have to arrange passage for them, as well as for myself and my girls. My goodness, I have to tell the girls! They’re going to be blindsided,” she said as Sir Richard took her other hand in his.

  “There is no need to bring anything other than your personal belongings, Lady Tremaine. My château is beautifully furnished and fully staffed. Bring your lady’s maid and governess for company for you and your girls during the journey, if you wish, but we won’t be in need of them once you are settled into your new home. But come quickly and with haste. I need you by my side,” he said, looking deeply into her eyes.

  Just then there was a knock at the door, and Sir Richard’s valet entered. “Excuse me, but we must be going. Sir Richard’s carriage must depart now if he’s to make the ship to the Many Kingdoms.”

  “Very well, I’ll be there in a moment,” Sir Richard said.

  “I’d better be off. My king needs me,” he said, squeezing her hands a little tighter. Lady Tremaine thought in that moment he would kiss her. They were engaged, after all. It could hardly be inappropriate, they had both married before, and she was no maiden. She closed her eyes waiting for it, and then she felt his lips chastely brush her forehead.

  “Goodbye, my dear. Come to me quickly. I can’t wait for you to be my wife,” he said.

  She stood there looking into his eyes, and wondered still if he loved her. Perhaps he was uncomfortable kissing her in front of the valet. She wanted to ask, but couldn’t bring herself to.

  Lady Tremaine went up to her room and collapsed onto the bed with a deep sigh. She lay there in the dark trying to catch her breath but was startled by a familiar gravelly voice coming from the corner of the room.

  “I see you are already besotted by your prince, and you have forgotten all about your poor Mrs. Bramble.”

  Lady Tremaine shot up out of bed. She didn’t know how she had missed her before, but now she could make out Mrs. Bramble’s silhouette, in a velvet chair by the window. The moonlight shone on her wild silver hair and cast shadows on her face, making her look like an old crone from a fairy tale.

  “He’s not a prince,” said Lady Tremaine, standing up and straightening her dress. “He’s a knight. And of course I have not forgotten about you, Mrs. Bramble. How are you feeling?” She made her way over to the poor woman.

  “I’m in a sorry state. A
lone in the world without a friend,” Mrs. Bramble said, her eyes watery and yellow from age.

  “You are not alone, Mrs. Bramble. You have me,” said Lady Tremaine.

  “You don’t need me anymore. You’re sending me away, don’t you deny it. The witches’ girl told me so. It’s clear she and your fairy tale prince have you in their clutches.”

  Lady Tremaine kneeled down so she could look her in the eye. “Stop this now. What’s this talk of witches? I am in no one’s clutches,” she said. She was sorry to see Mrs. Bramble in such a state.

  “Rebecca said you’re sending me to live with my sister,” said Mrs. Bramble. “And that you’re moving to the Many Kingdoms.”

  Lady Tremaine shook her head. “Well, I can hardly say how she would know I was going to the Many Kingdoms when I have just decided to go myself.”

  Mrs. Bramble cackled. It was an ugly, raspy laugh that made Lady Tremaine’s teeth itch. “Oh, you knew you were going off with him the moment you laid eyes on him! You’re already under their spell. You were always a fool for a handsome face and a fat purse,” she said, laughing again.

  “Now that is enough!” Lady Tremaine got up and walked to the center of the room. “I don’t know what’s come over you, Mrs. Bramble, but you must pull yourself together. I won’t have you speaking to me like this,” she said, pulling the cord to call Rebecca.