Lady Tremaine stroked her brooch, trying to find a calm, cool place in her heart so she could handle this matter without getting too angry with her new stepdaughter.
“Girls, girls, please calm down. Now, Cinderella, we can’t have you keeping mice in your pocket. They’re dirty creatures. Get rid of it immediately.”
Cinderella looked confused. “Excuse me, Stepmother, but they aren’t dirty. Look, I’ve even made him something to wear.” She held up the mouse for her stepmother so she could see the trembling creature’s smart little pair of green trousers, his dandy red shirt, and jaunty cap.
“Cinderella! Get that thing out of my face this instant! That all very well may be, but I won’t have you keeping mice in this house, clothed or not. They’re foul, dirty, diseased things! I must insist you take that mouse outside and let it free.”
For the first time, Cinderella looked insolent and was purposely defying her stepmother. “I won’t! The mice are mine and I refuse to let them go. A cat might get him if I put him outside.”
Lady Tremaine willed herself not to slap the girl. “Mice? Are you telling me there is more than this one? Cinderella, I demand you release them all into the garden.”
“No!” she said, putting the frightened mouse back into her pocket and stomping her foot.
“Cinderella! Do as I say! Take that mouse out of your pocket immediately! It’s going to make you sick.”
Cinderella shook her head. “I don’t know what mice are like in London, but they are nothing but safe and friendly in the Many Kingdoms. Now if you’ll excuse me…” she said, turning to leave.
“Cinderella! Don’t you dare walk away from me—”
And just then the mouse jumped out of Cinderella’s pocket and bolted toward Lady Tremaine and her daughters, who jumped back onto the chairs, screaming again.
“Girls! Please calm down! Cinderella, come back here this moment!” Lady Tremaine looked up to see Cinderella leaving the room, and even though she couldn’t see her face, she thought for sure that she was smiling.
“Come on, little one, we mustn’t stay where we’re not wanted,” said Cinderella as she left the room. The mouse scampered along behind her.
After Cinderella left, Lady Tremaine needed Nanny Pinch’s help to calm down Drizella and Anastasia. When they were sitting quietly again and sipping tea, Lady Tremaine took a deep breath.
“What an appalling girl!” she said, immediately regretting saying so in front of her own daughters. Then Rebecca cleared her throat.
“Yes, Rebecca?”
“I didn’t want to say so in front of Cinderella, my lady, but it’s true that mice in the Many Kingdoms are entirely safe. They don’t carry disease like they do in London.” She winced as she spoke and clearly felt bad about the entire ordeal.
“Nevertheless, find me a cat,” said Lady Tremaine, narrowing her eyes and touching her brooch. “Come on, girls. Let’s go to our rooms and rest. Tomorrow morning we will go into the village to hire servants and buy things we need for the house. Nanny Pinch can stay here with Cinderella. Rebecca, you will come with us. You can show us around the village, and while you do so you can impart your wisdom about this strange place we now call home.”
It had been several weeks since Sir Richard had left for the palace when Lady Tremaine received word that his mysterious court business was at an end and he would be returning home that evening. She had decided that she was really quite happy he had been away. It had given her a chance to get their house in order, buy all new furniture, hire servants, and smooth things over as much as she could with Cinderella. She hadn’t completely shaken the hurt from their rocky first day together, but she hoped things would be better once Sir Richard was home.
She was sad to see Nanny Pinch go back to London, but she had hired a wonderful governess for all the girls by the name of Nanny. Lady Tremaine had asked her if she’d like to go by her actual name accompanied by the title Nanny, but it seemed Nanny was her actual name. So Nanny it was.
She was a lovely older lady with white hair and sparkling eyes. She was a dream of a nanny, patient and kind, and worked wonders with all the girls. They spent their days in the schoolroom, or picnicking in the garden. She encouraged them to put on plays in the library and took them to the village for tea so they could practice being proper young ladies.
Lady Tremaine was quite frankly happy to have the girls out of her hair while she got the house in order and ready for her husband’s return. Since Nanny and the other servants were hired, life felt more like it had back in London. She didn’t constantly have the girls under her feet, and she was feeling less alone. Life was running perfectly again.
As the hour approached for her husband’s return, she became nervous. She went from room to room checking to see if the house was flawless, following behind the maids to make sure everything was just so. She was sure there were flowers in every room, and their home was pristinely clean.
As she did her rounds for the fourth or fifth time, fussing again in her bedroom making sure everything was just right, Rebecca came into the room holding a small basket and wearing a wide grin.
“What do you have there, Rebecca, and why do you look so pleased with yourself?” Lady Tremaine asked.
“It’s a gift for you,” Rebecca said, handing her the basket. “To make up for leaving behind the book of fairy tales.” She looked as though she felt truly sorry, and seemed to have been brooding about it since she had unpacked Lady Tremaine’s things to find she hadn’t packed it after all.
“Perhaps it wasn’t left behind, Rebecca. Don’t rebuke yourself too much. I am sad not to have it, but maybe it will turn up.” Lady Tremaine looked in the basket and noticed there was something wiggling under some red silk.
“You didn’t!” Lady Tremaine squealed like a little girl. She lifted the red silk to reveal the sweetest little black-and-white kitten she had ever seen. “You did! Oh, Rebecca, he is precious.” She took him out of the basket and held him up to get a better look at his adorable face. “Oh my goodness. Who are you? And look at his smart bow!” He squirmed in her hands, and she placed him on the bed. “He is so cute, Rebecca, thank you.”
Just then the kitten sprang off the bed, attaching himself to Lady Tremaine’s beautiful dress and making her laugh. “Oh, you little devil!” she said, detaching the kitten from her dress. “I think I will name you Lucifer. That’s the perfect name for a devilish creature like you, ruining my beautiful dress.”
“Here, my lady, let me take him for you.” Rebecca gingerly took the kitten from Lady Tremaine and put him back in the basket. “I will keep him for you this evening. You don’t need…what did you say his name was again?” she asked.
“Lucifer,” said Lady Tremaine. Rebecca still looked puzzled so Lady Tremaine explained. “He’s a devil, the ruler of the underworld.”
Recognition dawned on her face. “Oh, like Hades!” she said, laughing. “Yes, this little guy is mischievous. I think the name fits.” She smiled and gave him a pat on the head. “It doesn’t look like he damaged your dress,” she said, squinting at it closely, and then looking up at Lady Tremaine’s face. “You look beautiful, my lady. I’m sure Sir Richard will swoon.”
Lady Tremaine wasn’t so sure but didn’t say so to Rebecca.
“Oh,” Rebecca added, “my lady, you’ve forgotten your favorite brooch.” She went to the vanity to fetch it for her.
“I don’t feel like wearing it this evening,” said Lady Tremaine. It reminded her of her late husband, and tonight she wanted to focus on the future.
“I assume you’ve been down to the kitchen a few times to make sure the cook has everything in hand?” asked Rebecca.
“Yes. I think she would have chased me out with a broom if she thought she could get away with it,” Lady Tremaine said, making Rebecca laugh again.
“I checked in on the girls before I came up,” Rebecca continued. “I told Nanny I wanted them to have their dinner and baths early this evening. I thought it w
ould be nice to have the girls in bed right after dinner so you and Sir Richard can enjoy the rest of your evening together alone.”
Lady Tremaine wondered if that was a good idea. “Cinderella will want to see her father,” she said. “Tell Nanny Sir Richard and I will come in to kiss the girls before they go to sleep, don’t you think?”
“That’s a lovely idea,” Rebecca agreed, sighing. “Oh, my lady, you have such a wonderful evening planned. Cook is making all of Sir Richard’s favorites for dinner, and I’ll make sure everything is ready for you in here while you two are having dinner. That way it’s a surprise.”
Lady Tremaine was getting more nervous by the moment. She was hoping with all her heart the man returning to her from the castle was the man she had met in London and not the one who dashed away right after their wedding. “Thank you, Rebecca dear. This is going to be an evening to remember.”
Lady Tremaine assembled the entire staff to greet her husband upon his return. She thought it would be a lovely surprise for him to see how well she had staffed their home while he had been away. They were all lined up in the vestibule in their smart black-and-white uniforms, positioned on either side of the entryway to leave a pathway for Sir Richard so he could walk through and greet each one.
Lady Tremaine stood in the center of the assembly right up front so she could greet her husband the moment he walked through the door. Anastasia, Drizella, and Cinderella stood at the foot of the grand staircase in their prettiest dresses. They looked as perfect as a portrait, all of them standing still and ladylike.
They were all startled by the front door flying open without ceremony, Sir Richard’s voice booming.
“Hello, my love, my most beautiful girl,” he said, walking toward Lady Tremaine. She felt foolish for dreading this moment, worrying if he loved her, wondering if he would be happy to see her when he got home.
“Welcome home, my love,” she said, ready to receive his embrace, but he didn’t take her into his arms. Instead, he passed right by her, rushing over to Cinderella, who was waiting for him, tears in her eyes.
“My sweet girl! How are you? Did you miss your papa?”
Lady Tremaine had never seen a man so happy to see his daughter. He hugged her so tightly she thought he might crush the poor girl.
Lady Tremaine put her hand to her chest to feel for her favorite brooch, but it wasn’t there. She needed it. She needed that extra layer, something to protect her heart. She stood there feeling exposed, hurt and lost, but she found her composure and walked down the length of her servants, all of whom were giving her sad looks, to join her husband and daughters.
“I did miss you, Papa! I don’t have to go to bed already, do I? Nanny says that Stepmother says we do, but I want to stay up and hear about your adventures. And I don’t have to get rid of my mice, do I?” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He laughed. “Of course you don’t have to go to bed early or get rid of your mice, my angel. And who is this Nanny?” He looked up then, finally noticing the assembled staff.
“Excuse me a moment, my beautiful girl, I have neglected to say hello to your stepsisters and stepmother. Anastasia, Drizella,” he said, looking at them. “And my lady. May I speak with you in the other room?”
Lady Tremaine flinched. She wasn’t sure what to expect. Did he want to be alone with her because he didn’t feel comfortable showing affection in front of the servants? From the tone of his voice it sounded like she was in for a scolding, though she couldn’t fathom what would warrant it.
“Of course, my husband,” she said, narrowing her eyes at him while she followed him into his study.
He took a seat behind his large antique desk, leaving her standing like she was a petulant schoolgirl about to be reprimanded by her headmaster. “What is the meaning of this? Explain yourself.”
She blinked a few times, trying to figure out what he meant. “Are you talking about the mice? I told her I’m sorry, Richard. I didn’t realize they weren’t like London mice.”
Sir Richard shook his head as if shaking off a bad thought. “Of course our mice are different from London mice! Did you say she couldn’t have her mice? You’re not to deny Cinderella anything she wants, do you understand? She’s lost her mother.”
Lady Tremaine stayed silent. She understood his sentiment. She had felt the same way after her husband died.
“I’m not talking about the blasted mice anyway. What is the meaning of all these new things and hiring all this staff? Did I say you could do that?” he asked.
She reached again for her brooch, feeling like she needed it. “I didn’t think I required your permission,” she said, finding her courage and her voice.
“Well, you do.”
She didn’t understand why she was holding her tongue. She never would have with Lord Tremaine. Perhaps it was simply that she couldn’t believe this was their first real conversation after they were married. Perhaps it was that she didn’t want to start off his return on the wrong foot, like she had with Cinderella. “I know you’re used to being independent, spending your money as you will, but your overindulgence and extravagance have no place here, my lady. Your rank means nothing in the Many Kingdoms. I am the lord of this domain.”
Lady Tremaine shook her head. “If it’s a matter of expense, Sir Richard, let me assure you that the money I spent was entirely mine.”
Sir Richard scoffed. “No, the money is mine. We are married now. And I will dictate how it’s spent.” He continued, “To that end, where are all my wife’s tasteful things that you have so thoughtlessly replaced with all this garish rubbish?”
Lady Tremaine lowered her eyes. She felt horrible. She didn’t think replacing their old things would upset him so much. It hadn’t occurred to her that all the shabby furnishings held meaning.
“I’m sorry, Sir Richard. I donated them,” she said.
He slammed his fist on his desk. “I’m not sure I can forgive this. You have really overstepped.” He looked up at the portrait of his wife hanging over the fireplace, and his face softened. He looked sad, almost resigned. “Well, there is nothing to be done about it now,” he said, “but you will let the staff go first thing tomorrow.”
“And who will clean the house, make the meals, and care for the children?” she asked, willing herself not to cry before him. She reached for her brooch again and was again disappointed not to find herself wearing it.
“You will,” he said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I want to spend some time with my daughter.”
Lady Tremaine let most of the staff go as her husband had demanded, except for Nanny and Rebecca, whom he reluctantly agreed to let stay on. She had lost everything. Her home in London, all her money, and her dignity now belonged to him. She had written to her old solicitor at the behest of Lady Hackle, but there was nothing Lady Tremaine could do about her circumstances. All her money was now her husband’s, as was the law in the Many Kingdoms: upon marriage all assets are controlled by the woman’s husband or father, unless both are deceased. Lady Tremaine had known this going into the marriage. It wasn’t, after all, very different from how things worked in London, and she hadn’t been worried about it at the time. Based on his rank, she had assumed Sir Richard had more money than she did. But she soon found out she couldn’t have been more wrong.
Her solicitor had done some investigating and found that before his marriage to Lady Tremaine, Sir Richard had been penniless and in desperate need to marry a lady of means to keep his estate. He had been in considerable debt to the Crown and used the majority of Lady Tremaine’s fortune to pay it off. She understood now why he was so furious she had hired such a large staff and assumed that his debt was the “court business” he had rushed off to sort out, though as far as she was concerned it didn’t account for the amount of time he was away. She had asked him several times what he had done while he was at the castle, but he had skirted the subject, saying it was a matter for men and that she should stay in her place as lady of the house
.
She soon found herself miserable, alone, and depressed. She collapsed on her bed at the end of each day, too tired to even spend time with her girls. Frankly, she was ashamed to have them see her in such a state. Her only companion was her kitten, Lucifer, who was always at her side—that is, when he wasn’t hunting the mice that Cinderella tried to bring into her foul menagerie. There was nothing she could do about the mice Cinderella already kept, Sir Richard made that abundantly clear, but she was determined to keep the girl from acquiring more.
Lady Tremaine’s days were spent cleaning the entire house, scrubbing its floors, dusting, beating the rugs, doing the dishes, making the meals, polishing the silver, replacing the candles in all the sconces and chandeliers, lighting the fires, doing the laundry, and more—all under the watchful eye of Sir Richard’s first wife. She surveyed everything Lady Tremaine did from the portraits of her that hung in almost every room of the château. And Cinderella was always there to remind her that the house was still her mother’s, to complain that she missed their old furnishings or the way her mother used to keep things. Lady Tremaine felt unwelcome. She had become a servant in her own home. Thank goodness for Nanny, who saw to the girls, and for Rebecca, who did her best to help Lady Tremaine as well as she could.
Before long it was Christmas Eve, and Lady Tremaine wanted to make an evening of it. She and her girls were entitled to a bit of celebration. Rebecca was preparing a lavish meal for the family at her request. Lady Tremaine wasn’t able to buy gifts for the girls, but she had a few things of her own that she thought they would appreciate, so she had wrapped them up. She planned to put them under the tree, which Nanny had so thoughtfully agreed to decorate while the girls were napping.
Nanny had arranged a special project for the girls that week, helping them to make silver stars and golden moons out of paper, without telling them they would be used to decorate the tree. She and Lady Tremaine thought it would be a lovely surprise for the girls to see their creations displayed so prominently on the family tree. It would be one more way they all could celebrate together.
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