Cinderella (Faerie Tale Collection) by Jenni James Read Free Book Online Page A

bowing over it, kissed her knuckles. His soft lips caressing her skin, causing a series of tingles and warmth to spread into her palm and up to her elbow, before he straightened himself. “Eleanoria Woodston, may I call again soon?”
    She knew she should tell him no. She knew once her stepmother got wind that she was entertaining a man—even if he were an old friend, if she learned about any of this Ella would surely be punished worse than before. “I do not know if I dare.”
    “What are you saying?” he asked.
    What was she saying? She nearly revealed to him her biggest secret. “’Tis nothing—I was merely worried about having a visitor so very much. It might make it more difficult for me to—for me to…” Her voice trailed off as she tried desperately to think of something suitable to say.
    “Prepare for the ball?” he asked hesitantly.
    “Yes!” Ella smiled. “Yes, precisely. I must make a gown and therefore it will take up quite a bit of my time.”
    “I see. Well, then perhaps on the off chance you change your mind, I will be out here in the orchard tomorrow around two o’clock, if you would like to see me then.”
    Her jaw dropped. “At two o’clock?”
    “Yes.”
    She swung her arm wide. “Out here. In our orchards?”
    “Exactly here.” He grinned, looking mighty pleased with himself.
    “But? But—but here? But what will you do out here?”
    “Why, wait for you, of course.”
    “John!” she hissed.
    “What?”
    “Well, what if I cannot make it?”
    “Then I shall entertain myself, I suppose.”
    “But what if I can come? Then what?”
    “Are you asking what we will do to occupy ourselves?”
    “Yes.”
    “Why, dance, of course. I have very many more steps to teach you.”
    When she could not reply, her mouth forgetting completely how to work properly, he said, “So, perhaps tomorrow then?”
    “I—”
    He chuckled and brushed his lips over her hand again. “Goodbye, fair Ella. I shall await you tomorrow.”
    And then he was gone.

CHAPTER NINE
    “ELLA, DO YOU THINK the duke will ever like me?” Lacey asked as she gathered the length of her ball gown petticoat from the floor and set it on her pretty pink bed.
    Ella removed the needle that was in her mouth and answered, “I do not know, I hope for your sake he does.”
    Lacey sighed and sat herself, with crossed legs—very unladylike, upon the bed next to where Ella was working. Her stepsister had been attaching the rows and rows of new lace all morning and yet, she still was not done. “Do you need help?” Lacey surprised herself by asking. “It looks very tedious. Perhaps there is a simple chore I can do for you such as cutting the ribbon.” She glanced over at the spools of trimming her mother had bought earlier.
    Ella seemed amazed by her willingness to help, but did not comment on it. “I will begin tying the bows in about thirty minutes or so, if you would like to start by cutting them, I would be very appreciative.”
    “Perfect,” Lacey exclaimed as she searched the room for the scissors. “How long should I make each one?”
    “If you take the ribbon from the tip of your finger to your elbow, it should be plenty.”
    “Oh, I think I could do that.” She collected a spool and began to measure and snip the smooth purple fabric. “How many strips should I make?”
    Ella pulled the bunches of white laces in front of her, and then spread it out upon the bed. “Perhaps twenty or so?” She stretched the ruffles out and then shook her head. “Better make it thirty.”
    “Goodness! That is a lot of bows.”
    “Well, you have one of the largest petticoats I have ever worked on.” Ella smiled and fluffed the layers up a bit. “It is quite stunning, though. It will really create a lovely silhouette for your gown. And with the peek-a-boo petticoat running the whole length, it will be very breathtaking. I am sure the duke will not help but notice you in this dress.”
    She giggled. “Do you really think so?”