“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?”