“It’s nothing, dear friend; it’s just a matter of directing your servants. Will you pay them a severance? Should we double the usual under the circumstances?” She continued, “And what about the house and the things to be auctioned? Is your solicitor handling that? Should Piggy and I stop by his office when I’m in London to make the arrangements for you?”

Lady Tremaine started to panic. There was so much to be done, and here she was dashing off before she could sort any of it out. “Oh, Prudence, would you handle all that, really? I’m afraid I am asking too much of you, my sweet friend, but I have no choice.”

Lady Hackle laughed. “It’s for the best possible reason. You’re sailing off to be with your love!” she said, smiling.

“This is all happening so quickly. I wanted time to talk with the girls before rushing off to lands unknown,” said Lady Tremaine, motioning to one of the servants for another cup of coffee.

Lady Hackle put her hands on her friend’s shoulders tenderly. “You can talk to the girls on the ship. Listen to me, my friend, you are the strongest woman I know. You can do this. You’re finally going to have your happily ever after, in the land of fairy tales. This is a dream come true.”

Chapter VIII: The Marvelous Adventure

Lady Tremaine stood nervously on the dock, waiting for Nanny Pinch, Anastasia, and Drizella to arrive. She kept looking at her watch pendent, worried they wouldn’t make it to the dock in time.

It was a grand and beautiful ship, all white and gold, reminding her of a many-tiered wedding cake. Every time the ship’s horn blasted she jumped, thinking it meant they were about to ring out the last call for passengers to board, but logically she knew they had plenty of time. Her nerves were such a jumble.

She had at least managed to arrange two very fine staterooms, one for herself, and some rather large quarters for Nanny Pinch, Rebecca, and the girls—all adjoining, of course.

As she stood there, she felt like she was in a dream. It didn’t seem real, the thought of leaving her entire household without seeing it again, or without saying goodbye to those who had cared for her for so many years. She had gone straight from the train to the dock. She would have been more upset, but it was all terribly romantic, the idea of her dearest love, so desperate to have her at his side that he asked her to dash it all and come to him as quickly as she could.