“I suppose they do,” said Lady Tremaine, hardly noticing the minor commotion. She was remembering Mrs. Bramble’s ominous warnings about witches. She still wondered if she had made the right choice in asking Lady Hackle to arrange to have Mrs. Bramble live with her sister, and decided she would ask Nanny Pinch to look in on her when she got back to England.

Just then the carriage stopped. “My ladies, look, it’s your new home,” said Rebecca.

Lady Tremaine wasn’t sure what she was expecting, but her new home seemed to pale in comparison to what she had imagined. It was a lovely enough stone château, with a single tower and tall windows. She supposed it was a grand house in its own way, though not quite as lovely as her home in London. She let out a deep sigh and decided there was nothing to be done about it. This was her new home, and she’d better decide to find things about it she loved. She stood there looking at it, deciding she must be happy here. She needed to make it her home, a place to live and love, and have her happily ever after.

“Look, Mama, our house has a witch’s cap tower, too!” said Drizella.

Lady Tremaine had expected to see Sir Richard and Cinderella standing on the porch waiting for them, but they were nowhere in sight. In fact, no one was there to greet them at all.

“Has no one come to meet us, then?” said Lady Tremaine, worrying that perhaps they had arrived at the wrong estate.

“Not to worry, my lady. I will alert the staff that we are here. I am sure Sir Richard and Cinderella will come right out once they know we have arrived. Please wait here, I won’t be more than a moment,” Rebecca said, and dashed off to the front door to ring the bell.

An older, round-faced woman with white hair answered the door and let Rebecca in. It seemed like Rebecca was in the house for an eternity, and Lady Tremaine hardly knew what to do. It was unheard of not to greet your guests when they arrived, let alone your new family. She rapped her fingers on the side of the carriage nervously, waiting until she finally saw Sir Richard emerge from within.