“Rebecca,” Sir Richard continued. “You can take Lady Tremaine’s things up to her room, while Nanny Pinch sees the girls settled into theirs. Lady Tremaine and I have to go directly to the chapel.”

Lady Tremaine flinched. “Right now, this moment? But I’ve not even changed. And what about the girls? Won’t they be joining us?”

Sir Richard took her hand. “I’m sure you would agree the girls are in no disposition for an excursion, my dear. Besides, this will be my last chance to have you to myself for a while. Would you deny me that?” He kissed her hand again.

This all seemed so strange to her. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but it just didn’t feel right, and in that moment, when his lips brushed her hand, something within her told her to flee.

She hardly knew what to say. The last thing she wanted to do was get married right after such a long journey. But she supposed it couldn’t be helped. Sir Richard must have worried it would be a scandal if she moved in before they were married.

She wished she had known this on the journey over. She would have worn something more appropriate for a wedding. As it was, she had chosen one of her more austere dark purple dresses over a high-collared lilac blouse that she accented with her favorite jade brooch. A very respectable outfit but not one befitting a festive occasion, especially not her own wedding.

“Very well, Sir Richard,” she said. “But you will have to excuse me for just a moment while I quickly refresh myself. Come along, ladies,” she said as she headed up the stairs, followed by Nanny Pinch, Rebecca, and her daughters. The minute they reached the third landing her girls started protesting.

“Mama, I don’t like it here,” Anastasia whined. “This is a sad, gloomy house, and that Cinderella is a beast!”

Lady Tremaine agreed, but she held her tongue. The house was rather dark and a bit dingy, and the furniture, though likely very beautiful in its day, had become threadbare and lackluster. She felt she really should have brought her own things rather than selling them off; now she was going to have to buy all new furniture for this house. And where were the servants? It didn’t make sense. None of it did really, but she reasoned she was exhausted and probably making more of everything because she had gotten such little sleep on their long journey.

“Yes, Mama! And why won’t Sir Richard let us come to the wedding?” Drizella complained.