“I think you are the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen,” Celeste announced, staring at her sister with adoration in her eyes.
“You look beautiful too,” she told Celeste and Colette. “I love what you did with your hair.”
Celeste preened, and Colette simply smiled at the compliment.
“Thank you,” Celeste said. “I feel beautiful.”
Ella was thankful that they were having two balls. It made this one feel easier somehow. It was only the people of the Northlands, not nobility from across the country all coming to gawk at her. It felt like she was able to warm up in a way, to figure things out before she had to do the official grand reveal.
But she would be lying if she said she wasn’t nervous.
She smoothed her hands over the gown that had been provided for her. It was beautiful, a light and pretty shade of green that set off her skin. It didn’t feel like something she would have expected a future duchess to wear. It felt simpler, and she liked that.
Perhaps they were giving her the chance to get used to it before they dolled her up for the big event next week. Before they would announce her betrothal.
She sighed.
She had almost managed to forget that the boy she was betrothed to would be in attendance tonight. The thought was terrifying. She didn’t know what he looked like or anything about him—just that he would be here, and she would be meeting him as himself, not as the man she was supposed to marry.
It should have been easier this way, and yet she was absolutely terrified.
“How are you feeling, my dear?” Regina asked as she walked over and ran her fingers across Ella’s hair in a soothing gesture, tucking a stray hair back into place.
“Nervous,” Ella admitted. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”
Her stepmother laughed. “You are going to be just fine,” she said. “It’s okay to be nervous, though. I should tell you how nervous I was for my first ball as the duchess.”
Ella turned in anticipation, and her stepmother smiled.
“Well, your father always was very convincing. I didn’t think I should be at the ball yet—I was only the future duchess then, you see—and I knew that there were girls everywhere who were so mad at me they wanted to take me down.”
Ella laughed. “I’m sure they didn’t.”
“Oh, no, they very much did. You see, your father was quite an eligible bachelor, and everyone knew that he had sworn it would take the right woman to marry him after he lost your mother. So everyone was surprised when he met me, and not much later, I was announced as the future duchess. My first ball was at your family’s estate in Riyel, and I think every woman in the room who was not already married—and perhaps a few of them who were—were upset with me for taking your father.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t as bad as you thought,” Ella said. She was smiling so wide at the thought of everyone hating such a lovely woman that her cheeks hurt. “I don’t know how anyone could not love you.”
“I think it probably was,” Regina said with a laugh. “But that doesn’t particularly matter. What mattered is that I was terrified, and your father made sure that all was well and that I didn’t have to fear anything while he was there. I know he will do the same for you tonight,” she added, reaching out to squeeze Ella’s hand. “I know you’re frightened, but I promise we will not let you stand alone.”
Ella threw her arms around her stepmother, whispering “Thank you.”
“Oh, sweet girl, you are so welcome. You can’t even know how much we are thankful to have you back.” Her voice choked up as she said it, squeezing Ella tighter.
Ella was surprised to find hers choking up too, as she replied, “I’m so thankful to have found you. You’re a much better stepmother than my first one.”
They both laughed through their tears, holding each other tightly.
“What about me?” Celeste asked, squishing her way into their hug and looking up at Ella with a frown. “Am I a better sister?”
“Without a doubt,” Ella said, bending over to give Celeste a hug. “And you too, Colette.”
“Our family is complete,” the duchess said, opening her arms, and all three girls hugged her.
Ella had never felt more safe and secure than here, surrounded by love and warmth.
She could have stayed in the hug for the rest of the night and been content never to leave, but there was a knock on the door, and the maid hurried over to open it.
Her father stood in the doorway, looking as if he might cry when he saw them.
