She glanced over her shoulder. Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, her eyes glowered with excitement. Was that for me or Rhett? I felt a stab of something I didn’t recognize, pierce my chest, wondering if Rhett had stolen her first smile.
You’re being idiotic, Xavier.
Shoving back my annoyance, I approached her and eyed the painting. She was talented. Even from this distance, she’d captured each elegant petal of the cabbage roses Rowena had taken pride in growing. When I lifted my gaze, it was to find her eyes on me. I raised a brow.
“You look and smell pretty,” she murmured, blushing.
Her words settled my heart. “I do?”
Her eyelashes fluttered downward, hiding her eyes from me. I took a step closer. “No need to be shy, Ella.”
Two days ago, she allowed me to help her choose a name. By some twist of fate, she chose one that had the same ending as Cinderella, giving me some comfort that she’d be happy with the choice, especially after the way her eyes lit up when I called her Ella. Now, she looked up.
“John tells me you had a visitor today?”
She nodded. “Rhett’s nice. He’s silly sometimes, but he explains a lot of things I don’t understand in the movies we watch. I wish I could laugh at some of the things he says like he does, it won’t come, though.” A shadow crossed over her face.
“Baby steps, remember?” She nodded. “I’m glad you found a friend. Rhett’s one of my favorite nephews.” My earlier misconceptions vanished, and I was genuinely happy she enjoyed his company.
She turned to look out the window, her expression thoughtful. “Do you think a man will ever fall in love with me? A man like Rhett, maybe? she asked, her gaze still fixed on something outside, catching me off guard.
I had to force myself to breathe against that unexpected slam to my chest. “Why wouldn’t you?” I cupped her chin, making her look at me. “You’re a beautiful woman, but what’s inside here,” I touched a finger to her chest, “any man who truly sees the purity of your heart will be blinded by its beauty. He’ll love you unconditionally.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“You think I’m beautiful?” Her cheeks pinked.
“Yes, my pretty little Ella, you’re beautiful.” I chuckled as pink turned a shade redder. “Would you like to join me downstairs for dinner tonight?”
“Will you tell me what to wear?” Her question surprised me, more so her acquiescence to join me.
“Come.” I guided her to the dressing room with a hand on her lower back. She waited while I walked around before my fingers touched an embroidered white lace. I looked at her, and she shook her head. Her imperceptible defiance was refreshing. I selected a simple dress, the same color as my shirt, and glanced over my shoulder. “This one?”
“Yes.”
With the dress in hand, I chose a pair of heels to match. “I’ll leave these on the bed.” She followed me back into the room. “Take a shower and dress. I’ll send John to fetch you, okay?”
“Thank you,” she murmured as always.
Deep in conversation with two guests thirty minutes later, I had my back to the entrance when a hypersensitive niggle skated down my spine at the same time several heads lifted, their eyes on the doorway. I turned. With a hand tucked into the crook of Rhett’s arm, Mikaela stood there, wrapped in an innocence that was easily recognizable in the way her free hand twisted the skirt of her dress.
Two sets of emotions blasted through me in unison. A subtle annoyance I chose to ignore and open admiration for her beauty. Her gaze connected with mine. Immediately she withdrew her hand from Rhett’s hold, crossed the room to my side, and slipped her hand into mine. In a not-so-subtle look, she declared her ownership to the two women I’d been chatting to.
Both women, visibly irritated, ran their gazes the length of her body, no doubt trying to decipher our relationship.
My laugh soft, I looked down at her. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. It’s a pretty dress,” she said shyly, not understanding how stunning she made the dress look.
“Who’s your little guest, Xavier?” Trevena approached, her face pulled into a severe pout, her eyes leveling Mikaela with unconcealed distaste.
“Ladies, this is Mikaela, my lovely guest of honor tonight,” I introduced her, then to her, “Say hello.”
“Hello.” She looked each woman in the eye, and I knew her lack of a smile had their hackles up, especially Trevena.
“Who is she?” she persisted.
