When her hand touched the gown she had worn at Lord Reynolds’ ball, she paused. It really was a beautiful design, and she hadn’t seen anything like it before—or since. The gown had brought attention to her, not only from Ashton, but other men as well. Although it would be hard for her to wear it again without thinking of him, she would wear it anyway. Unfortunately, she couldn’t find one of the shoes she had worn with this dress, but at least she still had other pairs that matched.
Forty minutes later, she was dressed and ready. She decided not to do anything fancy with her hair, so she pulled back the sides with pearl-encrusted combs and let her loose ringlets fall freely around her shoulders. She wore a pearl necklace with dangling pearl earbobs.
She grabbed her cloak before hurrying down the steps, anxious and nervous about being herself tonight. She would meet available men even if it were a struggle to do so. And she would put Ashton behind her once and for all.
Reaching the door, she took a deep breath before yanking it open. Then she froze. The man standing in front of her with his hand raised to knock appeared just as startled as she felt. Then again, it wasn’t every day that Prince Charming came to see her.
A shaky breath caught in her throat as she ran her gaze over Ashton. Strange that tonight of all nights he would pick to wear the same costume as when they had first met—just as she was wearing the same gown.
Slowly, his mouth stretched into a grin. “Cinderella? Is that really you?”
Her heartbeat flipped erratically. He hadn’t called her that name for so long. “Uh, yes.”
“Are you going out tonight?” His gaze ran over her gown.
“Well, I was, but now...”
“Were you perhaps going to the Langston’s ball with your aunt and uncle?”
She smiled, trying not to show too much excitement in her expression, even though she figured it was a lost cause since her nerves were jumping crazily. “Indeed, I am. My relatives are already there. I was um, running late.”
“Would you mind if we talked in private first?”
“No, not at all.” She motioned her hand for him to enter. He did, but his gaze stayed on her. She closed the door, but didn’t move. Her breathing was accelerating the longer she stared at him. It was hard to believe he was really here.
He stood for a few seconds in awkward silence just shuffling his weight from one foot to the other. She really didn’t know what to say, either.
“Um...Mrs. Phelps was here earlier, and she told me about Mr. Nickerson and Mr. Larson. I suppose justice was served.”
“Indeed, it was.”
“Are you now the sole owner of the railway?”
“Yes. Mrs. Larson still had stock in the railroad, but she was more than happy to sell me her shares.”
Nicole nodded. “That is good. Congratulations. I know you’ll do a splendid job running the railroad.”
“Thank you.” He smiled, but then silence grew between them. After another couple of difficult seconds, he cleared his throat. “Nicole, I have to ask something of you.”
She swallowed hard. “All right.”
He reached into his Prince-style overcoat and pulled out... My shoe? She gasped. How on earth did he get that?
“Nicole, I have come looking for the woman who can fit into this remarkable shoe.” He glanced at the object in his hand as his fingers traced the toe and then up the side. “These past few weeks, I have come to realize how much I have missed you.” He lifted his attention back to her. “The woman who fits into this shoe is my match. She is the only woman who can complete me.” He knelt in front of her as he held up the shoe. “Will you allow me to help you try it on?”
Her whole body shook with excitement. She must be dreaming. Could this truly be happening to her, especially when she had been in misery for two whole weeks? Yet the way Ashton gazed at her with such tenderness in his expression, made her want to weep with joy.
Tears collected in her eyes. Happiness burst in her chest and she almost couldn’t control herself. Not only that...she was speechless, and that was something which didn’t happen very often.
Nodding, she lifted her gown, displaying her foot. He carefully removed the shoe she was wearing, and gently slipped on the one in his hand. His smile widened as he stood, slipping his arms around her waist.
“It looks like the shoe fits.”
“It does,” she said breathless. “Where...where did you find it? I thought I’d lost it.”
He gave her a mischievous grin. “Your cousin helped me. I asked her to get it.”
“You did? When?”
