“Every eligible maiden,” he said wearily, as if the phrase had been beaten into him.
“So someone... someone like me?”
The duke eyed her sharply. “No. You are a servant of the royal household. It would be impossible. Impossible. What will we have next, commoners serving on the Royal Council?”
Stung, Cinderella drew back. More than anything, she wanted to tell him:Iamthe girl you’re looking for. You can call the search off.
But she couldn’t bring herself to do it. After all, she no longer had her glass slipper to prove it. She could practically hear him laughing at her.A pretty picture, young lady—imagine, a maid becoming a princess.Then he would dismiss her, and she’d never be able to enter the palace again.
What was more—she couldn’t forget her fairy godmother’s uneasiness when she’d said,My magic is forbidden in Aurelais.
Even if the Grand Dukedidlet her try the slipper, a man like him was bound to question how she had gotten her beautiful ball gown, her glass shoes, her fine coach and horses. What if the answer—magic—led to trouble for Lenore? That wouldn’t do. She couldn’t risk it.
She’d have to wait and try to find the prince. Prince Charles would remember her, and then everything would fall into place.
Or you could focus on creating a new life for yourself and Bruno,she reminded herself.Not some fantasy you’ve made up for yourself after one night dancing with a man you just met.
She curtsied stiffly. “I apologize, Your Grace.”
“Quite so. Quite so.” The duke removed his hat, fanning himself with it. When he spoke next, he sounded almost apologetic. “I have had a long day, young lady. Do not pester me further with such bizarre inquiries.”
He waited for her to nod before going on. “Normally, such undignified questions posed to your superior would be most unwelcome. But curiosity happens to be a trait I need in you.”
Cinderella must have looked confused, for he replied, “All will be explained as necessary.”
He stopped in front of a gilded door so tall it touched the ceiling. Cinderella only now realized they had left the servants’ quarters: the carpets had turned a rich, deep burgundy embellished with silver tassels, the vaulted ceilings were painted with historic scenes of Aurelais’s first kings and queens, and the doors were furnished with gold-plated knobs.
“Welcome back, Your Grace.” The guard on the right opened the door, and the duke strode inside his office.
“Quickly, child,” said the duke. “I’m a busy man, and I have many matters of state to attend to this morning.”
Cinderella hurried inside, standing awkwardly in front of the duke’s desk. Imposing portraits of him stared from every direction, with the odd effect of making his real self seem small.
“Now, Duchess Genevieve is the king’s sister, and you have been tasked with the very important role of serving her.” The duke looked off to the side, making sure the door was closed. He lowered his voice. “I’d like you to keep an eye on her. Report to me everything about the duchess—what she eats for breakfast, what she says and does with her day. Everything.”
Cinderella fought to keep her features expressionless.Why?she wanted to ask.
“I will be away today in search of the missing maiden with the glass slipper, but I shall anticipate your report when I return. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Splendid. Now, off you go.” He rang one of the bells on his desk, and within seconds, an attendant attired in a sleek velvet coat and a wig of white curls sprang into the room.
“Have my carriage readied,” commanded the duke, “and see to it that this young lady is dispatched to Her Highness’s quarters.”
The duke’s attendant cast Cinderella a sidelong glance, one that plainly showed he did not envy her position. After a quick look up and down at her appearance, he sniffed just as Madame Irmina had; even he didn’t think she would last long here.
Cinderella’s stomach sank. Somehow, she’d have to prove them all wrong.
The palace was a labyrinth of hallways, but the duke’s attendant did not deign to give Cinderella a tour. For her part, she was so focused on trying to keep up that she almost didn’t notice when they arrived in front of the duchess’s chambers.
“She’ll be expecting you,” was all her guide said before he swiftly deserted her.
“Wait, do I—”
The duke’s attendant had already turned the corner.
“—knock?” Cinderella whirled to face the duchess’s massive doors, both sides flanked by unsmiling guards.
