Free The Wronged Princess - Book I by Kae Elle Wheeler Page B

could not, however tempting.
    She could have happily killed Osmond in that moment but instead indicated to the servants that supper was, fortunately now, completed .  “Shall we adjourn to the library?” she managed . 
    Her husband rose from his chair to assist her as was his usual custom, ignorant to the tense air which rolled over the room like a thick fog .  Thank the Lord she truly loved him.
    Thomasine could only be grateful when her son donned ingrained and impeccable manners by bowing and offering an arm to Hilda .  “Madam, shall we?” he prompted, leaving an angry Pricilla to follow.
    Mayhap, there was no need in reminding him of maintaining a blank façade, she thought, following the parade from the dining chamber.

 
     
    Chapter 10
     
    Cinderella whipped around at the sound of running footsteps .  It was too dark to see—no time to reach her chamber before … Esmeralda appeared, tears streaming down her face in the steady flow of a river, flushed and contorted with anger . 
    Not an attractive sight by any means .  Cinderella drew herself up, squared her shoulders .  She found herself torn between storming to her room to slam the door in Esmeralda’s face and curiosity as to what could possibly warrant this unexpected call . 
    It took only a moment to realize that Esmeralda's distraught was so complete she had not realized she’d gotten herself lost . 
    An accidental visitor.
    Cinderella allowed Esmeralda a silent cool countenance, something she would never have braved in the past.
    “What are you doing here?” Esmeralda snapped .  The e ffect was ruined by an unfeminine sniff.
    Keeping her expression carefully neutral, a wicked pleasure stole over Cinderella while she basked in Esmeralda’s flushed appearance .  The impulse to retort back, however, subsided as long habits of passiveness prevailed . 
    Cinderella let out a long , tired sigh.
    Aware of her own annoying passive and compliant tendencies, Cinderella surprised herself by asking, “Why do you cry so?”
    “What do you care? You would no doubt be happy about it. ” Her distress so absolute and out of character, Cinderella could not help but feel some pity, especially in light of Stepmamá’s recent reprimand in the carriage . 
    Taking Esmeralda by the shoulders, Cinderella guided Esmeralda to her bedchamber and pushed her into the overstuffed chair .  She even went so far as to dampening a cloth from the sideboard .  With an unhurried step back to Esmeralda, she handed it over .  “Here, cool your face .  Your distress is quite obvious. ”
    Esmeralda’s glance remained suspicious but she complied without comment, breath ragged, eyes watchful .  Cinderella perched on the end of the bed, and crossed one leg over the other .  She studied Esmeralda with an unnatural boldness . 
    The heart-shaped face and straight nose turned up at the end were really quite attractive, Cinderella decided .  Even the full mouth appeared generous when it was not in its constant scowl .  Rich copper locks fell in disarray across her smooth complexion . 
    “You know, Essie, you are quite pretty when your manner is not so licentious.”
    “Licentious! ” Esmeralda’s face puffed up as she flashed her eyes at Cinderella.
    “ Oui. Wicked .  U nrestrained .  M orally decrepit . ” Cinderella curled her fingers appearing to study her chipped nails, yet in reality, dare not take her attention from Esmeralda. “Though , I speak in regards of human decency toward others. ”
    Remarkably, Esmeralda’s anger overrode her natural spastic inclination to blink .  The result presented a spectacular and brilliant green most would never deign to see .  “How dare— ” she lashed out .  But her temper deflated like a fallen soufflé .  Cinderella’s matter of fact tone seemed to penetrate her wounded pride and she slumped over .  Tears shimmered firing the brilliant green of her eyes .  The effect quite took Cinderella by