Cinderella (Faerie Tale Collection) Read Free Page A

outriders well—almost, I dare to say, better than himself.” Her eyes met his.
    John nodded. “We do use the same tailor. I am intended to be at court most of the time, so this is how I dress, yes.”
    “Hmm…”
    “I am at court every day.”
    “I am sure you are. But it does not explain why I have never seen you here before.”
    “Oh, well, today he has express news from Her Royal Majesty, so I attended him. It is more official that way.”
    “Well, then, what news does your duke bring the ladies of the manor this morning?” she asked in a tone that implied she was not curious, even though she was more than a little bit interested.
    He waved it aside. “Just an invitation to a ball the queen is hosting in a fortnight.”
    “A ball?” She thought of all the work she would have to do to get them ready for it and grimaced.
    “You do not like balls?”
    “No, I imagine they are horridly boring, actually.”
    He looked shocked and then grinned. “But they say the prince is going to be there, does that not entice you to want to go?”
    “What?” She threw her head back and laughed. “The prince? Why?”
    “I thought all lovely maidens wanted to have their chance at winning his heart.”
    She laughed harder. If John did not stop, she may expire right then and there.
    “I am quite serious. What is so hilarious about this question?”
    As if she would ever want to fall in love with a prince. After some time, Ella was able to catch her breath. But when she saw his countenance, she began laughing again. “Stop!” she gasped. “Do not look that way—it is too funny.”
    “Ha ha. I am glad I can be of some amusement for you,” he answered ruefully, glancing away from her.
    After a few more moments she said, “I am sorry. No, really, I do apologize.” She straightened up, but a grin still lingered upon her mouth. “I simply do not see the excitement over such a ridiculous man.”
    John’s eyes grew wide. “Silly man? You are calling m—er, Prince Anthony a ridiculous man? Do you even know him?”
    “Know him? Why would I want to know him? He must be the silliest foppish man in all the kingdom.”
    “But why would you say such a thing? I truly thought all women loved him. He is said to be quite handsome, you know.”
    “And that would allure me how? Any man who spends more time looking in the mirror than he does actually living life is of no consequence to me. I would prefer any man to a spoiled, pampered prince.”
    “ Any man?”
    “Yes.”
    “Come to the ball with me.”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    John looked more surprised than she did. “I am—uh, I am so sorry! I do not know where that came from. I—I—”
    She grinned. “Are you attempting to retract the invitation now?”
    He stepped back. “No!”
    She took a step toward him. “I understand, first you wish to invite me to guarantee I would become eager to attend, and then you hope to dash all my dreams to smithereens.”
    The look on his face was so horrified and confused she could not help herself, she had to laugh again.
    When he realized she was jesting he asked, “Do you mock all of the men who come to court you?”
    “Are you courting me, then?”
    “I, uh—” He clearly was way out of his element.
    She took another step closer to him, her hand reaching out to trail up his arm. “John, is there something you wish to convey to me?”
    “Uh…”
    “Something that expresses the true reason why you have followed me to this secluded copse.”
    He swallowed and froze as she drew nearer, his hand going out to a trunk to steady himself.
    Slowly, Ella stood on tiptoe and whispered in his ear, “It would not matter if you were the prince, I certainly would not go with you to the ball.”
    He suddenly caught her shoulders before she could pull away. “Why?”
    Her eyes locked with his. “Because I do not like to dance.”
    “How do you feel about being courted?”
    She blinked a few times and then answered, “Not very well.