Midnight in the Garden of the Prince: A Regency Cinderella Retelling by Catherine Keaton

Author:Catherine Keaton [Keaton, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-07-05T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Meredith left Amelia’s room after helping her on with her new light blue ball gown and arm-length white gloves. Amelia stopped and stared at the entire ensemble through the full-length mirror, marveling at how bright the satin made the gown’s azure hue appear in the candlelight. Her hair had been done up perfectly in a bun by Meredith with the ringlets holding their curl and bouncing about, even better than she had been capable of doing with Lily’s hair.

To have her gown and hair working very much in her favor relieved her greatly, considering she and her aunt and uncle were about to leave for Prince Rufus’ private ball. She recalled her need for slippers and placed a plain white satin pair on her feet before a scratching came at her door, indicating it was time to meet at the entrance. She sucked in a deep breath and let it out along with her anxiety but made sure to wear a smile on the way down the stairs—which was not difficult. She was much more excited about the evening than she let on.

A gasp could be heard loud and clear as she descended the stairs emitted by Aunt Victoria waiting at the bottom.

“Dear, dear Amelia—that blue is quite exquisite on you. Yes, it does bring out your eyes beautifully. I am so pleased with this new gown.”

“May I say, Aunt, you look most handsome in your new gown, as well.” Amelia clasped hands with Aunt Victoria, who wore a dark burgundy gown with golden flowers cascading down the front of the skirt.

“Why, thank you. I have to say, it is not like what I usually wear, but it suits me, I believe.”

“It truly does.”

“Now, there is something I want you to have, my dear, before we leave.” Aunt Victoria held her by the shoulders. “Meredith, bring them out for us.”

“Certainly, Ladyship,” said Meredith. She left the entrance hall for a moment and returned carrying a small pillow with a cloth draped over it.

“What is this, Aunt?”

“These are special, indeed.” Aunt Victoria pulled off the cloth to reveal a pair of silver slippers with starkly reflective jewels adorning them from toe to heel. “They are glass-jeweled slippers—a very unusual ornamentation, indeed.”

Amelia marveled at their beauty. The jewels caught the light so intensely, she nearly had to look away. “Indeed, they are quite extraordinary. You have purchased these for me?”

“These glass-jeweled slippers belonged to your mother.”

Amelia lost the ability to speak for a moment, altogether too astonished for words.

“My mother?” She barely squeaked the two words out of her mouth as she placed her fingers on the jewels.

“Yes. Your mother brought these with her when you, your father and she came for a visit one year. You were very little and do not likely recall the visit, but she had left them here by accident, and not long after, your uncle and I moved to Italy, and I was unaware she had left them behind. Then she died and could never inform me of their being here still, until one of my maids found them after our return this year.

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