Second Chance with His Cinderella by Kandy Shepherd

Author:Kandy Shepherd
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-11-09T20:42:03+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

ON THE EVENING of the dinner party, Sebastian thought it looked as if a magic wand had been waved around the dining room and completely transformed it. Evelyn and her team had indeed performed a kind of magic to get it looking like this in two weeks, all thanks to Kitty.

Gone was the deep red he had found so oppressive, replaced by smoky blue in varying tones with ivory highlights. The room still looked opulent and traditional but in a softer, more inviting way. The new curtains had formal swags and tails but in two shades of smoky blue in a lustrous silk, rather than the dark red velvet with tarnished gold fringing they had replaced. Lush flower arrangements, formal yet not stiff, were artfully placed as centrepieces on the table, the marble mantelpiece and on the pedestals that had always stood empty in his grandfather’s day. The table was laid with vintage linen, white porcelain rimmed with silver, heirloom crystal and antique silver cutlery engraved with the Delfont crest. The silver and crystal glittered and gleamed under the light of the chandeliers.

There was a definite feminine touch present, yet it was a room where he felt immediately comfortable. For the first time he felt as though this grand old house could become his home.

Sebastian took a deep sigh of relief mingled with anticipation. The room was like a stage set, awaiting the actors to bring it to life. No one would do that better than Kitty.

He glanced down at his watch. Kitty should be here by now. He’d asked her to come downstairs in plenty of time before the guests arrived. Perhaps he should go up and escort her down on his arm, start the evening the way he intended to continue, with Kitty by his side.

He knocked on her door. ‘Kitty, it’s Sebastian,’ he called, after he didn’t get an immediate response. Still no answer. He was surprised, as Kitty was usually so punctual. He knocked again. Slowly the door opened.

‘Sebastian, I... I didn’t expect to see you. Aren’t you meant to be downstairs waiting for your guests?’

‘Aren’t you meant to be downstairs waiting with me?’

Kitty was wearing a silky wrap in the style of a Japanese kimono, in a soft pastel aqua patterned with flowers. Not that Sebastian was overly noticing the pattern; his eyes were drawn to the way it gaped at the neck to reveal the edge of a lacy blue bra and the swell of creamy breasts. Kitty clutched the edges together to bunch the fabric and protect her modesty. He noticed her hands weren’t steady. Why wasn’t she dressed?

The silence between them became uncomfortable, until she raised her eyes to his. ‘I... I can’t do this, Sebastian. I was about to call you. I’m sorry.’ Her eyes were huge, her mouth trembled.

‘Do what? I’m not sure what you mean.’ Could she not work for him any longer? Fear clawed him at the thought.

‘The dinner. I thought I could be your hostess, but I can’t.

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