Slipper by Hester Velmans

Author:Hester Velmans
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: louis xiv, romantic novel, literary novel, cinderella, 17th century, womens history, historical fic, romance 1600s, perrault, metoo
Publisher: van Horton Books

“Lamb! What’s happened to you! You look a sight!”

“No time to explain now—Robert’s on his way. I ran—” she paused to catch her breath “— all the way, so he wouldn’t find me gone.”

“Here, give me those!” Bessie took the telltale muddy shoes and hid them under a table, while Lucinda put on her slippers and retied her apron neatly. Bessie tried to smooth her pet’s wind-tousled hair. They heard the front door open, and his lordship bellowing for his valet.

Moments later he appeared in the drawing room. Lucinda had composed herself somewhat, although her cheeks were still flushed.

Robert raised an eyebrow.

“Ready for supper yet, ladies?” he asked. “I am ravenous!”

The ladies said nothing. They were confused by his good spirits.

“I have something I must attend to,” he said. “Back in a trice.”

“My lord!” exclaimed Lucinda.

“Yes, coz?”

“I…I am happy to see you back so soon, and—looking so well,” she said lamely.

“Of course I am well!” He grinned. “Should I not be?”

“Of course you should!” But when he was at the door, she blurted, “Did you find him in?”

“Who, pray?”

“You know.”

“If it’s that cad Beaupree you mean, I can inform you that he will have to answer to me eventually.”

“Oh?”

“But the knave’s gone, don’t you know.”

“Gone?” repeated Lucinda, open-mouthed.

“Flown the coop. Back to his regiment. In France.”

“Gone! Really!” exclaimed Bessie, tut-tutting in a relieved sort of way.

“Really,” he echoed. “But it was to be expected, of a person of his breeding. It takes a noble man to stand and face the consequences.”

“How—do you know?” It came out as a whisper.

“My dear girl. It’s all over town. They’ve all gone—the Duke of Monmouth, Arlington, Villiers, the Marquis of Huntly, my Lord Rockingham’s sons, Churchill. They say the King of France is preparing to lead his army against the Dutch. In person! I suppose they are all hoping to curry favor with him. It seems,”— he dabbed at his nose in exaggerated amusement—”it seems Sarah’s suitor arrived here, found everyone gone, and took off after them in haste. Worried he might be missing out on some of the glory. Poor devil. Ha! Ha, ha, ha, ha!”

Lucinda found it hard to look sincerely amused.

“Well then. I shall tell Klepton to prepare a feast.” He rubbed his hands. Turning to Bessie, he said sternly, “You, mistress, are henceforth to take your meals in the kitchen. And see to it that we are not disturbed.”

He caught Lucinda’s indignant glare and, blushing, backed out the door.

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