Sweet Cinderella (A Christmas Novella) (The Klaus Brothers Book 4) (2 page)

Hannah was desperate to believe it, and so she did. She needed this night of magic. She twirled in her gown, and the boys laughed. Layers of chiffon skirts floated around her ankles and brushed against silk stockings. Thanks to Maddie’s Second Hand Bridal Shop, Hannah really did feel like Cinderella. Her emerald green gown was suspended by two satin straps and boasted the most glorious beaded bodice. Even her pointy-toed pumps matched. She was feeling positively giddy about the prospect of attending this affair. She’d heard that the Klaus family threw quite the party. It promised to be an extraordinary evening. Elegant. Refined. The beginning of an enchanting holiday season.

Andi often teased Hannah about her love of all-things-Christmas. In fact, no matter how dire their circumstances became, Hannah managed to keep a positive outlook, particularly during the holidays. It wasn’t always easy. She and Andi had endured many difficult moments, including her father’s accident, a childhood of near-poverty, and the loss of Hannah’s husband.

Nevertheless, Hannah cherished Christmas and was determined to make it special for her family. She’d scrimped and saved to make sure the boys would experience that magic on Christmas morning. She loved baking sugar cookies and singing carols while her Uncle Dominic played the flute. She adored watching Christmas movies with the kids. She spent hours crafting homemade wreaths from fresh juniper and pine, and pomander balls dotted with cloves. Andi asked her every year how she could be so jolly in spite of life’s hardships. Hannah knew the answer to that question, but never told.

That was Hannah’s secret. The reason she would always love Christmas. The reason she would always believe things would turn out all right.

A tiny hand in the shadows. Offering a single gift. Offering hope. One night that changed everything, that ensured her optimism would never waver.

Sometimes Christmas magic was a private thing. A dream? Wishful thinking? Or perhaps something else. Something too difficult to explain.

Hannah crouched down on the floor and hugged her boys. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

She prepped the babysitter with emergency numbers and appropriate snacks. Finally she was ready to go. As she headed out of the apartment, Hannah caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed. Her eyes glittered with excitement. Tonight she would live in the moment.

And maybe, if she was really lucky, a handsome prince would sweep her off her feet and ask her to dance. She tucked the plastic tiara into her clutch and quietly left the apartment.

C
hapter
2

Gregor sipped his Lagavulin and surveyed the crowd.

The New York Public Library had been transformed. The stately interior danced with candlelight. Gourmet hors d’oeuvres, sparkling cocktails, and elegant music greeted the guests at this affair. Wolfgang had outdone himself once again. The library had come alive under his guidance.

The attendees were just as Gregor expected—wealthy New York couples, dressed to impress. The women glittered with diamonds. The men smelled like expensive cologne. A sea of color enveloped him. People laughed and argued and exchanged holiday greetings. All around him guests were interacting with each other, connecting. Gregor watched the scene like a voyeur. No one approached him. No one attempted to speak to him. His frosty demeanor ensured his isolation.

He glanced at the clock. He could do this—play the game for a couple of hours to make his family happy, all the while knowing he was an enormous fraud.

A Klaus brother with no Christmas spirit.

He took another sip of scotch and relished the burn down his throat.

His siblings chatted next to him, and he was vaguely aware of their conversation. Everyone in his family contributed to their successful empire. His oldest brother Nicholas created holiday treats at his bakery, Klaus Küche. Sven was the toy-builder and designer. Oskar managed the elves, and Wolf was in charge of philanthropic projects. His four brothers spent most of their time in Glasdorf while he rarely left Manhattan. They spent their days surrounded by Magik and elves, and he spent his days crushing competitors.

Ho, ho, ho.

“Are you okay, bro? I’m worried about you. You don’t look too cheery.” Oskar patted Gregor on the back.

“Fine. Just had a tough week.”

“Yeah, things start getting crazy as Christmas approaches. Sometimes I wish I could spike all the eggnog with Prozac. That might help to kick it down a notch in Glasdorf.” Oskar smirked.

Gregor barked out a laugh. “God bless you, O. I honestly don’t know how you do it.”

Oskar narrowed his eyes. “You sure you’re fine? You look . . . I don’t know. Resigned. What’s going on?”

“Nothing. Really. Just have a lot on my plate between now and December twenty-fifth. Just like all of you.” Gregor rattled the ice in his glass. He didn’t want his brother to worry about him.

That was the last thing he wanted. That was the last thing they needed.

Oskar began to tease Nicholas about fatherhood, and the conversation was redirected. Gregor smiled absently as they discussed the drawbacks of new babies. All the while he darted his eyes around the room, noting colleagues who were there, and local celebrities, and the party set who made the rounds and opened their checkbooks for a cause. It was all good for Wolfgang.

His eyes skipped over the faces, one after another after another.

And stopped.

She turned, and he viewed her in profile.

Sweet. Soft. Beautiful.

She was surrounded by hard edges. Brittle laughter. False eyelashes and thick make-up. Masks everywhere.

Her smile was pure joy. Not one of the tight fake smiles from the party set. But a genuine smile, filled with excitement and wonder.

Her gaze also swept around the room, but unlike his icy glare, her eyes were filled with warmth. She looked totally enchanted with her surroundings. Her eyes grew wide, and her lips parted. She laughed with her companion, and Gregor wondered what it sounded like. She was too far away to hear her voice. Too far away to see the color of her eyes. But he could see her face sparkling with innocent delight.

She was delicate, feminine, with subtle curves and understated sexiness. Her dress floated around her, creating a spell. Her natural sweetness stood out in stark contrast to the women enhanced by plastic surgery and flashy costumes.

Her quiet beauty shone from across the room like a beacon of light. Tempting him. Calling to him.

Dark hair, like bronze silk, was swept up on top of her head, and a few strands floated in front of her face.

He had the irrational need to brush those strands aside and look into her eyes. He curled his fingers into a tight fist.

Gregor turned to his family. “Lots of heavy-hitters here tonight. Wolf will be happy. The Literacy Program should get some serious donations after this event.” He paused. “Does anyone know who the brunette is across the room? Green dress?” He tried to sound nonchalant, as though his fist wasn’t clenched, and his heart wasn’t beating right out of his chest.

Oskar glanced across the room. “Nope. I barely know anyone here . . .”

Lucy and the new baby appeared and became the stars of the show. While his family passed around the newborn, Gregor kept his gaze glued to the woman across the room. She continued to chat with her companion—a woman who was dressed to kill. But he wasn’t interested in that. There was something about the woman in green—her sweetness—he couldn’t ignore.

He almost laughed out loud. Why the hell would he be interested in a woman like her? He was never interested in women like her. He wouldn’t even know what to say.

For the first time in forever, he felt a stab of fear. Would she reject him? See through his charade?

He suddenly became aware of Sven and Wolf prodding him toward the bar.

“Want to join the bachelor crowd for a stronger drink?” Wolf asked.

Gregor reluctantly pulled his gaze away from her. “Sure. Sounds good.”

He and his brothers refreshed their beverages and meandered back to the party. Wolfgang lifted his glass. “To the
Klaus Brother Bachelors
. An endangered species.”

Sven smiled. “The Klaus brothers appear to be dropping like flies. Hard to imagine, but Nicholas and Oskar seem to be adjusting well to family life.”

Wolf sighed. “If I slow down my work schedule, maybe I’ll find time to date. As it stands now, I’m buried in events and planning.” He took a long drag of his drink. “Speaking of that, I see a big donor at the bar. Let me say hello. I’ll catch you guys in a few.”

Gregor’s attention had returned to the woman across the room. She and her companion were still alone, no dates in sight.

Sven elbowed him. “What’s up?” He arched a brow as he followed Gregor’s line of vision.

“I want to meet her.” Gregor’s hand barely trembled as he set down his drink.

She was alone. And sweet. And beautiful.

And he wanted her.

Sven laughed. “She caught your fancy, did she?”

Gregor didn’t answer. He just nodded.

Sven glanced back at the two women. “Why don’t we go over with some champagne and greet them? They’re all alone.”

Gregor gestured to a waiter. “Excellent plan. Let’s go.”

For the first time in months, he felt a flash of fire inside of him.

He embraced it.

“Wow. It looks so beautiful. It’s like magic.” Hannah could barely contain herself. The New York Public Library had been transformed into a fairy tale. Flickering lights and lush floral garlands lined the stairs and hallways. A quartet played in the foyer, and lines of people stood in front of an enormous bar. Christmas decorations were everywhere—trees heavy with velvet ribbon and ornaments suspended from the ceiling. The scent of roses and evergreens filled the air, and the trill of laughter made Hannah’s heart race.

This was the magical moment she needed. The moment she would never forget.

She turned to Andi and saw her sister scowl. “Hey, Grumpus. Let’s try to enjoy the party. You’re the one who convinced me to leave the apartment tonight.”

Andi rolled her eyes. “It’s just . . .
all
these people. All these irritating people.”

“Be nice,” Hannah said. “You look so beautiful in that dress. If you try smiling, someone might ask you to dance.”

Andi barked out a laugh. “Me? Sure. I’m not the one who looks like a princess. You are. I’m so happy I managed to get you out for a night.” Andi winked at her. “And if anyone can throw a fabulous party, it’s Klaus Enterprises. A family that rich and powerful can afford the best of everything. The best champagne. Gourmet food. Hoity-toity music.”

Hannah giggled. “The flowers are stunning, too. And so are all the Christmas decorations.” She clasped her sister’s hand. “Thank you. I needed this. More than you could ever know.”

Andi’s expression softened. “I know, hon. Things are tight right now, especially with Christmas around the corner. But I have some extra money coming in, so don’t worry about the holidays. We’ll be fine.”

“I’m earning good cash with the term paper job. Students always need help during finals. Please don’t worry about us. I just want you to enjoy Christmas for a change instead of being such a Grinch,” Hannah said.

“Okay, Miss Martha-Stewart-Christmas-Lady. I still don’t get why you love this holiday so much. But I promise to stuff the stockings and bring over some candy canes. And wine. How about that?” Andi leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “In fact, I could use some more wine. Should we go for a refill?”

Hannah turned toward the bar, and suddenly the back of her neck got hot. Someone was watching her. She swept her gaze around the foyer. Past the women in their designer gowns, past the men roaring with laughter, past the waiters bustling about with platters of food and champagne.

He watched her from across the room.

He was tall, formidable in a severe black tux. There was no softness in his expression, no warmth. His face was starkly beautiful, all hard angles with a masculine beard and somber countenance.

His intensity was ice cold and intimidating.