The Glass Slipper Project (5 page)

Isabella wrapped her scarf around her neck wondering who she disliked more, the cat or its owner.

I
sabella raced home, quickly changed into her evening wear and jumped back into her car, which had cooled considerably. Her car took an hour to heat up. Unfortunately, the mansion was only a half-hour drive. So by the time she arrived, Isabella’s hands and feet were frozen. She entered the grand ballroom, her teeth chattering. The event was in full swing and a large crowd had gathered to enjoy the festivities. Numerous floor-to-ceiling windows surrounded the ballroom decorated with colorful, miniature lights and fresh garland. Floating candles in small oval glass holders sat on finely woven satin tablecloths. A wide assortment of food and fine wine filled the main table, fighting for attention with colorful delights such as marzipan sweets and ladyfingers. To one side of the room, a small classical ensemble, dressed in formal attire, provided soothing background music.

Women stood around, some dressed in tight body hugging gowns in an array of colors, with hand-sewn sequin and diamond trimmings. Others wore layers of fabric that scraped the ground and could trip anyone not paying attention. Most of the men wore formal attire, tuxedos with either short or long tails.

Mariella marched up to Isabella who was holding back a sneeze. “Where have you been?”

She blew warm air on her hands and rubbed them together. “Mrs. Lyons lost her cat.”

“She’s always losing that cat. When will she understand that it’s
trying
to run away?”

“She was distraught.”

Gabby and Daniella approached them. “You’re freezing,” Gabby said.

“I’ll be warm in a second.”

“Go get something warm to eat. They have absolutely fabulous food.”

“I’m not really hungry.”

“You’re never hungry,” Gabby said.

“Have you been enjoying yourself?”

“Oh, yes,” Daniella said.

Mariella glanced around the room. “This is how I was meant to live.”

Isabella folded her arms and bounced up and down on her toes still trying to get warm. “Have you spoken to Le — Alex?”

“Stop doing that,” Mariella said.

Gabby hit Mariella on the arm. “Can’t you see she’s freezing?”

“A lady is never supposed to show distress.” She gripped her hands into fists. “I said stop it,” she demanded when Isabella began to jog in place.

Isabella stood still and hugged herself.

Mariella smiled in approval. “That’s better.”

Isabella rubbed her hands together again. “So have you seen him?”

“We haven’t had the chance.” She pointed to a man surrounded by women. “Every female in the county is here.”

“Hoping to be the next Mrs. Carlton,” Gabby said.

Mariella suddenly looked thoughtful. “Imagine being his wife.”

“His mother has hinted that he is ready to settle down.”

“What a catch.”

Isabella shook her head. “And every woman has a hook.”

Mariella tapped her chin. “But we have the best bait.”

“What?”

“Any wife of his would get to live in our beautiful house, right? Well we already owned it and know everything about this town. We have connections.”

Isabella looked at her, suddenly uneasy with the gleam in Mariella’s eyes. “What is your point?”

“Think about the benefit of being his wife. You would get to meet fascinating people and wear wonderful clothes.”

“Plus have a husband who is handsome,” Daniella said.

“Intelligent,” Gabby added.

Mariella grinned. “And rich.” She clapped her hands together. “Sisters, I have a brilliant idea. One that will solve all our problems.”

Isabella touched her arm with growing apprehension. “Mariella, I’m not sure —”

She shook her hand away. “You’re going to like my idea.”

Gabby moved in closer. “What is it?”

Mariella paused, studying her sisters’ faces then said, “One of us should marry him.”

Isabella laughed. “You’re not serious.”

“I’m very serious. In a way he owes us. He’s bought
our
home and is casting us out on the streets.”

Isabella groaned. “Not that again.”

“Besides we’ve known him for years, sort of. We grew up with him. He already knows us and likes us.”

Gabby nodded. “It’s not a bad idea.”

Isabella stared at her stunned. “You’re more sensible than that.”

“Poor and sensible. Not the best combination.” She frowned as she glanced at the large number of ladies surrounding Alex. “But what would make him consider one of us?”

Mariella held up a finger. “First of all, we’re the most attractive women in the room.”

“Well, that distinction doesn’t seem to be working for us right now.”

“That’s because we haven’t used it yet. We have to get him to know of our intentions.”

Isabella shook her head. “Mariella —”

“This will work,” she cut in.

“How?” Daniella asked.

“Strategic planning. You can get whatever you set your mind to.”

Isabella glanced at Alex then her sisters. “I’m certainly not interested in getting married to a stranger or staying in that house.”

Daniella smiled. “I am.”

“Dani, you’re too young for him.”

“I am not.”

Mariella ignored her and looked at Gabby. “So that leaves the two of us.”

“He is nice.” Gabby sent him a pensive look. Then turned to Isabella and frowned. “Don’t look at me like that, Izzy. Women have married for worse reasons. We have debts. Do you want to spend the rest of your life struggling?”

“No,” she said, surprised by her sister’s determination. “But —”

“Then help us. It’s our best hope.”

“I just don’t —”

“It’s a wonderful idea,” Mariella said. “What could possibly go wrong?”

Isabella shook her head. “Many things like —”

Gabby grabbed her arm. “We can’t do this without your support. Please help us.”

Isabella stared at her sisters then sighed. “Very well.”

Gabby clapped her hands. “Good.” Her brows came together in concern. “You’re looking a little pale. You need food.”

“No, it’s not food.” She briefly touched her forehead. “I’ve just lost my mind.”

“But it’s a good plan,” Daniella said.

Isabella shook her head. “You don’t even have a plan yet.”

“Tonight we’ll study him,” Mariella said. “Find out his likes and dislikes.”

Daniella surveyed the crowd. “I’ll go talk to Sophia. She’ll tell me what we need to know.”

“Don’t be too obvious.”

“I won’t,” she said annoyed. “Give me some credit.”

Mariella adjusted her dress strap. “I’ll approach him first.”

“Why you?” Gabby asked.

“Because I’m the eldest. I’ll make the way easier for you.”

“Fine,” she said, knowing it was impossible to argue. “I’ll go get you something to eat, Izzy.”

“I’m really not hungry,” Isabella began but her sister had already disappeared into the crowd. She turned to Mariella who watched Alex like a predator.

“Mariella, I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“I always do. Don’t worry, Izzy. Our fortunes are about to change.”

“Yawning in public is very bad manners.”

Alex sent his mother a glance. “I’m tired of having good manners. Why did I make this evening so long?”

“People are enjoying themselves and enjoying you. We’ve raised a lot of awareness and…um…money.”

“All for a good cause. I don’t know why you have such an aversion to speaking about it when you spend it so freely.”

“I’m only helping. You have so much of it. I wouldn’t want you to become spoiled.”

He grinned. “Ah, always looking out for my best interests.”

Velma looked around the grand hall pleased that everyone was having a good time. She saw Sophia talking to Daniella, happy that the two girls were getting on. Then her gaze fell on Marilyn Tremain and her gut tightened. They’d met earlier in the evening. She had once worked for the Tremains as a house cleaner before she’d set up her business as a seamstress. She and Marilyn were of the same age and good looks. Both had husbands who decided to leave them, and had they been of equal status, they may have been friends, but the chasm of class and innate social prejudice made that impossible.

Marilyn had greeted her coolly. “You seem to have done well for yourself, Velma,” she said. Years had done little to her exquisite copper skin. She’d let her short dark hair gray, but had maintained her lithe figure. Velma fleetingly wished she’d done the same, but women in her family always tended to get round as they aged.

“Yes, I’m very proud of Alex.”

“I’m sure David would have been too if he’d stayed around.”

“Yes.”

“I’m actually surprised to see you back here.”

Velma nodded. “So am I.”

“I hope Alex isn’t here to cause any trouble.”

“No, he isn’t and neither am I. We just wanted to come home.”

“As long as that’s all,” she said in a low voice.

“That’s all. You have nothing to worry about.”

Marilyn sent her an uncertain look then smiled. “Good. Perhaps we’ll get together sometime. I see that Sophia is friendly with Daniella. Which is considerate, she’s such a sweet girl, but hardly beneficial considering their present circumstance.”

“The Duvall girls are a fine group of women.”

“I’m not criticizing them. It’s just a shame that their parents didn’t have better sense than to up and die and leave them penniless. Very careless if you ask me. We tolerate them now of course. One can’t help but be sympathetic, but they aren’t regarded in the same way as before.”

“By you or by everyone?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.” She shrugged. “As you know, your friends are your allies and it is wise to choose them well. Excuse me,” she said and walked away.

Velma frowned at the memory and focused her attention on the present, glancing at Alex. She knew that they needed the right connections. She had to make sure that Alex understood that. “We have a lot of money now, but money isn’t everything you know.”

“Money is enough.”

“You have to associate with the right people.”

He flashed a look of mock surprise. “Oh, dear. Has my mother become a snob?”

She moved her shoulders annoyed by the accusation. “No, it’s just that we left in a hurry and now that we’re back people might wonder about our intentions.”

“I know. I always wondered why we had to leave.”

“I told you that someone wanted us gone.”

“And you still refuse to tell me who.”

“Because it doesn’t matter anymore. Besides, I explained to you that we’d have a better opportunity elsewhere.”

“Yes. Dad said the same, but he didn’t come back.”

“He was a good man.”

“Just a little inconsiderate.” He forced a smile. “Relax, I don’t hate him anymore.”

Velma didn’t believe him, but didn’t wish to argue. “It will take a lot more than money to erase people’s memories.”

“Of course.”

“Most of the ladies come from very important families. I know you’re ready to settle down.”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“It’s good to have standards.”

He raised a brow. “I’m sure you’ve already set them for me.”

“I’m not one to meddle, but it wouldn’t hurt if her family is well-established.”

He nodded again.

“A woman like that at a man’s side is a great asset.”

“Don’t worry,” he said surveying a group of young women who took care to catch his eye dressed in expensive gowns and wearing both bold and shy smiles. He watched them with cool detachment. “I’m a few steps ahead of you. Now go and enjoy the party.”

Gabby looked at the selection of food on the banquet table trying to remember which dishes she had enjoyed the most. She wanted to make sure Isabella got to taste the best ones before they were all gone. She grabbed tarts and asparagus drizzled with cheese, and grilled shrimp.

“Coming for a second helping?” Elaine Tremain said watching Gabby with a smirk.

Gabby didn’t glance up, ignoring Elaine’s slender build and haughty expression. “No.”

“Not that it would be unusual for you to do.”

Gabby continued to pile her plate.

“Everyone knows that times are really tough for you nowadays, so I suppose it’s understandable.”

“Isn’t this food great?” a male voice said from behind.

The two women turned to see Tony who was also stacking his plate. He noticed them looking and grinned. “I know I’ve been back here twice, but I’d hate to see the food go to waste.”

“Well,” Elaine said. “When Gabby’s around, food rarely does.”

“Then she sounds like my kind of woman.” He winked at her. “I don’t like people who waste anything. Especially other people’s time.”

He said the words so amiably that for a moment Elaine didn’t know she’d been insulted, then she glared at him and left.

Gabby smiled at him gratefully. “Thanks, I thought she’d never leave. This plate isn’t for me, by the way, it’s for Izzy.”

“You don’t have to explain. I don’t care if you piled two plates for yourself.”

“I would.” She sniffed. “I’d end up looking like a pig.”

His serious gaze met hers. “You couldn’t look anything less than as beautiful as you are.”

She ducked her head. “You’re embarrassing me.”

Tony turned his attention back to the table as though suddenly remembering himself. “I’m sorry.”

Gabby began piling her plate again, stealing glances at him. He was better looking than she’d remembered, though he was much older. She had let his graying hair and rugged features distract her from his beautifully sculpted profile, kind mouth and gentle eyes. “You’ll like those,” she said pointing to a row of fruit tarts.

“How do you know?”

She shrugged and turned, smiling coyly. “Because I did.” She walked away unaware of how long Tony continued watching her.

Gabby searched the ballroom for her sister, but when she couldn’t find her, she went to look in the hallway. Behind one of the pillars she found Isabella warming her hands over a heating vent. “What are you doing out here?”

“It’s warmer.”

Gabby frowned. “You’re hiding.”

“I’m not hiding. I’m trying to warm up.”

“You should be warm by now.”

“Well, I’m not.”