The Wronged Princess - Book I (42 page)
Read The Wronged Princess - Book I Online
Authors: Kae Elle Wheeler
After all, it
wa
s not like some transcendental fairy godmother had swooped in to swing her magic wand to make the shoe fit only one foot!
Ludicrous.
The Real Epilogue
“I must confess,” Queen Thomasine said
.
“
’
Twas
a call too close for my comfort
.
I thought my son was to perish right before my eyes.”
“Nonsense,” Faustine said
.
“I assure you, I had control of the situation entirely.”
“
Mm.
”
Thomasine turned to Arnald
.
“
Dear boy, what a blessing you are to your sweet
mamán
,”
she
said
, accepting
the fluted glass of champagne from her nephew
.
She
dropped into a second chair Faustine had so generously conjured
.
“
Oui
, quite the dear,” Faustine agreed, pinching his cheek before snagging her own glass
.
Thomasine noticed
he
r sister
did not bother rising from her chair at all since he
’d
so conveniently leaned forward.
“Hmm, quite,” Arnald agreed jerking his head
.
“However, I have a feeling my shortened life span is under consideration as we speak.”
“Nonsense,” Thomasine said.
"He
is
curious how the two of you managed to keep the fact that you are twins such a secret," Arnald told them.
"And how, pray tell, did you manage that one, darling?"
"I'm afraid he is not quite finished with the conversation as of yet
.
I shall have to avoid him for a time."
"A not so difficult feat, I should think
, w
ith a new wife and all." Thomasine sipped her wine, thoughtfully, eyes reflecting the sparkling bubbles
.
"Just think
!
Soon I shall have
grand
children
.
Oh, the thought."
Faustine frowned, jealousy marring her
delicate
brow before lifting narrowed eyes
to
Arnald.
"I suspect I should be going…uh…before I am…uh… missed," he said quickly, backing to the door.
"
Oui
.
Perhaps you should," Faustine said
.
Thomasine smiled as Faustine’s e
yes
remained
focused on his hasty exit
.
"Who do you suppose I should set him up with, darling?"
"You know your powers do not allow you to force love, sister dear."
"Alas, I do know,"
Faustine
snapped
.
"But I can certainly entertain the possibility by throwing irresistible women in his path.
”
A petulant pout touched her lips.
"Did not Cinderella break your little magic stick by stepping on it?"
"
Oui
.
I managed an adhesive to piece it back together," she said absently
.
"It works almost perfectly."
"Almost?" Thomasine
squeaked, appalled
.
"Mayhap, we should leave the young ones to find their own way, Faustine."
"Perhaps," she murmured
.
"More champagne, dear?"
"S
'il vous plait
." Thomasine held out her glass.
With a quick flick of her repaired wand,
the
bubbly spilled over the tops of their flutes, along with their soft giggles.
Kae Elle Wheeler was born in Presque Isle, Maine
.
How she ended up in Texas, Colorado, then Oklahoma is as much a mystery to her as anyone
.
She graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a BA in Management Information Systems and a minor in Vocal Music.
In the big picture, she has not been writing near as long as some of her writing cohorts, but has already completed a number of manuscripts
.
An avid traveler, she’s been to Europe, Mexico, Canada and roams from one RWA conference to another, nationwide
.
She’s served several positions in the Oklahoma Outlaws RWA Chapter.
Kae Elle lives with her musically talented husband in Edmond, Oklahoma, has one grown daughter and one bossy cat!
http://www.kae-elle-wheeler.com
@KaeElleWheeler
Keep reading for
an excerpt to
Pricilla’s Story in
Book II
“The Unlikely Heroine”
The Unlikely Heroine
Chapter 1
“Pricilla Louise!
”
Pricilla heard her name loud and clear
.
More precisely—
ex
ceptionally
, loud and clear
.
She ignored it
.
Everyone knew her duties as Land Agent of Chalmers took precedence, and though she couldn’t quite her put finger on it, something seemed not quite right
.
She shuffled through the papers until she reached Sebastian Landsome’s, her bailiff, reports
.
Tenants rents collected, solicitors met with; she’d even patted annoying little children on their perky little heads, and placated the village vicar for Prince Charming and Cinderella’s absence in church due to their soon-to-be growing family
.
While few would hesitate to reprimand Prince for his lack of attendance at the local rectory, they certainly did not mind informing Pricilla of their lack of attendance.
She was hungry, tired, and wanted nothing more than to finish out the schedules she’d promised Prince, and hand them over to his cousin and right hand man, Sir Arnald
.
She blew out a lingering sigh
.
Having a leisurely tray sent to her chamber sounded like heaven
.
La! To just eat, crawl into bed and devour a good and luscious horrid novel….
One peek at her calendar promised no such luck
.
She tapped a fingernail on the desk
.
According to tonight’s entry, the Royal Family had a visiting Italian dignitary making the event a mandatory affair
.
The ormolu clock over the mantel showed the family’s standing supper was scheduled to begin in less than an hour, blast it all
.
Pricilla pressed the heel of her hand onto her forehead, and inhaled deeply
.
She loved and appreciated nothing more than her position as Land Agent for Prince Charming and Chalmers Kingdom
.
’Twas generously offered when Prince and Cinde found one another
.
Especially, after Cinde’s glass slipper fit so easily onto Essie’s dainty foot
.
Alas, the three of them might not have become true sisters had the shoe not fit Essie with such ease
.
Pricilla chuckled at the memories
.
Despite
mamá’s
underhanded manipulations for a different outcome, all had worked out wonderfully.
It galled Pricilla that her own foot, so much larger than either of her sisters, still had the ability to irk
.
In all fairness, marrying Prince Charming would not have suited Pricilla any more than it would have Essie
.
Much to
Mamá’s
dire chagrin
.
Pricilla smiled at how Cinde quite out-maneuvered
Mamá’s
little scheme in tying Essie to Royalty.
Oui
, Pricilla was profoundly aware of society’s expectations for women. That they were good for two things—marriage and babies
.
Irritation rippled through her
.
She, for one, had no use for either
.
Brains were such useful organs, and she intended to use hers
.
Nothing less than a powerful act of magic would convince her otherwise.
It had not taken long for Cinde to do her duty upon nuptials to Prince, becoming
enceinte
with the first royal heir
.
Quite timely
.
’Twas now nine months, and said child was due any day
.
Pricilla shook her head, wayward tendrils teasing her brow
.
She plopped her chin on her fist.
If anyone deserved happiness, it was Cinde
.
In truth, Cinde had not fared so well after
Papá
had passed from this world unto the next
.
Pricilla knew the label people assigned to she and Essie as the evil stepsisters
.
La! They were not so undeserved
.
She pushed away the guilt for her part in Cinde’s preadolescent misery, knowing in all honesty, past actions could not be changed
.
Only current actions were in her power
.
And she and Essie were making tremendous amends, day by day
.
To dwell on their youthful behavior, as hateful as it was, was pure foolishness
.
And, truly, Pricilla cherished her sisters,
both
of them.
Pricilla dragged her thoughts back to supper
.
Alas, she could not deny her envy of Cinde this eve
.
She scowled
.
Cinde
would most certainly manage to escape the family supper—all with the queen’s adamant approval.
A persistent pounding on the sitting room chamber door ceased with an abruptness that startled Pricilla from her wool-gathering
.
The scattered reports before her shifted quickly into focus
.
Copper curls and flashing green eyes peered round the door
.
“You are not yet dressed!” Esmeralda charged
.
“The Italian Ambassador is supping with us this evening
.
Queen Thomasine asked specifically, we be on time.”
“Oh, blast it all.
”
Essie’s alarmed gasp at her profanity made her wince
.
“Just give me a moment, would you?”
“You know it takes long on forty minutes to orchestrate your hair
.
Might I assist
?
Elst send for Manette?”
“Orchestrate?” Pricilla shot her a lethal glance.
Essie’s hand fluttered out
.
“Dress it. Adorn it. Compile it
.
Manage
it.”
“Oh, what do I care who
manages
it
.
Sir Arnald needs these schedules on the morn
.
A moment or two more is all I ask
.
I’ve already sent
Monsieur
Landsome on his way
.
I shall have to finish them, personally.
”