I smile at his use of my true name, although the insult to my father’s work stings. My father was ahead of his time. Nowadays, everyone who can afford to is installing plumbing.
“It’s not right, the way they treat you,” he says, placing two small sacks where the larger ones had been a moment before. “Elinor Scinder, daughter of the brilliant Earl Emmett Scinder, oughtn’t be?—”
“I’m fine, sir. I have a roof over my head, food to eat, and even a pet cat. I am much more fortunate than some.”
He shakes his head. “A sweet girl like you deserves better.”
I don’t wish to discuss my home life with him, or with anyone. While I live for my weekly visit to shop in town, I don’t appreciate people’s pity. I like it best when they chat with me about village life. Who’s courting who. Complaints about children doing childish things like running into shops while playing tag. Hearing the names of new babies.
I adore babies. I try not to think about the one I might have had. The last thing I want is to be tied to my stepfather that way.
But at least I’d have had someone to love, and love me in return.
Melancholy ruminations have no place on such a bright and beautiful morning. I carry my shopping out into the street and continue to the milliner’s shop to buy a new ribbon for Drucilla’s bonnet and delicate buttons for Anastasia’s gloves.
So glad I gave up half my ration of lentil beans so my stepsisters can have fripperies.
Ugh.
I give myself a little shake. Bitterness makes me feel more disgusting than cleaning chamber pots, and that’s saying something.
I’m free to explore the town for a few hours on a sunny day. There’s an apple in my pocket for lunch. I’ll find a way to stretch the lentils. Unlike my stepsisters, I don’t need much to be happy, and I like that about myself.
I wave to the baker’s wife.
“Haven’t seen you around lately,” she calls out. “Did you see the news about the prince’s ball?”
“Can’t say I have.”
A royal ball isn’t exactly something I would pay attention to. After the prince rescued the legendary Sleeping Beauty, there was a surge of fae monster attacks. Everyone was talking about how he would marry her even though the monsters attacked the castle, trying to get to her.
But she fell in love with the knight instead, and when he carried her off, the monsters followed. Since then, they’ve become folk heroes for leading the monsters away.
A mural of The Sleeping Beauty adorns the shop next to the bakery, depicting a handsome knight in black armor defending her against an enormous dragon. Her long blond hair swirls in an imaginary wind. Her willowy figure is round in all the womanly places.
“All ladies of high birth are required to attend.”
Mrs. Baker’s voice drags my attention away from the mural. She points to the town notice board, a wooden plank on two posts covered with a wooden roof. Smack in the center is a thick parchment nailed over the other announcements.
“I’ll be sure to tell my sisters.”
“They’ll know by now. The rider came through this morning. He was on his way to see Lord Tremaine.”
Her pitying expression makes me die a little inside. I know what she sees, looking at me. The same thing everyone does—a pathetic little mouse who’s too timid to stand up for herself.
“They’ll be thrilled. Drucilla and Anastacia love any excuse to get dressed up.”
“You ought to be there, too.”
I scoff and glance away.
“You’re as highborn as either of them.”
I shrug, unsure what to say. It’s true that I was born to an earl and that I’m the stepdaughter to a baron, but ladies are refined, plump in places I’m not, and most of all, virgins.
The only evidence of the life I was born into is my dowry, which Tremaine keeps locked in a thick metal box on a high shelf in his study, which is always guarded by Chompers. The key is in my possession, but I keep it hidden away. Someday, I’ll find the courage to get that box and then…
I don’t know what I’ll do.
