Ella busied herself making tea for everyone, hiding in the kitchen so as not to make Lady Tremaine angry. She sent out her Listening, however, and worked to tether her Pulse to the confines of the living room without accidentally overreaching and adding her neighbors’ voices to the mix. After she mastered that, she was able to send out her Sight as well—a gift she’d only just discovered the last time she’d seen Henry. She’d been working on strengthening and controlling it ever since. It wasn’t perfect—the edges of everyone’s hair grew a little burry, like abstract representations of real-life portraits—but Ella told herself it was just as good as being there as she mixed the batter for her mother’s homemade scones.
Henry was a guest in her house, sitting on the reclining chair and putting images in her mind that would be cherished for months to come. She could picture him sitting there near the fireplace, reading the paper while she cleaned.
Ella flinched. She didn’t want to be the maid in her own imagination. She shook her head as she put the scones in the oven, scolding herself for allowing her dream life to become so small. She retooled the visual as she set the tea tray.
Henry would sit near the fireplace in the recliner, reading the paper while she was curled up in his lap, helping him with the crossword. Their life was so simple and stress-free that they had buckets of time for such things like puzzles and papers and pleasantries.
Oh, how she wished for time with him.
In exercising the extension of her gift, she found her fingers naturally balled up into tight fists when her Listening was fully concentrated. Her fists began to tremble when she sent out her Sight. She watched Henry’s careful body language through the wall, mourning the utter muting of the smile that had charmed her so.
Remus Johnstone, on the other hand, oozed a charisma that had an adult sort of subtlety to it. He had a short, professional haircut that kept his black hair trimmed above the collar but left the top with an inch and a half of movement. He was fit, and dressed in a tailored shirt and pressed slacks that didn’t shroud his toned physique. “Lady Tremaine, your home is just impeccable. I wish I could get my housekeeper to do the wonders I’ve seen here. I mean, there’s not a speck of dust anywhere.”
Ella sucked in her breath, wishing she could warn the great Remus Johnstone that his compliments would only harm her in the end.
Lady Tremaine stiffened, though she hadn’t permitted a slouch in the first place. “Yes, well, a servant does best when she’s kept on her toes. Ella is acceptable.”
Remus leaned forward with a breezy smile that could sweep any woman off her feet. “You misunderstand me. I was complimenting you on how well you run your household. I’m afraid I don’t have the talent for grooming servants as well as you do. I just fired mine, actually. Do you think I could…” Then he shook his head and sat back. “Never mind. I can find someone else to throw my money at. I’m sure you wouldn’t dare part with your servant a couple days a week for any price.”
Sweat broke out across Ella’s forehead—a side effect of using too much of magic she wasn’t altogether well-practiced in. Her heartrate quickened as she caught onto what Remus was trying to do for her.
But why? Ella couldn’t fathom why a perfect stranger would go to such lengths to help her.
Henry. Ella cringed at the revelation. She realized the only reason the great Remus Johnstone would be in this house talking about her was because Henry had told his mentor about her nearly bringing down the roof on his head. Remus was one of the most sought-after tutors, not to mention the fact that he was the brother of the Chancellor, who was second only to the king. If Remus knew about her abilities, Ella fretted that he would take her away, as her father predicted would happen if government officials found out about all she could do.
Then again, she thought to herself, if Remus Johnstone wanted to bring me in and lock me up, he could just take me without the charade of paying for my work.
Ella was shaking from head to foot, sweating and breathing through gritted teeth. Maintaining prolonged concentration while sending out two of her senses was taxing. She’d never held them steady for this long.
Still, she wanted to See more, needed to Hear more.
Lady Tremaine kept glancing toward the kitchen, as if weighing the pros and cons of raking in extra money versus having to wash her own laundry. “I might be persuaded to part with Ella a few days a week. For the right price, that is.”
Remus perked up, as if not expecting any sort of compliance. He leaned in and offered her a fee that made Ella balk. He could’ve paid for three housekeepers with that amount, but he said it like he was hoping it would be enough.
To her credit, Lady Tremaine only reacted with a slight inhale, her expression plastered in place to appear somewhat pleasant. “That sounds reasonable. For three days a week?”
Remus gave her a sheepish headshake. “I was hoping I could steal her away for four days a week. I’m ashamed to admit that I’m rather slovenly. I spend so much time working that I sometimes forget about everything else. You seem to have a keen eye for the details, Lady Tremaine. I was thinking perhaps when I drop Ella off and pick her up, you and I could chat a bit more about your political views. You brought up some fascinating points at the Dinner of the Elite that I’d love to hear more about.”
Though his lie was delivered flawlessly, Ella could spot the buttering up for what it was and loved Remus for the crime. He stroked Lady Tremaine’s ego so deftly that she scarcely realized he was doing it to push his own agenda.
The oven dinged, and Ella’s abilities disappeared as she brought herself back to the kitchen. Her whole body felt as if she’d just done a hundred jumping jacks, but she moved quickly around the space, assembling the tea tray with the hot scones that needed no icing.
She’d never been so nervous before, but she knew she had to get the service absolutely perfect. Aside from serving Henry her mother’s recipe for scones, it wouldn’t do for her to drop the tray right after Remus Johnstone had gone to such lengths to praise her prowess in housekeeping skills. She couldn’t imagine what he wanted her for, but she decided she could trust Henry. She was just desperate enough to jump at any chance that would allow her to go through life without nursing a black eye.
Ella moved out into the living room, keeping her head down as she set the tray on the stand in the corner. She doled out the scones and served the tea with a tremble she scolded herself for. Ella didn’t watch Henry take a bite of the scone directly, but kept him in her periphery, chewing on her lower lip until he took a second bite, examining the scone as if it truly pleased him.
“Ella, you’ll be leaving with Remus Johnstone to clean house for him for four days. He’ll bring you back, and then you’ll have your work cut out for you when you return.” Lady Tremaine’s thin lips tightened. “I trust you won’t be a problem.”
“Whatever you like, ma’am.”
She snapped her fingers at Ella to dismiss her, and Henry leaned forward, opening his mouth to chastise Lady Tremaine for treating Ella like a dog.
Remus leaned over with a cordial chortle, placing his hand atop Henry’s with a covert warning in his eyes for the prince to keep his cool. “Henry, be a gentleman and let Drizella and Anastasia show you the grounds. I’ll bring Ella out once she’s packed and ready to go.”
The girls fawned over Henry, each taking an arm again and leading him out the front door in hopes the neighbors would see them in their glory. Drizella had her cell phone in hand and snapped a few selfies with the prince. Henry could only muster up a bland expression that did nothing to soften the agony in his eyes.
Ella darted up the stairs and packed four days’ worth of clothes, her cell phone, and her meager toiletries atop her apron work shirt. Then she tied the bundle up so it fit under her arm like a tight bowling ball. Opening the window, she let her birds out, explaining the situation to them so they didn’t worry over her absence.
Ella wanted nothing more than to run straight out the door, but she kept her pace even, so Lady Tremaine wouldn’t know she was excited. Though she had no idea what life with Remus Johnstone might hold, she knew it couldn’t be worse than the turmoil she dealt with near Lady Tremaine.
When Ella joined them in the living room, she stayed near the doorway, her head down, so she didn’t impede on Lady Tremaine’s moment with the important official.
“I look forward to our talk in four days,” Remus said as he stood to take Lady Tremaine’s hand and place a chivalrous kiss upon the back. He oozed just enough appeal to keep the girlish flirtation buoyant in her eyes, but not enough that he could be accused of leading a woman on. It was a fine line he danced, but he performed the tango flawlessly, his smile vanishing when his eyes fell on Ella’s apron ball. “I’m sorry, did I forget to mention? You’ll be gone for four days. You might want to pack a few more things.”
Ella didn’t open her mouth; she knew Lady Tremaine would speak for her. “Things distract a servant from their duties. That’s the first lesson for you in how to keep a tidy house, Remus.”
Agitation flashed in his eyes, but only Ella noticed it. He turned back to Lady Tremaine with a gracious bow. “You are filled with wisdom, Lady Tremaine. Thank you for this.” Then he turned to Ella. “Though, I must apologize to you, Miss Ella. I’m afraid you won’t have a moment of rest; my house is quite disastrous.”
“It’s no trouble, sir,” Ella murmured.
Lady Tremaine moved to Ella and gripped her chin hard, tilting her head up so she could meet her stepdaughter’s eyes and infuse another helping of intimidation. “You’ll not embarrass our name. You’ll stay out Mr. Johnstone’s sight and work without complaint until he’s happy with the state of his home.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Remus’ tone was light, but his fists clenched at his sides. “I have so much to learn from you, Lady Tremaine.” Then he caught Ella’s eyes with a warning that his patience was nearing its breaking point. “Shall we, Miss Ella?”
Ella lowered her chin the second Lady Tremaine released it, and shuffled out. She held the door open for Remus, and wondered if her life was about to get better, or far, far worse.