Charm by Sarah Pinborough Page B

‘if you like that kind of thing.’
    ‘Are you being rude to me on purpose?’ Cinderella asked, frowning at him. ‘If you think I’m so ugly just keep your opinions to yourself.’
    He smiled again, laughing at her she was sure. ‘What?’ she snapped, crossly.
    ‘It wasn’t the raw product I was commenting on, it was all the trimmings. You look like a proper little court lady, that’s for sure.’
    ‘What’s so wrong with that? That’s what I want to be.’
    ‘Nothing. It suits some. I just prefer a real woman, that’s all. The type who runs free through the forest. Now, let’s get you to your perfect prince, shall we?’
    She didn’t say another word, but pressed her lips tightly together. She could quite happily not speak to the insufferable brute for the rest of her life.
     
    R ose was trying to talk to the prince as Cinderella swept into the ballroom, and she was glad to see that he was showing no interest in her whatsoever. If anything, he looked distracted and irritated, his glance going this way and that, scanning the room. Her heart lifted at the sight of him and she took a glass of champagne and waited until he’d fully spurned her step-sister, sending her scurrying to the sides of the ballroom in shame, before she approached him.
    ‘Hello,’ she said, simply, as his mouth dropped open.
    ‘You! You’re here! You look . . .’ He stared at her and smiled. ‘Perfect.’
    ‘I’m sorry I left,’ she said, as he took her in his arms and swept her onto the dance floor. Around them, couples pulled back slightly and the partnerless young women drifted into the corners to console each other. It was clear the prince had eyes for no other. He had come back to life with her arrival, his listlessness suddenly shed like a second skin.
    ‘I thought you had left me,’ he said. ‘I couldn’t sleep. I’ve thought of nothing but you.’
    ‘I’ve been the same,’ she said and smiled. Could he have become more handsome overnight? It seemed that way. Once again, just like the previous night, they danced and talked and revelled in each other’s presence until he gave a signal and the music paused, and then the prince took her hand and led Cinderella out towards the balcony.
    ‘Let’s go somewhere more private,’ he whispered into her ear. His voice was like electricity running through her, and she simply nodded. She was breathless. Her skin was flushed. Two servants pulled the glass doors open for them and they stepped out into the night. The doors closed, sealing them off from the rest of the party. No one would join them out here, that was clear, and now that the dance had stopped Cinderella was glad to be away from the rest of the guests. Rose and her step-mother wouldn’t be expecting to see her here, and certainly not dressed so glamorously, but that still wouldn’t stop them recognising her if they looked for too long – and everyone’s eyes had been on her by the time the music finished. Everyone thought the prince had made his choice.
    At some point while they’d danced soft snow flakes had started to fall, but the balcony was covered in a silk canopy and fires burned in ornate metal stands and the air was warm. Cinderella was sure that even if it was pouring with icy rain she wouldn’t notice. Ahead of them the city was spread out, an ocean of darkness with only occasional ships of light in the gloom. It was late, and while the castle was still filled with music and dancing, the ordinary people had long days ahead. As she stood at the low wall that ran around the balcony, looking out over it all, she felt a lifetime away from the grime and cold of the city’s winter.
    She looked up at the handsome man beside her and smiled. The prince, saying nothing, pulled her close, one arm wrapping tight around her. He lifted his other hand and traced his fingers down her face and to her neck, his eyes lingering on her skin. Her breath came more rapidly as her stomach knotted with longing. Each