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  KEEP ON BELIEVING

  Fairy-Tale retelling (Cinderella)

  By Marie Higgins

  Copyright © 2016 Marie Higgins

  Cover Design by Virginia McKevitt

  Edition License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  DEDICATION

  PROLOGUE

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  THIRTEEN

  FOURTEEN

  FIFTEEN

  SIXTEEN

  SEVENTEEN

  EIGHTEEN

  EPILOGUE

  Author’s Bio

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  DEDICATION

  I want to dedicate this book to a very special friend of mine—author, Jenni James. She encouraged me to write fairy tales, and especially, a Cinderella story. Well, Jenni, here is my version of Cinderella. Writing this story was so much fun!

  I want to especially thank my daughter, Chrystal. She was a huge help to me when I needed someone to brainstorm with. I can’t wait until she becomes a writer just like her mother.

  I also want to thank my editors, Sheri McGathy and Carol Spralding. I also want to thank Veronica Mesia , Sharon Simmons, Debbie M, and Joyce Robison for always being there to help me when I need it.

  And, to my Wattpad friends for helping me with edits. I also want to thank my Wattpad friends for their encouragement while I was writing this story.

  Taking some of the family’s jewels, Ella Spencer and her brother leave the kingdom in the dead of night, escaping the clutches of their evil stepmother. They need a different life than one of a servant. Now living in a new kingdom, Ella believes this is where they can start over again. So far, it’s working...until her brother’s school teacher starts poking his nose into their business. She cannot tell him the truth, yet deep down inside, she feels that he might be her Prince Charming after all, and be the one who’ll save her from danger.

  Christopher Morgan is hiding secrets that he never plans to divulge. The sister of one of his students intrigues him, and he can’t keep from wanting to know more about her. When a man comes around asking questions, Chris fears Ella is not safe and he needs to protect her. But he finds that he is the one in need of a dream-come-true. Can he hope that Ella will be the one to rescue him out of his life before these secrets destroy him?

  PROLOGUE

  Kingdom of Caittea

  Holding on tight to her younger brother’s hand, Ella Spencer led Billy down the servant’s stairs toward the back door. The castle was quiet, thank goodness. Then again, it was two o’clock in the morning. Ella hoped nobody would be awake. There was no way she wanted one of the servants to try and talk her out of this. And Heaven forbid one of them went to her stepmother, Rodmilla. That woman would lock Ella and Billy in the dungeon.

  Again.

  Carefully, she opened the door. Billy crept out first, before she followed. Being as quiet as she could, she pulled the door until the latch softly clicked shut. Both of them held a satchel in each hand filled with items they would need to survive, and on their backs, a pack stuffed with clothes. Her brother was ten years younger, and at the age of twelve, he was doing pretty well. He had a strong back, and thankfully, strong arms. Together, they would be able to leave their home—and their horrid stepmother—and find peace in another kingdom. Perhaps then, Rodmilla would finally forget about the two children who’d belonged to the man she had married five years ago.

  Quickly, they moved together away from the house. Just as they reached the tall gate that surrounded their castle, Ella stopped and took one last peek at her home.

  Fighting back tears, she wondered if she would ever see this place again. Legally, she and her brother still had an inheritance coming, but until she turned twenty-five or her brother turned eighteen, neither of them would get it. And that’s if Rodmilla didn’t spend all of their father’s wealth. True, their family wasn’t the richest in the kingdom, but they were definitely well off. At least they had been before her father died eighteen months ago.

  “Do you think she’ll try to find us?” Billy asked in a small voice.

  “I sure hope not. I don’t know why she would waste her energy, anyway. The only reason she wanted us around was to treat us like servants. She won’t suffer with us gone.”

  “I’m going to miss this place.” Billy’s voice squeaked before he cleared his throat.

  She knew he was as heartbroken as she. “I’ll miss it, too, but only the old times with Papa. Since he died, this place hasn’t seemed like home.”

  “Very true.” Billy wiped his nose with the cuff of his jacket sleeve.

  She put her arm around his shoulders and squeezed. “We must not give up believing we will come back one day.”

  He nodded. “As long as Rodmilla isn’t still living here, right?”

  Ella chuckled. “Right. Once we get our inheritance, the castle will be mine, not hers, and I plan on kicking her out.”

  “Good, because if you didn’t, I would.”

  She smiled and ruffled his curly blond hair. “Come on, let’s hurry. I want to get far away from here before someone notices us gone.”

  “The farther, the better.” He winked.

  She took one last look at her home as she toyed with the gold locket around her neck. This time, she allowed a tear to slip from her eyes. I’ll be back one day, I promise!

  SIXTEEN MONTHS LATER

  “Lady Spencer,” her servant, Farley, managed between gasps for air, “the man you sent for has arrived.” His chest lifted and fell quickly as he twisted his felt hat in his hands.

  Rodmilla sat in her heavily cushioned chair and drummed her fingernails on the wooden armrest. The news from the servant relieved her. However, she shouldn’t have had to wait a fortnight until he finally showed up. Taking this long was not permissible.

  “It’s about time. “ She arched an eyebrow. “Did you show him into the parlor?”

  The mousy servant shifted from one scrawny leg to the other. “Aye, milady.”

  She waved her jeweled fingers in the air. “Fine. I shall be there forthwith.”

  “Milady, shall I have Johnstone prepare refreshments?”

  Irritation added to the anger already building inside of her. “Of course not, Farley. I shall not reward him for taking his time in getting here.”

  Color seeped out of the servant’s face. “But milady, he has traveled many miles—”

  “That makes no difference.” She gripped both hands on the armrests. “The missive I’d sent explained how important this matter was. He should have tried his best to arrive posthaste.”

  Farley dropped his gaze to the floor. “Aye, milady. Is that all?”

  “Indeed. I don’t have any further need for you right now.”

  When the frail servant scurried out of her room, she shook her head. What was wrong with these servants anyway? Did they not realize with just one snap of her fingers they could be out of a job? Apparently, not.

  Sighing heavily, she stood and ran her palm over her bodice and down her waist. Just because the man s
he’d sent for was finally here, didn’t mean she was going to hurry. She’d been waiting exactly fourteen days. He could wait on her now.

  She walked with ease as she headed for the door. As she passed one of her mirrors hanging on the wall, she stopped and gazed upon her reflection. She lifted her chin slightly higher and tapped her fingers underneath. Thankfully, she had no saggy skin. Her black hair was still perfect without a strand of gray to age her. And, no wrinkles marred her face—those worth mentioning, anyway. After all of these years, she was still quite attractive for a woman of five and forty years, even if she had to say so herself. But thankfully many men told her how they thought she was the prettiest woman in the kingdom.

  A smile stretched across her perfectly shaped lips. Of course she was lovely. She had always found an admirer, and the men were usually wealthy. She wouldn’t marry a man otherwise. Her latest admirer was Fernand Kingston—one of the wealthiest men in the kingdom.

  Laughter bubbled in her throat as she thought of him. Not long after Henry Spencer, her last husband, had died, she had caught Fernand’s attention. It upset her to think she was running out of Henry’s money already—no thanks to his greedy daughter and son—so when Fernand began taking an interest in Rodmilla, she did all she could to make him offer for her hand. Unfortunately, she had to pretend to be the grieving widow for a year first. However, it still took another eight months before he finally asked her to be his wife.

  But the proposal came with a price.

  Her smile quickly turned into a scowl. That wretched stepdaughter, Ella, and her pain in the arse brother were still missing! Fernand had promised his good friend, Henry, to look after his family after he died. Before Fernand would marry Rodmilla, he wanted Ella and Billy found...and Fernand expected her to find them. Personally, she didn’t care about the ragamuffins as much as she cared about what they had taken from her. If she had her way, they would both wither away and disappear forever. Too bad Fernand had different plans.

  She fisted her hands by her sides and marched out of the room and toward the parlor. When she entered the room, the man stood and doffed his hat.

  “Milady,” he said. “Please forgive me for coming to your aid later than planned. I was finishing my latest case and I didn’t want to leave until it was completed.”

  She arched an eyebrow. His excuse didn’t make a difference now.

  He was an odd sort of man, not attractive in the least. But he was tall and had broad shoulders. She supposed a man of his stature would make a good hunter. Regardless of his appearance, she wanted him for one purpose only.

  “You are probably wondering why I summoned you to my estate.” She moved immediately to her favorite black and red cushioned chair and sat, feeling once again like the queen who was in her throne. He bobbed his head, so she continued, “I asked around for someone who was well-trained in tracking down missing people, and your name was given to me. Were the rumors correct? Can you track missing people down quickly?”

  He stood taller. “Yes, milady.” He took a step forward, his chest puffed out. “I am the best in the kingdom. I am well known for the speed in which I find those who have gone missing.”

  Rodmilla tilted her head, studying the man closer. He sported a scraggly brown beard and had wrinkles around his eyes, making him appear older than she first thought he was. But it didn’t matter his age as long as he was the best.

  “What about runaways?” she asked.

  “Indeed, milady.” He offered her a smile. “I can find them, whether they wish to be found or not.”

  Knowing Ella and her younger brother, they would certainly try to keep hidden. Rodmilla wasn’t as upset about them leaving as she was when she found some of the more expensive family jewels missing. Henry had lavished his first wife—Ella and Billy’s mother—with very large gems. Now that they were in the hands of the girl and her brother, Rodmilla figured they wouldn’t have to worry about starving to death with jewels such as that. Then again, Ella took some of her father’s money with her as well. Rodmilla could only hope by now they would have spent most of it. With any luck, finding their whereabouts would be easier if they were short on money.

  “What if they don’t want to be found?” She arched an eyebrow. “And what if they are no longer in this kingdom? Does your expertise have you searching in other kingdoms as well?”

  “Aye.” He smiled. “As I mentioned before, I am the best.”

  “Splendid.” She smiled as hope filled her. “I want you to look for my stepchildren, Ella and her younger brother, Billy.”

  Confusion crossed his features, making his forehead crinkle. “Ella and Billy are missing?” he asked softly.

  “Yes. They have been gone for almost two years now.”

  Finally a frown claimed his face. “Forgive me for being surprised, milady. I was not aware they were missing.”

  She snickered to herself. Of course he didn’t know. She had kept it a secret all this time. Even the servants didn’t know since she’d told them the children left to visit their grandmother for a while. There was no reason for the staff to question the lady of the house. They were aware of how upset the children were when their father died.

  “Yes, well...they have been missing, and I want them found. Fernand Kingston,” she adding, putting more emphasis on his name, “wants them found, too. I expect you know who that is?”

  The man bobbed his head.

  She smiled. “Splendid. Then I shall expect prompt service from you. I shall pay you half now and half after you have found them and brought them back.”

  He remained silent, but his expression told her he was thinking hard. Although he kept his stare on her, she doubted he was really looking at her. She didn’t care, as long as the outcome was positive. There was no time to try and find someone else. Time was critical. The sooner those imps could be found, the sooner she could marry a powerful, wealthy man.

  The man sighed. His face relaxed and a smile stretched his mouth. “I will accept, milady.”

  Rodmilla breathed a sigh of relief. “Splendid. I shall have my financial advisor pull out the money for you posthaste. As I mentioned before, this is a very urgent matter. I expect prompt service.”

  “And you shall have it, milady.” He nodded. “I will do all I can to bring Miss Ella and Master Billy home safe.”

  Silently, she snickered with delight. Just as long as the two ragamuffins were brought home, that’s all she cared about. Once she married Fernand, she’d send those brats away. She couldn’t have them around when she married a wealthy man. They might expect some of her fortune as well. And she was not going to share one coin with them ever again.

  ONE

  Kingdom of Pipria

  They know I’m here!

  Panic rushed through Ella. She ran toward her black stallion and jumped on his back. Leaning forward, she urged the animal into a fast run. Although the streets were littered with people, she had to get away as fast as she could. She maneuvered her stallion the best she could through the crowd, heading toward the edge of town.

  She and her brother had been strangers here nearly twenty months ago, but she was still very cautious and watched people to see if they peered curiously at her. She didn’t want to make anyone suspect she and Billy were runaways. And more importantly, she didn’t want people to ask her questions. She hated lying, but to protect Billy and their new life, Ella must not divulge the truth to anyone.

  Slowing her horse, she glanced over her shoulder to see if the man she’d spotted earlier was following her. He’d stepped in front of her at the General Store, and some of his questions frightened her. She’d quickly made an excuse and left. But now as she searched the boardwalk and the cobblestone street, she saw no sign of the man.

  She inhaled slowly and released her breath even slower. Perhaps she’d spooked herself for nothing. Apparently, the middle-aged man wasn’t trying to find out if she was Ella Spencer from Caittea after all.

  Then again...she didn’t want to t
ake any chances.

  Finally, she reached the less congested part of town with more houses than shops. She could ride faster with less hindrance. She pushed her heels against the animal’s belly, urging him to go faster. Not often did she leave the house by herself, and now she knew why. She was too scared someone would recognize her. Yet, in all this time in a new kingdom, nobody had. That truth should tell her not to fret, but worrying was second nature to her. She just couldn’t help it. There was no way she wanted to return to Caittea to face Rodmilla’s wrath. Living with that woman was hard enough when her stepmother was compliant. Living with her when she was upset would be pure hell.

  The sooner she could get home, the better.

  As she turned a sharp corner, a man stepped from the shadows and right into her path. Her heart jumped to her throat. “Get out of my way!” she yelled, but the man didn’t hear her.

  A different kind of fear passed through her, and she tugged on the reins. The horse wasn’t slowing quickly enough. White-hot terror surged through her. She was going to run this man over! He could die because of her impatience to get home.

  Finally, the man lifted his attention to her. His eyes widened, and he jumped out of her way just in time. When he landed on the ground, he fell to his knees mere moments before rolling across a patch of dirt.

  Grumbling loudly, she managed to get the stallion stopped. Irritation flared inside of her as she jumped off and marched over to him. The skirt of her dress swung around her legs with the quick rhythm of her gait. She stood above him, arms akimbo, and pierced him with a hard stare, her fear giving her a hard edge.

  “You imbecile!” She swept the large ostrich feathers on her hat from her face. “Could you not see where you were walking?”

  He rolled his eyes before slowly rising to his feet. He brushed off the dirt from his trousers. When his gaze met hers, he swiped the cuff of his sleeve across his dirt-caked lips and cleared his throat. “Please forgive me, Miss. I didn’t see you coming until you were almost upon me.”