Page 3 of Return of the Nutcracker Prince

Her maid and best friend slipped inside and shut the door, head bowed.And then she knew her mother had said something.

“Heidi, I’m so sorry.What did Mama say to you?”

Raising her chin, Heidi appeared to brush off Margareta’s words once more.“It was nothing, Miss.Shall I help you undress?”

“Of course.”Resigned, she turned her back to her maid so she could begin unhooking the cotton bodice.

“You mustn’t use the servant’s stairs again, Miss Clara.Your mother doesn’t like it.”

“I simply couldn’t bear to see anyone after talking with her.”

“But you’re already receiving guests.The Galen family, including young Berengar, is here to see your father.”

“Then I am especially pleased I did not use the main staircase.”She saw Heidi’s smirk in the mirror.She knew Clara had no love for her brother’s friend.Berengar had often made jokes at her expense, much to Fritz’s delight.He was as much of a ruffian as Fritz.

It made no difference to her if they had arrived early.

Once she’d removed the day dress, Heidi produced two additional petticoats to layer under the evening gown.

“Heidi,” Clara sighed.“Mother asked that you tighten my stays before tonight.”

“But you’ll barely be able to breathe!”

“Please, Heidi.I would rather not risk any more of her wrath tonight.It’s Christmas Eve, after all.”

“Very well, Miss.”Laying the petticoats on the bed, Heidi got to work loosening the four petticoats she already wore, then did as she’d asked.Clara gasped.

“Are you alright?It’s too much…”

“No, I’m fine.Leave it, Heidi.”If she fainted, her mother would simply have to excuse her from the festivities.She tried to shake off her foul mood.After all, her friends would be there.It’d been ages since she’d seen Adelia and Francesca.

After her undergarments were back in place, Heidi slipped the additional petticoats over her head, followed by her gown.The off-the-shoulder masterpiece had a pointed bodice, which elongated her plump torso and gave the illusion of a slimmer figure.A white lace bertha hung from theen coerneckline, enhancing her decolletage.

“Miss Clara, you look radiant,” Heidi gasped as she hooked the bodice together in the back.

“It’s a beautiful dress.”But Heidi was right.The green silk highlighted her golden hair and brought out her brown eyes.She looked elegant, like a voluptuous version of her mother.

Margareta would have no reason to complain again tonight.

“You’re a Christmas angel.And that has nothing to do with the gown.”

She turned to Heidi, who was starting to speak like herself again.She smiled.

“Thank you, Heidi.”

Her secret friend grinned back at her.“Let’s get your hair curled.”

Chapter 2

Clarastillhadsometime before the party began.In her new silk gown, with her hair curled prettily around the pearl circlet her papa had gifted her for Christmas ten years ago, she looked like a princess.

And felt like it too, trapped in a tower with no way out.

Well, she did have one, albeit a temporary way.Reading had always been her escape.Anxious to fill her time before the party, Clara crept into her father’s library.Dark wood shelves lined the walls, laden with leather-bound volumes.Most of them were Papa’s ledgers, but he had plenty of fiction as well.She pulled down an old favorite, caressing the worn cover.There was time for a quick chapter before the party.

No sooner had she settled into a chair than the door opened.“Ah, there you are.”Papa let Mama into the library and shut the door behind them.Clara laid the unopened book on her lap.

“Clara.Your father has fantastic news.”

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