If they were not more cautious, Prince might see fit to retract his promise to Esmeralda and take up with that hoyden. Non, he would dare no such a thing. The scandal would make him a laughingstock. He would lose all respect. Regardless, Hilda refused to any chances. She trusted no one.
"Merci," Hilda said, accepting her claret from the servant's tray. Her eyes narrowed on the Conte's eldest son, maneuvering his way toward her errant stepchild. He lowered himself next to her-shamefully close. Why, the little vagrant was out to cull Pricilla's prize. Heated rage roiled through her.
Her heart stepped into an erratic rhythm that had her wanting to clutch her chest, breaths coming short and rapid. With concerted effort Hilda calmed her agitated facilities with a steady inhale. Enough was enough. She vowed adamantly to achieve that one-on-one tête-à-tête this very eve.
She sauntered her way to the settee. The noble Conte de Lecce's son stood quickly offering his place, heels clicking with his formal bow. "Ah, merci, young man." With a pat of her hand, Hilda gave Cinderella a bright smile. Hilda's pleasure grew tenfold at Cinderella's undisguised blanch. "Cinderella, my dear, you look absolutely stunning," she said.
Cinderella dropped her eyes to her lap with a soft, almost indistinguishable reply. "Merci, Stepmama."
"Your daughter, she is lovely, no, Signora?" Alessandro smiled.
"Oui, your compliments are well received, Sir." The erratic tempo soared once more through Hilda, leaving her almost faint.
Hilda glanced up quickly and caught a silent communiqué between Pricilla and Esmeralda. Mayhap she would have a word with Pricilla as well. As the favorite of her two girls, Pricilla could always be depended upon to further the family's edicts. It would have to wait, however. The risk was too great to forestall Cinderella's attendance with Alessandro de Lecce so close at hand with his unpredictable infatuation.