The Stepmother: The Seven Kingdoms, #0

By Cordelia Castel

Karma for the wicked stepmother!

Candide Perrault thinks she's committed the perfect crime: selling her stepdaughter to an ogre and stealing the girl's mansion.

But when the girl runs away, and the village busybodies gossip about her treachery, Candide finds herself being investigated by constables and chased out of town by an irate ogre. But her misfortunes are only just beginning…

Anyone who ever wished the wicked stepmother got her comeuppance will love The Stepmother.

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Cordelia Castel
• Release date: May 23, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386121756

Book preview

Chapter 1

Candide Perrault’s first sign of trouble brewing was the burning sensation of bouillabaisse being poured over her head. She shrieked. The gloopy, brown liquid scalded her face, dripped down her neck and onto her lap. It soaked into the silk gown made by the finest couturier in all the Seven Kingdoms. Her daughters, Gabrielle and Angelique, froze in their dining chairs in wide-eyed horror.

Cook, the wretched sow, threw the china tureen aside and glowered, pudgy hands on childbearing hips. Her complexion glowed as red as a spit-roasted hog. That’s for selling an innocent child to a murdering brute!

Before Candide could muster up a witty retort, the rotund woman spun on her heel and stormed out of the dining room.

Mother, cried Gabrielle. Are you hurt?

Despite the hot liquid still trailing down her back, Candide managed a smile. I shall be fine once I’ve put that woman in her place.

She strode out, keeping her steps brisk but elegant. Servants should never see their Mistress undone. And no mere domestic was going to unruffled her. Cook stood at the main doors, handing two carpetbags to Benoit, the footman.

And what, Candide drawled, suppressing a wave of anxiety, Is the meaning of this charade?

Ain’t it obvious? The woman nodded to Benoit, who opened the door. We’re leaving.

Gabrielle and Angelique rushed past, like fawns chasing after a doe. Their lack of decorum made Candide bristle.

Angelique grabbed Cook’s hand. But who will take care of us if you leave?

Please don’t go, said Gabrielle through sobs. We didn’t sell Rilla. It was her.

All three women turned, fixing Candide with frosty glares. And without a word of goodbye, Benoit snatched the carpet bags and walked out of the open door. It took all her self-control not to wilt under the hostility.

Candide straightened, held her head high and ignored the cooling bouillabaisse sticking her underwear to her skin. Cookie Palmiers, I will forgive this indiscretion if you turn back and submit yourself to discipline. However, if you walk out of that door and leave my employ, I will see you pilloried for the assault of a noblewoman.

The woman snorted. You can try. She pulled her hand out of Angelique’s grasp and stepped out of the house. But if anyone deserves the stocks, it’s you, Madame!

Gabrielle’s lips trembled. And how will we feed ourselves now that we have no servants?

Angelique gave Candide a withering look but remained silent.

We have enough gold to hire a platoon of servants and have you wed in splendor by the end of the month, Candide replied. With your beauty and this dowry, you could even marry the Crown Prince Armin.

Gabrielle brightened at this, and Candide retreated to her boudoir for the evening.

The next morning, a loud coughing awoke Candide from her slumber. Both girls stood over her, their pretty faces marred by frowns.

We’re hungry, said Gabrielle.

Candide closed her eyes and turned. Then eat.

Those two could stand over her all they wanted. It would take Candide at least a few more hours of slumber to overcome the shock of being so viciously assaulted in her own home. And when she was ready, she would demand that Sergeant D’Armes drag Cook to the village square for punishment. She smirked. If Candide accepted him as a gentleman caller, she could make him arrest Benoit as an accomplice.

Mother, said Angelique, her voice sharp.

Enough, muttered Candide. Go to the kitchen and slice some bread.

We can’t.

Candide sighed. It had been