Sarah was cleaning the evening dishes when Stephen found her later.

“Oh good, you’re not sleeping," he said, causing her to jump slightly at the sound. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

With a sigh, Sarah stepped back and wiped her hands on her towel before turning toward Stephen. In truth she had been so busy tidying up that she hadn’t even heard him come in. She had a quick and efficient system for every aspect of her job from drapes to the dishes. She had been drying the last plate when he came to see her. She was exhausted and really just wanted to go to sleep. She was sure the faint smudges showed like bruises beneath each eye. “Can I help you, Stephen?”

“I just came to talk and see how you are,” he responded, moving over to sit at the table.

“Okay, talk,” Sarah said, too tired to worry overmuch about manners. She took the seat across from him, resting her sore arms on the cool surface.

“I have a proposition for you,” he said, causing her breathing to catch and her face to contort. “Oh, no not like that,” he rushed to explain reaching out to touch her hand.  "I found out what the story around town about where you went after I left and I heard for myself what my mother and sisters call you. I want to make up for what they’ve done.  I would like to give you a debut of sorts, this Saturday.”

“But, I don’t have any money, and…”

“Before you object I will pay for this with money from my inheritance. You deserve a debut Sarah and it’s time you got one. Saturday’s ball is a masquerade so no one will even know it’s you. We can arrive before my family who, if I remember correctly, are always unbearably late so you can still be properly introduced. This will let suitors find you. Hopefully by the end of the night you will have at least one and will be well on your way to getting out of this house.”

Sarah bowed her head, hating it here, but not liking the idea of leaving Stephen so soon after reuniting with him one bit.

“Hey, it’s okay. We will not lose each other.” He said as if he sensed her thoughts.

That was a good thing to hear considering the strange attachment she seemed to have with him. Every time she saw him, she got nervous and could swear he could hear her heart beat, see her pulse in her neck and smell her nervous anticipation. Sarah wanted nothing more than to kiss his neck, throat, lips, savor his taste on her tongue. It was a feeling that simultaneously terrified and excited her. She couldn’t get enough of the feeling, she was starting to crave it.

“Okay, but I have nothing to wear.”

“I spoke with your friend Emily today,” Sarah leaned forward with that news. “She agreed to escort you to buy whatever you need. Like I said, I will pay for this debut and we will worry about what comes next when we know what that is.”

Tired, unable to believe her luck and desperately worried that the strange new feelings she had for Stephen would soon overwhelm her, Sarah stood up. “Sounds like a plan, now can I go to sleep?”

“Yes, but in my bed.” He said, standing also. Sarah was shocked to her core and she knew it showed on her face. She blinked trying to determine if she had imagined it and was even now dreaming, until Stephen blushed deeply and stuttered. “Again not like that, I’ll sleep down here tonight and you can sleep in my room. It will be much warmer there.” He finished lamely and shuffled his feet.

Sarah tried to breathe and gather her wits. “Stephen, I’m used to sleeping on the floor, I don’t need a bed.”

“And I’m used to sleeping on rocks, the bed would feel weird,” Stephen countered already turning to leave, as if the conversation was over.

“Like I said not necessary but appreciated. Now, I would like to turn in.”

“We can discuss taking turns after the ball, but right now you have circles under your eyes the size of grapes which will not do for a lady of quality.” He patted her on the back and Sarah was sure she didn’t imagine it when his hand lingered a little too long, and slipped a little too low.

“Fine, as long as we can discuss this again later.”

“Why didn’t you tell me what was happening here?” Stephen asked, just as Sarah was turning to leave the room.

“I didn’t want to bother you with something so foolish, plus the letter would have never made it to you.”

“It was hardly foolish, Sarah. You were being treated as a maid with no wages, that’s abusive. And that name they call you!”

“Cinderella.”

“I’m sure you could have gotten word to me, slipped in a line somewhere. Why in your last letter did you make it seem as if the nickname was a good one, instead of a mock like it was?”

“You were at war. I was trying to lighten your spirit. Nothing I said was untrue, I supported them and they kept me in this house instead of casting me out. They gave me a nickname, yes not a very nice nickname, but how was I to know you wouldn’t be the same as them? Four years had passed, you could have been a hard hearted person by then. I dreamed of you coming back and saving me somehow and I didn’t want that dream ruined by the idea of you not being the kind person you once were.”

“What made me the same was the thought of you happy and becoming the beautiful woman that you are, that my family were safe while I was off fighting, risking my life so they wouldn’t have to. Your letters helped with that, so whatever the reason for not being one hundred percent truthful, I can at least give you the knowledge that you helped this soldier find the strength to come home.”

With that, Sarah left the room for bed and Stephen settled down on the floor by the fire. Both were wondering what the next day would bring.

The next morning, with Stephen as an escort, Sarah walked toward Charlie’s to meet with Emily, whom she hadn’t seen in years. Suddenly she heard a squeal and a pale pink clad bundle bounced right into her arms. “Emily!” she shouted, “I’ve missed you so much.”

“Why didn’t you ever call on me, I would have dropped everything to help.” Emily’s eyes were wet and a pout was on her lips.

Sarah did not wish to further distress her friend. “Don’t worry about that now, we have some shopping to do.” They went arm and arm towards the shops.

Emily swept into the first shop with the grace of a Greek goddess. Madam Delassio, a plump Frenchwoman with long loose hair and sharp dark eyes, lit up upon seeing who was visiting, “Lady Emily, who is this beautiful creature you brought me? What do you need from me?”

“This is my dearest friend Lady Sarah. She needs the most perfect dress for the masquerade ball on Saturday.”

“That does not give me much time to make one of my masterpieces. No time at all in fact if the ball is tomorrow.”

“Do you have anything on standby she could use? It’s really important.”

“All I have left are my mannequin dresses. If one fits her she can purchase it at a premium.”

“The Madam is world renowned for her artistic genius in designing the most unique and magnificent gowns every season,” Emily said, glowing with pride.

Right behind them was a white multi-layered dress with silver accoutrements. Sarah stood in awe. “Can we try that one first?” she asked, shyly.

“Of course, of course,” Madam Delassio said, clapping her hands for a ladies maid.

After putting on the dress it was perfect. Perfect fit, perfect look, just everything. It was definitely the dress and with a little luck, this dress would get her a husband. Even though, what she really wanted was someone a whole lot closer by her side. Would Stephen like this? Would he ever see her as a woman instead of a kid, a sister?

“We also need two walking dresses and an evening gown. We're in a rush for those too, but not necessarily today.” Emily said.

“Perfect, let me show you my fashion plates,” Madam Delassio said, pulling them over to her circular table on one side of the room. While Emily discussed fabrics, lace, whether the neckline was too high or low on each dress and what size skirt would be more fashionable, Sarah let her mind drift. Out of the two of them, Sarah had always been the least interested in fashion. Now even more so with her mind turned to other things. She knew that she could easily fall in love with Stephen. What she really wasn’t sure of was whether her heart would be safe with him. And whether he even returned her affections. She thought, judging by the way he listened to her, looked at her, that some feelings might be forming but what of those feelings.

Sarah’s father had always liked Stephen, had even offered to buy him a commission which Stephen declined. Stephen wanted to fight and learn the front line before moving up in the ranks. He wanted to do it himself not using someone else’s money or influence. He wanted to earn the title his own father had left him.

When they left the store, they were armed with the dress for tomorrow and ready for the next store. They continued on to buy gloves, shoes and the perfect mask to go with her dress; a beautiful swan complete with plumes of feathers. In every store Sarah fit perfectly in the model pair of shoes, gloves and the mask by the window, requiring no returns to the shop to pick anything up. By the end of the day, Sarah was more than a little tired and overwhelmed, so used to staying confined inside while cleaning the house.