Cinderella (Faerie Tale Collection) by Jenni James

of an even redder complexion showing itself. “I hope—I hope I was not too forward just now. I would not want to make you uncomfortable.” She turned back toward him. “And please, in anyway, do not think that what I said to you just now was me complicating things between us. I know you see me as a friend. I am well aware and fine with how things are.”
    John had no notion of what she was speaking of. “But you did say some of the most wondrous things. A man would call himself fortunate indeed to hear from your lips again.”
    “Yes, but I know—I know that the custom of kissing one another could be construed as a proposal of sorts, but I would like to clarify that to be sure, I do not take it that way. So you have no need to worry.”
    She was correct! How could he have been so foolish? To kiss a woman did allow for certain liberated thinking to take place within her mind. It would naturally unearth a whole slew of complications if the impulsive man had not thought clearly through them all. He stared at her a moment—his mind racing through the unjustness of his impulse. He had meant to thank her for her kindness, for her gentle prodding into his life, her caring nature. And then she was sharing with him her vision of how she sees his character. How every man wishes he could be seen by a woman someday. His heart began to thump wildly. He would need to travel home first to sort through his feelings before he began to ascertain them all. But this—this was not right. He could not, absolutely could not fall in love with the girl and she him, while she believed him to be John.
    No, he would not do that to her. She must fully comprehend what she would be getting herself into, must realize who she was speaking with and giving her heart over to, before he dared to return any sentiments or make any undeniable declarations. “Forgive me; I do not make it a habit to kiss women, in case I may have given you that impression as well. And you are strikingly remarkable. I have never met a girl like you before—there is something that is so fresh and natural, as I have implied earlier, but ‘tis true. You are so very easy to be with and speak to. And I—”
    She came forward and placed a finger over his mouth. “John, stop. It is well. I understand you do not feel towards me as much as what may have come across just now. This is fine. Let us be friends and enjoy the day.” She smiled such an engaging smile as she removed her dainty finger.
    For no reason at all, he wanted to snatch her up and hold her close and kiss her like he had never dreamed of kissing another before. He was not sure he would ever let her go this time if he acted on his silly whim, and so he said simply, “One day, I will explain more of how I truly feel—I am not sure at this moment even I know what is happening between us—but that day is not now; there is more that needs to be revealed between both of our lives and more trust shown on both of our parts first. However, today has indeed been a magnificent beginning to something I could not have thought was possible a week ago.” He found her hands and brought them up to kiss each and every one of her knuckles. “You, my fair lady, do more good for a man’s soul than any woman I have ever met before. I thank you. I thank you for sharing yourself and your unbelievable patience in me.”
    She raised an eyebrow, still smiling, her sparkling eyes sending joy right through him. “I do not know how much longer you shall see such patience if you will not stand up quickly and begin dancing with me.”
    “Oh-ho!” John laughed as he got to his feet, pulling her up with him. “Now, I see, the reluctant lady has found her footing after all! And just yesterday you were terrified to try such things, now you are ordering me about to do it all over again.”
    “Yes, well, I have learned something.”
    “And that is?”
    “As long as you have an agreeable dancing partner, the world shines brighter and your