"Stealing Cinderella"

Marigold Crawley Pelham was getting ready to leave Brancaster. It was time. She was engaged to a sweet young man she had met while serving as a nurse during WWII. Her life had changed the moment her eyes had met his startling green ones and she knew he was the one. As she packed up her collection of books- which in itself would take up a full trunk, her eyes fell on a battered copy of "Cinderella". Memories flooded back as she sat carefully on her bed and reread the story.


Bertie Pelham was walking down the tunnel in London. He always had a smile on his face when he walked down this tunnel- it was where he had seen his fiancee for the for the first time since he had met her. There was a bookseller there that he loved to visit each time he came and today was no exception. He had become good acquaintances with the shop owner, and he had written that he had a book in mind for him.

"Hello, Michael," Bertie said as he entered the store.

"Hello, Lord Hexham," Michael Pimberly said as he walked behind the counter to get the book for him.

"How many times can I tell you to drop the Lord? You've known me as plain ole Bertie for far longer..." Bertie replied- it was something that he couldn't get used to- being Lord over Brancaster.

"Sorry, sir... habit. My mum would have had my hide if I did that," he said with a smirk. He handed Bertie the book and noticed that his friend was perusing the children's titles. "Why the interest in children's books?"

"I'm engaged to be married to a wonderful woman named Edith. She has taken in a ward named Marigold and I was searching for something to read to her," Bertie replied easily. It was the cover story they used for the world, but he knew she would be his step-daughter in actuality.

"Hmm... how about this one? "Cinderella"... it has just come out... a rather sweet fairytale I am told..." replied Michael. Bertie picked up the book and perused the pages. After a few moments, he smiled and nodded his head. Yes, this book would do. With a smile, he paid for the books and left the bookstore.

In October, Edith, Rosamund and Marigold came to visit him in Brancaster for the week. One day he found the ladies of the house- minus Marigold busy wedding planning. Despite convention saying the wedding be held at Brancaster, Edith had put her foot down and wished for it to be held at her home. Bertie had agreed, and Mother had finally relented. So, with a gentle smile, he asked Marigold if she would like a present. With her sweet smile as a response, he handed her the book. She opened the package and immediately handed it to him and said, "Read, please." Bertie smiled at the young girl and taking her in his lap read her the book.

Edith, meanwhile, looked up and found Marigold gone from her sight. She immediately began to panic until Rosamund pointed quietly to a corner of a room. The sight made her heart smile, and she walked quietly up on the chair. As she listened to Bertie reading the story and answering Marigold's many questions, her heart once again confirmed that this was the right move. She walked back over to the ladies with a smile on her face and ready to continue the plans of the wedding of her dreams.

Later that evening, Bertie and Edith were cuddled on the couch. It had become one of their favorite ways to relax after a long day- and the memory of his first proposal was never out of their mind.

"I heard you reading to Marigold earlier today," Edith told Bertie softly. "What story was it?"

"Cinderella. I got it when I was in London last time... I wanted something that I could give to Marigold and a book seemed quite appropriate," Bertie replied.

"It was... she seemed to love it. She even asked me when she would hear it again... I told her it was your story to tell her," Edith replied.

Bertie smiled at the thought and leaned in to give Edith a quick but deep kiss. Edith said, "You know, I feel like Cinderella. After so many times of being left behind, of never being the one chosen... of always being the unlucky happy one, I finally found my prince." Bertie could find no better response than to kiss her again, this one deeper and longer than the one before.


Years later, when Edith finally told Marigold the truth about her parentage, she referenced the story. Instead of wicked stepsisters, there were people who stood in her way. But, when she least expected it a wish came true. She had to give Atticus credit for dropping out of the hunt, for if he hadn't she would have never met Bertie. Much like Cinderella, there were obstacles to overcome- the truth about Marigold, his mother- but they had found each other and lived happily ever after. She would always finish by telling her that her one wish was for her to find her own Prince Charming.


Marigold smiled and knew she had found her Prince Charming in James. In him, she saw the man she had called "Papa" for most of her life. She now knew he wasn't her father, but she knew she couldn't have asked for a better surrogate father. She knew it would always be a special memory to have him walk her down the aisle to meet James at the altar.


Author's note: one book version was published in 1925- the same year Bertie and Edith married. This was an idea that I couldn't let go of until it was written. So, I did...

Bertie and Edith were my main reasons for livestreaming Downton Abbey for series 6. I tuned in for the Chelsie wedding but fell for them hard.

Reviews are welcomed and appreciated...