A/N: This is where the surprise starts…I'm thinking that the last to chapters were purely introductory. Eh, well, kudos to the person who tell me what two fairy tales I have combined and the authors of those two :)

HAve you noticed how the chapters seem to be getting longer and longer? I think it's getting easier to write, too. Ah...the wonderful flow of words that increase like a rushing river...oh, and this is completely unbeta'd. I just write what I think, no planning. My conventions are fairly good, too, so at least it's not a total piece of crap. :D

Oh, and if you've been reading this and have no idea who the characters are, this IS a fanfiction, idiots. Go check out the original, unabridged version A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens and spend two and a half quarters analyzing it—your LA skills are guaranteed to improve, but your brain is also sure to melt from unadulterated archaic language and unjust romantic irony…Enjoy!

Chapter 3

Engagement to Carton

"LUCIE!" her stepmother yelled from her bedroom. Lucie heaved an inwardly sigh. "GET OVER HERE!"

"Yes, step-mama" Lucie called, rising from the floor she was scrubbing. She walked at a steady pace, back straight and hair silky and golden, down the hallway, up the wide, curving stairs and down another hallway to her step-mother's bedroom. When she reached the door, she paused.

"Well," her step-mother had seen the shadows she had thrown in the strip of light underneath the door. "Get in here!" she demanded.

Lucie complied. "What is it that you want, step-mama," she said when she reached her step-mother's bedside.

"I have decided that you have grown to the age of marrying and leaving the household," her step-mother said, narrowing her eyes.

"Oh?" Lucie also narrowed her eyes.

"Yes," her step-mother amended, getting out of bed and slipping her robe on. "The man is a Mr. Sydney Carton…he should be arriving right about…"

There was a knock on the door. "…now," her step-mother grinned. "He's so punctual. Now hurry and go make yourself presentable." Her eyes flashed with warning of what would happen if Lucie should protest.

"Yes, step-mama," Lucie said turning around to go to her room to change out of what she was currently wearing, a worn grey cotton work dress, as the sounds of the other maid, Pross, let Carton in. Her step-mother had already moved to get dressed, herself in a rich, dark plum dress.

Carton sat in the parlor, sipping at the weak tea, patiently waiting for his betrothed to come and finally get to meet him. He wondered what she truly looked like. When his father, Stryver, had signed the marriage contract in his son's name, he had told Carton that she was the most beautiful golden thing anyone had ever seen. However, his father was also known for his rather loud way of over-exaggerating things, so this woman might actually turn out to be nothing more than a two-bit prize for any gentleman's collection of dolls. He sipped his tea and sigh. He sipped his tea and looked at the clock, sipped his tea again and looked at the door where his bride was to appear any minute now. Any minute…and there she was, resplendent in her sweet blue dress. For once, his father had not been exaggerating. Her blue eyes seemed to stare deep into his soul, laying bare all the secrets, dreams, and false aspirations that ensconced his heart. She was…purity…an angel, in human form, too holy, too above someone of his lowly nature…then, his heart's desire spoke.

"Step-mama, is this the man I am betrothed to?" God, even her voice was like that of an angel, so pure and sweet and heavenly it was. Then, her step mother, Lady Morrigan, walked in, killing his vision.

"Yes," she said, crisply, cleanly, giving nothing away, almost menacing in her dark, severe dress walking in behind her. "Mr. Sydney Carton, meet my step-daughter, your betrothed, Lucie Manette."

Carton hurried to Lucie and raised her hand in a chaste kiss on her knuckles. Lucie looked away, averting her gaze like a proper lady. "Hello, dear Lucie," he murmured, bashful of his unholy presence near her beautiful angelic body. Lucie stiffened, unaccustomed to such awkwardness.

An awkward pause ensued.

A minute passed in silence, the three of them standing there, Carton still hold Lucie's hand.

Then, the door resounded with another knock.

A/N: Well, that was interesting. The Cinderella part of this is drawing near to a plot twist, thus changing it to….well, you'll have to guess. I am considering making you wait for three weeks, just to be sadistic. :)

Anyway…music choices for viola, piano, singing (no Vivaldi, ty) help! My aunt says she'll help, but I don't trust her that much, fave of mine though she is. Which brings this thought to my head: why do I trust complete strangers, but not my close family and friends? Got an answer? Tell me, please.

Oh, and if you haven't noticed, or haven't read the book, then you should know that I'm dragging random facts out of the book this fanfic is based off of. somewhere along the line a love rival will appear and the story line will mesh just a smidge more with the book's. just sayin'.