There was one deleted scene in "The Secret Slipper" that I kind of liked. A lot. But it was in the first draft (read: when Raoul knew all along that Ellia was alive and had given up the search until a fresh lead came in; yep, there was a very good reason the story changed). I tried finding a place for it in the new edition, but it just wouldn't fit. You will notice some of the thoughts made it into the final draft, but the scene in its entirety didn't. I really liked the exchange of the unnamed woman and Raoul. Who knows? I may use it in another story. But it didn't make it to Slipper.
For the readers who've read "The Secret Slipper," please note character changes from first draft:
Nele is Nes
Gale is Galien
Reynold is Jolin
Yeah. Characters changed a lot. ;) I was still trying to figure out who was who in my mind.
So...read along for my rough-draft deleted scene. Enjoy! :)
~*~*~
It was like repeating
a nightmare. He hadn't come out to town to search, but he couldn't keep his
eyes off the ground…or, to be more specific, observing the step pattern of
every girl and young lady that passed by him.
What is the likelihood of childhood
deformities healing themselves? The thought plagued him, just like it had
years ago. His mind brought up all of the information that he had put away as
soon as Belle had entered his life. But instead of urging him forward in his
search, it haunted his every step. Solid, steady steps that his daughter may
never have.
Gale walked up
to Raoul. "M'lord, Reynold said you sent for me?"
Raoul scowled at
him. "As if I would talk in public."
"I beg your
pardon, m'lord. Shall I call the carriage?"
"Aye."
Raoul waited
until they were settled in the plush cushions, with the curtains pulled shut
before he leaned forward to begin the discussion. "We are going to Nele's."
Gale tilted his
head. "Are you certain, m'lord?"
"Aye."
"Will you
reopen cases with all former servants?"
Raoul leaned
back and let out a sigh. "I think not."
"Why
Nele?"
"He left
before I could question him. I feel he could be hiding something."
"As if he
would speak now." Gale crossed his legs and rested his hands on them.
"May I ask why you requested me?"
"You know
him. Reynold does not."
"And you
believe this shall help?"
"Aye. While
I discuss, I would like for you to analyze him. You have a discerning eye. Is
he telling the truth or not?"
Gale reached out
his hand and pulled back the curtain, staring at the moving scenery. "And
if he refuses to give any information?"
"Then we
shall take the following step needed."
The carriage
fell silent and miles crept past. When it slowed to a stop, Raoul didn't wait
for the footman to dismount before he jumped to the ground. A row of ramshackle
cottages cluttered the countryside.
"You are
certain he's here?"
"Silence,
Gale. I asked you to accompany me, not question my methods."
"Yes,
m'lord."
Raoul straightened
and walked to the first house, displaying the authority he possessed. He
stopped himself before pounding on the door. It would likely fall down under
the force of his knocks. He tapped the doorframe.
"I didna'
ask for no company," a harsh feminine voice called out.
"I have
just one question," Raoul said, putting a tight clip to his voice.
"The walls aren't too thin to be asking
out there. What is it?"
"Can you
tell me which cottage belongs to Nele?"
A pause.
"That was
my one question," Raoul prompted.
"Five
houses yonder. If he's home."
"And if
he's not home?"
"Your one
question is spent up."
Raoul spun away
from the door, barely hearing Gale give the lady a thank you for him. At the
cottage a few steps away, Raoul gave the same gentle tap. No answer.
"Nele. Are
you in there?"
"Nay. I'm
out here like a good working man ought to be."
Raoul turned to
the voice.
"If it isn't
the good ol' Lord Kiralyn."
"Aye."
"My
services are no longer due to you."
"I would
agree to a certain extent."
Nele's eyebrows
lowered, their bushiness almost hiding his eyes. "What d'ye want?
"I have a
few questions, Nele."
Nele lifted the
bucket he had apparently set down before. "I haven't a few answers,
Kiralyn." He stared boldly at Raoul.
"Well then
answer what you can." Raoul didn't move his glare from Nele. "You
left the palace suddenly--"
"That is an
accusation, not a question."
Raoul ground his
teeth and clenched his fists. "You interrupted."
Nele opened his
mouth in a toothless grin. "Continue, m'lord."
"Just one
day after you left, Ellia disappeared. Did you know this?"
Nele shut his
mouth, his eyes darkening with a scowl. "If you came to accuse me of
taking your precious wee one, nay, I didn't. Nor did I see anything."
"But what
do you know?"
Nele pushed past Raoul and opened his door.
"I know that you are a desperate man because of the time you think you
have lost."
Raoul reached
out and blocked the entryway with his arm. Nele was a good head shorter than
him, yet he stood tall. Never intimidated, that man.
"I will say
nothing more. Your time here is wasted, Kiralyn."
"You
understand I have power if I discover you to be lying."
"Aye."
Nele reached out and removed Raoul's hand from the door frame. He brought his
bucket inside and turned to shut the door. "If you discover it."
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