She quickly curtsied and left his study but left him extremely confused with her mannerisms. Something about her was different, but Edward still could not understand what. Despite it all, she thoroughly intrigued him, and he knew he would be seeing her again much sooner than one might expect.
Chapter 6
“Amy is such a beautiful little baby!” Ophelia squealed, holding Amy in her arms as she continued conversing with her the way she had been doing for a few days.
Ophelia had noticed how Amy was an extremely talkative and interactive child who enjoyed conversations with Ophelia even though all she did in reply was smile or laugh or simply stare at Ophelia with a serious expression. Despite that, Ophelia had become used to this daily routine where she would simply talk about anything and everything with Amy, who was naturally the best secret keeper one could ask for.
“You are also such a good little angel,” Ophelia whispered as Amy continued to smile at her, softly cooing. “You slept through the entire night without making even the slightest of noises. Your Ophelia is extremely proud of you.”
Amy laughed softly.
When Ophelia had returned from her meeting with Edward, Amy had already been asleep and had not woken up even once; hence, Ophelia had slept as well. Although, now that she was awake, she could remember the conversation in painful detail and the realization that the very man she had considered a stable boy was none other than the Earl of Sommers himself.
How could I have been this blind?
In her defence, Edward had been dressed rather simply in a white shirt and breeches, and no one who did not already know him could have taken him for the earl. Moreover, he had not corrected her mistake and simply went along with it. There was no way she could have known. Despite that, she had been terribly mean to him, and it was his goodness of heart that he had been so forgiving about it.
“Do you know, Amy,” Ophelia began, placing Amy back in her cradle but continuing to talk to her in soft whispers, “sometimes I wonder if I am as simple-minded as you because I am certain even at such a young age, you are far smarter than I am.”
Amy continued to stare at her seriously.
“I did a very stupid thing, Amy,” Ophelia said, making a crying face, which made Amy’s eyes widen even more than they already were.
“I met your handsome uncle,” Ophelia said, knowing Amy would never be able to comprehend this, but she was still her favourite and most trusted confidante, “and I thought him the stable boy.”
Amy began to smile widely.
“He must have been laughing at me, do you not think?” Ophelia asked, her voice turning softer as she nuzzled Amy in her stomach.
The child began to laugh, her beautiful, soft laughter filling up the entire room, and Ophelia felt as if she had finally achieved something. When she came for her interview, she saw Amy crying profusely, and now, here she was with the little girl who was laughing comfortably in her presence as if it was something she had always been doing.
Ophelia knew she was in the right direction, and Amy was truly well taken care of, exactly as she had intended her to be. She was finally able to give her some love, which Amy had never got from her mother.
“Miss Jennings?” Ophelia turned around as she heard Mrs Bailey enter the nursery and walk directly towards the cradle.
The old woman had a warm smile on her face as she looked at Amy, who was still laughing and moving her hands in the air as if playing with something invisible to both Ophelia and Mrs Bailey. The sight was extremely beautiful to watch, and Ophelia could see the surprise on Mrs Bailey’s face. She was taken aback.
“My goodness, Miss Jennings, you have truly worked some magic on our Miss Amy here,” Mrs Bailey said, staring affectionately at the baby.
Ophelia laughed. “Why do you say so, Mrs Bailey?”
“I have never before seen Miss Amy laugh and play in such a manner. She had only ever been a quiet child or had always been crying. You have brought out a different side of her that had not been there before.”
“I have only given her love and consistency, and she opened up rather easily,” Ophelia said honestly, “that was all she needed to settle down.”
“You are right.” Mrs Bailey nodded, “This is certainly the most beautiful sound I have heard. It almost feels as if Miss Amy’s laughter and your presence are already beginning to bring about a positive change in the manor. Everything feels lighter and brighter.”
“If this is actually the case, I am simply glad I can be of help. The manor is beautiful but a little too tightly wound around itself. It needs laughter and happiness and to keep running in a better manner,” Ophelia replied with a smile. She undoubtedly believed this since she had stepped foot here. The manor was nothing but a house and had never found anyone who could turn it into a home. She hoped Amy and her childish innocence might be able to achieve that.
“I hope that happens.” Mrs Bailey smiled.
“Mrs Bailey, I was wondering something,” Ophelia said, standing up from beside Amy so she could face the housekeeper.
“What is it?” she asked attentively.
“Now that I have officially been introduced to the earl, I suppose it is only right to include him in Amy’s routine and update him. He is her sole guardian; thus, he must be concerned about her and deserves to know how his niece is being brought up. The two of them must build a connection with each other.”
“I do not know if that will be such a wise idea, Miss Jennings,” Mrs Bailey replied, appearing hesitant.
