Ophelia had already felt a distance between Amy and Edward since she had been completely confused about why he had not met Amy even once throughout the time Ophelia had been employed if he was still present at the manor. Yesterday, when the two of them had conversed, he had treated any mention of Amy like any other dismissive subject, and his face had almost darkened. Ophelia wanted all of it to be just a coincidence and to have an explanation for it, but there were none.
“Why do you think so?” she asked Mrs Bailey, carefully concealing her curiosity and disappointment.
“Lord Cavendish prefers his peace and solitude and is rather distant,” the housekeeper tried to explain, but Amy felt as if something was still not right about it, “he might have a problem with these constant calls on him regarding Miss Amy.”
“Perhaps just once a day? Only nightly? He must see her every day so she is familiar with his presence, or he will be a stranger to her,” Ophelia reasoned.
“If that is what you wish for, you can go ahead and try,” Mrs Bailey finally conceded.
“Thank you so much!” Ophelia replied, already looking forward to it.
She would definitely try.
“Are you ready to go see your Uncle Edward again, Amy? I know you have started to enjoy your nightly rituals of seeing him,” Ophelia cooed, making sure Amy’s clothes were devoid of any food stains, and she was completely clean.
The little girl looked beautiful, her eyes wide as Ophelia continued to converse with her.
“You look perfect,” Ophelia whispered again, kissing her forehead as she took Amy in her arms so they could quickly make their way towards the earl’s study.
Once she had asked Mrs Bailey’s permission, she had shown up at Edward’s study every night after dinner to make sure he had a few minutes with Amy. He had been surprised during the initial few days, but Ophelia’s determination to stay consistent despite his barely interested attitude had broken his resolve, and he had been warmer towards Amy.
It had only taken Amy a couple of days to grow familiar with him, and she would gladly go into his arms and wave him goodbye at Ophelia’s calling. Ophelia could not help wondering why Edward was so distant with the child, but she was determined to mitigate that distance and make sure Amy was not deprived of a loving childhood in any way at all.
“You are in such high spirits today, Amy,” Ophelia whispered as they stood outside Edward’s study. She quickly ran her fingers through her long, blonde hair, hoping she looked presentable enough for him.
In the past few days, she had seen him about the manor, making her realize that in the beginning he might have been deliberately hiding away. However, now, he was no longer hiding, and Ophelia ended up interacting with him one way or another as they ran into each other. He had started to show up for breakfast every morning, and they often ended up eating together. She also made sure to take Amy to him at other times of the day, but that was always uncertain. Despite that, their nightly routine was well maintained.
Ophelia knocked on his study door, familiar enough with his routine to know he would be nowhere else. He worked late into the night every single day after dinner, but sometimes Ophelia felt as if it was just an excuse to stay away from everyone. Something about him puzzled her and made her want to ask him questions, but she knew she could never do that.
She was no longer the Lady Ophelia he could court in a ballroom. Had they met in that setting, he might have asked her to dance, and Ophelia could have asked him anything she wished. They could have witty banter and playful conversations, but right now, she was painfully aware of her change in station. Ophelia was no more than a servant anymore, and Edward belonged to the nobility.
“Come in,” Edward called out, and Ophelia walked inside with Amy in her arms. She was glad to see how Edward did not appear surprised at all, as if he had been expecting them.
“My Lord,” Ophelia quickly curtsied, and Edward nodded at her before walking out from behind his desk.
Amy started jumping in Ophelia’s arms, as if rather excited to see Edward, the reaction extremely attractive to her. Ophelia could not help laughing softly, for as soon as Edward came closer, Amy lunged ahead, extending her hands towards him, coaxing him to take her into his arms.
Edward stayed in his place for a few seconds, but when Amy was almost on the verge of tears from being ignored, Ophelia saw his gaze soften, and he finally held her, keeping Amy close to his chest. She always enjoyed watching the two of them together since Amy appeared rather small in his arms, as he was tall and rather muscular. The sight of them together was enough to melt Ophelia, and she chuckled softly.
“What’s wrong?” Edward asked, and Ophelia shook her head.
“Nothing,” she said, “Amy seems to like you quite a lot.”
“I wonder why,” he replied, still emotionless.
Amy, who had been staring at Ophelia and Edward until now, began to laugh heartily, her soft giggles echoing through the study. The sound of them so enamoured Ophelia that she did not notice Edward’s face darken at the sound, his blue eyes turning stormy. Before she realized what was happening, Edward quickly moved Amy away from him, extending the child towards Ophelia, who took the little girl in her arms in extreme confusion.
“What is wrong?” Ophelia asked, noticing the shadows on Edward’s face. Amy began to cry just then, making Ophelia worry even further.
“Take her from here,” he said rudely, turning away from them both. “I do not wish to see her anymore, so please end this nightly routine. You shall not bring her to me again.”
“But why, My Lord?”
“I have never once pretended to even be slightly interested in Amy, and it is only you who keeps trying to act otherwise. I am tired now. Hence, this should come to an end.”
Ophelia felt tears sting her eyes as she heard Edward’s harsh tone, especially due to which Amy only continued to cry further. Amy extended her hands towards Edward again, her small face filled with tear streaks, but Edward did not budge; his face completely turned away. The scene broke Ophelia’s heart so much that she quietly turned around, not wanting to stay in Edward’s study for even one more second.
“It’s alright, darling,” she whispered soothingly in Amy’s ears as they stepped out while, Ophelia too, tried to control her tears.
