“Of course.”
To her surprise, Edward sat down on one knee before her, the mere sight of him in such a position sending tingles down her spine. Ophelia could not understand how almost everything about him meant so much to her. He was quickly becoming much too important, and she did not like the progress of her feelings in regards to him, knowing how those feelings would never result in anything.
He carefully held her right foot in his hands and slowly removed the ankle-length boot, making sure to be extremely gentle with his touch. He did the same thing with her other boot as well before inspecting them closely, his eyebrows scrunched.
“These are excellent quality boots, Miss Jennings,” he remarked, “They have just been worn out with usage and time, I assume.”
“Yes,” she nodded fondly, “my father gifted those to me.”
Why did I just say that?
Edward gazed at her narrowly at the revelation but simply nodded without commenting. Ophelia could only imagine what he must be thinking knowing fully well that a working class man could never afford such expensive boots even after months of saving. She needed to be more alert about her replies and learn to lie better before the truth about her past came forward. That was the last thing she wanted.
“Your father had excellent taste.”
Ophelia smiled.
Edward picked up her stocking-clad foot in his hands, and Ophelia raised her dress just a little bit so he could easily remove the stocking. His hands on her naked leg suddenly felt like more than she could endure, but Ophelia remained steady. She needed to make sure she did not react at all or let him have any hint of how he affected her, but her leg trembled at the touch while he carefully removed both her stockings and handed them to her.
“I am afraid your foot seems to be in terrible condition,” he said, carefully holding her right foot from the ankle, his gaze drawn to the back of it.
Ophelia felt immensely better now that her foot was finally free of the boot and the stocking and away from the ground. The pain was still there, but it was no longer unbearable. Although, the moment she placed her foot on the ground, it would become awful again. She was already dreading returning to the manor.
“How bad?”
“You have a large blister on your right foot and several smaller sores on both of your feet. They are filled with pus;hence, we will have to call a physician to take a closer look and drain the pus out.”
“That sounds like a painful process,” she groaned involuntarily, already feeling jitters at the thought of it.
“Trust me, it will be much less painful than walking on wounded feet. I will take you back to the manor, and then we can send for the village physician. With a few days of rest and letting your feet be in the open, you will be immensely improved.”
“I do wish to get better immediately.”
“We shall return to the manor immediately.”
She stared at his extended hand before looking at her naked feet, confused as to how she was supposed to get home without her boots. She could wear them again, but she knew the pain would only get worse, and she was not ready for that. As if sensing her predicament, Edward crept closer, his proximity causing the hair on Ophelia’s back to rise in nervousness.
“May I?”
She was unsure of what he was asking, but she nodded anyway, unable to deny him much.
Without any hesitation, Edward effortlessly picked her up in his arms, holding her close to his chest as Ophelia gasped. Her heart began to race, but she kept her breathing in control, making sure Edward could not feel her condition. Despite that, some part of her kept reminding her that he felt this way as well. Their proximity affected him, too, or perhaps she was reading too much into his supposed emotions.
They both stayed silent as Edward carefully placed her on the back of his horse before quickly climbing atop himself, his stallion’s reins secured in his arms. Every inch of Ophelia’s body was snug against his chest, almost to the point where she could feel his beating heart.
Edward.
She had to control the urge to raise her hands and touch his face, which suddenly felt much within her reach, as if she was allowed to grab it. Although she knew she couldn’t. He looked down at her, their lips just inches away, and Ophelia felt her throat drying up. She felt as if she had forgotten how to speak or act as they continued to stare, both of them unable to look away.
“Are you comfortable?” Edward finally broke the silence, blinking quickly.
“Absolutely.”
He nodded and pulled the reins softly, the stallion galloping forward with top speed. Ophelia thrust back from the mere force of it, coming even closer to Edward, but he did not seem to have a problem with it. Even though he was busy riding, he allowed Ophelia to settle better into his arms, and she held onto his waist tightly, hoping not to fall.
However, a part of her knew that Edward would never let her fall. She was under his care and protection, and he would never let harm come her way.
You are just a nanny, Ophelia. Just a nanny.
