But Ophelia was glad she did not have to miss out on taking care of Amy, being extremely attached to the child.
“Much better,” Ophelia reassured.
“I am so glad to hear that, Miss Jennings,” Mrs Bailey remarked, affectionately holding Ophelia’s hand. “The house has come to life since your arrival, and everyone was beginning to miss your banter and laughter.”
“We all did,” the cook chimed in, making Ophelia blush with their genuine compliments. “We all have come to love you so much in such little time, and we certainly hope you stay here with us for years to come.”
“I would love that, too,” Mrs Bailey added.
Ophelia’s heart warmed, for she, too, had no desire to leave the household, especially Amy. She had come to love the little girl with such passionate desperation that parting from her felt like an ache, and Ophelia was not ready for that. Not until it was absolutely necessary. She shook her head, removing all such thoughts from her mind, refusing to think of unnecessary things when the house was in such a frenzy.
“Thank you.” Ophelia smiled. “I came looking for you to ask if were expecting someone at the house? What are all these preparations for?”
“Oh yes, I completely forgot to tell you.” The housekeeper shook her head as if disappointed in herself, and Ophelia laughed at the dramatic expression. “Lady Rosaline, Lord Cavendish’s first cousin from his mother’s side, is visiting today. She must arrive anytime now.”
Lady Rosalina.
“I am sure she is delightful,” Ophelia said, unsure how to feel about it. A part of her had forgotten that the ton still existed outside of the small world she had created for herself, and Edward was a huge part of it.
“Mrs Bailey,” a maid walked in just then. “Lady Rosalina’s carriage has arrived.”
“Thank you.” Mrs Bailey immediately turned to look at Ophelia. “You must come along and meet with her. I can assure you that the two of you will get along quite well.”
“I would love to meet her.”
Ophelia went ahead with Mrs Bailey, only because she wished to see Edward, who must have come out to receive his cousin as well. She had not met him since the day he had carried her back to the manor from the street, and she missed his presence. As they headed towards the door, Ophelia’s gaze fell on Edward as he placed a kiss on the head of a tall, beautiful woman with black hair tied in a chignon. Her black eyes and olive skin were nothing short of exotic, making her appear beautiful in her elegant, dark pink gown.
A pang of jealousy invaded Ophelia’s heart as she saw Edward smile at her but just then, the woman took of her left glove, a large rock decorating her ring finger.
She is engaged?
“Mrs Bailey!” the woman, who must be Rosalina exclaimed, hugging the housekeeper as if they were long lost friends.
The jealousy Ophelia had felt a few seconds ago dissipated entirely as she began to like Rosalina. Something about her was warm and kind, and Ophelia felt as if they just might get along, especially now that Ophelia knew she was engaged.
“Lady Rosalina, you must meet Miss Jennings.” Mrs Bailey’s introduction forced Ophelia to snap out of her thoughts and she smiled at the black haired beauty who immediately extended her hand towards Ophelia. “Miss Jennings is Miss Amy’s nanny.”
“Oh my,” Rosalina sighed, “I have been looking forward to meeting our Amy for too long now. I cannot wait. You must make sure she loves me right away, Miss Jennings.”
“I will try my best.” Ophelia laughed.
Everyone looked up as the door opened again, and a shorter, petite young woman entered inside, her pale white skin standing out in her deep teal-coloured gown. She surveyed everyone with a sour expression full of haughtiness, and Ophelia did not know why she felt an immediate dislike towards the other woman. Something about her was simply hostile.
“It completely escaped my mind to inform you that when Lady Alice found out I was coming here to see Edward, she expressed her desire to come along and join me,” Lady Rosalina exclaimed, the smile vanishing.
“Of course,” Edward replied quickly when everyone else stayed silent. “You are always welcome, Lady Alice.”
Ophelia wondered if she had only imagined it or if Lady Rosalina and Mrs Bailey actually shared a knowing glance, both tending to roll their eyes. The pair clearly disliked Lady Alice, and Edward did not seem fond of her and her mere presence was enough to put Ophelia at edge. She was any other typical young lady from the ton who was clearly too full of herself and only had eyes for Edward.
Ophelia had never felt more jealous.
“My Lord, I missed you in London,” she addressed Edward, completely ignoring Mrs Bailey and Ophelia as if they were not even worthy of a greeting. “You left me no choice but to come here and see you myself.”
“You did the right thing, My Lady,” Edward replied, his face completely expressionless.
Ophelia could not understand why Alice batting her eyelashes at Edward bothered her so much, but she could not deny that it did. Everything about this woman and her comfortable proximity with Edward as if she had a claim over him annoyed Ophelia immensely, but she knew she could do nothing about it. Alice was a lady, while Ophelia was just … a nanny.
This world no longer belonged to her, and the sooner she accepted it, the better it would be.
