“I must excuse myself,” she said, tearing her gaze away from Edward. “I am sure Amy needs me. I have left her alone too long.”
She needed to escape. She couldn’t thank God enough to have Amy as a reason, or else she would end up saying or doing something she might regret.
“Will it be alright if I come along?” Rosalina asked, immediately perking up at the mention of Amy. “I do wish to see her.”
Ophelia nodded, knowing she had no reason to deny Rosalina the company of her cousin’s child, “Absolutely. You should come with me.”
“That sounds great,” Lady Alice chimed in. “The two of you can busy yourselves with the child, and I will give company to Lord Cavendish. I am sure you quite like that prospect, don’t you, My Lord?”
Ophelia felt her face heating up with anger but she kept herself in check.
I cannot react irrationally. I absolutely cannot.
Rosalina immediately walked ahead as the pair made their way towards the nursery on the upper floor, just beside Ophelia’s bedchamber. Rosalina filled the silence with constant chatter as she narrated Ophelia about their entire journey and how Lady Alice, being the person she was, was first late and then continued to create problems along the way. Rosalina appeared ecstatic to have finally reached the mansion and was already dreading returning.
It was evident she was a comfortable conversationalist, and it immediately made Ophelia feel as if the two of them had been friends for the longest time. Hence, Ophelia felt completely at ease in her presence, and the two settled in quite easily. What Ophelia loved even more was how Rosalina seemed genuinely happy to see Amy, her expressions not made up at all.
“My darling Amy!” Rosalina picked up the little girl in her arms, bringing their faces together as she addressed Ophelia, “Now tell me has Amy inherited any of the family features?”
“I believe you two share a nose,” Ophelia replied after careful analysis, and Rosalina nodded, agreeing.
“I think so, too!”
“You seem to love her quite a lot,” Ophelia regarded, smiling affectionately as Rosalina continued to play with Amy.
Amy, being a friendly little girl, immediately meshed in with Rosalina, giggling beautifully as she was tossed in the air. Ophelia could not believe she could finally witness Amy receiving the love she should have had from the beginning. A family member loving her was exactly what Amy needed, and Rosalina was providing her just that.
“I did love her mother a lot.” Rosalina smiled sadly. ‘It is only fair I love Amy too. She reminds me of Margaret and all the beautiful memories I shared with her.”
Ophelia’s heart sank at the reminder, but she tried to maintain a happy demeanour.
“I doubt any child in the world can be sweeter than Amy,” Ophelia replied, “she deserves all the love she can get.”
“Miss Jennings …”
“Please call me Ophelia.”
“Only if you call me Rosalina.”
“I shall call you just that.” Ophelia nodded graciously.
“Ophelia,” Rosalina began again, “Mrs Bailey told me how difficult it was to take care of Amy and give a motherless child the love she deserved to have. You really took up the responsibility, and I can see how much you love Amy. That is a rather brave thing to do, and I cannot thank you enough for taking care of her.”
“I really have come to love Amy.” Ophelia felt herself tearing up but maintained composure, “My heart broke for her when I found out about her parents, and I decided to make sure that the love she receives from my end has nothing lacking, especially since Lord Cavendish has been … distant.”
Rosalina looked up at the remark, nodding sadly but refusing to say anything. Ophelia felt as if she understood completely what Ophelia was referring to but was just as helpless in that regard.
“I believe you have done an excellent job at it, Ophelia.”
Ophelia felt her heart growing even softer towards Rosalina because even if they had nothing much in common, the two of them loved Amy immensely, and that was all that mattered.
“Ophelia! I am so glad you decided to join us at last!” Rosalina exclaimed as soon as Ophelia entered the drawing room.
“Clearly, you and Miss Jennings have become friends rather quickly,” Edward commented.
“What can I say? Good people find each other,” Rosalina replied, standing up to lace her arms with Ophelia’s as they stood at one end of the drawing room.
Just as Ophelia had expected, Lady Alice sat beside Edward, ignoring everyone else in the room since Mrs Bailey was also very much a part of the conversation. However, Ophelia promised herself not to be bothered by Alice since whatever went on between her and Edward was none of Ophelia’s business.
