She had nothing to concern herself with regarding either of them.
“Now that you have finally decided to show up after I called you a thousand times,” Rosalina looked at her as theywalked about the large drawing room, “I have managed to convince Edward to come to London and join me during my wedding preparations, and I wish you to come along as well.”
“I cannot possibly.”
“Why not?!”
“I have to make sure I am taking good care of Amy, and I cannot just let her be or take her to London.”
“Of course you can,” Rosalina reasoned, “Edward has a beautiful townhouse in London, which can easily provide a nursery for Amy, and you can be in London with her. Our extended family would love to meet the little girl as well, and I have come to enjoy your company. Please do not deprive me of it, Ophelia.”
“I do not know what to say,” Ophelia said, unable to say no to Rosalina.
She was sure no one could ever say no to this enigmatic woman who knew how to get her way.
“That means you are coming!”
“Well, in that case, I believe everyone will be in London soon enough,” Edward added with a sigh, and Ophelia wondered how in the world Rosalina had even convinced him.
It did indeed seem as if, everyone was going to London.
Chapter 12
“You two shall not worry about anything because I will be right ahead of the carriage,” Edward said for the one-hundredth time, his words forcing Ophelia and Rosalina to stare at one another with a knowing glance, “If you need anything, all you must do is stop me.”
“We understand very well, Edward,” Rosalina sighed. “You must stop worrying so much.”
Why was he worrying so much? Ophelia was unsure. Now that they were supposed to depart for London, Edward had decided to ride for a few hours while Rosalina, Ophelia, and Amy were travelling by carriage. Lady Alice had already returned to London a day earlier, being summoned by her family urgently as she had accompanied Rosalina to see Edward without informing anyone except her housekeeper.
Ophelia was certainly glad about that.
She would not have been able to tolerate Lady Alice’s company for an entire carriage ride and was glad that she was not expected to either. She and Rosalina had reached an initial stage of friendship, and Ophelia was beginning to feel comfortable, but no such relationship had been established with Lady Alice.
“I shall not worry further,” he said, nodding and opening the carriage door as Rosalina stepped inside.
Ophelia handed Amy to Rosalina, who easily cradled the little girl in her arms. Amy had already grown a fondness for Rosalina and was beginning to enjoy her company. Edward extended his hand towards Ophelia, who took it, stepped carefully on the steps, and settled inside the carriage. Her hand tingled with that familiar feeling of touch, but Ophelia made sure to keep all emotions at bay. She could not feel anything for Edward.
Especially not after seeing him with Lady Alice.
That had been an excellent reminder for Ophelia that Edward was expected only to share any and all relations with noble women who aligned with his own status. Ophelia was just the help, and she needed to remember that.
“Thank you, Edward,” Rosalina called out just before the carriage door closed, “we shall see you in London now.”
Edward nodded before walking away, leaving Rosalina, Ophelia, and Amy all alone in the carriage. Amy burst into laughter, making both Rosalina and Ophelia laugh alongside her, with no hints of tension or awkwardness in the carriage. Rosalina made Ophelia feel like she was back home with her sisters, the comfort being delightful.
“Isn’t this going to be Amy’s first time in London?” Ophelia asked.
“Oh no.” Rosalina shook her head, still playing with Amy, “Amy was born in London because that is where Margaret lived with her husband. Edward came to London at the birth, which was followed by Margaret’s death, and he brought Amy with him to the country because that is where he resided, and it is indeed the best place for bringing up a child.”
Ophelia realized how much she still did not know about Amy, her past, and her parents. All she knew was that both her parents had died, but no one had told her the reasons behind it. It was still very much a mystery, and Ophelia had no desire to seem nosy by asking too many questions.
She would find out when the time was right, but as of now, she simply needed to make sure Amy was well taken care of.
“How about you, Ophelia?”
“What about me?” she asked, realizing she had not been focusing.
“When was the last time you were in London?”
