“They are not friends. Not even one bit.” Rosalina shook her head. “Alice tries to keep close to Edward or somehow be seen with him so she can convince him to court her. She had her eyes set on him, considering he is the most eligible bachelor of the ton.”
Ophelia felt her heart shattering at the thought of Edward courting Alice.
What if he does begin courting her? Or what if he already is?
“But he is never going to court her,” Rosalina added, as if reading Ophelia’s mind. “She keeps deluding herself, believing that someday he might when she should focus her energy on someone else.”
“Why won’t he court her?”
Ophelia felt her question was rude, but Rosalina simply shrugged, her eyes closed as she rested comfortably in her seat. She hoped that the forwardness of her question would simply be marked by mere curiosity as her position as the nanny. Rosalina hardly seemed to be suspicious of Ophelia in any way, and she wished to keep it like that.
She had really come to enjoy Rosalina’s company and had no desire to let go of her.
“I do not know really,” Rosalina replied, “but Edward is extremely particular and has never shown any interest in Alice. I am certain he has no feelings towards her and has never even thought about her in this manner.”
Ophelia felt her heart calming down at Rosalina’s words, and she rested her head against the carriage wall, closing her eyes. Amy had already fallen asleep in her lap, and Ophelia, too, felt slightly tired, the speed of the carriage lulling her. The simple news of Edward not being interested in Alice was enough to give her comfort, and before she realized what was happening, darkness took over.
“Ophelia?”
Edward’s arms were around her, holding her tightly as they stood in one another’s embrace. The warmth of his touch was so beautiful that Ophelia had no desire to let go of it.
“Ophelia!”
She tried turning her head away from the voice pulling her out of Edward’s arms when her head softly hit the wall, and her eyes opened immediately.
It was just a dream.
Ophelia blinked quickly, realizing the carriage had stopped, and Rosalina sat before her, appearing amused.
“Sounds like you were having a good dream.” She chuckled, and Ophelia turned scarlet, hoping she had not said anything that might be wrong.
“I do not remember what it was about,” she lied, but Rosalina did not press her for any details.
“Well, now that you are awake, we have reached London.”
Ophelia looked through the open carriage window and saw a beautiful townhouse before her eyes. They had indeed reached London, and she was certainly not looking forward to it.
Chapter 13
“Ophelia!” Rosalina’s loud exclaim brought a smile to Ophelia’s face, who was already beginning to get used to Rosalina’s rambunctious greetings. “You took so much time in coming. Everyone has been asking for you and Amy.”
“I had to make sure Amy was well-fed before I could come,” Ophelia replied apologetically, hearing voices from inside the drawing room.
It had just been two days since their arrival in London and Rosalina had already arranged for a large dinner party to be organized at Edward’s manor, including their families, to introduce everyone to Amy. Ophelia was already getting hints of Rosalina’s extremely friendly nature, and she was certain that in all their time in London, Rosalina would definitely be engaged in multiple such gatherings.
“Excellent.” She smiled. “Come, I shall introduce you to everyone.”
Ophelia had no reason to object, even when she felt extremely nervous before meeting Rosalina and Edward’s family. She simply needed to keep reminding herself that she was only Amy’s nanny and nothing else, which basically made her invisible. She had no reason to worry at all.
With a comfortable grace, Rosalina laced her arm with Ophelia’s and almost dragged her inside the drawing room, which was already filled with people. Everyone became momentarily silent as they entered, which was eventually followed by a loud cheer as a couple of young men and women made their way towards them, their arms extended towards Amy.
Ophelia was surprised at the easy love they showed, her gaze glancing towards Edward, who remained seated on the sofa, his expression withdrawn. He glanced at the spectacle but immediately looked away as if even the sight of it did not interest him. Ophelia did not doubt that. He was still completely distant, not having once visited Amy since they had come to London.
“Give her space to breathe,” Rosalina shouted, but everyone almost ignored her.
Amy began to laugh at the attention, a little surprised at first. Ophelia handed the little girl to one of the young women, unsure of who she was. However, her striking resemblance to Rosalina was enough indication of the two of them definitely being sisters. Since Amy had never been much of a reserved child, she easily settled in with everyone despite everyone being a perfect stranger to her, and her happy countenance rejuvenated everyone as she was showered with love.
“She is such a darling little girl,” the woman Ophelia thought was Rosalina’s sister commented, making everyone agree.
