“Miss Jennings?”
“Yes?” Ophelia asked the maid who had called out to her.
“This just arrived for you.”
Ophelia quickly took the letter that had come from home, entering the nursery with Amy asleep in her other hand. She carefully placed Amy back in the cradle, making sure the little girl remained asleep before finally opening the letter and reading through it.
My darling Ophelia,
I wish I could explain how much it is that I miss you, but explaining such feelings is a rather impossible task. Everyone at home, including myself, is healthy and happy, yet we all feel empty in your absence. We know you are working hard for us, and we appreciate your efforts, especially since they have been beneficial to us. Sarah finally managed to get enrolled incorrespondence courses to become a teacher and is already quite happy with how her education is turning out to be.
Amelia, on the other hand, is still being courted by the baron’s son and is extremely happy. I am sure we won’t have to worry about Andrew’s education before long since we will have saved enough, and things will be just perfect.
Now, I am simply waiting for that to come so you can finally leave your job and build a life for yourself. I cannot wait to see you again. Come home soon.
Love,
Mother
Ophelia closed the letter, a happy smile on her face as she realized she was finally able to help her family. The news from home did make her feel better, but the fact that her mother expected her to leave her job eventually was a little unnerving.
She could not imagine leaving Amy. Not anytime soon or until she had grown up enough not to need Ophelia anymore.
And Edward.
How could she possibly part from Edward even if their only relationship was strictly formal?
The very thought troubled her.
She sighed deeply, unsure of how the future might pan out, but she knew she had other things to worry about. For the time being, she should simply let this go.
Chapter 15
Edward was seething with anger as he sat up on his horse, refusing to return home in the carriage with Rosalina. He knew none of it was her fault, and she had no idea how ridiculous the soiree was going to be, but he still needed a few minutes to calm himself down. It had been his first large social gathering after returning to London, and it had turned into a massive failure.
I cannot believe how desperate the women of the ton can be.
He continued to ride just ahead of Rosalina’s carriage, his mind still occupied with how the evening had unfolded. Where he had only wanted to step out to have some distance between him and Ophelia, his decision had been nothing but a mistake. When their hands had accidentally grazed against one another’s the other day, at the picnic, Edward had felt something.
The feeling had been so foreign that he hardly recognized it and could certainly not give it a name, but it had been terrifying. He had no place in his life to feel such emotions, and it was for the best of both of them that he maintained his distance from Ophelia to prevent such occurrences. However, staying locked up in his study would have been a far better idea than subjecting himself to an evening with London nobility.
He was not going to put himself through that again.
Now or ever.
As soon as the manor came into view, Edward stepped down from his horse, hearing Rosalina’s footsteps right behind him. She already looked guilty enough to force him into attending the party, and Edward did not want to blame her either. She had always been supportive and even tonight, she had tried to save him from every prying mama and young woman.
“Edward,” Rosalina called out as he ascended the stairs. He stopped, turning towards her as she stood in the middle of the darkened hallway, considering it was already quite late in the night.
He hated how these things always ended so late.
“Rosalina, I am already quite done after tonight. Please.”
“I am not saying that your annoyance is unjustified.” She sighed, walking towards him. “But you must understand that you happen to be the most eligible bachelor of the Season, making you the prime catch. When you partake in social settings, you will be subjected to the exact same behaviour you had to witness tonight. You cannot do anything about it.”
“Of course I can.”
“Care to explain?”
