He was certain how Rosalina would have devised a brilliant yet completely ridiculous plan the way she always did. She thought of herself as a genius, but everyone around her knew that was definitely not the case.
“I have hatched the perfect plan to make sure you continue to attend events and stay an active member of the ton while not being subjected to the young ladies, their mamas, and the undue attention, which you seem to loathe completely.”
“The perfect plan?” Edward scoffed, closing the newspaper. “Let’s hear it.”
“It is very simple,” she began speaking. “All you need to do is find one young lady who you will focus all of your attention on and appear to be courting. This way, no mama or young lady will bother you while you attend these events since now that you are almost committed, everyone will maintain their distance. Hence, to put it simply, you must openly woo someone to keep other women at bay.”
“Entirely impractical.” Edward rolled his eyes.”
“How!?”
“I will still be giving false hope to that one young lady when I have no desire to get married in the first place. That will be extremely unfair to the poor thing, and I am not that cruel.”
Loud footsteps followed by Amy’s laughter forced them both to turn their attention towards the staircase just as Ophelia stepped into the hall with Amy in her arms. Amy looked fresh and well slept, and Rosalina quickly got up to kiss Amy’s cheek. Edward stared at Ophelia but did not say much, the memory of their hands grazing against the other’s still alive in his memory. Ophelia did things to him that no one had ever been able to.
“My Lord,” she curtsied once Rosalina was done kissing Amy.
“Are you headed somewhere?” Rosalina asked, making Edward mentally appreciate her for asking a question he needed an answer to himself.
Ophelia looked beautiful in her simple, cream-coloured, gown, her hair braided up as the braid rested on her shoulders. He had yet to see a day when she did not look absolutely perfect to the eyes since something about her always made her look attractive.
“I am taking Amy out for a walk in the gardens. She enjoys the outdoors.”
“That sounds excellent!” Rosalina said. “I will be here when you return.”
Ophelia nodded before heading out, but Rosalina stayed silent until she had left completely to begin the conversation again. Edward was still opposed to Rosalina’s plan, finding an obvious flaw in the execution.
“You are right, Cousin,” Rosalina nodded thoughtfully, “which is why we will be using someone who is already aware of the circumstances and how this is just an act. You can pretend to woo her, and she can pretend to be wooed when in reality, both of you are aware of the falsehood in this matter. For the rest of the ton, you two will be as much in love as any other couple, but it will just be an act.”
“And who exactly will agree to such an insane plan?”
“Ophelia,” Rosalina said triumphantly, victory written all over her face.
Edward could see how she prized herself for finding the perfect solution to his problem, but he still thought it nonsensical. It hardly made much sense at all, especially considering that Ophelia did not even belong to the ton, which meant they would have to provide her with a fake identity. How absurd would that be?
And why will Ophelia even agree to it?
Although, the simple thought of having to woo her and spending time with her at balls was enough to make Edward long for it. He knew it could turn out extremely well if they put in the necessary efforts, but would proximity with Ophelia in such a setting be a good idea for him? He was not sure.
“I do not think that is a very good idea,” Edward said, trying for his heart to calm down.
“Give me one reason why?”
Edward stayed quiet, unable to find a reason.
“See!” Rosalina pointed a finger at him. “You have no reasons.”
“I believe Miss Jennings will never agree to it, and we cannot force her. Hence, it is best to remove all such thoughts from your head and forget all about your little plan.”
“I shall talk to Ophelia and convince her without any force, I promise,” Rosalina said.
“And what if she does not agree still?”
“And what if she does?”
“If Miss Jennings agrees, I will go forward with it as well,” Edward gave in, standing up. He had already had enough of this conversation.
“You promise?” Rosalina asked gleefully.
