“I promise,” he said, nodding, “but you cannot force her. This must be her decision entirely.”
“Agreed.”
Edward nodded, immediately exiting the hall. He had some friends to meet anyway.
Chapter 16
“I do not understand,” Ophelia said, completely confused.
She had been on her way back to the nursery when Rosalina had all but pounced on her, handing Amy to the housekeeper and dragging Ophelia into the drawing room. The demand Rosalina was making of her did not make much sense to Ophelia. She needed her to pretend to be a member of the ton and the woman Edward was wooing to make sure no other young lady tried to catch his attention with their elaborate schemes and left Edward alone.
“Ophelia, you must say yes,” Rosalina insisted once again, firmly holding both of Ophelia’s hands in her grasp.
“But why does Lord Cavendish even wish to keep young ladies away from him? If he is attending a ball, he is bound to receive such attention.”
“He fails to understand that,” Rosalina sighed, “I do not want him to isolate himself from the ton completely, which is exactly what he will do if this behaviour from the debutantes persists. Hence, I believe this plan will make him continue to be a part of the ton during the Season and keep all attention away from him.”
“The plan is excellent, Rosalina,” Ophelia agreed, “but I hardly think I am fit for it. I am Amy’s nanny, and I have to take care of her. What will happen to her at night when we have to attend social gatherings?"
“These gatherings begin and end very late, Ophelia,” Rosalina explained further, “and Amy is a friendly child and will easily settle in with someone else as well. And you will be with her during the day anyway.”
“I still do not think it is a very great idea.”
“You must do it for me if you consider me a friend. Please.”
Rosalina certainly had a way of convincing others, and Ophelia felt completely cornered. It was as if saying no was no longer an option, even if she had initially wanted to. Although, she could not lie to herself and deny that a part of her was not already looking forward to it. Edward had been a constant part of her dreams and thoughts for days now, and the very idea of being wooed by him in front of the entire ton was enough to send her heart into a frenzy.
Would she really be able to take this?
“Alright,” she agreed, nodding at last, and Rosalina all but jumped in glee.
“You promise?” she asked excitedly, almost hugging Ophelia, who began to laugh at Rosalina’s contagious happiness.
“I promise.”
“Oh, this is divine!” Rosalina stood up, walking about the drawing room. “Now, we must make sure you are ready for the whole charade to begin. Can you dance?”
“Dance?” Ophelia could certainly not tell the truth. “Just a little bit, I think.”
“Nothing to worry about at all.” Rosalina extended a hand towards her. “I can teach you.”
Ophelia stared at her extended hand for a couple of seconds, finally placing her hand in hers and standing up. Rosalina pulled her to the middle of the drawing room, quickly placing their hands in the correct positions as they stood facing one another.
“We have no music,” Ophelia commented, unsure how this would pan out.
“I shall sing and dance simultaneously,” Rosalina replied, already beginning to sing.
Ophelia laughed at her terrible singing, but Rosalina immediately began to move, taking Ophelia along with her as they twirled around the open space, even though it was turning out to be disaster. Rosalina could definitely not focus on singing and dancing at the same time, and to make things easier for her, Ophelia did not try to mess up the dance purposefully. Instead, she danced comfortably, completely in control of her movements.
If Rosalina noticed, she did not comment on it, continuing to lead Ophelia along.
“If I am not intruding, may I ask what the two of you are trying to achieve?”
They immediately stopped dancing at the familiar voice, and to Ophelia’s surprise, Edward stood at the drawing room door, a smile dancing on his lips. She could not even imagine how long he must have been standing there, simply staring at them going about their terrible dancing, and the thought mortified her.
“Oh, Edward!” Rosalina dragged him inside, closing the door behind him, “I am so glad you are here. I cannot sing and dance together. Clearly.”
“But why exactly are you dancing for no reason?”
