“Do not forget your place!” Alice almost shouted, belatedly realizing how they were in a ballroom and she needed to control both her voice and her manners.
Despite her insane ramblings, Ophelia remained calm. Alice hardly had any effect on her.
“Lady Alice, do you want something from me, or are you only here to try to establish your place somehow. Are you truly that insecure?”
“You must stop deluding yourself with my shortcomings when only you are delusional since you think Edward is going to court you. He fancies you for two days and will move on soon, and he is going to return to me, so please do not think you have won because Edward is mine.”
“Are you done, Alice?” Rosalina asked, emerging through the glass doors and standing beside Ophelia.
“Oh, Rosalina,” Alice said, suddenly appearing guilty.
Ophelia was glad about Rosalina’s arrival, saving her the trouble of replying since this entire conversation was entirely nonsensical. Ophelia had no desire to get involved in a match of power over who deserved Edward more. She knew how completely Edward disliked Alice. If anyone was deluding themselves, it was Alice.
“I have told you a million times before that Edward has no interest in courting you, Alice,” Rosalina said, sounding curt, “I do not know why you fail to believe it or if you are just unable to understand what I am saying, but I can assure you. Try all you want; you are never going to win here because it is Edward who has never been interested in marrying you. The sooner you accept that and move onto someone else, the better it will be.”
Ophelia stared at Alice, knowing she would not be able to move on anytime soon. The desperation she felt was marked all over her face.
“You clearly do not know what you are talking about,” Lady Alice said, turning around and scurrying away in a hurry.
Rosalina and Ophelia looked at one another before bursting into laughter, the entire scene being completely hilarious.
“I am sorry she reached you in this manner. Had I known, I would have stopped her,” Rosalina said, and Ophelia quickly shook her head.
“It hardly matters.”
“Edward told me you are not feeling alright. The carriage is waiting; let’s head back home.”
Ophelia laced her arms with Rosalina as they made their way out of the ballroom together, and at least at that moment, everything felt right again.
Chapter 18
Ophelia sat a little uncomfortably in the open carriage, feeling slightly awkward sitting beside Edward as the carriage driver took them towards the Park. She knew she looked beautiful in her pink dress, the colour appearing fresh in the morning. Her hair had been done in yet another elegant chignon, and she looked the part.
The perfect lady of the ton.
Rosalina had even made sure that Ophelia’s gowns were immaculately designed to signal her advanced tastes, which she was bound to have, having lived in France all her life. Hence, she looked beautiful. However, all that made her feel out of place was being close to Edward when she should be maintaining her distance.
“Are you feeling quite alright, Ophelia?” Edward addressed her, and she looked at him, unsure how to respond. She did want to tell him the truth, but he might not understand the feelings she was going through.
“I am,” she nodded, “are you?”
“Perfectly.” He continued to stare at her. “Although you look slightly disturbed.”
“Do I?” She tried to act indifferent, knowing she was failing miserably at it, and just decided to stick with the truth at last. “I am just awkward since I have never done these things before, but now I am doing them with you. I did not know Rosalina was going to make us go on a carriage ride in the morning, and I was just thrown off slightly.”
“I understand,” he sighed. “She can be a bit demanding, but she means well. If we are not seen together once or twice during the day, no one will ever believe we are courting. It is only to solidify the ruse.”
“I am aware.” She smiled, looking at the scenery as the carriage finally reached the park. “She only wants what is best for you, and I am glad how she is looking out for you like any other sister would. I am sure if your own sister, Margaret, was alive, she would have done the exact same thing.”
Edward stayed quiet for several seconds, making Ophelia wonder if she had done the wrong thing by mentioning Margaret’s name. She felt that since Edward had talked to her about Margaret, she could mention his sister as well.
Even though she knew nothing about Edward, his life, his past, or his sister.
“Margaret would have been even more protective of me, I feel.” Edward finally smiled, his rational reaction making Ophelia feel comfortable again. “She had been protectivetowards me since we were just little children. Despite being younger than me, she would often fight with our father if he scolded me a little too much or if my lessons were much too difficult. She had a lot of fight in her and never backed down from a cause.”
“She sounds like quite the woman,” Ophelia replied, smiling, “I hope Amy turns out just like her mother.”
“If she does, she will have no troubles in life, I assure you.” Edward sighed. “Margaret knew how to stand up and fight for herself, and she had the extreme confidence to do so.”
