“No,” Alice whispered, stepping a little closer as Ophelia backed away, “my memory is awful, but I never fail to remember a few faces. And it cannot be the face of an unimportant nanny in the countryside. Look up at me.”
Ophelia knew she would not be able to hide herself much longer.
She looked up.
“It is you!” Alice exclaimed, her hands shooting up to her mouth in surprise. “Lady Ophelia Jennings, are you not supposed to be Lady Rosalina’s friend from France?”
Alice began to chuckle, a little too loudly for it even to sound elegant. Ophelia stood there, refusing to react as Alice ran a cursory glance over her clothes and Amy, disdain and hatred shining in her eyes. Although, Ophelia did not mind any of that. The only thing she had a problem with was the victory shining in Alice’s eyes as if she had somehow won an important award.
“I cannot believe that I have been showing my hatred and anger to you when you are nothing but a simple nanny belonging to the working class,” Alice said, circling Ophelia, “this simple, ugly gown suits you far more than the gowns you wear in the evening when you are faking to be a noble lady belonging to the ton.”
“I do not know what you are talking about,” Ophelia sighed, still not accepting Alice’s words.
She knew Alice had recognized her and that lying was pointless, but Ophelia did not care. She was not going to give up so easily.
“You know exactly what I am talking about!” Alice exclaimed. “Tell me, how much Edward has been paying you for this act? This ruse where you and he are trying to fool the entire ton?”
“As I said, I do not know what you are talking about,” Ophelia replied flatly, refusing to show emotion on her face, “ifyou have anything important and relevant to say or ask, I am listening. Otherwise, do excuse me.”
“Oh no, you are not going anywhere,” Alice blocked her path, “not without answering me.”
“Answering what?”
“How much has Edward been paying you?”
“Lady Alice, all I can tell you is that Lord Cavendish is not home right now. You must call on him later. Now if you will excuse me, I have other things to attend to.”
“Those are the things you are actually meant to attend to and do. You are not meant for ball gowns, parties, or dancing the night away with Edward. It is nothing but a lie, and if you truly believe you will continue living this fantasy forever, let me remind you that you are nothing but a nanny, and Edward would have never even looked at you if you were not his accomplice in this lie.”
Ophelia breathed in at her words, refusing to be hurt by them.
She already knew Lady Alice was right, but she would in no way give that woman the satisfaction of causing pain to Ophelia.
Please, breathe. She cannot hurt you. Not over such little things.
“Whatever you say, Lady Alice,” Ophelia replied emotionlessly, “have a good day.”
“Oh my goodness, how had I not seen this before,” Alice whispered, continuing to block Ophelia’s path. “You have fallen in love with him, haven’t you?”
Fallen in love? Ophelia could not understand.
She knew she had not fallen in love with Edward. It was true she had started developing feelings for him, but those were the reasons she had resolved to maintain distance. Falling in love with Edward was something she could simply not afford, especially after learning about the way he had treated Margaret when she fell in love with a commoner.
“I have not.”
“You are so pathetic, Ophelia.” Alice laughed. “You truly think he will fall in love with you too and whisk you away from your life of misery and make you his wife? I can see the longing for it written all over your face, but I believe you are forgetting that you are nothing but a huge lie. You will never be good enough for him, and he will never ever choose you over a noble young lady of good bearing like I am.”
“Lady Alice, you can stand here and continue believing whatever you wish to believe, but leave me alone.”
Ophelia looked up just then, noticing Rosalina standing right by the house door, her eyes wide as if she must have heard the tail end of the conversation. Ophelia knew she could not stomach any more drama for today, her heart already aching at Alice’s insensitive comments.
Without another word or acknowledging Rosalina in any way, Ophelia walked away from the scene, quickly climbing the stairs to reach the safety of the nursery. She needed to be alone before breaking down into tears.
She could not let anyone see her crying.
Especially not Edward.
***
