“Everyone in the ton must be utterly useless and lead severely boring lives if the news of an unimportant maid is going to be the gossip of the ton.”
Alice frowned, not knowing what to say.
“You can see it however you want. You will know how humiliating it is to be paraded in the ton as nothing but trash when everyone finds out who you really are. Especially the way you have been keeping Edward away from the young debutantes, you will be hated by all.”
“I hardly care, Lady Alice. Go ahead and tell everyone. What are you waiting for?”
Ophelia did not know where she was finding her confidence, but she was tired and completely done. She had no patience for Alice and her threats, let alone anything else. The night was only midway, but Ophelia wanted to return home. She already missed Amy. Everything stayed fine when she was in the nursery with Amy, away from the difficulties of surviving in the London nobility.
“I am simply enjoying myself.” Alice shrugged. “It feels rather nice to watch you twist and turn in anticipation, waiting for when I will finally reveal your secret. I am sure you are terrified of the consequences.”
“Not at all.” Ophelia smiled. “Although you should be terrified of the consequences.”
“What do you mean?” Alice straightened.
“If you reveal my secret to the ton, Lord Cavendish, who already does not find you likeable will begin to loathe you even more for ruining his reputation and parading his niece's nanny in this manner. As a respectable young lady, he would naturally expect you to keep a secret if you have come across it. It will hardly affect me, but you will lose all your chances of ever being with him.”
Ophelia could see shock on Alice’s face, who had clearly not thought this through.
“You will see what I do.”
Alice walked away from her, still appearing angered, as Ophelia finally breathed a sigh of relief. She looked up, finding Randolph’s eyes on her from across the room, his expression confused. Ophelia could see he was still trying to remember, and it scared her.
She turned around, making her way towards the open balcony door, away from the swirls and the haze of the ballroom. She had already had enough for the evening, and she needed fresh air. She stepped into the gardens, finally being able to breathe.
Keeping Alice away was hardly an issue for Ophelia, but she did not know what she would do if Randolph found out who she was.
She needed to maintain her distance.
And return home as soon as possible.
Just a little longer.
Chapter 23
Edward breathed a sigh of relief as the music began to fade, indicating he would finally be rid of Alice. If she had not asked him to dance with her in front of several members of the ton, he would never have agreed. However, she continued to insist on Edward spending time with her, especially in front of everyone.
He knew what she wanted, but he was never going to give it to her.
Instead, he just wanted to find Ophelia. He had already danced twice with Ophelia, and if they danced a third time, it would appear rather rude and suspicious to the ton, and he had no desire to have any unnecessary eyes on him. Despite everything, he simply could not stop looking at her, his heart accelerating since the moment she had descended the stairs to leave for the ball.
In her pink gown, she was a vision.
I have never wanted anyone as much as I want Ophelia.
However, she is the one thing I could never imagine having. After the way I treated Margaret and caused the death of my very own sister, I do not deserve happiness. The guilt consumes me in a way where even if I were to have Ophelia inmy life, it might not bring me happiness. I was unnecessarily mean to my very own sister and deserve to suffer for that.
The set finally came to an end, and Edward bowed down.
“Thank you for the dance, Lady Alice.”
“Thank you, My Lord.” He watched as Alice curtsied, her leg suddenly twisting as she fell to the ground.
Edward immediately held her shoulders, trying to pick her up, but looking closely at her face made him realize she was only pretending to be hurt. He was certain she could have fallen on purpose as well, just to have Edward closer to her.
He wished to leave her there on the dance floor, but since everyone around them had already noticed Alice falling, he could not be ungentlemanly in any way.
“I feel extremely faint, My Lord,” Alice said, trying to sound in pain. “Will you please help me walk to the side?”
