“You are not going to ruin my plan,” she said, clearly furious, “I am certain someone might have already seen us.”
“I can assure you no one has, and no one will,” he sighed, trying to calm down, “and if you do try to trick me into marriage through any means, I will make sure your reputation is torn to shreds, and you are ruined beyond repair. In any case, you will never be able to marry me. Remember that.”
Edward began to walk away when she shouted again.
“Are you doing all of this because of Ophelia? Because you are apparently courting that nanny in front of the ton?”
How does she even know?
“Whatever could you mean?”
He watched as Alice’s gaze narrowed, and she walked closer, appearing even angrier than she had moments ago.
“Oh my goodness, have you fallen in love with her?” she said insultingly, “how could you possibly love a servant?”
Edward immediately knew he shouldn’t have reacted in this manner. Lady Alice was both cunning and cruel, and if she got the slightest hint of Edward’s growing feelings towards Ophelia, she might take drastic actions against her and Ophelia did not deserve to be at the receiving end of Alice’s hatred.
I must shift her attention away from Ophelia. Right away.
“Of course, I do not love her. She is nothing but a façade to keep women like you from the ton away from me.”
“I am not the gullible little fool you think me to be, Lord Cavendish,” Alice retorted, “I can see the look in your eyes at the mention of her name, and God forbid it speaks of love.”
Edward scoffed.
“I am an earl, Lady Alice,” he replied, “I am never going to fall in love with someone beneath my rank. She is entirely unmarriageable and will never be good enough for me. Not wanting to marry you had nothing to do with Ophelia and everything to do with you being the most boring, unkind, and entirely selfish person I have ever met.”
“You lie,” she said, smirking. “Clearly, you are losing your mind over her and cannot see the love I have to offer you.”
“You have nothing to offer me. Period,” Edward said with finality. “You are as boring and plain as a woman can be, and you pride yourself on your social standing. You are materialistic, opportunistic, and vile, and you only wish to marry me because I am the most eligible bachelor of the Season. Had there been someone else, you would have been interested in him.”
“That is not true, My Lord,” she began to plead, but even her expressions reeked of falsehood. “I do love you and have never wanted anything but to marry you.”
“I have eyes, Lady Alice. Stay away from me and everyone in my family, or I will make sure you cannot find anyone to marry in all of London, much less France.”
Without waiting for her to reply, Edward turned around. He knew he had been harsh, but everything he said was true. However, he only hoped that Alice’s focus would no longer be on Ophelia. He could tolerate anything but something happening to her because of him. That was the last thing he wanted, and he would make sure to see to it himself.
He was never going to let her get hurt.
Chapter 24
Ophelia pulled away the heavy velvet curtain draped over the carriage window and looked out, realizing she was just a few minutes away from home. The prospect of returning was extremely joyful to her, especially with Amy, who was seated comfortably in her lap. Although, her heart still felt awfully sorrowful.
She did wish to return home, but not in these circumstances.
It was hard to believe that just yesterday, she had danced in Edward’s arms at the Cartwright ball, and only he had meant to hurt her so terribly. When Ophelia had gone into the gardens for a few moments of peace, she had found Edward just a little further away with no one else but Alice.
I am never going to fall in love with someone beneath my rank. She is entirely unmarriageable and will never be good enough for me. The words he had used for her in front of Alice were burnt in Ophelia’s memory.
She would never be able to forget them.
Although, all of it was her fault. She already knew how Edward had treated his sister when she fell in love with someone below their rank. Hence, it was understandable that he felt thesame towards Ophelia. To him, she was just a maid who was never going to be his equal, and Ophelia would best accept that. But his words had been hurtful, all her fears confirmed.
“Miss Jennings, are we there?” the maid accompanying her asked, snapping Ophelia out of her thoughts.
“Yes, just a few minutes away.”
After crying the entire night, Ophelia had decided it was best to take a break and return home to distance herself from Edward for a little while. The feelings she had for him were still intact, but she needed to let go of them to find peace.
