“And why is that, my dear?”
“I heard him tell someone that he can never love me because I am beneath him regarding social standing. I cannot marry a man or love a man who would never even consider me his equal. Hence, it is best if I simply do not tell him because it will mean nothing to him. He might just make fun of me for dreaming so high.”
“Oh, Ophelia.” Her mother hugged her from the side.
Ophelia breathed in deeply and lay comfortably on her mother’s lap.
“I simply need to fall out of love with him, and everything will be fine.”
“Or you can tell him the truth about who you are and that your bloodline is noble as well. He will never see you as anything else but his equal, and you will be able to have everything you want, my darling.”
“I do not want a love for which I have to prove the purity of my blood. If he cannot love me for who I am as a person right now, he will never be able to love me.”
“I know what you mean, darling,” her mother replied, running her hands through Ophelia’s hair. “But that does not mean you do not have a shot at happiness.”
“I have all the happiness I might need regarding my family and Amy. I do not require his presence in my life to feel happy. I only told you, Mama, so my heart feels a little lighter after sharing it with someone, but please understand, I will get over this love.”
“What if you cannot?”
“I have to.” Ophelia sat back down. “I do not have another choice but to fall out of love because he will never want me, and I will only be putting myself up for heartbreak by telling him.”
Ophelia was sure of her decision, realizing she had taken the right choice.
‘Whatever it is you wish for, my dear, I will always be standing with you.”
“Thank you, Mama.” Ophelia kissed her mother’s hand, already feeling grateful.
She knew she was doing the right thing.
Chapter 27
As Edward rode towards Kent, finally ready to face Ophelia, he knew he needed to tell her the truth. About everything. He had come to tell her his feelings for her, but before he could do that, she needed to know everything about Margaret.
If she considered him faultless in the matter, she would have him.
If she loved him too.
His heart rate accelerated as the driver told him they were just a few minutes from Ophelia’s house, unsure how to face her. This was the last place he had expected to find himself anytime soon, but life worked in mysterious ways. If Rosalina had not confronted him and forced him to confront his truth, he would have never found himself at Ophelia’s doorstep, telling her he loved her.
But it was the truth. He could finally accept it, and the knowledge made him feel much happier.
“We have arrived, My Lord.” Edward looked out the window at the driver’s announcement, realizing they had stopped outside a small house.
He was not certain if the family had yet received the money he had sent them through his solicitor in the name of a deceased uncle leaving them an inheritance, but he hoped it was done. The money would help them secure the futures of all the siblings without Ophelia having to work tirelessly.
Edward stepped out of the carriage and knocked on the door, unsure how he would be received. He was hoping for Ophelia to open the door, but instead, it was Ophelia’s older version, the resemblance between her and her mother, which was uncanny. No one could deny they were related because they looked so much like one another.
Confusion evident on her face, she stared at him with scrunched eyes, taking in his appearance.
“You must be Mrs Jennings,” she still appeared confused, “I am Edward Cavendish, the Earl of Sommers.”
Her eyes widened as if everything was clear to her all of a sudden, and she resumed her manners, “My Lord.”
“Will it be alright if I come inside?”
Edward felt his question made her realize she still hadn’t invited him inside, and she immediately appeared embarrassed. He had clearly surprised them with his sudden arrival but hadno time to inform them about it. She moved away, letting him walk inside.
“Please come in.”
