“Thank you.”
He stepped inside, the small cottage spread before him in the form of a modest living room with several bedrooms attached. The kitchen was slightly open at the back of the house, and Edward could view it from his vantage point. He could see they had no money; everything they owned was simple, but the house still had character. They were people with kind hearts and ample compassion.
“Amelia, Sarah,” Ophelia’s mother called out to the two young girls seated leisurely on the sofas completely unaware of Edward’s presence, “The Earl of Sommers is here.”
They looked up at him together, immediately shooting up from the couch as if something had bit them and quickly dropped in curtsies.
“My Lord,” the taller of the two said, picking up the stack of books on the table.
“What a pleasure to have you here, My Lord,” the other one added, a charming smile on her face. Her smile reminded him of Ophelia, and his heart ached.
He watched amusingly as they immediately began to tidy up the place, quickly picking up any stray knickknacks strewn about here or there, but Edward could hardly care about a little mess. He was only here to see Ophelia, but she was nowhere in sight. If she had been in one of the bedrooms, she would have emerged on hearing his name, but there was no Ophelia in sight. Her blonde hair in a braid, her bright eyes, and that smile still missing from his life.
Edward needed to see her.
“You must not bother yourself with all this,” he asked Amelia and Sarah, walking inside.
“Oh, hardly a bother, My Lord,” the one with the charming smile replied. “I am Amelia by the way and you happen to be rather handsome.”
“Amelia,” Mrs Jennings warned her, but Amelia simply shrugged. She walked away, carrying several glasses directly to the kitchen.
Edward looked up just as the other sister, Sarah, emerged out from the bedroom she had been in to probably store the multitudes of books. She came forward and sat on the sofa opposite Edward, who was now seated as well. Mrs Jennings was just a few paces away, but he could see how awkward everyone in the house appeared. He needed to dispel the tension one way or the other.
“I cannot see Andrew, your son, Mrs Jennings.”
“He is asleep,” Amelia replied before her mother returned from the kitchen.
“I think I hardly need to clarify this, but I am here to see Ophelia,” he said, pausing as everyone looked at him. “And Amy, of course, my dear niece.”
He felt a little caught up as all three women in the house stared at him with knowing expressions, their smiles turning into smirks momentarily. It felt as if they already knew the reason behind his visit, making him feel vulnerable about his emotions.
“Ophelia has gone to the village, My Lord,” her mother replied, “and she has taken Amy along with her, and the two of them won’t be back for a few hours at least.”
“Will it be fine if I wait here for her?”
“Of course!” her mother said enthusiastically. “The way you have allowed Ophelia to make your home hers and have been so kind to her, we hope to return a fraction of that kindness back to you by showing you ample hospitality now that you are at our humble abode.”
“I have hardly done much, Mrs Jennings,” he replied honestly, his mind returning to Ophelia. “Ophelia is so bright and charming that she made the entire household fall in love with her, including Amy. You won’t find a single person who is not in awe of her as a person, and she has been wonderful to Amy as well.”
“You have still been exceptionally kind by offering her a job and letting her stay in your house, My Lord. Ophelia has always been loving and kind, and now that we have met Amy, who could not love that beautiful little girl? I finally see what Ophelia meant in her letters when she mentioned how she came to love Amy like a mother.”
Edward’s heart ached at Mrs Jennings’ words, feeling something he had never felt before. Ophelia truly did love Amy like no other, and Edward was quite happy to see that. It was a beautiful gesture of kindness, which only Ophelia was capable of.
“If there is anyone who deserves this, it is your daughter.”
Edward continued talking to Mrs Jennings, who had a knowing smile on her face as they conversed. He could not understand if he was simply imagining it or if Mrs Jennings certainly knew something he didn’t, making Edward wonder what it was she knew.
Although, he did not wish to worry about it. His entire focus was still on Ophelia and what he would say to her once she arrived.
The clinking of glass made him look ahead, and he noticed Sarah walking back into the living room with a tray in her hand. He had not even noticed when she had left, but he graciously smiled at her as she placed tea and biscuits before him, staring at him curiously.
“Thank you, Miss Sarah.”
“You know my name.”
“Your sister has told me about you and your passion for teaching,” he lied, not wanting to tell her he knew about her by accidentally reading the letter.
“She has?” Sarah looked surprised. “I have already started with the classes.”
