“What do you mean Margaret died because of you?” Ophelia was confused.
“I was there with Margaret when she was giving birth, and there were a few complications, so I had to go looking for a physician, but it was storming heavily, and I could not find a physician on time. The physician finally came, and he told me to save either Margaret or the baby, and I had to save the baby because that was what Margaret wanted. I killed my own sister.”
“Edward,” Ophelia whispered at the declaration, “you did not kill your sister. You did what she wanted, and you tried your best. How is it your fault?”
“I just wish I had been a better brother to her.” He shrugged, tears in his eyes.
“None of this is your fault. Believe me.”
Edward nodded. “I am trying my best to.”
“I always thought you hated Amy because you did not like her father since he was a commoner.”
“What? Who told you that?” Edward asked.
“The cook and Mrs Connor.”
“I did hate Margaret’s husband, but not because he was a commoner. I hated him because he was a drunkard and gambler and not good enough for Margaret. She had fallen in love and thought he would eventually get better, but that did not happen. She realized it much later, and she was already pregnant with Amy by then, so she had no choice but to stay with him.”
Ophelia was stunned. She had not expected that.
“Oh.”
“You must have such a low opinion of me,” Edward said, appearing pained.
“No, no, it is not that,” she tried to explain but knew it was useless.
“The reason I told you this about me, Ophelia, is to make sure that you know all my truth before I tell you what I came here to tell you.”
Ophelia looked up at him as he approached her, taking both her hands in his. Her heart began to race at the touch, but she stayed put, trying to control herself.
“What do you want to tell me?” her words came out in a whisper.
“I am in love with you.” Ophelia’s eyes widened at the confession, unable to believe her ears. “And I wish to marry you if you will have me. Please.”
Ophelia snatched her hands away, unable to believe what was happening. He loved her? But how could that be after everything he had said to Alice about her?
“I do not want you to love me out of pity, Edward. I heard what you said to Alice about not being able to love me because I am beneath you socially. Please do not saunter in here trying to prove your love when it doesn’t even exist.”
“What?” he looked shocked. “What was it that you heard?”
“Just the other night in the garden at the Cartwright ball, you were talking to Lady Alice in the gardens. I heard that.”
Tears stung her eyes, but she remained in control, trying not to break down.
“It was all a lie to turn Alice’s focus away from you because I was afraid she might want to hurt you if she found out that I had fallen in love with you. Which was precisely what she did.”
“You don’t have to lie, Edward,” Ophelia whispered, unable to believe that he actually loved her.
“I am not lying!” Edward exclaimed, holding both her hands in his.
Just then, a pot suddenly fell beside them, and they looked up, finding Ophelia’s mother standing at the threshold looking at them.
“He really is not lying, Ophelia,” her mother sighed. “I can see that he loves you, and this is not out of pity whatsoever.”
“Mama,” Ophelia whispered, tears falling from her eyes. She turned towards Edward, “And I have not been completely honest with you about myself either.”
“What do you mean?” He looked confused.
