“Philip?” Lucien asked as he reached the door. “What are you doing?”
“I have to go.”
“What about our horse ride?” he asked. “You told me you wished to discuss something with me.”
He had, of course. He wanted to tell Lucien about his sudden attraction to Lady Jacqueline, but that would have to wait.
“I cannot. Perhaps tomorrow?”
“Philip, you are completely flustered. What has gotten into you?”
“Ophelia,” he replied bluntly. “She is in the garden, right now, with Lady Jacqueline.”
“What? But that is not possible.”
“It quite clearly is, else I would not have seen her with my own eyes.”
“I wouldn’t think much of it. Who knows why she is here?”
“That is precisely why I must think on it. She is with the lady I am courting right now. Why has she suddenly come back like this? Why is she walking and talking with Lady Jacqueline, someone she doesn’t even know?”
“It is possible that they know each other. They are of the same age, after all.”
“No, to my recollection Lady Ophelia only ever spoke to people of her social standing or higher. She made a point of it.”
“A rather nasty girl. Remind me why you were in love with her, again?”
“I do not need that right now.”
“No, no of course not.”
“I remember it all, you know, even to this day. I remember the hurt and anger of her betrayal, and seeing just how spiteful she had been all along. After everything that she did to me, I fear she might be talking Lady Jacqueline out of giving me a chance too, just to be cruel.”
“I doubt that she would go so far out of her way just to do that,” Lucien said gently. “But I do think it would be better for you to see that for yourself, because otherwise you might drive yourself entirely mad. We can forget the horses for today. Come, I will accompany you on a promenade with them.”
Philip nodded, grateful to his friend, and the two of them left for the garden. They found the ladies quickly, as they had not gone too far, and Philip tried to listen in on their conversation as much as he could, but it was no use. They were too far away, and seemingly whispering.
“Good day, ladies!” Lucien said brightly, and Ophelia instantly seemed to light up.
Lady Jacqueline, on the other hand, seemed quite relieved more than anything.
“Your Grace!” Lady Ophelia greeted, ignoring Lucien entirely. “How wonderful to see you. It has been so long since you and I have seen each other, yet it feels like only yesterday that you and I walked these gardens together, just the two of us.”
“The two of us and your maid, yes,” Philip nodded, noticing that same flicker of disgust in her eyes, even if she was doing a better job at hiding it than before.
It was a look that he did not see in Lady Jacqueline’s face, though she did seem quite uncomfortable.
“Would you like to join us?” Lady Ophelia asked.
“Yes, you are more than welcome,” Lady Jacqueline agreed. “I assure you, you are not intruding at all.”
It was strange; this was not the lady that he had spent time with at the pianoforte, the lady that he truly did think he might have a future with. He wondered if it had something to do with Lady Ophelia’s presence, and if it were the case then he could hardly blame her for that. They had been in love, once upon a time, or at least he had thought himself to be in love with her. It couldn’t have been easy for her to see Lady Ophelia again, especially if(and he truly hoped it to be the case) she harbored some kind of feelings toward him in return.
“I simply must speak with you, Your Grace,” Lady Ophelia said suddenly. “Your mother told me you were busy today, but now that I have you, I have to talk to you about why I am here.”
“That sounds perfect,” Lucien replied for him. “This way, I can acquaint myself with our guest.”
Philip was stunned at how quickly Lucien had left him with Lady Ophelia, but Lady Jacqueline did not seem to mind, being led away by Lucien quite quickly.
