Randa knew she didn’t have an argument for that. “But he was simply trying to—”
“I know what he was trying to do,” Ophelia cut her off quietly. “You simply let him do it. But thank you for teaching me a lesson, Mother. When my children are born, I will defend them against anyone and everyone until my last breath. I’ve learned that I do not want to be a mother like you.”
Randa looked terribly hurt by that statement. Without anything to say in defense of herself, she simply turned back to her food and Ophelia felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She’d wanted to say such things for the past two months, ever since Oscar had taken charge of his granddaughter’s future, and it felt good to tell her mother what she thought without fear of reprisal. Although she didn’t know Creston well yet, she knew that he wouldn’t let anyone punish or hurt her.
That much was certain.
She was embarking on a whole new life.
At some point, Randa left the table. Ophelia didn’t know where her mother went and she didn’t care. She and Creston enjoyed the wonderful feast that The Black Cock had prepared, and, at one point, she even saw Greenie as the woman served them fresh bread. Greenie grinned and winked at her as if she knew how right she’d been about Creston all along, and Ophelia felt some joy simply seeing the woman again. A woman who had shown her such kindness when she’d needed it most.
“Lady de Royans? My lady?”
It took Ophelia a moment to realize the words had come from Creston. She looked at him as if surprised to hear her new title,breaking down into soft laughter at her own reaction. That had Creston grinning at her.
“Sounds strange, does it?” he asked.
Ophelia shook her head. “Not strange,” she said. “Unfamiliar. But I shall become accustomed to it quickly.”
“Good,” Creston said. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
“I am, very much.”
“I am glad,” he said. “Have you had enough to eat?”
She nodded, looking at the empty trencher. “For now,” she said. “But only for the moment. They keep bringing out dishes, and I want to try them all.”
“And you shall,” he said. “But I was hoping you would be gracious enough to allow me to introduce you to my friends.”
He indicated the table across from them, another long table, which was packed with men and women, all having a wonderful time. Ophelia nodded eagerly.
“Of course,” she said. “I would be honored.”
With a smile, he stood up and took her hand, gently helping her out of her seat. She was clad in the same silk dress her mother had commissioned for her marriage to Cecil, and although she hadn’t been keen to wear it because of the memories associated with it, the garment was expensive and beautiful, and her mother had insisted. The beautiful green fabric shimmered when she walked, and upon her neck she wore a stunning gold necklace set with pale green stones that had been mined in a faraway land. It belonged to her mother, who had intimated she would give it to her daughter upon her marriage, but after the exchange they’d just had, Ophelia fully expected her mother to take the necklace back. Not that she cared.
Frankly, she was feeling too much hope to care.
With her hands looped around Creston’s elbow, he took her over to the table that held the Blackchurch trainers and theirwives. When they saw the newly married couple approach, every man at the table stood up to greet them.
“This sounds odd to say, but I would like for you all to meet my wife,” Creston said, grinning because it was slightly awkward. “I have the pleasure of introducing you to Ophelia de Camville de Royans. I will fully admit that I never really planned on introducing her to all of you because I wasn’t sure I wanted to. But I’ve had the opportunity to spend time with the new Lady de Royans and I will confess that I’m no longer opposed to this marriage. I believe you will find her as charming and kind as I have.”
That brought some chuckles from the men around the table. “God’s Bones, Cres,” Tay said. He was the closest and shook his head at Creston’s introduction. “That was one of the most inelegant, insulting speeches I have ever heard. If Lady de Royans does not run out on you this moment, I will be surprised.”
Ophelia started laughing. “My lord, I assure you, I echo his sentiment,” she said. “This entire situation is somewhat… strange.”
“My lady?” The lovely woman at Tay’s side reached out to take Ophelia’s hand. “Since my husband cannot seem to properly greet you andyourhusband speaks so awkwardly, let me salvage the situation. I am Athdara, Tay’s wife. We are so pleased to meet you. Welcome to Blackchurch.”
“Thank you,” Ophelia said sincerely. “I am honored to know you.”
Athdara was a tall, elegant woman with lovely features. She didn’t let go of Ophelia’s hand, instead pulling her away from Creston and introducing her to the other women who were seated with their husbands nearby.
“This is Lady de Merest, Fox’s wife,” she said, indicating a pretty brunette. “Her name is Gisele and a kinder woman youwill never meet. And that lady on the other side of the blond knight is Elisiana, Lady de Reyne. Her family is from Aragon.”
Ophelia was making the rounds, greeting these lovely women, feeling their warmth and curiosity even though she’d only just met them. Women could be such pack animals, but she didn’t feel that from them at all. Only genuine interest.
“My lady,” she said to Gisele before moving to Elisiana. “And, Lady de Reyne, I am very honored to meet you.”
As Elisiana smiled and grasped her free hand kindly, Athdara led her to the last lady down the table. “And this lovely woman is Astria, Lady Matheson,” Athdara finished. “She is a member of the Portuguese royal family. Ask her about her adventures at sea. She is the teller of exciting tales, I assure you.”
