“The first thing you said,” she said simply, unable to find any enthusiasm whatsoever. “Yes, that will do.”
The footman still appeared unsure but he bowed deeply and hurried from the room. Then, Ophelia turned slightly to look outthe window. A beautiful day, the sun shone warm, birds could be heard singing from the treetops, but it hardly fazed Ophelia.
It was just so unlike her, and she wanted desperately to snap herself from this funk. Alas, such things were not so easy. And the reason for it… Well, he just then happened to walk into the breakfast room.
“Good, you’re awake,” Adrian said when he saw her sitting alone. He strode into the room, heading for his seat at the end of the table.
Ophelia looked up, and that time she did not waste the effort it took to smile. Her husband wore his usual glower, an ever-dark presence that even the morning light could not break, nor did he appear as if he wanted it to. Even his eyes, sharp blue and piercing, held no sense of warmth.
“Good morning,” she said simply.
“You slept well?” he asked as he sat down.
“Do you care?” she sighed without thinking.
He frowned at the response. “Is something the matter, Ophelia?”
“Why would you say that?”
He continued to frown at her in a way that might have suggested he was concerned was it anyone else. “You seem… upset.”
“I am fine,” she said without looking at him. Perhaps it was a little immature to behave with such dispassion and antipathy, but Ophelia had been nothing but kind and generous since her arrival and it made no difference. So why bother?
“As you say.” He cleared his throat as he turned and indicated to the footman. They spoke for a moment, but Ophelia did not listen. Once the footman hurried from the room, Adrian turned back to face her. “I asked about your sleep because I found you last evening, passed out in the nursery.”
That had her looking up. “You… you did?”
“I was forced to carry you to bed,” he said simply. “A good thing, because if I did not, I wonder how you might have managed to do so in a new home when you woke in the middle of the night.”
It was Ophelia’s turn to frown.
Adrian did not sound as if he wished for praise. It did not look as if he was bragging or expecting her to be grateful. He spoke clearly and simply, merely giving her the facts.
And yet, the simple action had Ophelia considering him once again. Every time that she thought she knew her husband and what she could expect from him, he went and did something thatsurprised her. Further proof that he might not be exactly as she presumed of him… that there was more there than even he knew.
“Thank you,” she found herself saying. “I had no idea.”
“I could not very well leave you,” he said dismissively. “You are my wife.”
It was that final word…wife. While Ophelia doubted that Adrian meant it in any meaningful way, it stabbed at her so that she flinched back. Worse still, it saw the return of her sullen mood. With one hand, he gave, with the other, he took. What did he want with her?
“Oh, so you know who I am?” she said sharply, again without thinking.
“Excuse me?”
She considered saying nothing. Never one to complain, the last thing that Ophelia wanted was an argument. But she thought back to the previous evening, how lonely it had been, how wrong it had felt. Yes, their marriage was one of convenience, but did that mean it had to be so dreadful? Did it mean that she would be forced into a life of isolation and misery? And when Harriet’s true father was found, what then?
I will be utterly alone, and I doubt that Adrian even cares.
“Last night,” Ophelia began carefully, not wanting to sound too aggressive. “It was… it might have been nice if you have not abandoned me.”
“I did not abandon you, Ophelia,” he said. “I merely visited a friend. As I just told you, I returned home. It is not as if I spent the evening at a tavern or something of that nature.”
“What you did makes little difference,” she said, a small spike of anger felt inside of her. “The simple fact was, it was our wedding night, and it would have been right if we spent it together. It is expected.”
“Expected by whom?”
“Everyone!” she cried before she could help it. A deep breath, she steadied her breathing and looked pointedly at Adrian. “I know what this marriage is, nor do I want anything different. But at the very least, it might be nice if you considered my feelings. If you dared to think of anyone other than yourself.”
