“I told you already that I do not care about your past. Just as I do not care what other people think of it.”
“But –”
“But nothing,” he cut over her. “You are my wife, Ophelia. A duchess. And far better than everyone else here.” He scoffed. “It is they who should be judged by you, and not the other way around.”
She searched his eyes as if with hope, desperation to believe what he said. “You have spent so long trying to avoid moments like this one. And in one fell swoop…” She laughed bitterly. “Tell me truly, you are starting to wonder if this marriage was worth the cost.”
“I am not wondering,” he said, meaning it. “Nor do I regret it. I chose to marry you, remember that. And not a day since have I considered that decision a mistake.”
“Really…”
“I do not care what other people think.” He looked at her, his expression as honest as he could make it. “What I care about is that you enjoy yourself. If you want to leave, we can. But to do so…” He exhaled sharply and flicked his head toward the crowd. “That will only throw meat to the wolves. It is better to show them that you do not care. In my experience, that is the best way to blunt their fangs.”
“You make it sound much easier than it is.”
“It is easy…” Somehow, he managed a soft smile. It was not done on purpose, but it came naturally. “Let me show you how.”
It was on the night of his wedding, as he drank with Rupert, that Adrian made himself a promise. While he could not imagine a situation where he would fall in love with his wife, or she with him, he would do everything that he could to make their marriage work.
For a short time, he had forgotten that, determined as he was to hide himself away because that was what he knew. But as he looked down at his wife, as he saw how much she needed him, he realized that now was the time to act and do as only he could.
She needs me more than ever. She needs to know that she is not alone…
Ophelia considered him. She bit into her lip. She forced back the doubt and the fear. And slowly, the light returned to her eyes, and Adrian knew then that she trusted him as she never had before.
“Is it really so easy?” she asked with caution.
He smirked. “Let us find out, shall we?”
With that said, Adrian linked his arm back through Ophelia’s. They stood together proudly as those near them watched on. And then, as man and wife, caring not for the opinions of others, they started through the ball again.
That time, they did so in a way that showed the world that they cared not about rumors or judgment, because all that mattered was that they were in this together. They were who mattered most.
Indeed, no sooner had they started walking again than Adrian noticed his wife relaxing by his side. Even better, he saw her smile. It was a most beautiful thing, the type that made the light from the chandeliers appear redundant and pitiful by comparison.
For the first twenty minutes or so, they simply walked together. They found a waiter serving wine, they took a glass each, and they made it known to any who watched them that they were really not worth watching. They were a typical married couple, and that was all.
The first person to approach them that night was one who Adrian did not know. She had dark hair, her dress was blue but so deep that it appeared black, and she brightened and laughed as she swept into them.
“I was looking for you!” the young lady said as she hugged Ophelia. “Oh, that gown!”
“Yours too,” Ophelia said, giggling as she did. “You have quite the eye…” She indicated her own gown. “Clearly.”
The young lady’s name was Lady Nightingale, but Ophelia referred to her as Adelaide. She did not stay long, just enough to greet Ophelia and talk quickly. She was also introduced to Adrian, and that was when Adrian braced for the judgment, possibly the disparaging glare as if she already had an opinion formed of him.
Strangely, there was no such thing.
“It is so good to meet you, Your Grace,” Lady Nightingale said with a sincere smile. “Ophelia told me of you, nothing but good things, I promise.”
Adrian did not know what to say. Not used to being spoken to so candidly, and without a hint of trepidation or caution, it caught him by surprise. He looked at Ophelia, who smiled warmly.
Lady Nightingale spoke to Ophelia for a few more moments, and Adrian was happy to remain silent. It pleased him to seehis wife so cheerful, proof that such a thing was capable in their marriage. And it made him consider that he might be able to do the same by her…
Once Lady Nightingale left them, a second person approached, one that was not quite so optimistically happy as the previous. It was Rupert.
He did so with a mocking smile and a knowing smirk reflected in his eyes. He appeared from the crowd, flashed his eyes as he started towards them both, and Adrian braced himself.
“I was wondering what had caused that commotion earlier,” he said as he reached them. “I thought perhaps one of Ironvale’s hounds had gotten loose.”
