So many times, Ophelia wanted to start a conversation, but she did not know what to say. It was a tightrope that they walked, and one wrong thing said might just drive him away.
Thankfully, she was saved from having to do or say anything when she heard someone cry out her name.
“Ophelia!” The voice swept from behind them, a high-pitched squeal that Ophelia recognized immediately.
She beamed and spun about, her smile continuing to grow as Adelaide came charging down the path for them. Behind her hurried a young woman, her outfit suggesting that she was her chaperone, and the look on her face implying that she was not one to listen to her objections.
“Oh, Adelaide!” Ophelia opened her arms wide as Adelaide reached her. “It is so good to see you.”
“As it is you.” Adelaide hugged her, laughing all the while. When she pulled back, she was out of breath and red in the face. “I am sorry for the theatrics; please forgive me.”
Ophelia laughed. “Not at all. In fact, such things are encouraged. You remember my husband…” She indicated to Adrian who stood stiffly.
“Your Grace,” Adelaide bowed. “So nice to see you again.”
“As it is you.”
“Miss Adelaide…” The chaperone reached them, out of breath and bent over. “Please, do not run off like that.”
“I will do as I please,” she said to the chaperone rightly. “Just do not tell father,” she added with a grin as she turned back to Ophelia. “I was surprised to see you. Well, not you, but both of you.” She looked at Adrian with a knowing smirk. “Although I suppose such things are not so strange. The way you danced at the ball last week…” Her eyes glazed over. “Tell me, when will I find a man who treats me like that?”
“Oh, you will,” Ophelia laughed. “Even if Adrian is one of a kind.” She grinned at Adrian and he frowned awkwardly in response.
“You must invite me over soon.” Adelaide took her by the hands. “I would so love to see your home. And look at this one!” Her attention turned to Harriet, and she bent over to put her faceclose; Harriet giggled happily. “Gosh, she is adorable. Look at that smile.”
“She is, isn’t she.”
“The three of you…” Adelaide stood back up and looked between them. “You make a very handsome family.”
Ophelia grimaced, worried that such a comment might unseat her husband. However, a quick glance at Adrian and she saw that he did not shy away or revolt. Rather, the comment had him tilting his head, lost in thought, looking from Harriet to Ophelia with a curious expression that she could not quite read.
At least he is not dismissing it outright. That is something.
“Miss Adelaide…” Her chaperone cleared her throat. “We really must be –”
“Yes, yes,” she cut the chaperone off with a wave of her hand. “I just wished to see my friend. Write to me, Ophelia.” She took her hands. “And invite me over as soon as you can.”
“I will,” Ophelia said. “So long as my husband allows it.”
“It is fine,” Adrian said. “It is good to have friends. Encouraged, even.”
Adelaide laughed. “How you found this one…” A sigh and a shake of the head. “Some of us are just lucky, I guess.”
Adelaide made her goodbyes before practically being dragged away by her chaperone. Once she was gone, Ophelia waited for Adrian to do or say something that might dismiss her friend’s earlier comments. No doubt he did not like hearing her observation, and no doubt he wished to confirm the fact with Ophelia.
Only…
“Shall we continue?” he asked as he stepped close to her once more.
“Oh.” She blinked. “You do not wish to return home?”
“Only if you do.”
“No.” She smiled so that he might see it. “Not yet. Let us do another lap first. The day is too nice to waste.”
“I agree,” he said. “Another lap. Harriet is clearly enjoying herself, so what is the rush?”
“There isn’t one.”
