A final look at herself, a soft smile as she tempered her expectations for tonight… all tonight was, was a chance to provefinally to Adrian that there was no need to fear where this marriage was going. Also, and most importantly, it was a chance to prove the same to Ophelia.
She took a deep breath, she turned, and she hurried from the room.
Ophelia was about to head toward the foyer where she expected to find Adrian waiting, but before doing so, she decided to check on Harriet. The baby ought to have been asleep, but she wished to make certain as the last time she went out, she had returned to find it sick.
When Ophelia reached the nursery, she stopped short in the doorway, surprised at what she saw. Just as she was utterly taken by. And so, her heart swelled that little bit further.
Adrian stood over Harriet’s cot. His suit was so dark that she almost missed him, mistaking his hulking frame for a shadow. But her eyes quickly adjusted, and she smiled gently as she watched him gaze down at Harriet. She could not see his face, but she liked to imagine that it wore a smile.
He truly has come so far…
When Adrian turned and found Ophelia watching him, she half-expected an excuse, as if he needed to justify what he was doing. She certainly thought he would be embarrassed, even ashamed. Rather, he saw her there and he simply nodded as he approached her, no sense at all that he was doing something wrong.
“Just checking that she was asleep,” he said as he reached her. She eyed his hand quickly, hoping he would take her own. He did not, but that wasn’t such a surprise.
“And?” she asked. “Is she?”
“She sleeps soundly,” he said. “And I have instructed Mr. Watley to keep a close eye on her, just in case.”
Ophelia’s chest continued to swell, and while she wanted to cross the room and check herself, she chose not to. Adrian had done that for her, and she trusted him.
“I am sure she will be fine for a few hours,” Ophelia said as Adrian reached her. “No need to worry.”
“I might say the same to you.”
She laughed and shook her head. “What need do I have to worry when she had you looking out for her?”
He exhaled sharply through his nose. “Better that I check than return to a scene similar to the last time.”
“Ah yes, the noise she made,” Ophelia joked. “I know how it disturbs you.”
He frowned at her. “No, I meant her illness, Ophelia. That night was…” He hesitated, fighting against the words that almost came.
“I know.” On instinct, Ophelia took Adrian’s hand and he did not pull away, just as he did not appear surprised. “It was hard for me too. But she will be fine, I am sure.”
“I hope so.”
“Besides, I think you and I deserve a night out. Just promise me you will be on your best behavior.” She grinned. “I wouldn’t want you doing something that might cause alarm. I know how you hate a scandal.”
That was when Adrian’s gaze drifted over her outfit, landing on the brooch pinned to her chest. He eyed it for a moment, his expression hard, the surprise evident. Ophelia held her breath, worried that he might ask her to remove the brooch, that he did not think tonight was suited for such a piece.
“That brooch,” he finally spoke, a moment longer on it before he looked up at her. “I was not sure… it is cracked down the middle. If you wish to wear something else?”
“Why would I?” she said. “You fixed it, remember?”
“All I did was cover its blemish.”
“No, you took what was broken and made it whole.” She was sure to look into his eyes so that he might understand the true meaning of her words. “I want to wear it. In fact, I am proud to do so.”
“It looks good on you.”
“It looks right, you mean,” she said. “Broken once, but fixed and perfect. As all things can be.”
His smile was subtle, but she saw it. As she saw the look he gave her. Perhaps this marriage had started to avoid a scandal, but it had since transformed into something more. And after tonight, it promised to grow beyond that and into… well, Ophelia was not sure what, but she was excited to find out.
And that Adrian clung to her hand, she knew that he was of the same mind. Slow and steady… that was the plan, and it was working even better than Ophelia had hoped.
As with the last time that Ophelia and Adrian were seen in public together, their presence became the instant center of attention.
