Only that time, their gazes were short, and within seconds, all turned back to continue in their conversations. Just as Adrianhad promised, the interest in their marriage was slowly dying out so that soon they would be just another married couple.
“A drink?” Adrian asked as they made their way to the corner of the lounge area.
It was a small room, covered in purple carpet and plush seats with too many cushions. Most in the room stood in small groups, drinks already in hand, whispers low as they discussed the show. But some sat, and a few prowled about.
“Yes, I think one will be lovely.”
“Wait here.” Adrian looked her over as if to double-check that she would be fine on her own, before crossing the room to find a waiter.
She watched him walk away, and she smiled just a little to see those he passed by shuffle out of the way as if in fear. Oh yes, he still had a reputation about him, and that would likely stay for some time. But nights like this one wore it down, and she knew that his being there with her was likely to have a huge effect.
As it will on my own reputation, for that matter.
Indeed, alone now, Ophelia suddenly felt exposed like she had not done all evening. When she was on Adrian’s arm, it was easy to tell herself that the way people watched was on account of their hasty marriage, and that most whispers were meant for Adrian. But by herself…
She tried but was unable to ignore the way that random heads turned to look at her. She did her best not to listen, but the whispers traveled as if they were shouted in her direction.
“… I was there, you know. The night that she chased down Lord Hallbridge…”
“… would you believe that she tried to claim that he was the one who attacked her…”
“… oh, I always knew that there was something wrong with her. The way that she would fawn over him…”
They grew in tenacity. They were like waves, crashing down on her, battering her into submission so that all Ophelia wanted to do was turn and run. And while she shrank back, turned away, she stayed where she was. Tonight was not about her, and with Adrian by her side, she knew he would protect her.
That was when she heard raised voices coming from across the room.
Ophelia spun sharply, found the source, and her eyes widened just as her stomach dropped through the floor.
“How dare you!” The voice belonged to a middle-aged lord with a round face and blonde hair. “Unhand me at once!”
Adrian was the cause. He had the round-faced lord by the collar; his visage was carved into a vicious snarl, and it looked as if hewas doing everything he could to keep himself from punching the man right in the face.
“Take it back,” she heard Adrian snarl. “Now!”
“I said nothing that is not considered fact,” the round-faced lord said, pitching his voice high. “And you ought to be made aware of it, Your Grace. I would think that you of all people would wish to avoid such scandals.”
“I am warning you,” Adrian continued as he pulled the lord in closer. “Be careful what you say next, as it might be the last thing that you do.”
The round-faced lord chuckled. “Please, be my guest. Where there is one, there is the other. Perhaps the two of you are more perfect for one another than we realized.”
“Adrian!” Ophelia cried and rushed toward him. “Stop!”
She pushed through the crowd and reached Adrian just as his hand curled into a fist. She grabbed his arm, pulling it down as she tried desperately to pull him back.
“The things he said,” Adrian growled without looking, his body trembling. “The things he said of you!”
“It does not matter,” she tried to ease him. “Please…”
She looked at him with desperation, her eyes pleading, her hands clinging to his arm. Around them both, the small crowd gathered, all watching on with baited and eager breaths. Ophelia ignored them the best that she could because they did not matter. Not yet, anyhow.
“Please, Adrian.” She softened her voice. “He is not worth it.”
“I suggest you listen to your wife,” the round-faced lord said. “Before you embarrass yourself further.”
Ophelia was certain that Adrian was about to strike the lord then and there. Indeed, it looked as if he wanted to. But slowly, somehow, he came into himself, if only just then realizing that they were not alone. He blinked, reared back, looked around them and noticed the crowd.
That was when his eyes turned wide and he released the lord.
