She was not alone, for she had Adelaide, as Adelaide had her. But the little good that did, because it only made Ophelia realize just how lonely she truly was.
CHAPTER 31
Lord Delacourt was not the man whom Ophelia remembered.
For three years, she had worked for him, and he had always seemed younger than his age suggested. Gray of hair, perhaps. His skin wrinkled on his face. And he certainly wasn’t possessed of the same strong body that he’d likely enjoyed as a younger man. But there had always been life to him, a buoyant charm and ever-present happiness found in his presence that was infectious.
Likely, Ophelia had come to realize that was on account of his love for his wife. She was far younger than he, but he adored her, and no doubt she brought out a side of him that wouldn’t have been there otherwise.
When Lord Delacourt walked into the foyer of Vermont Manor, Ophelia gasped in shock. She did not mean to gape; she certainly did not mean to stare, but she could not help it!
What has happened to him?
The gray hair was so thin that he was almost bald. His wrinkled skin now sagged on his hollow cheeks as if he was slowly melting. He appeared shorter than she remembered, thinner too, and although it was early in the day, a shadow hung over him as if it followed wherever he went. There was no smile. There was no light in his eyes. He was a shell of the man who she had once known.
As his wife had died, so had Lord Delacourt’s will to live.
Is that what will happen to me…
“Lord Delacourt.” Adrian strode across the foyer. “Thank you for coming.”
Lord Delacourt did not smile, nor did he seem enthused. “I did not have a choice, Your Grace. Duty demanded it.” He chuckled bitterly. “Also, I think it might be good for me to get out of the manor. I cannot tell you the last time I saw the sun. Why, I had forgotten how brightly it shined.”
Adrian said nothing, looking rather awkward and uncomfortable. He turned back to Ophelia, almost begging that she step in and say something.
“Lord Deleacourt…” She brought herself up and strode forward. “It is good to see you again.”
Lord Delacourt frowned when he saw her and then offered a soft smile. “Ah, Ophelia. That is you. I almost did not recognize you. The months have been kind. Far kinder than they were to me.”
Her throat constricted with guilt. “I… I wish to say, what happened to Lady Delacourt –”
“Please.” He held up a hand. “His Grace explained what you did and why you did it. There is no need to apologize.”
Indeed, when Adrian wrote to Lord Delacourt, he decided on the truth. He had told Ophelia that when he first went to see the man, he chose to pretend that Ophelia was a mere maid working for him, as a way to avoid having to mention the child. A kindness… and for that, Ophelia was grateful.
However, Lord Delacourt deserved to know the whole truth, and Adrian explained it fully. He did not make excuses. He did not ask for forgiveness. He simply told what happened so that Lord Delacourt could decide how he felt.
And while it was a relief to know that he did not hold it against Ophelia, that was not what she had wanted to say.
“I was not going to apologize,” Ophelia said as she looked at him. “What I wished to say was how sorry I am. Your wife was good to me, far better than I deserved. When she passed… you have no idea how upset I was, and how much I miss her. Everything I have done, it was done because I loved her. As I know you do.”
Lord Delacourt frowned as he listened, only to allow a soft smile that reached his hollow eyes. “She was right to hold you in such high esteem.” He chuckled. “She never did tell me who you really were, which I suppose makes sense. But she trusted you, and I trust you too. She would be glad to know that you have done so right by her child.”
“Speaking of which…” Adrian stepped forward. “Would you like to see her?”
Lord Delacourt hesitated. His expression hardened. Ophelia watched closely, unable to miss the sudden sense of uncertainty that swept over the lord. He was there, that was a start, but it did not mean that he was willing to take Harriet, or that if he did, he would be good to her.
Ophelia looked at Adrian, caught his eye, and raised her eyebrows.
She needed him to know that she was watching and if there was even a chance that this was the wrong thing, she would make sure he knew it. Adrian, seeing her look, grimaced and looked away.
“Yes…” Lord Delacourt firmed himself and exhaled. “I think that is for the best. Which way?”
“This way.” Adrian stepped forward and beckoned for Lord Delacourt to join him.
Ophelia followed closely, her eyes never leaving Lord Delacourt. And the whole while, she considered what it would take for her to know that Harriet was in the right hands. What could Lord Delacourt possibly say or do to change her mind? Likely, there was nothing…
When they reached the nursery, Lord Delacourt stopped.
