Chapter 11

Chapter 11

"Mrs Bailey?" Ophelia walked inside the kitchen, finding Mrs Bailey and the cook discussing something with staunch attention. Like the rest of the manor, the kitchen was a flurry of activity, with extreme preparations underway.

After almost five days of complete rest and being confined to her bedchamber, Ophelia finally stepped out, confused about what was happening in the house. However, the rest had completely healed her feet, and she was back to feeling perfect. She had even tried the new boots that Edward had given to her, and they looked extremely beautiful on her.

"Miss Jennings!" the cook exclaimed, seeing her, and Mrs Bailey, too, erupted into a smile.

"I see you are finally walking again. Are you feeling well?" Mrs Bailey asked her. Ophelia nodded, truly feeling her best. She had still been taking care of Amy throughout her rest, and both of them stayed confined inside the room unless Mrs Bailey or some other maid took Amy out for a stroll.

But Ophelia was glad she did not have to miss out on taking care of Amy, being extremely attached to the child.

"Much better," Ophelia reassured.

"I am so glad to hear that, Miss Jennings," Mrs Bailey remarked, affectionately holding Ophelia's hand. "The house has come to life since your arrival, and everyone was beginning to miss your banter and laughter."

"We all did," the cook chimed in, making Ophelia blush with their genuine compliments. "We all have come to love you so much in such little time, and we certainly hope you stay here with us for years to come."

"I would love that, too," Mrs Bailey added.

Ophelia's heart warmed, for she, too, had no desire to leave the household, especially Amy. She had come to love the little girl with such passionate desperation that parting from her felt like an ache, and Ophelia was not ready for that. Not until it was absolutely necessary. She shook her head, removing all such thoughts from her mind, refusing to think of unnecessary things when the house was in such a frenzy.

"Thank you." Ophelia smiled. "I came looking for you to ask if were expecting someone at the house? What are all these preparations for?"

"Oh yes, I completely forgot to tell you." The housekeeper shook her head as if disappointed in herself, and Ophelia laughed at the dramatic expression. "Lady Rosaline, Lord Cavendish's first cousin from his mother's side, is visiting today. She must arrive anytime now."

Lady Rosalina.

"I am sure she is delightful," Ophelia said, unsure how to feel about it. A part of her had forgotten that the ton still existed outside of the small world she had created for herself, and Edward was a huge part of it.

"Mrs Bailey," a maid walked in just then. "Lady Rosalina's carriage has arrived."

"Thank you." Mrs Bailey immediately turned to look at Ophelia. "You must come along and meet with her. I can assure you that the two of you will get along quite well."

"I would love to meet her."

Ophelia went ahead with Mrs Bailey, only because she wished to see Edward, who must have come out to receive his cousin as well. She had not met him since the day he had carried her back to the manor from the street, and she missed his presence. As they headed towards the door, Ophelia's gaze fell on Edward as he placed a kiss on the head of a tall, beautiful woman with black hair tied in a chignon. Her black eyes and olive skin were nothing short of exotic, making her appear beautiful in her elegant, dark pink gown.

A pang of jealousy invaded Ophelia's heart as she saw Edward smile at her but just then, the woman took of her left glove, a large rock decorating her ring finger.

She is engaged?

"Mrs Bailey!" the woman, who must be Rosalina exclaimed, hugging the housekeeper as if they were long lost friends.

The jealousy Ophelia had felt a few seconds ago dissipated entirely as she began to like Rosalina. Something about her was warm and kind, and Ophelia felt as if they just might get along, especially now that Ophelia knew she was engaged.

"Lady Rosalina, you must meet Miss Jennings." Mrs Bailey's introduction forced Ophelia to snap out of her thoughts and she smiled at the black haired beauty who immediately extended her hand towards Ophelia. "Miss Jennings is Miss Amy's nanny."

"Oh my," Rosalina sighed, "I have been looking forward to meeting our Amy for too long now. I cannot wait. You must make sure she loves me right away, Miss Jennings."

"I will try my best." Ophelia laughed.

Everyone looked up as the door opened again, and a shorter, petite young woman entered inside, her pale white skin standing out in her deep teal-coloured gown. She surveyed everyone with a sour expression full of haughtiness, and Ophelia did not know why she felt an immediate dislike towards the other woman. Something about her was simply hostile.

"It completely escaped my mind to inform you that when Lady Alice found out I was coming here to see Edward, she expressed her desire to come along and join me," Lady Rosalina exclaimed, the smile vanishing.

"Of course," Edward replied quickly when everyone else stayed silent. "You are always welcome, Lady Alice."

Ophelia wondered if she had only imagined it or if Lady Rosalina and Mrs Bailey actually shared a knowing glance, both tending to roll their eyes. The pair clearly disliked Lady Alice, and Edward did not seem fond of her and her mere presence was enough to put Ophelia at edge. She was any other typical young lady from the ton who was clearly too full of herself and only had eyes for Edward.

Ophelia had never felt more jealous.

"My Lord, I missed you in London," she addressed Edward, completely ignoring Mrs Bailey and Ophelia as if they were not even worthy of a greeting. "You left me no choice but to come here and see you myself."

"You did the right thing, My Lady," Edward replied, his face completely expressionless.

Ophelia could not understand why Alice batting her eyelashes at Edward bothered her so much, but she could not deny that it did. Everything about this woman and her comfortable proximity with Edward as if she had a claim over him annoyed Ophelia immensely, but she knew she could do nothing about it. Alice was a lady, while Ophelia was just … a nanny.

This world no longer belonged to her, and the sooner she accepted it, the better it would be.

"I must excuse myself," she said, tearing her gaze away from Edward. "I am sure Amy needs me. I have left her alone too long."

She needed to escape. She couldn't thank God enough to have Amy as a reason, or else she would end up saying or doing something she might regret.

"Will it be alright if I come along?" Rosalina asked, immediately perking up at the mention of Amy. "I do wish to see her."

Ophelia nodded, knowing she had no reason to deny Rosalina the company of her cousin's child, "Absolutely. You should come with me."

"That sounds great," Lady Alice chimed in. "The two of you can busy yourselves with the child, and I will give company to Lord Cavendish. I am sure you quite like that prospect, don't you, My Lord?"

Ophelia felt her face heating up with anger but she kept herself in check.

I cannot react irrationally. I absolutely cannot.

Rosalina immediately walked ahead as the pair made their way towards the nursery on the upper floor, just beside Ophelia's bedchamber. Rosalina filled the silence with constant chatter as she narrated Ophelia about their entire journey and how Lady Alice, being the person she was, was first late and then continued to create problems along the way. Rosalina appeared ecstatic to have finally reached the mansion and was already dreading returning.

It was evident she was a comfortable conversationalist, and it immediately made Ophelia feel as if the two of them had been friends for the longest time. Hence, Ophelia felt completely at ease in her presence, and the two settled in quite easily. What Ophelia loved even more was how Rosalina seemed genuinely happy to see Amy, her expressions not made up at all.

"My darling Amy!" Rosalina picked up the little girl in her arms, bringing their faces together as she addressed Ophelia, "Now tell me has Amy inherited any of the family features?"

"I believe you two share a nose," Ophelia replied after careful analysis, and Rosalina nodded, agreeing.

"I think so, too!"

"You seem to love her quite a lot," Ophelia regarded, smiling affectionately as Rosalina continued to play with Amy.

Amy, being a friendly little girl, immediately meshed in with Rosalina, giggling beautifully as she was tossed in the air. Ophelia could not believe she could finally witness Amy receiving the love she should have had from the beginning. A family member loving her was exactly what Amy needed, and Rosalina was providing her just that.

"I did love her mother a lot." Rosalina smiled sadly. ‘It is only fair I love Amy too. She reminds me of Margaret and all the beautiful memories I shared with her."

Ophelia's heart sank at the reminder, but she tried to maintain a happy demeanour.

"I doubt any child in the world can be sweeter than Amy," Ophelia replied, "she deserves all the love she can get."

"Miss Jennings …"

"Please call me Ophelia."

"Only if you call me Rosalina."

"I shall call you just that." Ophelia nodded graciously.

"Ophelia," Rosalina began again, "Mrs Bailey told me how difficult it was to take care of Amy and give a motherless child the love she deserved to have. You really took up the responsibility, and I can see how much you love Amy. That is a rather brave thing to do, and I cannot thank you enough for taking care of her."

"I really have come to love Amy." Ophelia felt herself tearing up but maintained composure, "My heart broke for her when I found out about her parents, and I decided to make sure that the love she receives from my end has nothing lacking, especially since Lord Cavendish has been … distant."

Rosalina looked up at the remark, nodding sadly but refusing to say anything. Ophelia felt as if she understood completely what Ophelia was referring to but was just as helpless in that regard.

"I believe you have done an excellent job at it, Ophelia."

Ophelia felt her heart growing even softer towards Rosalina because even if they had nothing much in common, the two of them loved Amy immensely, and that was all that mattered.

"Ophelia! I am so glad you decided to join us at last!" Rosalina exclaimed as soon as Ophelia entered the drawing room.

"Clearly, you and Miss Jennings have become friends rather quickly," Edward commented.

"What can I say? Good people find each other," Rosalina replied, standing up to lace her arms with Ophelia's as they stood at one end of the drawing room.

Just as Ophelia had expected, Lady Alice sat beside Edward, ignoring everyone else in the room since Mrs Bailey was also very much a part of the conversation. However, Ophelia promised herself not to be bothered by Alice since whatever went on between her and Edward was none of Ophelia's business.

She had nothing to concern herself with regarding either of them.

"Now that you have finally decided to show up after I called you a thousand times," Rosalina looked at her as they walked about the large drawing room, "I have managed to convince Edward to come to London and join me during my wedding preparations, and I wish you to come along as well."

"I cannot possibly."

"Why not?!"

"I have to make sure I am taking good care of Amy, and I cannot just let her be or take her to London."

"Of course you can," Rosalina reasoned, "Edward has a beautiful townhouse in London, which can easily provide a nursery for Amy, and you can be in London with her. Our extended family would love to meet the little girl as well, and I have come to enjoy your company. Please do not deprive me of it, Ophelia."

"I do not know what to say," Ophelia said, unable to say no to Rosalina.

She was sure no one could ever say no to this enigmatic woman who knew how to get her way.

"That means you are coming!"

"Well, in that case, I believe everyone will be in London soon enough," Edward added with a sigh, and Ophelia wondered how in the world Rosalina had even convinced him.

It did indeed seem as if, everyone was going to London.