Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Edward had never been more annoyed, but being in the company of Lady Alice truly tested his patience. He cursed the moment he had not been able to hide himself from her when she had come to call and had forced him to accompany her for a few errands. He knew it was simply an excuse to spend time with him, especially at the market where several people from the ton would be able to see them.

Her diligent efforts to somehow make him court her were not lost on him.

But Edward had never been more uninterested. He was simply hoping for Lady Alice to finally get the hint and leave him alone. Standing at the little shop of ribbons, he tried to appear gentlemanly when every fibre in his body wished to do nothing but walk away.

"Lord Cavendish, do tell if I should choose the pink or the red," she asked for the hundredth time, forcing Edward to make a decision.

She had already spent thirty minutes standing here, looking around as if she was planning to shop a plethora of ribbons but hadn't even chosen one. Before that, she had wasted his time trying to post a letter when she clearly did not know what she was doing. Edward was certain even the letter was fake.

"I am sure Lord Cowley is a better judge of ribbons than I am," Edward said, pointing to his friend.

The moment they had left in her carriage, Edward had promptly found Lord Cowley walking just nearby and had forced him to join them. Being alone with Lady Alice was the last thing he had wished for and Lord Cowley, being a dear friend, had understood his predicament. He had immediately understood what Edward needed and had joined him.

Thank God. Edward had breathed a sigh of relief.

"He is right, Lady Alice," Lord Cowley said enthusiastically, standing right between Edward and Lady Alice. At this point, Edward was certain that Lord Cowley was enjoying himself, considering he, too, disliked Lady Alice for her lack of manners and rudeness.

She had offended quite a lot of people in the ton.

Moreover, every time he came between Edward and Alice, Lady Alice would only become increasingly annoyed.

"So what do you suggest, Lord Cowley?" Edward controlled his smile as he watched Lady Alice trying to behave kindly, continuing to put on an act in front of Edward.

"I believe the red will suit your colouring and bold manner."

"Thank you for your valuable suggestion," she replied, putting both the ribbons away, "but I think I will just not buy anything today. Can we leave now, Lord Cavendish?"

Edward opened the shop door for her as they all stepped outside, and he and Cowley breathed a sigh of relief. Lady Alice was both overbearing and completely superficial. Spending a single minute in her company was nothing short of torture.

"I believe I must take your leave now, Lady Alice," Lord Cowley said, "I have some work to attend to."

"As do I," Edward quickly said, not missing the golden chance to escape, "your carriage is waiting for you. I am sure you are already done with all your errands and are looking to return home. Please have a good day, Lady Alice."

Before she could say anything, Edward bowed, as did Lord Cowley.

"You too, My Lord," she finally replied, running out of excuses.

Lord Cowley excused himself while Edward quickly escorted Lady Alice towards her carriage and almost dashed away in case she remembered something else she needed assistance with. Once he was out of her clutches, he remembered the address he still had of Ophelia's home and decided to pay a visit to his solicitor.

He was already nearby, and it would hardly take much time.

He knew exactly what he needed to do.

As he returned back home, Edward realized he had never felt lighter. Sending out the instructions with the solicitor pertaining to Ophelia's family and address, he certainly felt like he had done a good thing. Something he needed to do and should have done a long time ago. Especially with the way Ophelia treated Amy like her own little girl, she deserved everything Edward could give her.

Amy.

"I need to see her smile," he whispered to himself, walking into the empty hall. He did not know what it was about today, but he wished to do everything right.

And right now, he only wanted to see his niece. Her smile reminded him of Margaret, and for the first time in months, Edward knew that seeing that familiar smile on her face would only bring him immeasurable happiness. He quickly marched up towards the nursery, but to his surprise, the room was completely empty, neither Amy nor Ophelia in sight.

"Mrs Connor?" Edward called out to the housekeeper, watching her passing by through the corridor.

She immediately stopped.

"Yes, My Lord?"

"Where is Amy?"

"Miss Jennings took Miss Amy in the gardens. The two of them must be there still."

Edward thanked her before quickly marching back downstairs and making his way towards the garden. The fresh breeze made him feel even lighter, his eyes falling on Amy. Ophelia sat just by the tree as Amy crawled about, and for a few seconds, Edward could not look away. His heart leaped with joy at the sight of her strawberry blonde hair tied in a luxurious braid, which lay on her shoulder.

She was beautiful, and Edward could simply not get enough.

As Edward went ahead, Ophelia looked up at him, and Amy immediately began to crawl towards him as she had done several times in the past. His heart always melted, realizing how much she wanted to be held by him, but he remembered how he had completely ignored the little girl in several such instances.

He had been a terrible guardian, but he was going to be better.

He was determined to be better and do right by Amy.

"Miss Jennings," he bowed to Ophelia, who barely smiled back, confusing Edward.

"Lord Cavendish."

"Do you mind if I join you and Amy?"

He grabbed Amy in his arms, and she began to jump jubilantly, touching his face and hair. He could see she was already beginning to enjoy herself, her beautiful smile intact. Edward had needed exactly that – to see the smile that meant the world to him.

"Not at all," Ophelia replied, moving a little to make more space for him on the blanket laid out on the ground.

Without wasting any time, Edward sat down on the grass, Amy still tightly clasped in his arms. The moment he sat down, she began to jump even more, clearly trying to escape from his arms. Carefully, Edward let her go, and she was once again at peace, beginning to crawl. He could see how much she enjoyed the grass and exploring her surroundings.

"Amy is growing up too quickly. Don't you think?" he addressed Ophelia, who still hadn't looked at him.

"She is."

Edward was confused. He wondered if he had done something to offend Ophelia, but he had hardly interacted with her this morning except that he was sure she had seen him leave with Alice. Although why would something such as that offend Ophelia?

He could not understand.

"Are you feeling alright today, Miss Jennings?"

"Excellent," she replied, "you?"

She still did not turn to look at him, her eyes stuck on Amy. Edward knew something was wrong. Her behaviour with him had never been this cold, and she always treated him with kindness. Although today, she was completely aloof as if Edward was nothing but a stranger when she had been dancing in his arms at a ball just a couple of nights ago.

What is the matter?

"I am well."

Ophelia nodded.

"You did not come down to the dining room for breakfast this morning."

"I ate in the nursery."

Edward sighed, realizing how all his attempts at conversation were failing miserably. Just as he opened his mouth to say something, he noticed Ophelia's eyes widening as she almost stood up. He looked at Amy instinctively and watched with a mix of surprise and fear as she stood up from the ground with the support of the tree at some distance from them.

"I will get her before she falls," Edward said, but Ophelia vehemently shook her head, clearly against the decision.

"No," she said in a whisper, "this is the first time she has tried to stand all on her own. She is supposed to learn to walk exactly this way."

Edward sat back down, still ready to sprint if Amy fell. He did not know what it was about her but suddenly felt extremely protective, not wanting the little girl to get hurt. He watched patiently as Ophelia's prediction came true, and Amy finally removed her hand from the tree, standing without any support.

"Oh good God," Ophelia gasped, and Edward could see the happiness she felt.

"Should we encourage her to walk towards us?"

"Yes!"

Edward sat down on his knees, extending his hands towards Amy, who was still standing, with a huge smile on her face. It almost looked like she was testing her feet, wondering if they could support her in the difficult quest she had started to make. Both Edward and Ophelia began to call out to her with their arms outspread, Amy's eyes darting from one to the other.

"Amy, darling, come to me," Edward said, nodding at her.

Amy started walking, taking slow, tentative steps, and Ophelia excitedly held Edward's hand. The moment their hands touched, they looked at each other, and Ophelia pulled her hand away, but it had been a moment too late. He had felt the shock of her touch, unable to understand why he felt this way whenever they were close.

"Come here, Amy."

He once again shifted his attention to Amy as Ophelia called out to her. His beautiful little niece was still taking one step at a time, and Edward could not help marvelling at her perfection. Even her first steps were filled with confidence, and he could clearly see Margaret's traits and nature shining within Amy. He was certain she was going to grow up just as strong-headed as his sister.

"Yes, Amy, we are waiting," he called out.

Amy was just a few more steps away, but just as she picked up her right foot to step forward, her left foot wobbled on the ground, and she fell. Both Edward and Ophelia waited with bated breaths, but Amy straightened herself almost immediately, bursting into laughter.

Ophelia, too, began to laugh as the little girl crawled towards them, Edward laughing along. Both Amy and Ophelia had infectious laughter, and he could not help feeling just as ecstatic as them when with the two. Amy finally reached Ophelia, easily crawling into her lap while the two still chuckled.

Edward stared at them with love in his eyes, unable to believe how lucky he had got.

A sudden thought filled his head, and he wondered if he could just do something and be stuck in this moment forever. He wanted nothing but Ophelia and Amy in his life with their laughter, beauty, and courage.

He wanted them both. For good. But was that even possible?

Amy crawled into his lap next, and he easily took hold of her, as she snuggled into his neck while Edward held her. Ophelia continued to stroke Amy's hair as they sat there, and Edward felt a pang of deep longing in his heart.

He already knew he would give anything to have this forever.