Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Ophelia was glad for the few uneventful days at the house when she did not have to see Alice, but luck could only be on her side for so long. As she walked inside the house, her eyes immediately fell on Lady Alice, who was standing just by the door, conversing with the housekeeper. Ophelia did not know how she had failed to notice Lady Alice's arrival from the gardens, but it must have happened when she had gone towards the back.

If it were up to her, she would never even see her face again, but that would be impossible.

Oh God.

Lady Alice absolutely must not see me.

Even though she had not been able to recognize Ophelia earlier, Ophelia was no longer sure that she would have the same luck. Alice was in constant contact with her due to being at balls every other night, and if she managed to look closely at Ophelia, recognition wouldn't be difficult.

Ophelia put Amy's head on her shoulder and silently began to walk away from beside Lady Alice and Mrs Connor, hoping that she was irrelevant enough not to be called by either of them. Just when she thought she had easily passed them without being noticed, an annoyingly fake accent called out from behind.

"You, nanny." You, nanny? Lady Alice clearly had a lot of class.

Ophelia had half a mind to completely ignore her as if she had not even heard her speaking and continue walking without turning around. Although, knowing how miserably hateful Alice was, she would probably march up to the nursery so Ophelia could apologize for the disrespect she had shown a noble lady. It would only increase suspicion when Ophelia wanted to avoid exactly that.

She turned around, noticing that Mrs Connor was already walking away. Ophelia had no doubts that Lady Alice must have probably angered her as well, just as she managed to do so with everyone. Although, right now, Ophelia only needed to focus on keeping her face down and staying as far away from the woman as possible.

"Yes, My Lady?"

"The housekeeper did not know when Lord Cavendish might return. Do you have any idea?"

How was Ophelia supposed to know being the nanny? She wondered if Alice was just thick- brained or refused to simply think at all.

"I have no idea. Will that be all?"

"Ye–" Ophelia gulped nervously when Alice stopped speaking mid-sentence as if she had suddenly remembered something. "Why do I feel like I know you?"

Ophelia still kept her face tucked away, hoping for her golden tendrils to continue framing her face.

"We met at the country house as well, My Lady, when you came to visit with Lady Rosalina."

"No," Alice whispered, stepping a little closer as Ophelia backed away, "my memory is awful, but I never fail to remember a few faces. And it cannot be the face of an unimportant nanny in the countryside. Look up at me."

Ophelia knew she would not be able to hide herself much longer.

She looked up.

"It is you!" Alice exclaimed, her hands shooting up to her mouth in surprise. "Lady Ophelia Jennings, are you not supposed to be Lady Rosalina's friend from France?"

Alice began to chuckle, a little too loudly for it even to sound elegant. Ophelia stood there, refusing to react as Alice ran a cursory glance over her clothes and Amy, disdain and hatred shining in her eyes. Although, Ophelia did not mind any of that. The only thing she had a problem with was the victory shining in Alice's eyes as if she had somehow won an important award.

"I cannot believe that I have been showing my hatred and anger to you when you are nothing but a simple nanny belonging to the working class," Alice said, circling Ophelia, "this simple, ugly gown suits you far more than the gowns you wear in the evening when you are faking to be a noble lady belonging to the ton."

"I do not know what you are talking about," Ophelia sighed, still not accepting Alice's words.

She knew Alice had recognized her and that lying was pointless, but Ophelia did not care. She was not going to give up so easily.

"You know exactly what I am talking about!" Alice exclaimed. "Tell me, how much Edward has been paying you for this act? This ruse where you and he are trying to fool the entire ton?"

"As I said, I do not know what you are talking about," Ophelia replied flatly, refusing to show emotion on her face, "if you have anything important and relevant to say or ask, I am listening. Otherwise, do excuse me."

"Oh no, you are not going anywhere," Alice blocked her path, "not without answering me."

"Answering what?"

"How much has Edward been paying you?"

"Lady Alice, all I can tell you is that Lord Cavendish is not home right now. You must call on him later. Now if you will excuse me, I have other things to attend to."

"Those are the things you are actually meant to attend to and do. You are not meant for ball gowns, parties, or dancing the night away with Edward. It is nothing but a lie, and if you truly believe you will continue living this fantasy forever, let me remind you that you are nothing but a nanny, and Edward would have never even looked at you if you were not his accomplice in this lie."

Ophelia breathed in at her words, refusing to be hurt by them.

She already knew Lady Alice was right, but she would in no way give that woman the satisfaction of causing pain to Ophelia.

Please, breathe. She cannot hurt you. Not over such little things.

"Whatever you say, Lady Alice," Ophelia replied emotionlessly, "have a good day."

"Oh my goodness, how had I not seen this before," Alice whispered, continuing to block Ophelia's path. "You have fallen in love with him, haven't you?"

Fallen in love? Ophelia could not understand.

She knew she had not fallen in love with Edward. It was true she had started developing feelings for him, but those were the reasons she had resolved to maintain distance. Falling in love with Edward was something she could simply not afford, especially after learning about the way he had treated Margaret when she fell in love with a commoner.

"I have not."

"You are so pathetic, Ophelia." Alice laughed. "You truly think he will fall in love with you too and whisk you away from your life of misery and make you his wife? I can see the longing for it written all over your face, but I believe you are forgetting that you are nothing but a huge lie. You will never be good enough for him, and he will never ever choose you over a noble young lady of good bearing like I am."

"Lady Alice, you can stand here and continue believing whatever you wish to believe, but leave me alone."

Ophelia looked up just then, noticing Rosalina standing right by the house door, her eyes wide as if she must have heard the tail end of the conversation. Ophelia knew she could not stomach any more drama for today, her heart already aching at Alice's insensitive comments.

Without another word or acknowledging Rosalina in any way, Ophelia walked away from the scene, quickly climbing the stairs to reach the safety of the nursery. She needed to be alone before breaking down into tears.

She could not let anyone see her crying.

Especially not Edward.

***

Rosalina could not understand if what Alice had predicted was correct or not, but as she watched Ophelia almost run up the stairs, she could see that the remarks hurt Ophelia. Rosalina understood the pain caused by those words, but Ophelia had also appeared flustered at the accusation of being in love with Edward.

Could it actually be true? Rosalina was unsure.

"Lady Rosalina," Alice greeted her, a huge grin on her face as she turned around.

"Lady Alice."

"I believe your little secret is out in the open. I am sure all this must have been your scheming to keep your brother away from me."

"Trust me, Alice, I do not need to scheme to keep my brother away from you. He dislikes you enough already," Rosalina replied.

Alice stood there fuming for a few seconds, finally storming outside the manor towards her waiting carriage. Good riddance, Rosalina thought, watching the woman hurry away. Alice only ever brought unnecessary drama along with her. Now armed with the knowledge of Ophelia only being a nanny and not Rosalina's actual friend, one could only wonder what lengths she would reach to make this secret known to the ton.

"Could it be true?" Rosalina whispered to herself, walking inside the hall.

Could Ophelia really be falling in love with Edward?

A part of Rosalina kept saying it was true indeed, and this was evident through the way Ophelia always interacted with Edward. She had been sweet, charming, and courteous, always keeping Edward before her from the beginning. Rosalina had noticed the look in Ophelia's eyes whenever she had been dancing with Edward at a ball.

It was the look of pure love.

Rosalina knew because she had the exact same look in her eyes when Randolph, her fiancé, was before her.

However, what intrigued Rosalina even more was how Edward often had the exact same look of longing in his eyes whenever he looked at Ophelia. He was also finally opening up again and beginning to get kinder towards Amy. Mrs Connor had told Rosalina that a few days ago, he had sought Amy out himself and had even played with her while Amy was in the gardens with Ophelia.

All of this could not be nothing.

Edward had always been excellent at hiding his feelings, and if not pushed to reveal them, he would never confess his love. However, Rosalina was not going to let go of it this easily. She had already made the decision to bring them together, and she would. Especially now that she realized how Edward felt the same way as Ophelia. The pair were meant to be.

Rosalina was sure.

"But what should I do about it?" She sat on the sofa, her mind working in multiple directions as she continued to think. All she needed to know was that she did have to do something for the two people who were rather dear to her. Both of them. And the best thing she could do was bring them closer to one another if what they shared was actually love.

Rosalina did not have another choice.

"How will I do that?"

Knowing the two of them, they would resist every single push; hence, Rosalina would need to be subtle about it. They were almost already in love and only required a slight nudge to walk in the right direction. Perhaps this was the only way to make sure Edward tried to become a better version of himself, letting go of the sadness and hatred in his heart.

It was about time.

And if there was someone who could help him with it, it was Ophelia.

And Amy.

"The Cartwright Ball!" Rosalina clapped her hand in excitement, remembering the biggest ball of the Season was about to arrive.

She knew what she had to do. She simply needed to present Ophelia in front of Edward in a new light until he confessed his love to her, and Ophelia confessed it back.

If someone deserved to have a fairy tale ending, it was the two of them, and Rosalina was ready to do everything in her power to make it happen. It was going to be the best thing for Edward and Ophelia, and the two coming together just might turn into the home that Amy needed to flourish and grow in.