Chapter 22

Chapter 22

"Oh, Ophelia," Rosalina sighed, standing fully dressed behind her as she put a few finishing touches in Ophelia's hair, "you look beautiful tonight."

"Thank you." Ophelia smiled at her through the looking glass, even though she felt she looked exactly the same as every other night.

Although she felt a little different. Rosalina had told her how the Cartwright ball was the biggest ball of the entire Season, and everyone dressed lavishly for it. Hence, Rosalina had made sure that Ophelia wore her best gown. Dressed in a bold pink gown, which was entirely sequined, Ophelia did indeed feel beautiful.

Rosalina had come to help Ophelia dress up, and the pair had got ready together. To Ophelia's surprise, Rosalina had also brought her a beautiful necklace adorned with pink stones, which she had graciously placed on Ophelia's neck.

Ophelia felt royal tonight.

"You must trust me when I tell you that someone is going to take one look at you tonight and will fall in love with you for a lifetime."

Ophelia chuckled, her heart aching at those words.

The only person she wished to love her was the one who would never love her. Hence, it hardly mattered if someone else suddenly grew to have feelings for Ophelia. It was not in her fate to love them back anyway.

"How does it matter?" she sighed, standing up from the cushioned seat and turning around to face Rosalina. "Although, I am looking forward to one thing."

"And what might that be?"

"Finally, being able to meet your beloved fiancé! I cannot believe Lord Syke is here."

Rosalina blushed a pale pink at his name, laughing softly. "I almost cannot believe it myself. We have only been away for a few months, but it made me realize I can never live without him. Whoever said absence makes the heart fonder was absolutely right. I am never letting Randolph leave me again."

"To have your heart with him must be the most precious thing to have, Rosalina." Ophelia smiled, "He is a very lucky man."

"He is indeed." Rosalina returned to her charming manner, immediately laughing at her own comment.

Both the young women turned to look at themselves one last time, surveying their reflections before stepping downstairs, where the men were waiting to escort them to the ball. Ophelia felt slightly nervous, remembering that she was once again going to spend another evening with Edward. She also knew that Alice would be there, and now that she knew Ophelia's secret, she would be even more annoying than she once was.

It was a disaster.

But Ophelia was not afraid. She was certain one evening could go by uneventfully. Or at least, that was what she hoped.

"Shall we get going?"

Ophelia nodded at Rosalina's question. "Absolutely. It would be horrifying if we make them wait any longer."

"Perhaps you are right."

They finally stepped out of Ophelia's bedchamber, straight towards the staircase as Rosalina stepped down first. Ophelia did not know what the matter was, but her heart kept beating loudly, as if she was almost scared to see Edward. She did not know why her expectations with him were growing every day, but she wanted him to find her beautiful tonight.

As if she had only got ready and dressed up for his eyes.

A part of her kept telling her that she had indeed got ready for him only.

As she finally reached the bottom of the stairs, Ophelia looked up, finding two young men standing in the hallway, one of them Edward. He looked exceptionally handsome in his tux, the perfect gentleman. His eyes were on her as she stepped down, and Ophelia could not help wondering if he did indeed find her beautiful.

Rosalina almost ran downstairs and jumped straight into Randolph's arms, who held her close. Ophelia's eyes melted at the love the two of them shared.

Although her gaze was still strictly stuck on Edward.

She hoped for nothing more but for him to show her even an ounce of affection or simply even tell her that she looked beautiful tonight. She needed to hear it from him and him alone. As she finally walked towards him, his face still remained expressionless, and Ophelia curtsied wordlessly.

"Good evening, Miss Jennings."

The smile on her face disappeared as she heard the coldness in Edward's voice, unsure what was wrong. She almost felt like weeping and returning to her room, but Ophelia was not going to be a sobbing mess over a man. A man that could never be hers because of the difference in their social standing.

She needed to keep control of herself. She had hoped for too much.

"Good evening, My Lord."

Rosalina walked towards them, perhaps sensing the unsaid tension swirling between them as they looked at one another. Hence, she immediately came to the rescue, Randolph right behind her.

"Ophelia, I must introduce you to my fiancé, Lord Randolph Syke."

"My Lord," Ophelia curtsied respectfully as the gentleman bowed.

He had immaculate manners, his smile just enough to keep Ophelia comfortable. He appeared both loving and charming, and just as Rosalina had defined, he was immaculately handsome. The two made the perfect couple. Ophelia could already picture them having an extremely happy life together. She felt happy for Rosalina even though she would never be able to have what Rosalina had.

"We should get going," Edward chimed in, presenting his elbow to Ophelia.

Ophelia placed her gloved palm over his arm, realizing how short-lived this feeling would be.

"Wait one moment," Randolph suddenly said, his eyebrows scrunching.

"Are you alright, my dearest?" Rosalina asked him, immediately growing concerned.

"Yes, yes," he reassured her with a smile before turning back to look at Ophelia. "Have we met before, Miss Jennings? Why do I feel as if I already know you from somewhere?"

Ophelia's heart began to race at his question, wondering if this were the moment everyone would find out the truth about her. That was the last thing she wanted; hence, despite being terrified, she forced herself to stay calm, placing a subtle smile on her lips. She needed to stay calm. She could not give herself away this easily, not until she absolutely had to.

"I do not think we have met, Lord Syke."

"I am afraid my memory is failing me, but I am certain I have a rather strong recollection of seeing you somewhere or other. It is too significant to ignore for it to be nothing but a mistake."

"My memory is excellent, My Lord." Ophelia smiled. "Had we met, I would have certainly remembered you."

Randolph nodded. "Perhaps you are right. We should get going for the ball, can't leave Lady Cartwright waiting for our arrival."

"Off to the ball," Rosalina chimed in enthusiastically, already making her way outside with Randolph.

Away from his scrutinizing gaze, Ophelia finally felt she could breathe again. Her heart already felt too vulnerable right now and now she had another thing to worry about. Randolph. Alice would be waiting for her at the ball with her prying eyes and nasty words, and on top of it all, Edward was right beside her.

His sudden aloofness made Ophelia even more miserable.

She just needed to get through tonight.

Just a few more hours.

I can do it. Please, God, help me.

Ophelia quickly made her way towards the refreshment table, pouring herself lemonade. She was hardly thirsty, but being in Edward's arms and tolerating his silence was too much for her. They had already danced twice, but Edward had not uttered a word except for replying to Ophelia if she asked a question or tried to hold a conversation.

She continued to wonder if she had somehow offended him, but nothing came back to her.

It was a disaster. This entire evening.

What was even worse was she could constantly feel Randolph's gaze on her, worrying her even more. She knew he was still trying to place her, but Ophelia definitely had no recollection of ever meeting him. Although, the fact that he could have known her in her previous life made her feel as if she could not breathe in her corset.

It was too much.

"Lady Jennings!" Alice's sarcastically sweetened voice from behind her made Ophelia's blood boil, but she turned around anyway.

Facing Alice was inevitable no matter how much Ophelia tried to escape her.

"Lady Alice."

"The only difference between these greetings is that my greeting is based on complete, utter honesty, while yours is nothing but a lie," Alice whispered with a chuckle. "Do you not find that funny?"

"Hilarious." Ophelia stayed completely expressionless, deciding not to be affected by Alice.

Her presence was irrelevant, merely an annoyance rather than a serious harm. Ophelia knew that Alice could reveal her secret to the ton, but she had nothing to mull over. She could return back home and never even face these people again if the ordeal turned humiliating. She had nothing to lose.

"I cannot wait to reveal your secret to the ton," Alice finally said, as per Ophelia's expectations, "A maid dancing in the ball pretending to be a lady. It will be the gossip of the Season."

"Everyone in the ton must be utterly useless and lead severely boring lives if the news of an unimportant maid is going to be the gossip of the ton."

Alice frowned, not knowing what to say.

"You can see it however you want. You will know how humiliating it is to be paraded in the ton as nothing but trash when everyone finds out who you really are. Especially the way you have been keeping Edward away from the young debutantes, you will be hated by all."

"I hardly care, Lady Alice. Go ahead and tell everyone. What are you waiting for?"

Ophelia did not know where she was finding her confidence, but she was tired and completely done. She had no patience for Alice and her threats, let alone anything else. The night was only midway, but Ophelia wanted to return home. She already missed Amy. Everything stayed fine when she was in the nursery with Amy, away from the difficulties of surviving in the London nobility.

"I am simply enjoying myself." Alice shrugged. "It feels rather nice to watch you twist and turn in anticipation, waiting for when I will finally reveal your secret. I am sure you are terrified of the consequences."

"Not at all." Ophelia smiled. "Although you should be terrified of the consequences."

"What do you mean?" Alice straightened.

"If you reveal my secret to the ton, Lord Cavendish, who already does not find you likeable will begin to loathe you even more for ruining his reputation and parading his niece's nanny in this manner. As a respectable young lady, he would naturally expect you to keep a secret if you have come across it. It will hardly affect me, but you will lose all your chances of ever being with him."

Ophelia could see shock on Alice's face, who had clearly not thought this through.

"You will see what I do."

Alice walked away from her, still appearing angered, as Ophelia finally breathed a sigh of relief. She looked up, finding Randolph's eyes on her from across the room, his expression confused. Ophelia could see he was still trying to remember, and it scared her.

She turned around, making her way towards the open balcony door, away from the swirls and the haze of the ballroom. She had already had enough for the evening, and she needed fresh air. She stepped into the gardens, finally being able to breathe.

Keeping Alice away was hardly an issue for Ophelia, but she did not know what she would do if Randolph found out who she was.

She needed to maintain her distance.

And return home as soon as possible.

Just a little longer.