Chapter 6

Chapter 6

"Amy is such a beautiful little baby!" Ophelia squealed, holding Amy in her arms as she continued conversing with her the way she had been doing for a few days.

Ophelia had noticed how Amy was an extremely talkative and interactive child who enjoyed conversations with Ophelia even though all she did in reply was smile or laugh or simply stare at Ophelia with a serious expression. Despite that, Ophelia had become used to this daily routine where she would simply talk about anything and everything with Amy, who was naturally the best secret keeper one could ask for.

"You are also such a good little angel," Ophelia whispered as Amy continued to smile at her, softly cooing. "You slept through the entire night without making even the slightest of noises. Your Ophelia is extremely proud of you."

Amy laughed softly.

When Ophelia had returned from her meeting with Edward, Amy had already been asleep and had not woken up even once; hence, Ophelia had slept as well. Although, now that she was awake, she could remember the conversation in painful detail and the realization that the very man she had considered a stable boy was none other than the Earl of Sommers himself.

How could I have been this blind?

In her defence, Edward had been dressed rather simply in a white shirt and breeches, and no one who did not already know him could have taken him for the earl. Moreover, he had not corrected her mistake and simply went along with it. There was no way she could have known. Despite that, she had been terribly mean to him, and it was his goodness of heart that he had been so forgiving about it.

"Do you know, Amy," Ophelia began, placing Amy back in her cradle but continuing to talk to her in soft whispers, "sometimes I wonder if I am as simple-minded as you because I am certain even at such a young age, you are far smarter than I am."

Amy continued to stare at her seriously.

"I did a very stupid thing, Amy," Ophelia said, making a crying face, which made Amy's eyes widen even more than they already were.

"I met your handsome uncle," Ophelia said, knowing Amy would never be able to comprehend this, but she was still her favourite and most trusted confidante, "and I thought him the stable boy."

Amy began to smile widely.

"He must have been laughing at me, do you not think?" Ophelia asked, her voice turning softer as she nuzzled Amy in her stomach.

The child began to laugh, her beautiful, soft laughter filling up the entire room, and Ophelia felt as if she had finally achieved something. When she came for her interview, she saw Amy crying profusely, and now, here she was with the little girl who was laughing comfortably in her presence as if it was something she had always been doing.

Ophelia knew she was in the right direction, and Amy was truly well taken care of, exactly as she had intended her to be. She was finally able to give her some love, which Amy had never got from her mother.

"Miss Jennings?" Ophelia turned around as she heard Mrs Bailey enter the nursery and walk directly towards the cradle.

The old woman had a warm smile on her face as she looked at Amy, who was still laughing and moving her hands in the air as if playing with something invisible to both Ophelia and Mrs Bailey. The sight was extremely beautiful to watch, and Ophelia could see the surprise on Mrs Bailey's face. She was taken aback.

"My goodness, Miss Jennings, you have truly worked some magic on our Miss Amy here," Mrs Bailey said, staring affectionately at the baby.

Ophelia laughed. "Why do you say so, Mrs Bailey?"

"I have never before seen Miss Amy laugh and play in such a manner. She had only ever been a quiet child or had always been crying. You have brought out a different side of her that had not been there before."

"I have only given her love and consistency, and she opened up rather easily," Ophelia said honestly, "that was all she needed to settle down."

"You are right." Mrs Bailey nodded, "This is certainly the most beautiful sound I have heard. It almost feels as if Miss Amy's laughter and your presence are already beginning to bring about a positive change in the manor. Everything feels lighter and brighter."

"If this is actually the case, I am simply glad I can be of help. The manor is beautiful but a little too tightly wound around itself. It needs laughter and happiness and to keep running in a better manner," Ophelia replied with a smile. She undoubtedly believed this since she had stepped foot here. The manor was nothing but a house and had never found anyone who could turn it into a home. She hoped Amy and her childish innocence might be able to achieve that.

"I hope that happens." Mrs Bailey smiled.

"Mrs Bailey, I was wondering something," Ophelia said, standing up from beside Amy so she could face the housekeeper.

"What is it?" she asked attentively.

"Now that I have officially been introduced to the earl, I suppose it is only right to include him in Amy's routine and update him. He is her sole guardian; thus, he must be concerned about her and deserves to know how his niece is being brought up. The two of them must build a connection with each other."

"I do not know if that will be such a wise idea, Miss Jennings," Mrs Bailey replied, appearing hesitant.

Ophelia had already felt a distance between Amy and Edward since she had been completely confused about why he had not met Amy even once throughout the time Ophelia had been employed if he was still present at the manor. Yesterday, when the two of them had conversed, he had treated any mention of Amy like any other dismissive subject, and his face had almost darkened. Ophelia wanted all of it to be just a coincidence and to have an explanation for it, but there were none.

"Why do you think so?" she asked Mrs Bailey, carefully concealing her curiosity and disappointment.

"Lord Cavendish prefers his peace and solitude and is rather distant," the housekeeper tried to explain, but Amy felt as if something was still not right about it, "he might have a problem with these constant calls on him regarding Miss Amy."

"Perhaps just once a day? Only nightly? He must see her every day so she is familiar with his presence, or he will be a stranger to her," Ophelia reasoned.

"If that is what you wish for, you can go ahead and try," Mrs Bailey finally conceded.

"Thank you so much!" Ophelia replied, already looking forward to it.

She would definitely try.

"Are you ready to go see your Uncle Edward again, Amy? I know you have started to enjoy your nightly rituals of seeing him," Ophelia cooed, making sure Amy's clothes were devoid of any food stains, and she was completely clean.

The little girl looked beautiful, her eyes wide as Ophelia continued to converse with her.

"You look perfect," Ophelia whispered again, kissing her forehead as she took Amy in her arms so they could quickly make their way towards the earl's study.

Once she had asked Mrs Bailey's permission, she had shown up at Edward's study every night after dinner to make sure he had a few minutes with Amy. He had been surprised during the initial few days, but Ophelia's determination to stay consistent despite his barely interested attitude had broken his resolve, and he had been warmer towards Amy.

It had only taken Amy a couple of days to grow familiar with him, and she would gladly go into his arms and wave him goodbye at Ophelia's calling. Ophelia could not help wondering why Edward was so distant with the child, but she was determined to mitigate that distance and make sure Amy was not deprived of a loving childhood in any way at all.

"You are in such high spirits today, Amy," Ophelia whispered as they stood outside Edward's study. She quickly ran her fingers through her long, blonde hair, hoping she looked presentable enough for him.

In the past few days, she had seen him about the manor, making her realize that in the beginning he might have been deliberately hiding away. However, now, he was no longer hiding, and Ophelia ended up interacting with him one way or another as they ran into each other. He had started to show up for breakfast every morning, and they often ended up eating together. She also made sure to take Amy to him at other times of the day, but that was always uncertain. Despite that, their nightly routine was well maintained.

Ophelia knocked on his study door, familiar enough with his routine to know he would be nowhere else. He worked late into the night every single day after dinner, but sometimes Ophelia felt as if it was just an excuse to stay away from everyone. Something about him puzzled her and made her want to ask him questions, but she knew she could never do that.

She was no longer the Lady Ophelia he could court in a ballroom. Had they met in that setting, he might have asked her to dance, and Ophelia could have asked him anything she wished. They could have witty banter and playful conversations, but right now, she was painfully aware of her change in station. Ophelia was no more than a servant anymore, and Edward belonged to the nobility.

"Come in," Edward called out, and Ophelia walked inside with Amy in her arms. She was glad to see how Edward did not appear surprised at all, as if he had been expecting them.

"My Lord," Ophelia quickly curtsied, and Edward nodded at her before walking out from behind his desk.

Amy started jumping in Ophelia's arms, as if rather excited to see Edward, the reaction extremely attractive to her. Ophelia could not help laughing softly, for as soon as Edward came closer, Amy lunged ahead, extending her hands towards him, coaxing him to take her into his arms.

Edward stayed in his place for a few seconds, but when Amy was almost on the verge of tears from being ignored, Ophelia saw his gaze soften, and he finally held her, keeping Amy close to his chest. She always enjoyed watching the two of them together since Amy appeared rather small in his arms, as he was tall and rather muscular. The sight of them together was enough to melt Ophelia, and she chuckled softly.

"What's wrong?" Edward asked, and Ophelia shook her head.

"Nothing," she said, "Amy seems to like you quite a lot."

"I wonder why," he replied, still emotionless.

Amy, who had been staring at Ophelia and Edward until now, began to laugh heartily, her soft giggles echoing through the study. The sound of them so enamoured Ophelia that she did not notice Edward's face darken at the sound, his blue eyes turning stormy. Before she realized what was happening, Edward quickly moved Amy away from him, extending the child towards Ophelia, who took the little girl in her arms in extreme confusion.

"What is wrong?" Ophelia asked, noticing the shadows on Edward's face. Amy began to cry just then, making Ophelia worry even further.

"Take her from here," he said rudely, turning away from them both. "I do not wish to see her anymore, so please end this nightly routine. You shall not bring her to me again."

"But why, My Lord?"

"I have never once pretended to even be slightly interested in Amy, and it is only you who keeps trying to act otherwise. I am tired now. Hence, this should come to an end."

Ophelia felt tears sting her eyes as she heard Edward's harsh tone, especially due to which Amy only continued to cry further. Amy extended her hands towards Edward again, her small face filled with tear streaks, but Edward did not budge; his face completely turned away. The scene broke Ophelia's heart so much that she quietly turned around, not wanting to stay in Edward's study for even one more second.

"It's alright, darling," she whispered soothingly in Amy's ears as they stepped out while, Ophelia too, tried to control her tears.

Why is he so cruel to her?

She could not believe that Edward was her uncle and only relative because it almost felt like he hated the little girl. Ophelia could not understand how he was capable of hating such a sweet child. How could he? But she knew it was best if she kept Amy away from him. It was one thing to be deprived of his love but completely another when he consciously rejected her.

And she was not going to let that happen.

***

As soon as the door of the study closed behind Ophelia, Edward felt his breathing quicken. He knew he had not done the right thing by being this careless with his words and emotions. He had been brutal towards Amy and Ophelia when neither of them deserved to be treated this way. But he had not been able to help it.

Amy's smile is exactly like Margaret's.

"I miss you so much, Margaret," he whispered in the empty study, tears stinging his eyes. He had not been able to picture anything else except his sister when he had seen Amy smile.

And that had made him lose control.

Edward had been the reason behind her smile throughout their childhood. He had loved, protected, and kept her safe from all troubles. However, it was he who had been the reason that Margaret had lost all her smiles.

He had been the reason she had lost her heart from anything and everything. He had brought her unhappiness and now he was doing the exact same thing to Amy. But he knew he could not bear being close to the little girl.

Not with the memories she jogged in him.

Even if he broke her heart, he had no choice.