Chapter Sixteen
Ophelia stepped out of the carriage, accepting Lord Phoenix’s gloved hand and blinked.
Was she awake and alive or merely dreaming?
She had never seen or imagined a more wondrous place in all her life.
‘Oh, my,’ she said. ‘I thought the masquerade ball was magical. But this… I cannot find the words.’
He smiled at her and chuckled. ‘It does have that effect on people. I remember feeling the same the first time I came here. I had to pinch myself.’ He bent down close to her ear and tucked her arm within his own. ‘And the night has only begun. Just you wait…’
They began their walk through what appeared to be thousands of hanging lighted lanterns dangling from the large elms overhead. ‘This,’ he began, ‘is the Grand Walk. It will take us past the orchestra and on to where we will dine in a supper box with Lucas’s party and His Grace’s party.’
‘I can hardly believe it. Why do you not come here every day?’ she asked.
He smiled. ‘Well, for one, it is frightfully expensive, and two, I fear it would lose its magic if you visited every day, would it not?’
She laughed at his candor. ‘I suppose you are right.’ They walked among throngs of people and watched the displays of artists and acrobats as the orchestral music became louder as they approached the area where the ensemble was playing.
Ophelia allowed herself to be consumed by the moment and they walked in companionable silence together.
It was hard to know where to look as there was so much to see and explore.
‘Dolph!’ a familiar male voice called from behind them.
They slowed and turned to see Lord Worthing and Miss Charlotte Grey accompanying him.
Ophelia forced a smile, even though her heart felt oddly frozen inside her chest. She knew she should be happy for them, as they both looked like they were enjoying themselves and they certainly made an attractive couple.
But despite a brief flash of professional pride in making yet another possible match, this moment was too bittersweet to savor for she longed to be the one on Lord Worthing’s arm basking in the bliss of the evening.
The two men shook hands, and Ophelia greeted Miss Grey, who was just as kind and warm as when they had met briefly at the masquerade ball.
‘Side by side, you could be brothers,’ Ophelia remarked. ‘I did not notice it before.’
Miss Grey studied them and nodded. ‘You are right, Miss Granger. I had not observed it until now either. Their physicality and features are so similar and with you both wearing dark trousers and jackets, you could be mistaken for one another.’
‘Although I do believe I am more handsome,’ Lord Phoenix jested, puffing out his chest, and straightening his waistcoat.
‘What do you think of the Pleasure Gardens, ladies?’ Lord Worthing asked, ignoring his friend’s boast.
‘It is unlike anything I have ever seen,’ Ophelia offered quietly. ‘And I am intoxicated by it.’
‘I could not have said it better,’ Miss Grey agreed.
‘Then, let us continue. I am starved,’ Lord Phoenix said.
‘Agreed,’ Lord Worthing added. ‘Onward to the pavilion before all of the supper boxes have been claimed.’ They fell back into their pairs and continued.
The walk to the area where the supper boxes were held wasn’t much further now.
Ophelia could see the towering pavilion ahead.
‘This is the Grove,’ Lord Phoenix told her.
‘It is between the Grand Walk which we just came down and the South Walk, which we can explore after we dine. It is glorious with its towering arches.’
‘Sounds lovely,’ she said mechanically. ‘Thank you again for inviting me.’
‘It was hard to not ask you to accompany me once I knew Lucas was attending and after how much I enjoyed our first meeting at the ball.’
She shivered a bit at the mention of the night of the masquerade. He noticed and turned to her. ‘Are you chilled?’ he asked.
‘No, no. I am actually overwarm, but just a little excited,’ she lied.
While she was both those things, neither had caused the shiver.
Only the memory of being around such an unsavory gentleman and making such a narrow escape.
The night could have ended horrendously, and she would have been to blame.
‘I am relieved to hear it, Miss Granger,’ he said with a small bow that made her smile.
‘But for now, we dine!’ He grabbed her hand and led her to the supper box where William, Hattie and Trudy waited.
Despite her own unhappiness, Ophelia had to laugh at his joy and eagerness and shook off the memory of before.
This was a new night, and she was safe. There was nothing to fear but revelry.
Lord Phoenix soon grew restless after they’d dined with the Viscount and Miss Grey, and the Wimberley party, and stood extending his hand to Ophelia. ‘Care for a stroll under the arches of the South Walk, Miss Granger? It will be getting dark soon, and I have found it is most beautiful at sunset.’
‘How could I decline?’ she replied and accepted his hand.
‘We shall not be long in joining you,’ Lord Worthing replied, as Ophelia and Lord Phoenix departed.
They started down the path leading to the South Walk.
From what Ophelia could tell, the excursion with Lord Worthing and Miss Grey was a grand success.
He was laughing, relaxed and enjoying himself, and so was Miss Grey.
Ophelia smiled, trying to feel pleased with her progress in gaining him a suitable match.
It almost made him not being her match bearable. Almost, but not quite.
‘Penny for your thoughts,’ Lord Phoenix whispered, his voice low and husky. ‘I hope you are thinking of me. You have such a sweet smile on your face.’
She started and shook her head. ‘Do not be crushed, but I was thinking of how the match with Miss Grey and Lord Worthing is coming along. They seem quite content in one another’s company.’
He frowned briefly, and then smiled. ‘While I am disappointed it was not me on your mind, I do understand your joy in your business success. It is how I feel when we have a good month of returns on our investments.’
‘What is it you invest in?’
‘Whatever seems keen to be profitable, which changes often, as you might imagine. Some ventures are successful while others are not, but my brother and I have a strong eye for investments, just like our father did.’
‘Sounds quite exciting,’ she replied.
‘It usually is, which is why I still do it. You may have noticed that I crave adventure and fun as much as I do success.’
‘I have,’ she replied as he turned them onto the path where the large arches towered over them. ‘Oh, my. Those are astounding,’ she said craning her neck back to see all their glory.
‘Not as astounding as you, Miss Granger, but close,’ he said with a wink, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
She blushed from his praise. ‘And you know how to woo a woman, my lord.’
‘I do, but I have only just begun with you,’ he said huskily leaning down toward her, his breath easing against her cheek. ‘You will see. I have plans.’
He squeezed her forearm, and she sighed. The heat from his hold and desire in his gaze was enough to undo any woman, especially one with such romantic sensibilities. So why wasn’t it doing anything to make her heart beat faster?
Easy. Breathe.
The night had only just begun.
The sunset burned a soft orange, pink glow in the sky before them and soon they had travelled all along the South Walk, pausing here and there to enjoy the many diversions along the way.
Lord Phoenix had even bought her two fresh strawberries from the young girls carrying baskets of fresh fruits.
It was a special treat she enjoyed as much as he did.
As they neared the end of the path, he paused. ‘Shall we continue on or turn around?’
She glanced at the smaller walkways that stemmed off from where they stood in the South Walk uncertain after her last encounter with secret walkways and gardens at night. ‘Is it safe?’ she asked in low tones, noting how it was almost dark, the sunset having all but disappeared along the horizon.
‘While you are of course safe with me, these Dark Paths are a bit questionable at night. Pickpockets and those with more unsavory intentions take advantage of the darkness. I am fine to return to the more well-lit walkways to explore.’ He tucked his hands in his trousers.
‘Thank you. I wouldn’t mind stopping to refresh myself, my lord, if you could point me in that direction?’
So, they turned away from the Dark Paths and doubled back along the South Path they had just come from, walking in companionable silence.
‘There we are,’ he said, pointing out the refreshing stations.
‘I will meet you by the canal there. We can watch the boats and wait for the fireworks. They should be starting any time now.’
She smiled. ‘Agreed.’ The man’s kindness and care for her were admirable.
He was also dashing and thoughtful. Perhaps he could be her prince after all, not Lord Worthing, as her stubborn heart had made her believe?
She travelled into the ladies’ room and completed her ablutions.
She pinched her cheeks and tried to smile into the large mirrors, hardly recognising herself.
While her cheeks should have been full of colour and her eyes glowing from Lord Phoenix’s attentions, she found her reflection a bit wan and lacking.
Why couldn’t she get her longing for Lord Worthing out of her mind?
He could not be her match, and she may have found the woman who could be.
She should be happy. As she was leaving, Miss Grey came in and they greeted one another before each continued on.
Ophelia did her best to put on a winning smile, but she wasn’t sure she had succeeded.