Chapter Twenty-Two
Ophelia felt ill, absolutely ill. She paced the parlour in Westchester Manor, wringing her hands, and knowing she was wearing a fine walking path through the fancy rugs of Hattie’s home.
But she could not help it. William had told her Dolph had spoken to him after the wedding breakfast yesterday and had then asked for this private meeting with her early this afternoon.
Ophelia wore one of her finest morning dresses and cleared her throat, trying to ease the tightness that rested there like a rock.
She heard a knock at the front door, and she stopped pacing as she listened to the voices in the hallway. She cringed. It was Dolph. The deep timbre of his voice was unmistakable.
How was she going to tell him? The last thing she wished to do was hurt him. While she had done her best to not encourage him too much, deep down she knew she could have done more to discourage him.
Truth with tact.
Trudy’s voice reminded her.
With care.
Hattie’s words resonated in her mind.
Ophelia stared down at the raised ridge from the purple glass–beaded bracelet that hid beneath her glove.
She could do this. She was strong enough, and she knew beyond all doubt this was her truth.
She had tossed and turned all night, but she could not deny it.
And for once, she needed to be brave and speak it, no matter the consequences to her future.
Living a lie was not something she could do, especially with a man as kind as Dolph.
When the parlour door opened, there he was.
Her prince on parchment. He was everything she had ever dreamed and fantasised about.
Lord Randolph Phoenix was the best of men.
He was handsome, kind, intelligent and interested in her and her business.
He cared for her. He wasn’t a jealous man.
He had forgiven her illicit kiss with Lord Worthing as if it were nothing.
And he had the most beautiful bouquet of flowers in his hands and the most winsome smile on his lips. And his eyes were full of hope…until they met hers. Once they did, the flowers drifted down to his side and his brow creased.
‘What is wrong, Ophelia?’ he asked quietly, as he closed the door and came to her. He set down the flowers on the table and clutched her hands in his own. The warm, steady pressure and the concern and kindness in his gaze made tears spring to her eyes.
‘Oh, Dolph,’ she replied, her words anguished.
‘What has happened? Whatever it is, we can make it right. Just say the words,’ he said with a smile that did not quite reach his eyes.
‘That is the thing,’ she sniffed. ‘I cannot make it right. Nor can you. Because it is not wrong. It just is.’
He sighed. ‘I do not quite understand, but I want to,’ he offered. ‘Come and sit with me.’
She nodded and sat with him on the sofa, side by side.
After sucking in a steadying breath, she met his warm gaze.
‘You are the most perfect man. Lovely, handsome, kind, and you care for people and what makes them happy. You are gentle. You are my absolute prince of my imaginings since I was a girl,’ she said and chuckled.
He smiled brightly and lifted a hand from hers to run the back of his knuckles against her cheek.
She clutched it with her own and held it. ‘But, you are not the prince of my heart, Dolph, and to pretend otherwise would be a lie…and an unkindness to you.’ A tear slid down her cheek as she squeezed his hand and let go. ‘You deserve a woman who loves you with her whole heart.’
He stared at her and then pulled his hands away.
He looked out the window and back to her with a small chuckle.
‘Well, that is not exactly how I thought my conversation with you would go today, but…’ He paused and cocked his head, studying her.
‘But there is some part of me that is not completely surprised, I must admit. Is it Lucas? Is he the one you love with your whole heart?’
‘Yes.’ She nodded and then hiccupped.
He smiled and reached out, squeezing one of her hands.
‘Then, I can bow out of trying to win your hand with grace, despite the hit to my ego. I thought something was between you, even on the first night we met, at the masquerade ball. The way he looked at you and you at him. It all makes sense now.’
‘I did not mean for it to happen,’ she said mournfully.
‘No one does,’ he teased. ‘And for as much as Lucas growls and grumbles, he is a good man, Ophelia. One of the best I have known, and you have brought him back to himself. That is no small feat. I am so grateful to have him back in my life, and I want him to be happy as I want you to be happy.’
‘Thank you,’ she replied with a wobble. ‘That is far more than I deserve.’
‘Wait,’ he asked. ‘Have you told him of your feelings?’
‘I have tried.’ She shrugged. ‘But he keeps saying he wants a marriage without love and I cannot have a union without it.’
‘Tell him that you love him in no uncertain terms. Really tell him. See if it will sway him to what we both know is best for him: you.’
She wiped another tear away as it streamed down her face. ‘You are such a good man, Dolph. I…’ she stammered.
‘Go on,’ he said gently. ‘You must tell him before he makes a muck of his future and proposes to Miss Grey. I believe he had planned to seek an appointment with her this very day, if I am not mistaken.’
Ophelia stood quickly and then said, ‘And I am sorry… If you were about to…’ She couldn’t finish her statement but gestured to him and the flowers.
Dolph balked and stood. ‘Oh, no, no. I was not here to propose, but I admit I was hoping to make our courting official.’
She sighed in relief.
‘Do not look so liberated,’ he teased.
‘I just did not wish to hurt you, and I am so happy that I haven’t…well, not too badly.’ She pulled him into a hug. He hugged her and then drew back.
‘Well, you have rather wounded my ego. I cannot remember the last time I was refused.’ He winked at her. ‘Perhaps it will be good for me.’
She walked him to the door. ‘You will make some woman a fine husband.’
He nodded. ‘I know I will. When I find her.’
‘If you need help…’ she offered.
He laughed. ‘Then, I will know exactly which matchmaker to seek out: you.’