Chapter 21 #2
Adrian crouched in front of her, not meeting her eyes as he took hold of the towels and began to pat down her legs and arms. He worked with determination, a job that needed doing, and not one that required praise.
And yet, he was gentle, careful to not hurt her or force anything.
His touch, while soft, was strong commanding and Ophelia relished it.
She watched him as he worked, smiling at how he behaved. As willing to help as he was, he was just as wary of showing too much emotion or concern; as if to do so might risk Ophelia reading into actions that he did not wish to be read.
Towels in hand, he patted her legs, he rubbed her arms, and then he softly dabbed at Harriet’s wet face.
“She needs fresh clothes,” he said of Harriet. “She will freeze otherwise.”
“A few moments by the fire and I will change her,” Ophelia said. “But she is asleep, so let her rest a moment more.”
His brow furrowed in argument, the concern for Harriet’s well-being obvious. But he did not argue. Rather, he shifted slightly so his body no longer blocked the fire, and then he used his strength to drag the couch closer.
Once she was closer, the warmth of the fire touching her body so that it almost burned, Adrian snatched at more dry towels.
“Adrian…” Gently, she took the towels from him. “I can…”
He did not let go immediately. He clung to them, his brow furrowed tight, his gaze locked onto the towels without blinking. Slowly, she peeled them free from his grip, and as she did, she felt something come loose inside of him; a weight on his shoulders, finally dropping.
He exhaled suddenly, shook his head, and looked her in the eyes for the first time. The concern was still there, the worry, and the fire reflected as if his soul itself burned with fear for her safety.
“Are you… I can have a bath made. Food. Whatever you need.”
She just smiled as she took another towel and wrapped it around Harriet; the baby was still sound asleep, and it smiled as the towel wrapped her.
Then she took another and wrapped it around her shoulders; her clothes were drenched, but the fire was doing its work.
And finally, she took a third towel and offered it to Adrian.
“And what of you?” she asked. “You are soaked through.”
“I am fine,” he said without taking the towel, even as he dripped everywhere, even as his body shook from the cold.
“You are dripping all over the carpet,” she said with humor.
“Are you warm enough?” he asked, still looking at her as if he was worried to look away. “I will have Mr. Watley bring fresh clothes –”
“Later,” she cut him off, her voice gentle. “For now, the fire will do plenty. As will your company. Adrian…” She wanted him to see how grateful she was. “I cannot believe that you came for us. When the carriage broke down, I thought that…” A deep sigh. “I did not imagine that you would come.”
He winced with shame and looked away. “And that you thought as much, Ophelia. That you would believe that I might abandon you…” His voice cracked and he spoke low, distant.
“I will always be there to protect you, Ophelia. Whatever you might think of me, know that. And whatever this marriage is or is not, your safety is what matters to me most of all.”
“I know it now,” she said. “Truly, I should apologize for ever doubting –”
“No.” He snapped his head up and glared.
“Do not apologize. This was me. I am the one who put you in that position. Just as I… as I…” His brow furrowed again, a battle raging behind his eyes; the fire’s reflection lashed and spat in them.
“Just as I promise to do better, from now on. For both you and Harriet.”
“I believe you.” Ophelia smiled, feeling it in her heart. “I really do.”
It had been a strange week. A week during which Ophelia had feared that her marriage had reached a stalemate, a natural end because Adrian was so stubborn and so determined not to progress. Whether he had feelings for her or not had been irrelevant, because he was not one who would ever admit them.
But moments like what had just passed reminded her of who her husband really was, and what he was capable of, should he allow it.
He did care for her. He did want to be there for her. And while he might fight it, while he might try his best to ignore it, the path they walked led in one direction; through the storm to sunny days ahead. It would take some time. Adrian was sure to push back, even deny himself.
As he will fight against us, I will fight for us.
She knew how he felt now. She knew what he really wanted. It would not be easy. It would likely be painful. But one day, Ophelia was certain that this marriage might just turn into something real. What was more, when it did, that both she and Adrian would be happier for it.
“I will leave you…” Adrian went to stand suddenly.
“Wait, no.” She took his hand. “Can you stay, for just a little longer?” She looked at him pleadingly, needing him to know that she wanted him there. “Just a few more minutes. Just until I feel… until I feel safe.”
He hesitated, bit into his lip, but slowly relaxed as he knelt back down. “A few more minutes…”
She kept hold of his hand, she smiled at him, and she knew that things were finally leading back in the right direction. All she had to do now was keep both herself and Adrian on the same path.