Chapter 24
Tonight felt different from the last time.
The first social outing that Ophelia and Adrian had attended, while it carried a weight of intention in how important it was for their relationship, but that weight was underscored by expectation and knowing that such things had to be done, regardless of intent.
Ophelia and Adrian had only just married; if they did not appear in public, people would wonder why and begin to question such absences… even starting rumors about the reason.
When Adrian had asked Ophelia to that ball, she had sensed that his true reason was more than what he claimed it to be. But he was worried about seeming too eager, so he leaned heavily on the need to avoid a scandal. It was not something he wanted to do, but that which he had to do.
And Ophelia had gone along with it, herself not too sure what she wanted or what she expected from their marriage. It had been a test in that way, a means to feel the other out so that steps might be taken in the right direction, down a path that led to happier days.
A lot had changed since that evening. Some for the worst, some for the best. Steps taken backwards, stagnation felt, moments when Ophelia lamented the end of her marriage before it even had a chance to begin.
And finally, light found in the darkness that guided them back onto the right path…
one that she and Adrian now walked together.
So much has changed and tonight… I pray it solidifies those changes, that it proves to Adrian once and for all that such changes should be encouraged.
So it was that Ophelia stood in front of the full-length mirror in her room, checking her gown for the final time before she joined Adrian in the foyer.
After which, they would journey into London together for a night at the theater, nothing too grand or ostentatious, and yet its true meaning, its true significance, could not be denied.
Her gown was dark green, a color chosen specifically to contrast with her auburn hair.
Its trim was golden. The filigree pattern that wove up its dress silver with wisps of lighter green.
However, her jewelry was worn to match the brooch that she wore pinned to her chest; a ruby so red and so bright that one might mistake it for her beating heart.
A final look at herself, a soft smile as she tempered her expectations for tonight… all tonight was, was a chance to prove finally to Adrian that there was no need to fear where this marriage was going. Also, and most importantly, it was a chance to prove the same to Ophelia.
She took a deep breath, she turned, and she hurried from the room.
Ophelia was about to head toward the foyer where she expected to find Adrian waiting, but before doing so, she decided to check on Harriet. The baby ought to have been asleep, but she wished to make certain as the last time she went out, she had returned to find it sick.
When Ophelia reached the nursery, she stopped short in the doorway, surprised at what she saw. Just as she was utterly taken by. And so, her heart swelled that little bit further.
Adrian stood over Harriet’s cot. His suit was so dark that she almost missed him, mistaking his hulking frame for a shadow. But her eyes quickly adjusted, and she smiled gently as she watched him gaze down at Harriet. She could not see his face, but she liked to imagine that it wore a smile.
He truly has come so far…
When Adrian turned and found Ophelia watching him, she half-expected an excuse, as if he needed to justify what he was doing.
She certainly thought he would be embarrassed, even ashamed.
Rather, he saw her there and he simply nodded as he approached her, no sense at all that he was doing something wrong.
“Just checking that she was asleep,” he said as he reached her. She eyed his hand quickly, hoping he would take her own. He did not, but that wasn’t such a surprise.
“And?” she asked. “Is she?”
“She sleeps soundly,” he said. “And I have instructed Mr. Watley to keep a close eye on her, just in case.”
Ophelia’s chest continued to swell, and while she wanted to cross the room and check herself, she chose not to. Adrian had done that for her, and she trusted him.
“I am sure she will be fine for a few hours,” Ophelia said as Adrian reached her. “No need to worry.”
“I might say the same to you.”
She laughed and shook her head. “What need do I have to worry when she had you looking out for her?”
He exhaled sharply through his nose. “Better that I check than return to a scene similar to the last time.”
“Ah yes, the noise she made,” Ophelia joked. “I know how it disturbs you.”
He frowned at her. “No, I meant her illness, Ophelia. That night was…” He hesitated, fighting against the words that almost came.
“I know.” On instinct, Ophelia took Adrian’s hand and he did not pull away, just as he did not appear surprised. “It was hard for me too. But she will be fine, I am sure.”
“I hope so.”
“Besides, I think you and I deserve a night out. Just promise me you will be on your best behavior.” She grinned. “I wouldn’t want you doing something that might cause alarm. I know how you hate a scandal.”
That was when Adrian’s gaze drifted over her outfit, landing on the brooch pinned to her chest. He eyed it for a moment, his expression hard, the surprise evident. Ophelia held her breath, worried that he might ask her to remove the brooch, that he did not think tonight was suited for such a piece.
“That brooch,” he finally spoke, a moment longer on it before he looked up at her. “I was not sure… it is cracked down the middle. If you wish to wear something else?”
“Why would I?” she said. “You fixed it, remember?”
“All I did was cover its blemish.”
“No, you took what was broken and made it whole.” She was sure to look into his eyes so that he might understand the true meaning of her words. “I want to wear it. In fact, I am proud to do so.”
“It looks good on you.”
“It looks right, you mean,” she said. “Broken once, but fixed and perfect. As all things can be.”
His smile was subtle, but she saw it. As she saw the look he gave her.
Perhaps this marriage had started to avoid a scandal, but it had since transformed into something more.
And after tonight, it promised to grow beyond that and into…
well, Ophelia was not sure what, but she was excited to find out.
And that Adrian clung to her hand, she knew that he was of the same mind. Slow and steady… that was the plan, and it was working even better than Ophelia had hoped.
As with the last time that Ophelia and Adrian were seen in public together, their presence became the instant center of attention.
Their carriage pulled up outside the theater where the crowds gathered en masse.
The driver opened the door and Adrian climbed out, only to turn and help Ophelia down.
She used his arm generously and kept her hand around his bicep as she stepped onto the sidewalk and found her balance.
And all the while, the eyes of those around them were felt.
There were scores of them, all members of the peerage, all there to enjoy a night at the theater as was a common outing. They gathered by the entrance, waiting to be let inside, and while their conversation was bustling and loud, it softened considerably once Adrian and Ophelia were noticed.
“This again…” Ophelia joked as she stayed close to Adrian, doing her best to ignore the stares, as well as the obvious whispers. “You would think they would have something better to speak about by now.”
“Are they watching?” Adrian said as he stood tall and puffed out his chest. “I have not noticed.”
She eyed him with a disbelieving frown, as if he were making a joke. But he looked ahead, chin pointed, expression proud, and Ophelia almost believed him. At the very least, she believed that he was willing to pretend that he did not care.
“Perhaps it is my imagination,” she joked as they started forward, through the crowd, which quickly parted for them.
They were a duke and duchess, after all, above the rest, and better.
Despite the judgment that came at them in waves, such appearances were kept to.
“Oh yes, silly me, they are hardly looking at all.”
“It takes time to be forgotten,” Adrian said, almost to himself. “But so long as there is no meat for the wolves to feed on, they soon grow bored.”
“You speak from experience?”
“I do.”
Ophelia eyed her husband closely, curious about his comment. She knew a little about his past, that he kept to himself for a specific reason, and that reason was why he had chosen to lock himself away as if he did not exist. But she did not know the details, nor had she enquired about them.
In truth, she did not really care. As she knew firsthand, it did not take much for one to find themselves in the middle of a scandal, and rarely was it as interesting as people wanted it to be.
No, she did not care about Adrian’s past. What concerned her was his future, one that she was now a part of, and one that she was determined to keep free of scandal and incident. That was the way forward, and that was what tonight was really about.
“Should we…” She gestured to some of those who milled by the entrance.
“Should we what?”
“Make introductions?” she offered. “Is that not what these things are all about?”
He scoffed. “Probably, but as you know, I am not here for that.”
“Why are you here?”
He looked down at her, unblinking, almost confused by her question as if the answer were obvious. “For you, Ophelia. I am here for you.”
Ophelia kept her arm tight around Adrian’s, holding him close, letting the world know that he was hers and that they were together. He had fought against her. He had denied her and himself. But that single statement was the final confirmation of where he saw their marriage heading.
Just get through tonight, Ophelia. Tomorrow, I can consider those questions that will soon need to be answered.
They made their way inside together, the first to be let through the entrance.
Adrian had a private booth booked, right above the stage, a perfect view of the performance saved just for them.
They were shown to the booth, Adrian helped Ophelia into her seat, and when he sat with her, he took her hand without hesitation.
The performance itself was splendid, but Ophelia paid it little attention. She spent the following hour with her heart in her throat, her mind turning, and her body flushed as her gaze continually drifted to Adrian’s hand wrapped firmly around her own.
He stared ahead, seemingly focused on the performance, but she wondered if his mind was in the same place as hers.
Small steps… all headed in the right direction… and when tonight came to an end, Ophelia was certain that tomorrow would bring with it sunny days. Finally, their marriage was turning into something real.