Chapter 33
“You did not have to come tonight, Adrian,” Ophelia said to her husband. He sat across from her in the carriage, saying nothing from the moment that she had joined him in the foyer of their home. “There is no need to pretend anymore.”
Adrian’s silence was not unexpected. If anything, it was welcome, as Ophelia was done pretending that things might change between them. Better that he committed fully to his intentions and stopped giving her hope. At least that way, she could start to move on, as she needed to do.
Although Adrian sat silently across from her, it did not feel as if he was purposefully trying to ignore her.
There was something different about him, something that Ophelia could not quite put her finger on.
More than once, she had caught him watching her in the darkness, his brow furrowed, his stare one of apparent confusion, even curiosity.
He had something on his mind… something he wanted to say. And where Ophelia thought to ask him, she also knew there was no point. Whatever it was, she doubted that it would change anything, so why bother?
I need to stop pretending that things will change suddenly.
“No, I…” Adrian cleared his throat and shifted. “It is expected that I join you. The ton still believes that we are happily married, Ophelia. And once you leave, it is important that questions are not asked. At least not immediately.”
She exhaled sharply out of her nose. “Yes, that makes sense.”
“I wanted to come,” he then ventured awkwardly. “I…” His expression hardened. “I just want to do what is right.”
“A little late for that, is it not?” she sighed and looked away.
Out the corner of her eyes, she saw him open his mouth as if to speak.
But he caught his tongue, hesitated, and then closed his mouth and he leaned back.
Still, he continued to look at her. Not with detachment.
Not with frustration. But as if he were upset about something, that which he was desperate to keep to himself.
Tonight was to be their last night spent together in public.
Adelaide’s friend, Lady Miranda, was hosting a dinner party, a rather exclusive event at which only twenty or so people were invited.
It was Adelaide who extended the invitation to Ophelia, making sure to add that Adrian did not have to join her, even if she must have suspected he would do.
Adelaide knew of Ophelia’s situation, so she knew that Ophelia’s marriage lay in a state of disrepair.
That she had invited Ophelia, and that she had mentioned Adrian…
honestly, it frustrated Ophelia greatly.
Even after all she had been told, Adelaide refused to believe that their marriage could not be saved.
And tonight, Ophelia was certain, was her friend’s effort to prove it.
If only she knew what I did… that our marriage is beyond saving.
It had been proven beyond question. And every time that Adrian was given a chance to change his mind, he balked and denied her. And now that Harriet was set to be taken by Lord Delacourt, there was nothing left to bind them together. They were officially done.
“Let us just get through tonight,” Ophelia sighed, able to feel Adrian watching her. “And I promise to do my best not to embarrass you.”
“Embarrass me?” He almost sounded offended. “Ophelia, you could never embarrass me.”
She scoffed. “Do not lie, Adrian. I know that is one of the reasons you…” She sighed and shook her head. “To avoid a scandal, there is nothing you will not do. So, feel comfortable tonight knowing none shall come.”
Again, Adrian opened his mouth to speak. Again, he closed it just as quickly. And always, he watched Ophelia across the carriage, something preying on his mind, thoughts he wanted to voice but would not dare.
Lucky that, as Ophelia had no desire to hear them. Not anymore.
She was determined to show Adrian that she no longer had any interest in him. Not the truth, but it was needed.
It started when their carriage arrived at Lady Miranda’s estate.
It came to a stop by the front door, the driver opened the carriage doors to let them out, and Adrian was the first to climb down.
Ordinarily, he would offer Ophelia his hand to help her down, and ordinarily she would accept it.
That time, however, she ignored his hand and climbed down without his help.
Adrian started back, appearing surprised by her rejection.
She raised an eyebrow at him, daring him to say something. He did not, even if he looked a little annoyed. And Ophelia smirked as if this was something to be proud of as she hoisted up the skirt of her gown and walked ahead of him.
“We need to be smarter than that, Ophelia,” he said as he came in beside her.
“Oh, I am sorry,” she said with sarcasm. “Have I upset you?”
“It is not about upsetting me,” he huffed. “We are trying to present an image to our peers. We must pretend –”
“I am done pretending,” she cut him off. “I only wish I had realized such a thing was an option weeks ago.”
A footman waited for them by the open doors, and he beckoned them to enter as they made their way up the steps. “You are expected,” he told them both. “The last to arrive, but your presence is most anticipated.”
“Are we late for supper?” Adrian asked.
“Not at all,” the footman said as he led them across the foyer. “Lady Miranda and the rest of the guests are in the drawing room, engaging in a drink before supper is ready to be served. Another thirty minutes or so.”
“Lead the way,” Adrian said.
The footman did just that, and Ophelia walked close to him, keeping her distance from Adrian. She ought to have stayed by him, entering the drawing room so that none would guess at the state of their marriage. But she simply did not care.
Ultimately, it made little difference because the guests were rather busy when they entered the drawing room. They stood in small circles, drinks in hand, chatting away and enjoying one another’s company. So, when Ophelia and Adrian entered, not together, few took note.
“Ophelia!” Adelaide cried out and rushed across the room. “Oh, good, you are here.”
Ophelia had felt tense all night, but seeing her best friend did much to relieve that weight. She beamed and swept across the room, soon embracing Lady Adelaide.
“Sorry we are late,” she apologized as she took Adelaide’s hands. “Hopefully, Lady Miranda was not upset.”
“Oh, she is fine.” Adelaide waved her down. “I saw her a moment ago but…” She clicked her tongue as she looked about the room. “I think she is checking on the food.” Adelaide then spied Adrian standing awkwardly behind. “Your Grace! It is good to see you again.”
“Miss Adelaide.” Adrian inched closer. “As it is, you.”
“I would make introductions, but I am sure you know everyone here,” Adelaide said with laughter. “Although…” She winced, glanced about, and lowered her voice. “Do not be alarmed, Ophelia, but there is one guest here who you might…” She winced again. “I did not know he would be here; I swear it.”
“Who?” Ophelia glanced over the guests quickly. “Who are you…” She trailed off, and her blood turned cold when she saw him. “Oh.”
“He has been nothing but courteous,” Adelaide hurried. “And when I told him that I was no longer interested, he was a gentleman. Not that I doubt what you say, of course. But perhaps he has changed?”
“Perhaps.” Ophelia fixed the man in a glare, not caring how it looked.
“What are you speaking of?” Adrian noted his wife’s expression and followed who. “Who is that?”
“Lord Hallbridge,” Ophelia sneered. “He is here.”
She saw it then. The anger that passed behind her husband’s eyes. The way his body suddenly turned stiff, as if bracing for an attack. His hands were clenched into tight balls. He bared his teeth. And for a moment, Ophelia wondered if he was about to do something that he would surely regret.
But why would he even care? Why pretend?
Lord Hallbridge looked exactly as Ophelia remembered.
Oh, she had tried to paint his visage in ways that matched his despicable personality.
She had attempted to imagine boils covering his face, warts on his nose, missing teeth, and everything in between.
Sadly, nothing could have been further from the truth.
He was tall, even compared to Adrian. Lithe of body, however, and not at all powerfully built or commanding in presence.
His face was long, his ears much the same, but he was not ugly.
His dark hair was thick, his chin was sharp, and his green eyes were a little too captivating.
And even from across the room, Ophelia heard his laughter, and while it sent a shudder up her spine and made her hair stand on its end, it was deep and joyous and friendly sounding.
“That is him?” Adrian glared daggers at the man. “He is the one who…” He was already trembling.
How was it that this man continued to plague Ophelia’s life?
Yes, he had pursued her once, been rejected, and then started the rumors that had ruined her and forced her into relative exile. But he was also Harriet’s true father, likely unaware of the fact, and certainly not someone who ought to be told as if he might be good for the girl.
Worse still, from what Ophelia knew, most of the ton admired and respected him. Despite his wicked actions, he had managed to maintain a veneer or honor that had most assuming him to be a most wonderful fellow. It was infuriating!
“He knows you are coming,” Adelaide said. “But surely, in a small setting like this, he will behave himself. Best that you avoid him, I think.”
“Yes…” Ophelia’s stomach clenched. “For the best.”
“He should not be here,” Adrian growled, still glaring at Lord Hallbridge. “He should be…” He clenched his jaw, a look on his face that suggested he was considering all the things he might do to the man.