Page 53 of Marrying a Reluctant Lady
“That’s nice of them,” she answered. She had always liked them. She looked around the drawing room, noticing for the first time in days that it was quite dark in there, the overgrown trees giving the house a gloomy outlook. She’d found so much happiness in the house that she’d stopped noticing that fact.
“So?” Alice asked as they settled down for tea. “How is it?”
“How is what?” Ophelia replied, her mind drifting in a haze of happiness.
“How is Ivystone? And, well, and him?” Alice demanded with a big grin. Ophelia just smiled.
“I am very happy here,” she said neutrally, and she looked across at Julia, who was smiling at her.
“That is good,” Julia replied gently. “That is very good.”
The tea arrived and Ophelia poured for them, and Alice chatted about London—the news from the city, the fashions. Julia listened with a small smile on her face. Ophelia sipped her tea, her thoughts wandering to Owen. He was so handsome, so sweet...
“Shall we walk?” Alice asked, interrupting Ophelia’s thoughts.
“Well, um...would you like to take a turn outside?” she askedJulia. The older woman inclined her head.
“That would be very pleasant. Thank you.”
Ophelia sensed that Alice wanted to tell her something. In the garden, she was soon to corner Ophelia by the fountain.
“I’ve met someone,” she said instantly.
“Oh?” Ophelia smiled. She had thought that the happy expression in Alice’s eyes could be nothing else. Alice grinned at her.
“Yes. He’s tall and red-haired and dark-eyed, and guess what? You know him.”
“I do?” Ophelia felt her brow crease in a frown. She didn’t recall she knew anyone of that description.
“Yes! Yes. Lord Alford.”
“What?” Ophelia pressed her fingers to her lips as the exclamation burst out of her. She looked at Alice, eyes wide with surprise.
“Yes. I met him at the ball. Lady Haredale’s ball. He’s very funny and learned and I like him very much.”
“Oh?” Ophelia smiled at the brightness on her friend’s face. Her cheeks were flushed, eyes bright with warmth. “Well, that’s wonderful,” she said softly.
“It is.” Alice giggled. “And you seem happy.”
“I am. I’m so happy,” Ophelia murmured. She was sure she was glowing too.
Alice laughed. “Well! Who would have thought...? I thought you didn’t like him.”
Ophelia grinned. “Well, I didn’t really know him before,” she said slowly. “I was a bit unfair. I know him better now. And I like him very much.”
“That’s very good,” Alice answered warmly.
They stood there for a moment, both lost in their own thoughts, but then Julia appeared at the gate, saying something about some new plants showing through in the rose garden, andthey went to look.
Alice and Julia stayed for another hour and then Ophelia waved to them as they clambered into the coach.
“I trust you’ll visit again sometime,” she called to Alice and Julia.
“We certainly shall!” Alice shouted back through the window, a big grin on her face. “It was grand to see you.”
Ophelia smiled and waved to the coach, then went slowly back indoors again. She could feel a smile lifting the corners of her mouth. It had been lovely to see her friend. She smiled at Alice and her news. That was a lovely surprise.
She went back into the house, wondering how Owen fared and thinking about seeing him soon. She was sure he’d be pleased to hear of the visit too, and she considered telling him the news, but perhaps Leonard could tell him first. She was still grinning as she went back into the house to work on a poem.
