“What do you think?” she asked with a touch of nerves as she reached the lower landing. “Do you like it?”
“I do,” he said simply, thinking that would be enough. Only a flash of disappointment passed behind her eyes. Adrian felt a stabbing pain in his chest, and he knew that he could not leave it there. “You look beautiful, Ophelia. Truly.”
She blushed and looked away. “As do you.”
“Beautiful?” he asked her
“What?” Her eyes widened. “No, that is not what I –” She caught her tongue and grimaced. “I meant to say that you look very handsome.”
“I know what you meant.” Surprisingly, Adrian chuckled, not something he intended, but it happened. “Now, shall we?” He offered her his arm. “Our first night out.”
“Thank you again,” she said as she took his arm. “For doing this.”
“I had no choice,” he said as a first thought. Again, he sensed the harshness of his words, and again, he felt their effect. Rarely did Adrian give any heed to what he said or how it might be received, as he did not care about other people’s opinions. Only, in thiscase, he did. “Regardless, there is no need to thank me. I…” He cleared his throat. “I wanted to do this.”
“Did you, now?” She eyed him curiously.
“You are a duchess, Ophelia. My wife.” He nodded once to confirm it. “I want you to feel comfortable in your role, even happy…” He cleared his throat again, the sentiment sitting strangely on his tongue. “I feel as if this is the least that I can do.”
She did not respond, but she continued to eye him as they crossed the foyer. It was a look which suggested that she saw through his words, just as she saw through him.
And while Adrian felt the sudden need to dismiss such assumptions, always determined to appear cold and disinterested, once again he found that he could not summon the energy to do as he knew he should.
The truth was, he wanted Ophelia to be happy. He doubted that he had it in him to make her so, just as he hoped that tonight might go some way towards seeing it done. She was his wife; she deserved so much better than him, and a ball, as this really was the least that he could do.
Also, just maybe, Adrian would come to learn that it wasn’t such a bad thing to want to please one’s own wife. Caring for someone other than himself, admitting that he did…am I capable of such a thing? For whatever reason, Ophelia seems to think I am.
That thought alone was enough, and it did much to quench his nerves, to soften his doubt, and steel his resolve for their first ball as man and wife.
Adrian knew that his first appearance into society after so many years would result in a cavalcade of whispers and not-so-silent judgment. And while he expected it, even prepared for it, even he had not considered just how bad it would be.
They arrived at Ironvale Estate and entered the ballroom together. It was already busy with the throng of guests, loud too, as that many people in one space together was sure to create an avalanche of noise. Scores of guests were spread across the large space, an explosion of color from all the gowns, so that it was blinding.
However, no sooner did Adrian and Ophelia enter did the noise soften and dozens of heads turned as mouths began to mutter in muted whispers.
Adrian’s arm was linked through Ophelia’s, and he raised his chin as the two walked ahead. Those before them quickly parted, making way, but how obviously they watched and gaped was noticeable.
“Perhaps this was not such a good idea,” Ophelia said, and he felt her tense.
“They were always going to stare,” Adrian said to her. “Most here have not seen me in years. Truly, I am surprised they even recognize me.” He cared little about the opinions of his peers, and he was not going to let them think that he did.
“They are not looking at you…” Ophelia shied away, keeping her head bowed.
“What do you mean…” Adrian looked at her, saw the dread on her face, and that was when he realized what was wrong.
The fool that I am…
Once again, Adrian had failed to consider anyone but himself. He was so certain that he would be the center of gossip at the ball, and that his past was all that people cared about. Because he thought that, he had not once considered what his wife was going through.
She had her own scandal that she had run from. She had her own history. And she had every reason to think that she was the one being judged.
“This was a mistake,” she said, her chest coloring as her nerves built. “I… I am so sorry, Adrian. I should have realized this would happen.”
“It is not a mistake.”
“It is,” she pleaded with him. “It has only been three years since I was disgraced. No doubt, everyone here remembers it too.” She winced. “I know how much you hate being the center of attention. I… I am so sorry.”
Adrian stopped suddenly, forcing Ophelia to do the same. Then he turned and looked down at her, waiting until she dared to look up. He did not scowl, and he did not glower. His expression was soft, comforting, and he hoped gentle.
