They started walking together, side-by-side, so close that if Ophelia wished it, she could have linked her arm with Adrian’s.She did no such thing, even if she felt as if he might not object that time. But such things should not be rushed, time was on their side, and Ophelia intended to take her time as it was needed.
The path they walked was finally the right one, headed in the right direction, and unless something dramatic should happen that might push them from it, Ophelia was all but certain that soon things between her and Adrian would be the best they ever had been.
A low bar, yes, but still one to strive for.
CHAPTER 23
Adrian was in his office, working, when he heard someone knocking on the closed door. He looked up and scowled, as his staff knew better than to disturb him.
“Adrian…” The voice was soft, just a little cautious. “Are you decent?”
It was a voice that made Adrian’s stomach flip, just as it made his heart swell. How hard he had tried these past few weeks to deny such reactions, and how desperate he had been to tell himself that he ought to feel guilty or ashamed because of them.
Now, he was beginning to wonder what it was that he had been so scared of. Just as he wondered why he had fought so hard against that which felt so good and so right.
It had taken some convincing. It had required an act of God, or so it had felt like. But slowly, Adrian began to accept that it wasnot such a bad thing to care about someone else, just as it was not such a bad thing to be cared for in return.
And seeing as that person was his wife…
“I am,” he said as he sat himself up and put down his quill. “Come in –” The door opened before he had finished.
The fact that she braved his office was proof that their relationship was coming along in leaps and bounds. Even if Adrian wanted to avoid her, it looked as if Ophelia would no longer give him that chance. When he saved her from the storm, he had announced to the world that he did care, and she had taken that declaration as a challenge.
“You’re not too busy, are you?” she asked, staying back across the room. Even as she did, there was excitement on her face, no sense at all that she feared disturbing him.
“Would it matter if I was?” he said lightly.
She grinned. “Not at all.”
It helped too that she was so beautiful. Her auburn hair shone even in the darkness of the room, and her green eyes sparkled with joy. That dusting of freckles across her nose was adorable, her full lips were desirable, and she was possessed of an energy that was contagious.
Adrian was the storm; she was the shining sun, and while they battled against one another, only one might come out victorious in the end. In this instance, he found that he wanted it to be her.
Might I one day be that joyous? Might I one day know what it feels like to smile without a reason? To laugh even when there is nothing funny about?
“What is it?” he asked. “I might try and get rid of you, but I sense there would be no point.”
“Ah, so, you are finally starting to understand me then. A good thing, as it will make this so much easier.”
He scoffed. “Do not push it.”
She grinned further. “There is something I wish to show you.” Her green eyes flashed. “But it will require you leaving your office, as horrible as that is.” Then she laughed. “Five minutes, that is all. I promise it will be worth it.”
Adrian doubted there was anything that she might show to justify how eager and excited she behaved. But that did not matter. The truth was, he liked seeing her that way, as he liked to think that by playing along, he only added to her joyous temperament.
“Well, seeing as I know you will not leave me alone until I say yes…” He sighed with exaggeration as he stood up. “I guess I have no choice.”
Ophelia laughed and rolled her eyes, just as she bounced on the balls of her feet with glee. He crossed the office, she smiled to see him come, and they left it together.
As to what it was that she wanted to show him? Adrian had no idea, but he guessed well enough as she led him downstairs, through the back of the manor, and into the garden.
She walked ahead, her entire body trembling. And when they reached the middle of the garden path, she turned, held out her arms, and let her smile reach her green eyes so that they sparkled like the sun.
“Well?” she asked, a touch of nervousness now. “What do you think?”
“About what?” he pretended not to understand.
“You know what!” she snapped playfully. “The garden. It’s finished. And I…” She bit into her lip, shied away, but did not break eye contact. “I wished to know what you think. Do you… Do you like it?”
