She beamed as she hugged her father again, and she beamed further when Adrian stepped forward and took his hand. She could still remember when they first met, how her father’s sunny disposition had made him feel uncomfortable, as if he did not belong. Such things now were of the past.
“Have you seen Adelaide?” Ophelia asked her father.
“Oh, she is somewhere I am sure,” he said, not paying too much attention, as he was engaged in a conversation with Adrian.
“Adrian.” She looked at him pointedly. “Might we?”
He smiled and laughed and stepped into her. “Duty awaits,” he sighed as he took her arm.
“Oh, do not pretend that you hate it.”
“This is why I spent my life living in isolation,” he joked.
“And this is why you chose to change your ways,” she countered.
Never before had Vermont Estate been so alive. For years, it had lived in a state of destitution, practically abandoned, and the exact type of place that people knew to avoid. But in one evening, such past expectations were swept aside and forgotten entirely. And for good reason!
Together, Ophelia and Adrian walked the ballroom, arm in arm, no need to fake their smiles and their laughter. And no need to pretend that they enjoyed the company of those who swept in to greet them.
There were hundreds of people spread across the ballroom. The colors of the gowns was like a rainbow brought to life. The bright glow of the chandeliers set the room ablaze. Music drifted across the scene; that of an orchestra, their song lively and vibrant. Drinks flowed. Food was shared. And everyone one looked, a smile could be found on lips.
“You have done so well,” Adrian told her as they walked. “Truly, I am proud of you, Ophelia.”
“As I am proud of you,” she said.
“I did not do anything.”
“You did,” she said rightly. “Oh, it is one thing to act a certain way in front of me. But to be as you are now, even enjoying yourself…” She raised an eyebrow at him and he shook his head. “You have changed so much, Adrian. Just as I knew you could.”
“Better than the man who you first met,” he said with laughter. “That morning when you woke up, no idea where you were.” He grimaced. “It is a wonder you did not try and flee.”
“Not better,” she said. “The same. Only now…” She laughed. “Well, perhaps you are not quite so grumpy as that.”
They continued to walk. They continued to greet their friends. Rupert was there, of course, making jokes and cutting remarks. Adelaide too, she was thrilled with it all, still speaking quickly, always wondering when she might find a man as wonderful as Adrian.
As the evening wore on, Ophelia felt Adrian leading her as if with purpose. She thought it was to escape the crowds, but then she saw where they were headed…
“No?” she gasped playfully.
“Is that a problem?”
“Only that I might have to ask who you are and what you have done with my husband.”
“As you said, I have changed,” he grinned. “But no so much. Believe it or not, I have always enjoyed dancing. I have just never had anyone to do it with.”
“Lies!” she laughed.
“To you? Never.”
“Well then.” She turned and looked at him with a sense of daring. “Prove it.”
With that challenge thrown down, Adrian took her by the hand and led her to the dance floor. He did so with a sense of purpose and command. He did so, aware that many in the ballroom watched him. But he embraced those watching eyes, rising to their curiosity, and not once did he falter.
Once they reached the dance floor, a host of other couples joined them. A dozen, in total, formed a perfect circle as they waited for the music to begin. But Ophelia paid them no mind, as she had eyes only for her husband.
“There is something I have been meaning to ask you,” Adrian said softly as one hand found her waist, the other her hand. He pulled her close as if in protection.
“Oh?”
