“I did.”
“Then you know it is not just an eyesore but a danger. The way the branches were straining in the wind… I heard it before I sawit. The sound of snapping, and I knew one of the branches was sure to come down. Not that I cared. In fact, I was glad, hoping the whole thing might collapse.”
“What does this have to do with –”
“There was a woman standing under it,” he cut Rupert off. “She was chasing a cat, trying to herd it back inside. Her attention completely on the feline, so she did not realize the danger that she was in.” He sighed and let his shoulders slump. “Naturally, I called out, but she did not hear me. So, I did the only thing that I could.”
“You saved her?”
“Barely in time,” he said. “A branch fell; I somehow managed to get to her, and I pulled her away just as it crashed right where she had been standing.”
“And you did not get her name?” Rupert asked.
“I did not want it,” Adrian snapped as if it was somehow Rupert’s fault. “She was grateful, of course. She tried to invite me in for tea to thank me. To dissuade her, I said something to the tune of good deeds do not require thanks. That…” Adrian winced. “That the act of helping someone in need was thanks enough.”
Rupert laughed. “Are you sure it was you? That does not sound like –”
“I was trying to stop her fawning,” Adrian snapped again. “I thought that the words would be enough to see her leave me alone. I did not realize that…” That was when it hit him.
“What? Realize what?”
Adrian’s face turned pale, and he fell back in his chair as the final piece of the puzzle slipped cleanly into place. “She must have asked about me. No doubt, she thought I was some sort of savior. And considering what I told her…” He trailed off.
Rupert nodded along. “When she was desperate once again, you came to mind.” He laughed gaily, apparently delighted by this turn of events. “I must say, Adrian, while you surely do not see the humor here, I cannot help but bathe in it as if it is a warm bath. The one time you do something honorable for another…” More laughter. “And this is the thanks you get.”
Adrian stared blankly at his friend. Not angry. Not even annoyed. Rather, he sat in a state of shock.
He had done the right thing by Lady Delacourt, and he would never dream of doing differently. But that a single good deed had led him down this path, he could not help but consider the obvious…
This is why I avoid people. This is why I make them fear me. And this is why it is better to live in anonymity. This is why it is better to be alone…
CHAPTER 12
“Are you certain that you asked His Grace for permission?” Mr. Watley asked with a note of panic as he rushed after Ophelia.
“I am quite certain I did,” she said without turning around. “Well, I think it was Adrian to whom I spoke. He’s the tall one, yes? Dark and brooding?”
“It is just that…” Mr. Watley sicked through his teeth. “His Grace is rather particular, as you know. Perhaps if I were to ask him myself, just to be certain.”
Ophelia turned sharply and raised an eyebrow at Mr. Watley. “Are you implying that I am lying, Mr. Watley?”
“What?” His eyes widened as he came to a halt. “Of course not!”
“So, I am a fool then,” she pressed. “I have either imagined all of this, or I am so ignorant to Adrian’s quirks that I have chosen to ignore them?” She kept her eyebrow raised. “Well, which is it?”
Mr. Watley swallowed, the panic still evident across his face. “I… I am not… I just do not wish to see…”
“I am joking, Mr. Watley,” Ophelia laughed. “Merely teasing you.” She walked to him and rested a hand on his shoulder. “But I do promise that I spoke with Adrian and he gave me his blessing. I would never dream of doing anything that might upset him.”
Mr. Watley relaxed, but only a little. “It is just that I know him so well, Your Grace. I told you of the vases, yes? How even a crack in one is enough to see him remove it entirely. He does not like change.”
“Marriage is change, Mr. Watley,” she said. “And it might surprise you to find how willing Adrian is to embrace it.” Then, she laughed. “Well, maybe not too willing. But he is improving. Bit by bit.”
“If you say so…”
“Now, you can continue to panic, which you are so good at doing.” She put her hands on her hips. “Or you can do as I hope you will and help me. I have a lot to get through, and I am rather new here. Any assistance you might provide would be greatly appreciated…”
“I am here to serve you, Your Grace. Just tell me what you need.”