To be loved… to love someone in return. It was something worth fighting for, and as he kissed Ophelia, he decided then and there that he would spend the rest of his days showing her that fight. He would love her always, as he was sure that she would love him.
EPILOGUE
ONE MONTH LATER…
“You did not have to bring her,” Ophelia said, even as she refused to look away for even a second. Her gaze was trapped on Harriet, who slept soundly in her cot. A smile on her face, a look of utmost peace and harmony that was felt throughout the room.
“I did,” Lord Delacourt said. “In truth, I did not feel right leaving her behind. As I sensed that she might feel comfortable here, if only for a few hours.”
Ophelia continued to gaze down at Harriet. It had been nearly one whole month since she had last seen her, and while so much had changed, so much had the little girl grown, it was as if it were only yesterday that she said goodbye.
Her chest turned tight. She grimaced through the pain. It was hard seeing her again, as it was hard knowing that come this evening she would be taken away. But that pain was a small thing, softened greatly by Lord Delacourt’s warm presence.From the moment he had arrived, Harriet tucked into his arms, she knew that she had made the right choice.
He is her father… and he will love her as she deserves.
“Thank you.” Ophelia tore her gaze away and looked at Lord Delacourt. “Not just for bringing her tonight, but for… she is clearly loved. She looks as healthy and happy as I could have hoped.”
“I should be thanking you,” Lord Delacourt chuckled. “Since she came into my life, well…” He breathed in deeply, standing taller. “Let’s just say that my home is starting to feel like one again. You gave me another chance, Your Grace, one I never thought that I would have. I owe you the world.”
Even had Lord Delacourt not said as much, Ophelia saw the truth of it in how drastically his appearance had changed. His cheeks were no longer hollow and sunken. His skin fitted him a little tighter, the wrinkles still there, but not hanging off him as they had done. And his eyes, they shone with warmth and life as they had once done, no doubt whatsoever that he had found a renewed sense of happiness.
Harriet burped, and Ophelia turned back, glad for it, as she felt tears starting to form in her eyes. While she did not care so much about crying in front of Lord Delacourt, she was hesitant to do so as it would ruin her makeup.
And I certainly do not have time to fix it. Speaking of which…
It was just as that thought came to mind that Adrian appeared in the doorway. He was dressed in a dark suit, his hair combed, his smile one that matched Lord Delacourt’s. For a moment, he stopped, and he stared, taking in the scene…
“Is it time?” Ophelia asked when she spotted him.
“If you need another moment…”
Ophelia spared a final glance at Harriet, another smile, and she sniffed back those tears and stood tall as she faced her husband. “I will see her again before she leaves.”
“I promise I will find you when I do,” Lord Delacourt assured her.
“In that case, we'd better hurry.” Adrian walked into the room and offered her his arm. “Our guests are starting to arrive, and we ought to be there when they do. Whatever will they say if we are late?” he chuckled.
“Oh, all manner of things, I am sure,” Ophelia joked. “Not that I care.”
“Nor do I,” Adrian agreed, and he meant it.
Nonetheless, the two swept from the room, followed close behind by Lord Delacourt. From there, they made their way down the stairs, through the foyer, and toward the ballroom. As they walked, Ophelia heard the sounds of laughter and generalchatter, proof that they were indeed running late. And for their own party!
It had taken some convincing, but Adrian had eventually relented and agreed that Ophelia could throw her very first ball. With the end of the Season quickly approaching, too, she’d had to hurry, scheduling for the last week of Summer.
The stress felt in organizing it…It is my first ball, as it might be my last!
But as stressful as it was, it was just as fulfilling. There was a slight worry when she first started, too, that some might reject her invitation. After all, Adrian’s reputation was not exactly welcoming, and she had her own demons that still lingered and would likely do so for some time. What she came to learn once she started to build her list of guests was that she need not have worried.
It was funny in a way that Adrian had been so worried about courting a scandal, just as he had been sure that the beating he gave Lord Hallbridge would only ruin his name further. As it turned out, the complete opposite was true. In thrashing Lord Hallbridge, it had announced to all that Adrian loved his wife, confirming the strength of their marriage once and for all.
What was more, most seemed to realize that Lord Hallbridge was at fault, and where his reputation plummeted, Ophelia’s and Adrian’s soared.
“Ah, Ophelia!” Ophelia’s father was the first to see them. He was waiting by the entrance, and he hurried over with his arms held wide. “Look at you. Glowing!”
“Father.” She stepped forward and kissed him on the cheek. “Sorry, we are late.”
He waved her down. “I do not think anybody has noticed. They are far too busy…” He gestured across the ballroom to the crowds. “Besides, there is nothing quite like a late entrance.”