Page 52 of Marrying a Reluctant Lady
“You have good eyesight,” he told her admiringly as she copied numbers onto the other sheet.
“It’s really not that small, this writing,” she said absently.
“You mean, I have bad eyesight, not you good?” Owen teased gently.
“Mayhap.” She giggled.
He laughed.
They sat working and Ophelia felt her head swimming, her neck aching from being so long bent. They had worked through another half a year of tallies, and she sat up, her head pounding. Beside her, Owen rolled his shoulders, wincing as he did.
“Perhaps we should take a short walk in the grounds?” he suggested. “It’s almost luncheon. We can resume after my return this evening.”
“I’d like that,” Ophelia agreed. She frowned. “But perhaps I can look over the books alone?” she suggested. “I’d like to help.”
Owen shrugged. “It would be a great help,” he replied, eyes bright. “I would appreciate your assistance.”
“Well, then,” Ophelia agreed warmly. “I’d be pleased to. I’ll look later today.”
“Please,” he responded at once.
Ophelia nodded. “I certainly shall.”
They walked around the grounds, but it was a brisk walk as they had to hurry to eat luncheon before Owen had to depart. Ophelia went up to the drawing room after lunch, feeling rested. She planned to look at the books, though she felt sleepy and the thought of gazing at the columns was not the most enticing. She settled at the table, opening a ledger. As she did so, Barrow appeared in the doorway. His eyes glittered; his face white.
Ophelia felt her heart thud in fear. She’d never seen a look of such malice. Then he seemed to realize who he was talking to and bowed low.
“Good afternoon, my lady.”
“What is it, Mr. Barrow?” she said with just a touch of anger in her voice. His look had shaken her badly.
“I came to inform you, my lady, that a coach is in the drive.”
“Oh?” Ophelia stood up, nervous. They didn’t expect visitors. Her parents might drop in unexpectedly. She felt anxious at the thought. “Who is it?” she asked hastily. “Is there a badge on the door?”
“The coach bears the insignia of Lady Haredale.”
“Oh?” Ophelia repeated, her heart lifting. Lady Haredale had been surprising company the last time she saw her—not necessarily comfortable, but certainly interesting. She ran a hand down the skirt of her dress, a nervous gesture. “I’ll be down directly. Please inform Mr. Crane to bring tea up here for us.”
“Very good, my lady.” He bowed low, and if she hadn’t still been shaking a little, she would have thought that look she’d caught on his face was her imagination. He was every inch the solicitous and polite steward again.
He went downstairs to admit Lady Haredale and Ophelia followed. She paused in the stairwell, frowning. She could hear two ladies talking in the entrance, not just one. She felt her eyes widen, a smile growing as she recognized their voices.
“Julia!Alice!”
Before she could speak, a small, strawberry-haired form cannoned into her, and she felt her friend wrap her in a crushing hug.
“Ophelia! Ophelia! It’s so good to see you.”
Ophelia felt tears in her eyes. She had missed Alice so much. It felt like a year since she saw her. She chuckled as she stood back, studying Alice. Her friend was wearing a yellow gown with her hair in a simple chignon, and her eyes sparkled. She looked happy, and it possibly wasn’t simply because of the fact that she was here. She was glowing and Ophelia felt her lips lift in the corners, wondering what it was that made Alice smile so.
“I’m so pleased to see you,” Alice replied warmly, walking with her to the stairs. “Lady Haredale mentioned that she would be coming to visit, so of course, I dived on her with a request to accompany her here.” Alice giggled.
“Thank you,” Ophelia said simply. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Ophelia smiled, her arm in her friend’s as they went up to the drawing room together. Julia followed them, and Ophelia thought she caught a warm glow in her gaze as she looked at them. Her heart twisted as she felt gratitude to the older woman. She had clearly mentioned her visit to Alice purposely.
“Papa and Mama can’t wait to visit you either,” Alice told Ophelia as they went upstairs. Ophelia smiled warmly.
