Chapter 261: Deaths (1)
"Lady Hastings, there are rumours amongst the servants that you are angry with Lord Hastings. I thought your reunion with him went quite well."
"I am not angry with my husband. I am simply punishing him a bit for making an awful suggestion," Ophelia answered Alice. "Are they worried because they thought he slept in a different bedchamber last night?"
"Yes," Alice answered.
"Well, he didn’t. I was only teasing him, and in the middle of the night, he returned to our bed. I assure you that now my husband won’t make any more bad suggestions. He has learned his lesson," said Ophelia.
"I see. Thank goodness there is no trouble between you two. We have all been looking forward to your reunion, and now, they are even more excited to hear about the ball. The invitations should soon arrive for you to inspect, and if they are well, they can be sent out today as well," Alice said, unable to contain her excitement.
"Is it not too soon to send them out? I have not gotten a response from the musicians you suggested, and then there is the matter of food. I need to speak to the head cook and to the head maid. A ball is not as easy as I presumed it would be to plan," Ophelia confessed.
"I might not have ever hosted a ball in my life, but I know what they entail. And you have your friend to help you," Alice reminded Ophelia.
"I do. I must visit Mary soon to see how she is faring with her sons. I hope she is no longer being bothered by relatives seeking her wealth. I should invite Victoria to go along. She would know how to plan a ball," Ophelia considered.
"Are the two of you friends now?"
"No, but she is my husband’s friend. I still do not have any hatred for Victoria, and she is quite occupied with fixing her childhood home. Perhaps helping to plan the ball would give her a distraction, and she would be excited to have the chance to meet with bachelors," Ophelia said.
Ophelia watched as knights ran towards the gates. "Where are they going in such a hurry?"
"To watch the executions. Both Alistair and Nigel are to be killed now. I didn’t want to mention it to upset you," said Alice.
"I didn’t forget about it. I simply didn’t want to watch. Though it would be satisfying, I would not reward Nigel with getting to see me in his final moments. That bastard would enjoy it, and I do not want another memory of him saying my name," Ophelia said, watching as more knights ran.
"You may go if you wish," Ophelia said, willing to wait for Alice. "His family has bothered the Hastings for years, so I understand if you wish to see him die."
"If I were to witness a death now, I would not be in a cheery mood to help you plan the ball. For our sakes, I will remain at your side," Alice decided.
"How kind of you. I always knew that you liked me, Alice. While they are busy watching the deaths, we should get back to planning. Remind me to arrange for a tutor to visit Theo. I must get to it quickly before he loses interest," Ophelia said, eager for Theo to get the learning he deserved.
"I will remind you. You must also respond to the invitations I placed in your bedchamber this morning. Finally, you are being invited to gatherings. You will need more dresses for each occasion. This calls for a visit to the market, or you can send for a dressmaker," Alice said, but leaned towards doing both.
Alice did not like that Ophelia wasn’t excited. "Please do not tell me that after finally being accepted by the ladies in the town, you suddenly don’t have an interest in attending gatherings."
"I never had any interest in gatherings, but I also know that most of those invitations weren’t sent out of love," Ophelia said, suspecting there was a plot.
"After my recent efforts to help everyone, the town has changed their thoughts about me. There is a lot of chatter, and to pull themselves into it, these women are inviting me to their homes," Ophelia said, seeing through the recent efforts to get to know her.
"I will not answer all the invitations before speaking with Mary. I will meet with the ladies I can create a genuine bond with and only speak to the others when I must attend a gathering with my husband. I do not have it within me to pretend to be anyone’s friend," Ophelia said.
"I understand," Alice replied, disappointed. "But as long as you attend a few and I get to dress you, I am content. It feels like you are finally starting to be Lady Hastings. You have been fully invested in your duties."
"I must, so I can be better. With all the battles over, I have more time to focus on the castle. I cannot hide behind my husband any longer. This castle has a lady now, and it should look as such. Were you able to find a portrait of Dante’s father? I don’t mind if Cecilia is in it," Ophelia said, planning to surprise Dante.
"I have. They were all in the storage, and I have informed the head maid that the portraits are to be placed on the walls the day before the ball. I have finished all that was on your list," Alice said and then awaited a compliment.
"Well done, Alice. When we are searching for my dress for the ball, it is only fair that we get one for you since you will be attending as a guest. I will pay for it," Ophelia offered.
"That is most kind of you," Alice said, excited to search for a free new dress. "Oh, there is Lord Hastings. I expected he would go see his enemies be killed."
Ophelia shared Alice’s sentiments. Why wasn’t Dante with everyone else?
"You may leave us, Alice. I will come find you soon to continue the planning," Ophelia said and walked to Dante after. "Why are you not out there with the crowd?"
"Because my wife is inside the castle. I spent far too many days away from you and thought you would enjoy having me near. Nigel isn’t that important for me to witness his death," Dante said, holding onto Ophelia’s hand. "I would rather be with you if you are not still angry with me."
Ophelia clasped her hand with Dante’s. "If I were angry with you, I wouldn’t have allowed you the bedchamber last night. Join me for a walk."
