Page 12 of The Rogue’s Offer

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Ophelia studied her reflection in the full-length mirror. This afternoon at Madame Sabine’s dress shop, she’d been overwhelmed with the selection of gowns the modiste had offered up for inspection. Although she’d tried to select only two new gowns, the woman had insisted she choose three times that many. The dressmaker had reassured her the bill would be reasonable as Mathias had informed her that Ophelia was a close friend.

She’d always considered herself reasonably attractive, but never pretty. Now as she stared at the woman in front of her, Ophelia realized why Madame Sabine had insisted on such vivid colors for her. The jewel-toned, green gown drew out the chestnut highlights in her brown hair and made her pale complexion take on a soft peach hue. Pleasure swept through her as she marveled at the way a change of color could enhance her features.

A knock on her bedroom door made her turn around as she called for her visitor to enter. Lizzie poked her head into the room before pushing the door open wide to step into the room.

“Ophelia, you look beautiful,” Lizzie exclaimed. At her sister’s compliment, Ophelia smiled. Looking downward, she brushed her hands over the blue-green silk of the gown’s skirt.

“Thank you. It is a lovely gown, isn’t it?”

“It’s magnificent. I don’t know why Mrs. Smithers hasn’t suggested a color like this for you before now.”

Ophelia almost said she’d not gone to their usual dressmaker, but caught herself in time and turned around to look at her reflection again. She’d not yet had the chance to tell her sister that the earl had returned Marymont to them. If Lizzie were to discover that Mathias had arranged for her to visit Madame Sabine, her sister’s imagination would run wild. Not that Lizzie’s imaginings would be that far from the actual truth.

“You went out earlier before I could ask what Mr. Gilchrist wanted.” Lizzie said as their eyes met in the mirror. Ophelia turned to face her sister.

“He came to return Marymont to us.”

“What?” Lizzie’s eyes widened in stunned amazement before tears suddenly spilled down her cheeks. Appalled, Ophelia quickly retrieved a handkerchief from her dressing table, and closed the distance between them. She offered the small square of linen to her sister and wrapped her arm around the younger girl.

“Good heavens, dearest, why are you crying? This is good news.”

“Not if you have to become the earl’s mistress,” Lizzie blubbered as she met Ophelia’s gaze. Horrified her sister had deduced her original intent to give herself to the earl in exchange for Marymont, Ophelia caught her sister by the shoulders and shook her slightly.

“What on earth have I said or done to make you think such a thing?” She exclaimed knowing full well her own words and behavior had led Lizzie to suspect Ophelia’s intentions.

“Lord Thornbury’s reputation as a scoundrel. I thought he would expect…” Her sister hiccupped as she brushed the dampness off her tear-stained cheeks. “…would expect you to be his mistress if he returned Marymont to us.”

“I am not going to be Lord Thornbury’s or anyone’s mistress,” Ophelia said firmly with a shake of her head. In the back of her head, mocking laughter protested her words, but she ignored it. “Mr. Gilchrist explained last night that his brother had made arrangements for Marymont to be returned to us shortly after his card game with Father.”

“Oh thank God,” Lizzie said softly as her tears slowly ebbed away to become soft hiccups. Ophelia squeezed her sister’s hand in a comforting gesture.

“Apparently, the scandalous Earl of Thornbury has a heart after all. One he’s managed to hide from the Set. The earl even had the forethought to place the deed in my name so Father will not be able to wager it again.”

“We must find a way to thank his lordship, Ophelia,” her sister said fervently.

“I sent the earl a note earlier today expressing our thanks.”

“Will that be enough?” Lizzie frowned as if contemplating further action.

“I think Lord Thornbury is the type of man who will not take kindly to any overt displays of gratitude. My letter will be sufficient.” When Lizzie’s frown didn’t fade, Ophelia eyed her sternly. “Lizzie.”

“Oh, all right, but if I see the man, I shall discreetly express my thanks.”

“It is unlikely you will set eyes on the earl as we both know we do not move in the same social circles.”

“I am simply saying what I shall do if I’m afforded the opportunity.” Lizzie shrugged as she met Ophelia’s gaze then tipped her head to one side in an inquisitive manner. “Lady Alice and her aunt will be here shortly to take me to the Witherspoons for the evening. I thought you said you didn’t want to go with us.”

Ophelia turned away from her sister and moved back to her dressing table. In an effort to avoid looking at Lizzie, she pretended to rummage through her small jewelry box for her pearl earrings.

“Actually, since I knew you had plans, I accepted an invitation to attend the opera this evening.”

“The opera,” Lizzie exclaimed in amazement as she met Ophelia’s gaze in the dressing table mirror. “You loathe the opera. Who on earth convinced you to go?”

The accusation made Ophelia wince then quickly look away from her sister. Fingers fumbling, she adjusted her earrings then pulled a simple strand of pearls from her jewelry box.

“Mr. Gilchrist,” she murmured.