Page 20 of The Rogue’s Offer

“It’s partly true,” Louisa said while directing an amused look of sisterly disgust in her brother’s direction. “I did see the two of you, but Percy was the one who insisted we come to say hello.”

Louisa kissed Mathias on both cheeks then stepped aside to let Rhea and Percy greet their friend. As Percy was shaking Mathias’s hand, Louisa turned to Ophelia with a smile of delight.

“How exquisite you look this evening, Ophelia.”

“I agree,” Rhea said with a smile as she greeted Ophelia. “The color suits you well.”

“And it appears Mathias thinks so too. The man barely took his eyes off you the entire first act,” Louisa murmured as Percy greeted Ophelia and complimented her as well.

She nodded her thanks to Percy and deliberately ignored her friend’s teasing comment. The Louisa she remembered from her childhood suddenly appeared on the youngest Rockwood’s features as she cast a sideways glance at Mathias who was now engaged in conversation with Percy.

“I see you and Mathias were able to work out your differences from last night.”

Louisa’s eyes twinkled with mischief as she studied Ophelia with interest. The heat that had subsided from her cheeks at their complimentary remarks returned as she met her friend’s curious gaze. Last night Louisa had noted Ophelia’s distraught manner when she’d returned to the ballroom. Although she’d put off her friend’s questions as to the source of her discomfort, Louisa had witnessed the silent exchange between Ophelia and Mathias when he’d returned to the ballroom. Rhea released a long-suffering sigh of amusement.

“My sister-in-law is on a fishing expedition, my lady. You mustn’t indulge her or Percy’s curiosity.” At Rhea’s warning, indignation crossed Louisa’s lovely features.

“How can you say that, Rhea?” she exclaimed in mock disagreement.

“Because it’s true,” Ophelia said with a laugh. “You’ve never been able not to meddle. None of you have, although Sebastian will most certainly deny the charge.”

“You’re absolutely right, Ophelia. My dear brother does like to interfere more often than he realizes. In fact, he almost prevented Devin…”

Louisa’s voice trailed off into silence as a haunted look crossed her face. Quickly grasping her friend’s hands, Ophelia squeezed them in silent sympathy. A bittersweet smile curved the young widow’s mouth, while Rhea looked on in dismayed concern. The smile on her lips brightened as Louisa looked at them in a chiding manner.

“What dour faces,” she exclaimed with a smile. With a gentle, reassuring pat on Ophelia’s hand, Louisa pulled free of her grasp. “One would think I was about to leave for the farthest corners of the earth in a few days instead of Scotland.”

“You’re returning to Callendar? I thought you had planned to stay in town a little longer.” Ophelia eyed her friend in surprise.

“I’ve grown weary of navigating the gossip of the Set. I plan to leave some time at the end of the week or first of next,” Louisa said with a nod of determination. “The boys will remain here until Aunt Matilda brings them back to Callendar just before Christmas.”

“You’re going alone?” Ophelia’s eyes widened with surprise at her friend’s plans.

“That was the family’s reaction as well,” Rhea said quietly.

“I need the solitude. Devin would be angry with me for mourning him for so long.” Louisa smiled at them, but Ophelia saw something more than grief in her friend’s gaze although she couldn’t define it. “He always thought the Queen’s constant state of mourning for Prince Albert didn’t serve her or the country well.”

“The fresh air will do you good,” Ophelia said matter-of-factly, determined to support the decision her friend made. A glimmer of the Louisa she’d known in childhood suddenly returned as her friend eyed her mischievously.

“So tell me, how long have you known Mathias?”

“Not long,” Ophelia said vaguely as she wasn’t about to reveal the shortness of their acquaintance.

“He seems quite taken with you,” Rhea said with a smile, her gaze shifting in the direction of the two men so deep in conversation.

“I’m sure you’re mistaken.”

“No, I would have to agree with Louisa’s earlier observation. The man finds it difficult to take his eyes off of you,” Rhea murmured softly as she arched an eyebrow at first Ophelia and then Louisa.

Quickly rejecting the woman’s assertion with a shake of her head, Ophelia couldn’t help darting a glance at Mathias. The instant she did so, he looked in her direction and their gazes locked. Caught off guard, her face grew hot, and her heart skipped a beat at the intensity of his stare. She quickly dragged her gaze away to focus her attention on Louisa and Rhea. Both women were studying her with amusement, and the heat in her cheeks skimmed its way throughout the rest of her body. Louisa’s mouth was tilted upward in a complacent smile, and Ophelia shook her head.

“I assure you there’s nothing between us other than friendship.”

“I’m not—” Louisa’s words were interrupted by the performance warning bell. Disappointment crossed her friend’s lovely features before she smiled mischievously. “I’m not convinced, and I shall call on you before I leave for Scotland. I’m eager to hear more about this friendship as Mathias’s attentions suit you well. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you looking lovelier.”

All too aware of Louisa’s tenacious nature, Ophelia laughed in an effort to allay the younger woman’s unfounded suspicions.

“And my response will not change.”