Page 41 of The Rogue’s Offer

Chapter 10

The sound of her bedroom door opening made Ophelia look over her shoulder. When her younger sister returned her smile of greeting with a frown of worry, Ophelia quickly moved forward to draw her sister deeper into her room.

“Something’s upset you. What is it? Has father become embroiled in another scandal? Is it Mr. Nickens?”

“No, it’s nothing like that.”

Lizzie bit down on her bottom lip as if trying to think of a way to broach an unpleasant topic. Immediately, Ophelia’s heart sank in fear. Had Lizzie seen her returning to the house so late? No, that wasn’t possible, she’d checked on her sister early this morning before going to bed.

“What is it then, dearest?”

“Did someone take advantage of you last night, Ophelia,” Lizzie blurted out.

“Why on earth would you ask a question like that?” Startled by the question, she eyed her sister with amazement.

“Alice just showed me the dress you wore last night. Did Mr. Gilchrist hurt you?”

The note of fear in her sister’s voice made her take Lizzie’s hand in hers and pull her over to the bed. As she sat down next to her sister, Ophelia studied her for a long moment.

“No, he didn’t,” she said softly. “In fact, Mathias helped me see that everything George made me believe about myself was a lie.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to, and I’m certain your Mr. Nickens would never do anything to you that would enable you to understand.” Ophelia sighed. “George was a brute, Lizzie. There is no other way to describe him.”

“Oh dear Lord, but you never said…you never told us…”

“How could I and what would you have done?” Ophelia shook her head then smiled at her sister. “The past is dead, and I will no longer let it define me.”

Lizzie stared at her for a moment then in a spontaneous gesture enveloped Ophelia in a tight hug.

“I’m so sorry, Ophelia. I’m so sorry.” As Lizzie slowly released her, she frowned. “But it still doesn’t explain your dress.”

“I ripped it,” she said quietly knowing her best defense was to tell the truth without disclosing everything.

“You did?” Lizzie met her gaze with a perplexed look. “Why would you deliberately tear your dress, Ophelia?”

“I wanted to go to bed, and it was difficult to get out of it on my own.” She eyed her sister sternly. “Now enough with the questions. Weren’t you going to walk in the park with Mr. Nickens?”

“Yes, he’s waiting for me downstairs, but I—”

“Then why, in heaven’s name, aren’t you downstairs with him?” Ophelia stood up and pulled Lizzie with her.

“Paul—Mr. Nickens—knew I was worried about you. He insisted I come check on you.”

“Well, now you have, and I think it’s time you stop making the man wait.” Ophelia pulled her sister toward the door. “I’ll go with you, so he can see your fears were groundless.”

Without waiting for Lizzie to protest any further, Ophelia quickly ushered her sister downstairs and into the parlor. Paul Nickens face brightened the moment he saw them.

“Lady Havenstock. I’m delighted to see you are well. Eliza—Miss Sheffield was quite worried about you.”

“She had no reason to be,” Ophelia said with a smile. “I think it’s high time I warn you that Lizzie is quite often a mother hen who wants all her chicks to be happy.”

“That I learned shortly after we met. She chastised me as to my not eating on a regular basis.” Amusement danced in the young man’s eyes as he shifted his gaze to Lizzie. A blush rose in Lizzie’s cheeks as she scowled at her suitor then puffed out a breath of exasperation.

“The two of you are making sport of me,” she huffed. Immediately, Paul Nickens reached for her hand. Brushing her fingertips with his mouth, he shook his head at Lizzie.

“Never, my dear. I would never mock you. Tease you perhaps, but nothing more.”