Page 57 of The Rogue’s Offer

Chapter 13

“If she won’t reply to my letters, what makes you think she’ll even talk to me this evening? If she even comes tonight.” Mathias scowled as he searched the crowded room for Ophelia.

“She’s here.” Percy said with confidence. “Constance saw her a short time ago.”

“On Chelmsford’s arm no doubt.”

“Did you think it would be easy, little brother?” Charles’s dark voice floated over Mathias’s shoulder as the earl joined him and Percy on the edge of the dance floor.

“No,” he bit out through clenched teeth.

“Look. Over there.” Percy nodded toward the doors leading out onto the terrace. Mathias immediately shifted his gaze in the direction Percy had indicated.

Ophelia stood just inside the doorway speaking with her sister. She laughed at something Lizzie said and nodded. The fan she held stirred the air in front of her in a leisurely motion, and a soft look crossed her features as she looked at someone over her sister’s shoulder.

Pain ripped through his body as he looked in the direction of her gaze expecting Chelmsford to be approaching her. When he didn’t see the earl, his gaze shifted back to Ophelia. A young man had stopped in front of them, and bowed to both Ophelia and Lizzie. Whatever his greeting had been, it made wild color rise in Lizzie’s cheeks. A moment later he watched the man lead Ophelia’s sister out onto the dance floor.

“Now’s your chance, Mathias,” his brother murmured. “It might be your only one tonight.”

Mathias jerked his head in understanding, and quickly made his way through the crowd that lined the space between the wall and the dance floor. He kept his eye on Ophelia, and when he saw her move out onto the terrace, Mathias experienced a small taste of elation. He’d be able to talk to her alone without people listening to their conversation.

The weather had become chilly a few days ago, but compared to the heat of the crowded room, the cool air of the terrace wouldn’t feel cold. Rather than making his way to the opposite side of the room, Mathias reached the patio from a doorway three doors down from where Ophelia had walked through. As he stepped outside, he saw her standing at the balustrade looking up at the clouds partially covering the moon. Mathias had taken several steps forward when Chelmsford appeared on the small patio. Without hesitating, Mathias quickly stepped out of the light to stand in the shadows.

“My dear, you’ll catch cold out here.”

“You worry too much, Gideon. I’m fine,” Ophelia said with a smile as she turned to face the earl. Chelmsford took her hands in his and carried them to his lips.

“I wouldn’t want to see you fall ill.”

“So you don’t like women who sniffle and have red noses.” The laughter in her voice made Chelmsford chuckle.

“I think a wife would be an exception.” The earl’s words assaulted him as if they were physical blows. Chelmsford smiled affectionately at Ophelia and tucked her arm inside his. “Now ease my concern for your health and return to the ballroom with me.”

“Only if you promise to save me from Lord Boult this evening. My feet suffered greatly the last time he led me onto the floor.”

“I’ll not deny you anything, my dear.”

Frozen in disbelief, Mathias didn’t move from his place in the shadows as they left the terrace. The bastard had proposed and she’d accepted. She’d accepted Chelmsford’s offer of marriage. Anger flowed through his veins. Her claims she would never marry again had been tossed aside the minute Chelmsford had made an offer. The fact he’d actually believed her when she’d said she’d never marry only served to anger him more.

Slowly stepping out of the shadows, he walked to the doorway Ophelia had passed through on the arm of Chelmsford only a few seconds ago. She was already in the earl’s arms as he swung her out onto the dance floor. Something cold and bitter settled in Mathias’s chest as he saw her look up at Chelmsford and laugh. As the man turned her around on the floor Ophelia glanced in his direction.

The moment she met his gaze she stumbled slightly forcing the earl to quickly adjust his step. With a fierce growl of disgust at the scene, he made his way back to where he’d left Percy and Charles. As he approached the spot, he saw Percy escorting Constance off the floor. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lyndham guiding Rhea around the floor in a waltz.

He came to a halt, deliberately keeping his back to the dance floor. The prospect of seeing Ophelia in Chelmsford’s arms a second time would only enrage him more before he spiraled in the depths of despair. Constance frowned as she met his gaze, but was distracted by a friend who captured her attention. Tension latched onto his muscles as Percy arched an eyebrow at him curiosity.

“Well, what did she say,” his friend asked quietly.

“She’s to marry Chelmsford.”

“What?” Percy’s mouth sagged as he stared at Mathias in disbelief. “Did she actually tell you that?”

“She didn’t have too, I heard Chelmsford refer to her agreement to marry him.”

“I don’t believe it. Louisa and Constance were convinced…” Percy stopped speaking as his sister turned back to them.

“What were we convinced of?”

The suspicion in the Countess of Lyndham’s gaze made Percy shrug as if mystified by her question. Constance narrowed her gaze at him for a long moment, and beneath her intent stare, a slight flush of color filled Percy’s face. His sister’s expression darkened with irritation.