So it was that he did what he promised he would never do again. He went to speak with Ophelia, for what he hoped might be the final time. And if not the final time, it would put that final nail in the coffin that had been their marriage.
She would likely hate him for this, but maybe that was for the best.
Adrian found Ophelia in the breakfast room. She sat at the end of the table, and he paused in the doorway when he saw that she had Harriet with her. The baby sat on her knee, giggling at something that had her attention, and the smile that Ophelia wore as she played with Harriet was like a dagger through his heart…
“Ophelia…” His voice was softer than he meant it to be.
She looked up when she heard his voice. No smile at the sight of him. No warmth. Her expression was hard like stone, and no sooner did she see him than she was back to focusing on Harriet.
“Can we talk for a moment?” he asked as he stepped into the room.
“I think we have talked enough.” She purposefully avoided looking at him as he walked toward her. “Although you should know that I have already started searching for places to live. I hope that I will be out of your way soon. I know how much you want that.”
He winced, and very nearly told her that such things were the complete opposite of what he wanted. It wasn’t enough that she was leaving. But that she had cut him off entirely, signaling that she did not need him at all… that hurt more than anything.
“I… I am glad to hear it,” he forced himself to say. “And as I told you already, if you need any help at all, all you need to do is ask.”
“I will be quite fine,” she said coldly.
She did not hate him. Adrian knew that. What was more, he was certain that if he apologized, she might forgive him. She did not want to leave, just as she did not want their marriage to end. Why she was so committed to their relationship, he could not say. But that she was… again, she was too good for him, and he did not deserve it.
“I want you to know that I visited Lord Delacourt yesterday,” he said. Ophelia stiffened, her eyes widening with fear. “I did not mention Harriet, however,” he assured her. “I merely wished to check on the man and possibly learn the truth of his wife’s affair.”
“And?” She swallowed, seeming to hold Harriet a little closer. “What did he say?”
“He is heartbroken, Ophelia,” Adrian said simply. “You told me that he loved his wife, and I saw no evidence to the contrary. He has been mourning her since her death; broken in ways I did not know were possible.”
Ophelia dropped her head. “It is funny, isn’t it? Even after all that happened, he is able to look past such things… he really did love her.”
“Of that, I have no doubt.”
“What next?” She looked up, forcing herself to meet Adrian’s gaze. “What are you… What of Harriet’s father?” Her voice cracked with worry.
Adrian hesitated because he knew what he was going to say next would not be greeted with cheer. He did not wish to argue or fight, but he knew that his decision was the right one. He just needed Ophelia to see it too.
“I have thought quite a bit about it,” he began carefully. “And the more I have done, the more I have come to realize how impossible it might be to find Harriet’s true father. Even the staff do not know who the man is, nor do they have any way of learning the truth.”
Her brow furrowed. “What does that mean?”
“It means that Harriet may never be with her true father,” he said. “And that is why I have come to a decision which I believe to be for the best. I want you to know, Ophelia, while you might not believe it, I do want what is best for the child. All I want is for her to have the life that she deserves.”
“I know it,” she admitted, her expression softening just a bit. “You are many things, Adrian, most of which you will likely deny.” She shook her head and a smile touched her lips. “But I have seen how much you care for Harriet, and I know you do not wish ill upon her.”
“I am glad to hear you say that.” He breathed a sigh of relief. “Because what I am about to suggest, you might not like it, but please, Ophelia, know that it is for the best.”
“What…” She hugged Harriet closer to her body. “What are you saying?”
“When I spoke to Lord Delacourt yesterday, I did not see a man who resented his wife’s affair. What I saw was a man who loved his wife more than any man can imagine. What is more, he appeared desperate to remember her, to hold onto her legacy so that it would not be forgotten.” He smiled. “He was even grateful to hear that you thought so fondly of her, as if that was proof that he was right in how he felt.”
“All right…”
“My point is, if he were to learn about Harriet, I doubt that he would mean the baby any harm. In fact, it is my belief thathe would see in the child his wife’s legacy, a chance for him to remember her and –”
“No!” Harriet cried out and clutched onto Harriet as if for dear life. “You cannot mean what I think!”
“Harriet needs a father,” Adrian spoke firmly, refusing to back down. “She needs someone who will care for her and who will give her a life. I believe that Lord Delacourt is that man.”
She shook her head. “You cannot know that! What if… what if he sees her as the reason for his wife’s death? That is just as likely.”