Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 146: Quiet day (3)
"Her ladyship seems to be enjoying the company of Mrs Sterling. I thought it would be an odd match. Do you think they will be good friends, or are they only friends who are comfortable with each other because they had arranged marriages? Thomas? Thomas!" Alice exclaimed and hit Thomas’s arm.
"I was hoping that after I didn’t answer you the first time, you would take a hint. It is not within my job to question who the lady tries to befriend. I only have to guard her, and I want to do it in silence. So," Thomas placed his finger to his lips.
Alice folded her arms. "I have figured out why you are this way towards me."
"Have you now?"
"Yes," Alice said, nodding her head. "It is because you have feelings for me."
"That is furthest from the truth," Thomas replied.
"You don’t need to be embarrassed. You are not the first knight to have fallen for me, but to be so cruel when you know the truth is a bit unwarranted. You should just be honest with yourself, Thomas. I can never return your feelings, but I will try to make it easier for you," Alice said, patting Thomas’s arm.
Thomas could only stare at Alice at first.
Of all the things Alice had ever said, this was the most foolish one.
Thomas wanted to correct Alice, but seeing that she deluded herself into thinking it was the truth, he knew she wouldn’t believe him.
Thomas sighed. "Please keep your thoughts to yourself. I don’t want to be burdened by this."
"And you won’t. I must be more careful with myself. I make men fall in love easily," Alice said, palming her cheeks.
Thomas couldn’t take it anymore. "I do not have feelings for you. I put up with you because you are her maid, and I must be around you. What I say is the truth, and not that I am mean because I don’t know how to deal with my feelings for you."
"You don’t need to lie," said Alice.
"No wonder he wanted to kill you," Thomas muttered.
Thomas walked away from Alice to give himself a break and to examine Ophelia’s surroundings.
So far, the castle was quiet, but Thomas couldn’t shake the bad feeling he had.
Back in the garden, Ophelia took a sip of the tea Mary suggested.
"It is perfect. This blend suits my taste more. It is not too sweet, and the aroma is lovely. Have you always loved making tea?" Ophelia asked, setting her cup down.
"I have. My grandmother taught me, and after she passed, it stuck with me even more. Sometimes I spend my days creating different blends to use for other days. I will send you more. I think you will enjoy it. Do you have a hobby for when you are bored?" Mary asked, willing ot give Ophelia’s interests a try.
"I have started to garden. I am fond of growing vegetables, and I think I want to expand it to fruit. There are gardeners for the garden below my chamber, but I have pots only I will tend to in a tower. I know it is a strange talent for a lady, but I enjoy it," said Ophelia.
"If you love it, it doesn’t matter what others think. Gardening is a lovely way to pass the time, and you are growing food. I think you will be most prepared for the long winter. The castle will never run out of food."
’That is what I said," Ophelia said, followed by laughter. "You can never have too much food. Perhaps I should take over other gardens to plan for winter. We can give the vegetables away to the townspeople."
"It is a pleasant idea. The Hastings have always been kind during the winter. Lord Hastings oversees that everyone is prepared for it. I know you want to not speak of husbands, but what is it like marrying Lord Hastings? I have seen him many times, but I do not truly know him. Is he, as the rumours say?" Mary asked, curious if Ophelia paired well with Dante.
"It depends on what rumours you listened to. All I can say is that I misjudged him. I am grateful it is Dante whom I married. I joked that I would have killed my husband by now if it were anyone else," said Ophelia.
"I understand the feeling."
Ophelia noticed something about Mary, but she dared not say it out loud. She had a feeling about how Mary planned to find her peace, but she wouldn’t meddle.
Ophelia’s gaze shifted to the knight speaking with Thomas. She watched carefully, hoping it brought news about Dante or Theo.
"It seems some news is coming to disturb us. You may approach, Thomas," Ophelia said, welcoming Thomas.
Thomas went to Ophelia’s side and whispered, "Lady Cecilia now knows that Lord Hastings is not present and is trying to force her way inside. What is your order?"
"The order remains that she is not to be allowed inside, and anyone who disobeys that order will leave with her. Have the men at the gates do what they must to send her away in a civil manner. There is already uneasiness in the castle, and I don’t need to have the servants see her be handled poorly," Ophelia replied.
"I understand," Thomas said, backing away from Ophelia as he had to report the order.
Mary smiled as she raised her cup. "You have more self-control than I could ever have. I would have taken the chance to force her out by any means necessary if she were cruel to you, but I understand taking the mature path. I would worry if the Hastings were fighting with each other at a time like this."
"That is why I don’t think everyone should see our disagreements. Everyone looks to the Hastings to protect this land. Surely they all know that war is not over, so if the Hastings are at odds with each other, everyone would worry. Cecilia hates me too much to think of what is best," Ophelia said, annoyed that Cecilia’s antics persisted.
"Of course she does. Thankfully, you think of it. It is good to know we have a lady who can put her emotions aside and think of what is best for the people. The castle is so calm that if I hadn’t heard what the farmer said, I wouldn’t know there was danger. Well done," Mary applauded Ophelia.
"Thank you. I am trying my best," Ophelia replied. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
"Your husband is off, who knows where, while you are here to watch the castle. We must have fun," Mary said, standing up. "Surely there is some mischief we can get ourselves into here."
"Indeed, there is," Ophelia said, joining Mary.
