Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 195: Plotting to kill (1)
On the Hastings land, Ophelia stood outside a shop waiting for Theo to be done having his fun on the inside. She toyed with her shoes, trying to rid herself of the pain forming in her heel.
Ophelia enjoyed seeing Theo happy, and during the outing, he was talkative with Thomas. She distanced herself so Theo could have a moment to speak to Thomas. It was an interaction Theo needed for his sake.
Ophelia looked at the townspeople passing by. She smiled and greeted the ones who acknowledged her presence.
’Is their talk going well?’ Ophelia wondered, thinking of Dante speaking with the duke.
Ophelia wished she had a chance to speak to Kaden to know what kind of man he was. Then, she wouldn’t be worried about Dante going to speak to him alone.
"Are you tired already?" Victoria’s voice came from behind Ophelia.
Ophelia looked back to where Victoria walked to her. "My feet are a little sore, but I can put up with it. Theo wants to see more of the town. He likes looking around. Nothing caught your eye?"
"I cannot afford to spend any money at the moment. I will need all of it for my future," Victoria replied.
"Dante would help you if you need money," said Ophelia.
"I am trying not to depend on Dante any longer. I must find my own way, and that is why I want to leave the castle."
"I do not mind if the two of you were to stay friends. I never planned to get in the way of childhood friends. If he wishes to help you, you should let him. Who better to turn to for help than Dante?" Ophelia asked, certain there wasn’t another man.
"I will accept his help, but I want to get away from the gossip of us being lovers. I truly want to get married and move on. I’m going to take your advice to wait for the war to be over and for Dante to chase away my uncle to get back my home. I can wait," Victoria said, giving up on her plans.
"I know that not everyone believes me when I say I wasn’t his lover, so staying at his side will only bring trouble for you two. I have caused enough trouble, and I want to offer you two some peace," said Victoria.
"Well, thank you. You are always welcome at the castle. There is hope for you in realising your mistakes and wanting to move forward. I cannot say the same for others," Ophelia said, keeping a close eye on Giselle.
"Your mother is a bit..." Victoria stopped to think of the right word.
"You can say what is on your mind, and I won’t be offended because it is likely to be true. I want to apologise now because I know she will try to use you to upset me. My mother has a habit of trying to ruin my day," said Ophelia.
"It is unfortunate. She doesn’t realise all that you have achieved here and that you are doing it in a place where everyone considered you an enemy. She should be proud of you. You did what others could not. I wouldn’t have lasted a day marrying a stranger," Victoria said, envying Ophelia’s courage.
"It helped that the man I married wasn’t so bad," Ophelia replied.
"I think you would have survived either way. If I could do it all over again, I would have taken the time to learn from you instead of being so jealous," Victoria confessed. "I was sheltered all my life, and it showed."
"We might never be the best of friends, but you may come to me if you ever need advice. I am still looking for ways to keep myself busy in the castle so I don’t grow bored with this life. What does she want now?" Ophelia muttered as Giselle came toward her.
"Ophelia, dear. Aren’t you going to reward yourself with a new dress? You cannot continue to wear the same dress over and over again," Giselle said, eyeing Ophelia from head to toe.
"I have not worn the same dress over and over again. You have only been here for two days. If you have trouble with your eyes, I can send for a doctor. If not, you should continue getting what you need before we move on," Ophelia advised Giselle.
"There is no need to be so hostile, Ophelia. I was only thinking you were in need of money. There are so many beautiful dresses around, yet you stand still, taking nothing to your side. Should I buy one for you?" Giselle asked, eager to show off her money.
"No, thank you. I would not like to get you in trouble with your husband for spending too much money at once," Ophelia answered.
Ophelia knew well that Joel wasn’t fond of Giselle spending money without his permission. Since Joel wasn’t around, Ophelia assumed Joel had given Giselle money to spend while she was here, and once it was gone, Giselle had to figure out how to get by.
"It seems you are the one in trouble with your husband. Did he not give you money to spend?"
"No," Ophelia answered, letting Giselle make a fool of herself.
"This is why you should listen to me. I could have told you how to get him to spoil you. It is never too late," Giselle said, placing her hand on Ophelia’s shoulder for comfort. "How a man spoils his wife shows how much he loves her."
Ophelia bit her lip.
Giselle made it too easy for her.
"A lady needs dresses, and with you being Lady Hastings, you must look your best. Do you not agree with me, Miss Lowe?" Giselle asked, turning to Victoria for help.
"I agree that a lady needs to look her best, butLady Hastings doesn’t need to visit the town with money. None of the Hastings needs to present money since the shop owners will send the price to the castle, and Lord Hastings will pay. Is it not how it is done with the Valthorns?" Victoria asked, looking back and forth between the two women.
Dante had a good reputation for paying what he owed.
"No, it is not because Lady Valthorn often had her dresses sent back to the shop owners. She enjoys spending money so much that she forgets there was a limit given to her. I am not buying dresses or shoes because I bought plenty in the capital," Ophelia said,
"If you want to spend money on anyone, I welcome you to spend it on Theo. There is much he seems to like. Now, if you would excuse me, I see a friend," Ophelia said, walking away to greet Mary, who she noticed walking by.
