Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 196: Plotting to kill (2)

"Mary!" Ophelia called as she waved to her friend.

"Lady Hastings. What a lovely surprise," Mary said, greeting Ophelia with a hug. "Are you on an outing with your husband?"

"No. My brother has finally arrived, along with Lady Valthorn. I have come to show them around the town. She is not far behind me," Ophelia said, motioning with her hand.

Mary glanced at the group standing in the distance. "I see. There is also Victoria. I am getting the feeling that you need company."

"It is a break that I seek. There are too many questions about my marriage from her. Your appearance gave me the chance to get away," said Ophelia.

"I am glad to be able to save you," Mary replied, shifting her gaze from Giselle to Ophelia. "If you need my help, I can join you on your outing. I was only taking a stroll around the market."

"I would like that very much, but I wouldn’t want to bore you with her presence. Forgive me, but you don’t appear to be in a pleasant mood as well. Did someone trouble you?" Ophelia asked, wanting to touch Mary’s face where she saw a mark.

"There have been disagreements about having more children. I used an outing as an excuse to get away from all of it to clear my mind. You mustn’t worry yourself about me," Mary said, forcing a smile to end Ophelia’s worrying.

"How can I not worry about you? What kind of friend would I be then? It cannot be that we speak only of what I face, or you offer me help with nothing in return. Is there a way I can help you? Would you like to stay in the castle?" Ophelia offered.

"I am not running from that man. I will not leave behind what I have helped to build," Mary said, refusing the offer.

"I know. You have told me of your dreams, and I support them. I also know that you will need more than a few hours in the market to clear your mind and come up with a plan. I can offer you space where you can think freely and not be disturbed," Ophelia said, hoping Mary would take it.

"He could think that I have told you of our troubles and lash out the moment I return. I know that he is here in the market at the moment. He wouldn’t let me out of his sight, but I have a plan. I assure you that I will be well," Mary promised.

"I have not met your husband yet, but I want to send him far out of town. You and I are deserving of a day away from our husbands. I have a home outside of the castle. Perhaps we can go there, and you can bring your children," Ophelia suggested.

"There is something you can do better for me. If my plans fail, as Lady Hastings, I would like you to protect my boys. Do not let them fall into the hands of my brother or my husband’s family. They won’t care for them. Promise me," Mary said, holding Ophelia’s hands.

"I promise you," Ophelia answered.

"Lady Hastings!"

Mary frowned upon hearing her husband’s voice. She knew that he was following her, but she didn’t expect him to approach.

Ophelia looked at the man approaching and thought he was a stranger until she realised he was the man she was told to be Mary’s husband.

"Mr Sterling," Ophelia returned the greeting.

"Oh ho, you know me? I didn’t think you would when we haven’t been properly introduced. Her ladyship is as beautiful as I have been told," William Sterling said as he grabbed Ophelia’s hand to raise for a kiss.

Ophelia grimaced and looked at Mary. "I have become quite close to your wife, so that is how I am familiar with you. My hand," she said, pulling her hand back.

"My wife," William said, snaking his arms around Mary’s waist to pull her closer to him. "Has spoken highly of you. I hope you will call upon her often and in time, send for me to visit so I might speak to your husband. It isn’t right to invite the wife, but not the husband."

"It would be inappropriate for me to be seated with you without my husband around. I-"

"That is why you should host gatherings where husbands can attend," William spoke over Ophelia. "It is little things like this that you young folk do not consider. This is why you should have me in your presence."

Ophelia bit her tongue, holding back what she wanted to say so she wouldn’t make life difficult for Mary. She was not the one who needed to return home with the annoying bastard before her, so it would not be her who faced the consequences.

"I would like to meet with Lord Hastings-"

"He is a busy man," Ophelia spoke quickly before William invited himself to the castle.

"You shouldn’t speak over a man," William scolded Ophelia.

Ophelia laughed, but she was irritated by the thought that she had left her dagger at home.

"I hear that Lady Valthorn has come to the castle. You must invite my wife and me to the castle. I am close to Lord Valthorn; therefore, I can offer some help," William offered.

"Lady Valthorn is my mother. Thank you, but I don’t need any help speaking to the Valthorns. If you do not mind, I would love to continue my talk with your wife," Ophelia said, eyeing where William held Mary.

It was obvious that Mary was uncomfortable, but William ignored it.

"You may speak," William urged Ophelia.

"Are you troubling my wife, William?"

Ophelia let out a breath of relief when she heard Dante’s voice, but she tensed up when she saw that Kaden was with him.

William released Mary and rubbed his hands together, delighted to see both Lord Hastings and Duke Vale.

"No, I was only asking her to invite me to the castle. What a wonderful time we would have if the three of us men could sit down to talk. Would you agree, your grace?" William asked, trying to hold back his excitement.

William didn’t want it to show that he was happy to be in their presence. In his eyes, they were all equal.

Kaden peered down on the tiny man before him. "Who are you, and why would your presence be needed?"

"I am William Sterling. Your grace, I have been in your presence on many occasions. This is my wife," William pointed to Mary.

Kaden looked at the woman tasked with mounting William. "How awful for her."