Going Rogue (21 page)

Derek looked at Ophelia, who appeared to be genuinely worried about his current state of dismay. “I think perhaps I just did.”

“Did what?” she asked.

“See a ghost . . . or at the very least, a brief glimpse into the past.”

Chapter 26

The next evening, Ophelia joined Meredith and Alex to discuss their plans for the following day.

Meredith sat at the vanity mirror, absently brushing through her hair, as her mind recounted the events of the previous night. Telling the girls about Derek had made it all perfectly clear to her. She’d been hiding behind a façade of fine silk and champagne, running from the past. But the gowns, the dresses, even the silly primrose ribbon—they simply weren’t enough anymore. She stopped what she was doing, the silver brush still in hand. How many hours had she spent staring at her own reflection over the last five years? Too many, she thought regretfully. And she was just now starting to realize that she didn’t much care for the person staring back at her.

Things couldn’t go on like this forever. And she couldn’t very well spend the rest of her life pretending it could.

Meredith joined Ophelia in front of the massive wardrobe.

“Since your aunt is arriving tomorrow, I thought we could wear our finest gowns to dinner.” Ophelia announced. “You know—really make it an event.”

Alex lounged on the bed, thumbing through a magazine. “I suppose I could manage to find something.”

Meredith smiled. “I was thinking along those same lines. I saved my mint gown for just such an occasion. You should try on this plum one. It’ll require some adjustments, but I’m sure you’ll look lovely in it.”

“Splendid,” Ophelia exclaimed, taking the gown. “I have quite the day planned for us tomorrow.”

Alex looked up from the magazine. “Hopefully nothing that involves nature. I’ve never spent so much time out of doors in my life.”

Ophelia’s shoulders sank as she visibly deflated before their eyes.

“You didn’t have to go through all the trouble,” Meredith said obligingly, glaring over at her friend on the bed.

Ophelia shrugged. “It’s the least I can do. I owe you so much.”

“Nonsense,” Meredith interjected. “You don’t owe us a single thing. You’ve already shown such hospitality.”

“No, it’s more than that.” Ophelia took Meredith’s hand and led her to the bed, where the two girls took their seat next to Alex. “You just might have changed the entire path of my future, and there are no words to express that sort of gratitude.”

Alex closed the magazine, obviously resolved to the fact that she wouldn’t be getting anymore reading done. “What are you going on about?”

“I want to be a
Ribbon
,” Ophelia said proudly.

“You have my nomination,” Meredith said without hesitation, looking expectantly over at Alex.

“Are you certain you want to do this? It’s quite a bit of work,” was all Alex said.

Ophelia nodded. “I’m ready for the change. I’ve spent my entire life with only plants as my friends and I think becoming a Ribbon will help me see what I’ve truly been missing.”

Ophelia took the gown and disappeared behind the dressing screen.

“This is awfully sudden,” Meredith called over to her. “Was there anything in particular that triggered this change of heart?”

Just as soon as Meredith had finished asking the question, Ophelia came out from behind the screen.

“You’re stunning,” Meredith remarked. Ophelia was a vision when she wasn’t wearing her apron and dirt from her garden.

The girls turned to Alex, awaiting her approval. She briefly looked up from her magazine and nodded, then went back to reading.

“That means she thinks you look beautiful,” Meredith translated.

“It does?”

“If she didn’t think so, you wouldn’t have gotten the nod.”

Ophelia smiled. “You were asking about what happened to inspire this need for a drastic change?”

“It is rather sudden, that’s all,” Meredith explained.

“It’s not a secret,” Ophelia answered, hands on her hips. “He kissed me.”

Meredith’s heart sank to her feet. She knew who
he
was without having to be told.

“Who?” Alex scowled, sitting upright.

Ophelia shrugged. “Lord Sutherland.”

“L—Lord Sutherland,” Meredith repeated. Her head was reeling, spinning from the unexpected news. She hadn’t seen it coming.

Alex’s nostrils flared. “When? When did the bastard do it?”

“Alex!” the girls admonished.

“Pardon my temper, my parents are Scots after all,” she said.

Ophelia shook her head. “I’m flattered that you’d be so protective, but it’s quite all right. I believe it was all a part of his plan for the future.”

Meredith grabbed at the bed linens. “He proposed?”

“Not as much proposed as tried to seduce me.”

Alex started to get up from the bed. “Just wait till I get my hands on that sot!”

Meredith reached over and touched her friend’s leg. “Alex,” she gently scolded. “What has gotten into you?”

Alex was seething. She was always so calm and collected, who knew the old girl had it in her? Meredith would have been impressed if her heart wasn’t in the process of shattering into a thousand pieces.

Meredith listened as Ophelia relayed the story. Derek had found her in the hothouse and proceeded to seduce her. He’d removed his jacket and waistcoat and pranced around showing off his well-defined physique. He’d spoken with subtle innuendo—and apparently some not-so-subtle innuendo as well. The Earls’ behavior was just so blatantly inappropriate, Ophelia would have been ruined just the same as if she’d been caught with her gown around her ankles.

Suddenly, Meredith could remain quiet no longer. “Ophelia, there’s something I need to tell you right away.”

Ophelia took a seat in the chair across from the bed. “But I haven’t finished the story.”

Meredith shook her head. “I’m afraid it simply cannot wait any longer. I’ve already waited too long as it is.”

“What is it?” Ophelia asked, her expression now one of worry.

Meredith cleared her throat, as if preparing for some sort of public oration. “You see, I haven’t been entirely forthcoming about a certain subject.”

“Get on with it,” Alex was practically foaming at the mouth with anticipation.

Ophelia raised one eyebrow. “Is this about Lord Sutherland,” she said, more than a statement than a question.

Meredith’s mouth fell agape.

“I knew it,” Alex shouted. “Oh, finally! I thought you’d never admit to it.”

Meredith’s hand flew to her chest, her heart thumping wildly inside it. “But how did you know?” Granted, they were bright girls, but she apparently had no idea just how astute they actually were. Or perhaps how obvious she’d really been.

Ophelia was first to speak. “I asked him to kiss me so that I could prove to him that I was not the one he really wanted to pursue. He’s clearly been distracted by something—
someone
else.”

“The better question would be—how could we not?” Alex answered. “It all became so obvious. The way you two acted toward each other, the way you kept pushing in the other direction. And there was that story yesterday. It was so clear to everyone but you . . .”

“I never meant to push the two of you apart for myself,” Meredith quickly explained to Ophelia. “If I had truly believed you two were right for each other, I would have kindly stepped aside and never said another word about it. I know I have my faults, but I would never do something like that.”

Ophelia nodded. “You knew I didn’t love him. And that he didn’t love me. You were just trying to protect me. I understand that.”

“And you’re not sore at me?” Meredith asked. “For not telling you?”

“She’s not, but I am,” Alex said crossly. She looked quite angry now, her perfect milky complexion marred by red blotches. It was her telltale sign of frustration or embarrassment, weaknesses she rarely showed. “I shouldn’t have had to figure it all out on my own—
you
should have been the one to tell me.”

Meredith nodded. “I should have. I should have done a great many things differently. And I’m sorry. I don’t know how to make anything right.”

Ophelia reached for her hand. “I think this is an excellent start.”

Alex nodded. “Are you going to talk to Lord Sutherland?”

Meredith withdrew her hand and tucked it into her lap. “I don’t think I can. Too much has happened between us now and I’m afraid he’ll never trust me again. Besides, I have my future to think about and I have no time to waste pouting about what could have been. I need to focus on
what shall be
more than anything.”

“Like marrying my brother?” Ophelia deduced easily enough.

She watched the two other women exchange glances.

“Would you object?” Meredith asked, seeking some sort of approval. She knew in her heart of hearts that she’d never feel for him what she felt for Derek, but that ship had sailed.

“Of course not,” Ophelia said. “I would love to have you as a sister. And Garrett is a good man. But you’d never truly be happy with him. I don’t think you should give up on Lord Sutherland.”

Meredith shrugged her shoulder. “Like I told you, it’s in the past. I have a healthy respect for your brother and I adore your family. What more could a girl ask for?”

She knew she wanted more, but didn’t dare ask for it. She needed to marry and Mr. Garrett Marshall was her best prospect. She felt relief having confessed her past to her friends, but knew better than to try and take it with her into a marriage.

“Promise me one thing,” Alex said. “If the opportunity should present itself, you’ll be just as forthcoming with Lord Sutherland as you’ve been with us.”

Meredith nodded, doubting such a chance would present itself ever again.

Chapter 27

“Time for the scavenger hunt,” Ophelia announced the very next morning.

Meredith forced a smile, while Alex didn’t even bother to feign politeness.

“It’s barely noon and Ophelia Marshall is delusional if she thinks I’m going to go traipsing about out of doors without first enjoying a pot of chocolate and a warm bath,” Alex complained.

Meredith nudged her in the side, reminding her to keep her voice down. Alex’s mood hadn’t improved much since the evening before, though it was difficult to tell if she was still brooding or just feeling the adverse effects of having to wake up before noon.

To be honest, Meredith was barely up for it. It had already been a long day, and it had barely started. She hadn’t been out to the country in years and had forgotten just how soon morning seemed to come.

“Scavenger hunt?” Meredith repeated.

“Did I miss the moment when we arrived at the children’s birthday party?” Alex sneered.

Ophelia set her hands on her hips. “I just thought it would be a fun game we could all play together. Besides, a bit of fresh air would do us all some good.”

“Wonderful,” Alex said flatly. “More fresh air.”

Ophelia handed them both a piece of foolscap with a list of items printed on it.

“This is quite the list. I don’t recognize some of the items. Are they all things we can find out of doors, in nature?” Meredith asked, scanning the list.

Alex shivered. “Ugh . . . nature.”

Ophelia nodded. “I promise. Every item is readily available somewhere on the property.”

Meredith feigned a smile. She’d gone to sleep the night before with a certain familiar ache deep in her chest. She’d never spoken about Derek before to anyone else, and had woken up with a sense of regret at disclosing something so deeply personal.

It had been her experience, that mornings were particularly contrite. And all too often, the rising sun was accompanied by a sense of remorse for her actions the night before. And there was always something to regret—too much champagne, too much dancing, and now, too much talking.

“You don’t expect me to find all this on my own, do you?” Alex asked, folding her arms over her chest.

Ophelia shook her head. “I believe the intention was that we would all be divided into teams.”

“Sounds fair enough,” Meredith commented, not caring much either way.

“Then I would like to choose the teams,” Alex insisted.

Meredith’s brows shot up her forehead, shocked by her friend’s enthusiasm. Alex had never been much for group activities before . . . or any activity, really.

“I don’t see why not.” Ophelia remarked, appearing to be a bit surprised as well.

Alex smiled, obviously pleased at having gotten her way.

The men soon joined them on the patio, along with Lord and Lady Marshall. Garrett’s eyes swept over the length of her, causing Meredith to blush with embarrassment at such a flagrant display of appraisal. She recognized the look in his eyes, the dark quality his face took on every time he looked her way. It was lust. With Garrett, it made her feel somewhat uncomfortable, not desired as it had with Derek. But something far more ominous.

“Did I hear something about teams?” Garrett asked.

“Are we playing a game then?” Lord MacCalistair’s mood was jovial as usual.

“A treasure hunt of sorts,” Lady Marshall answered. “In honor of our esteemed guest, Lord Sutherland.”

Meredith could practically taste the bile rising in the back of her throat. If she didn’t know any better, she’d suspect Lady Marshall was trying to land Derek for herself, and not her daughter.

Derek bowed. “You are too good to me, Lady Marshall.” He took her hand and kissed it, sending the woman into a hysterical fit of giggles.

Meredith looked away, unable to take anymore.

“There’ll be two teams.” Alex took Meredith by the elbow. “The first will comprise of Miss Castle, Miss Marshall, Lord Sutherland, and myself.”

Meredith tried to restrain herself from punching Alex’s arm. The treasure hunt would have provided the perfect opportunity to get her almost-Viscount alone. The potential for inappropriate, and quite possibly compromising, situations were endless with a game like this. She could twist her ankle and he would have to carry her back to the house, or she could faint from the heat and he’d have little choice but to stay by her side till she felt like walking again. What was the sow thinking, robbing her of such a momentous opportunity?