Chapter 34: The Fiend

Ophelia's POV

Arthur sneered and regarded Leo as if he were something revolting that had stuck to the bottom of his shoe. I shared that sentiment entirely.

"This isn't about romantic conquest," he replied in a carefully controlled tone, his hand curling into a fist underneath the table. "If Leo had brought her flowers and written her a love poem, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"So what's it about then?" Catherine asked, gesturing to her cousin theatrically, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "What is so terrible about Leo? Why break his leg if you don't care whether or not he's interested in your sweet Ophelia?"

I cast a nervous glance around the room. The other diners were staring in fascination at the tableau before them. I suppressed the urge to wave at one man, whose stare was of such an intensity that he looked as if his eyes were ready to bulge right out of their sockets.

"What is wrong with you?" Arthur growled, finally losing some of his famous compo