Page 14 of Dueling with the Duke
She could see how women might be tricked into it with his handsomeness and charm, but she was not that sort of woman.
“This will be a lot of fun,” the Duke noted. “Two weeks together, and we are not yet past the first night. I hope you can keep up.”
“I was about to say the same thing to you,” Bridget retorted. “And if you wish to follow me around like a lost puppy, then that is your decision. I am here to support my sister and do my own thing.”
“I do love a challenge,” the Duke drawled.
“Sometimes a challenge can be too much for anyone.”
“Only until the challenge is solved,” the Duke retorted. “And you might try and hide from me, but I am very good at seeking. And with regular meals and activities, I know we will be seeing a lot of each other.”
There was a crash from inside the house before Bridget could reply to the Duke, and it annoyed her that their banter had been interrupted. Everyone looked toward the house.
“Yes, yes, well, clean it up,” the familiar voice said from inside.
Bridget immediately shot her mother a worried look, which was immediately returned.
A moment later, Ralph Ramsburry, the Earl of Lincoln and Bridget’s father, emerged from the house. He looked around quickly, before spotting Nicholas and striding toward him as if there were no one else outside.
“Your Grace, might I say what an honor it is to have you in our home.” Ralph stuck his hand out, and the Duke shook it. “I hope your stay thus far has been comfortable, and if you need anything, you only have to ask.”
“Thank you, Lord Lincoln. Everything has been fantastic so far,” the Duke replied.
“Yes, quite. Now, where is that other daughter of mine? I would like the pleasure again of meeting the man who will make an honest woman of her,” Ralph demanded.
“She has gone for a walk, Father,” Bridget informed him.
She was thankful her sister had suggested the walk and was not around to see the state their father was in. He did not look all that bad, but he stank of cheap brandy.
Ralph turned to Rebecca. “Ah, and you must be His Grace’s sister.”
The words did not garner the intended reaction, and Rebecca looked a little alarmed as he came toward her with his hand outstretched.
The Duke stood up, ready to step in.
Bridget quickly caught her mother’s gaze and raised her eyebrows. Her mother should not have had to deal with it, but she was the one her father listened to the most, even if he didn’t ever truly listen to her.
“Ralph, I need a moment with you,” Penelope called, getting up from her chair and stepping between her husband and Rebecca to protect the latter.
She took her husband by the arm and shepherded him back toward the house. He did not seem to mind and went with her.
“I thought we spoke about this,” she hissed at him before they disappeared into the house.
As soon as they were gone, silence descended over the veranda. Bridget felt suddenly alone. Her mother and sister were gone, and she was left with the Duke and his mother. They could not comfort her in this situation, and she needed to think of an excuse to leave them and go and help her mother.
“He was drunk,” Nicholas noted.
Something inside Bridget snapped. She didn’t need an excuse anymore. She turned to Nicholas, and he leaned back a little at the fire in her eyes.
“And you would know all about that,” she spat.
Bridget abruptly rose from her chair, knocking it over in the process, and stormed into the house to deal with whatever was happening inside. She and her mother had told her father to stay away as much as he could, but he had never been very good at listening.
Bridget was not the one who would spoil the wedding, not even close. The father of the bride was the biggest threat.
CHAPTER6
Wedding Plans
