Page 24 of Dueling with the Duke
“To the river?”
“To the river,” she confirmed.
“I shall race you there,” the Duke challenged.
“Race me there? Are we children?” Bridget scoffed.
“Was that a no?” the Duke asked.
“I didn’t say that. However, we both know your horse is much faster than mine. It is not a fair challenge.”
“Yes, my horse is swifter, but I do not know the way. And I shall give you a thirty-second head start,” the Duke offered.
Bridget considered it.
“And to make it more interesting, if I beat you, you must spend an hour at the river with me,” the Duke added. “The two of us alone.”
“Fifteen minutes,” Bridget countered.
Nicholas smiled now that he had her on his hook. “Forty-five minutes,” he bargained.
“Fifteen,” Bridget said, holding her ground. “And if we have any conversation, I get to choose the topics.”
“I would expect nothing less.”
Bridget rolled her eyes. “And we shall not sit too close to each other.”
“Of course not,” the Duke drawled. “It would be scandalous if we did, and we don’t want that.
Bridget thought about it. “You are to remain silent all throughout supper tonight. No matter the conversation, you are not to say a word unless spoken to, and even then, your answer must be as brief as possible.”
The Duke chuckled. “Now, that is a challenge, indeed. I accept your terms.”
Win or lose, there was fun to be had.
“Thirty seconds?” Bridget asked.
“Thirty seconds.”
“Alright,” she said.
“On my word,” the Duke stated.
Bridget turned her horse around and took up the reins. She leaned forward, ready to take off.
“Go!” the Duke shouted.
CHAPTER9
The Race to The River
Bridget took off at speed. She could not outrun the Duke, but that was not her intention. However, she had to make it look like she wanted to win by speed alone when she hoped to win by cunning. That was why she was not heading in the direction of the estuary.
She leaned forward on the horse, riding like the wind. Bridget was not sure why she agreed to the race, but she needed to win now. She wanted to see the Duke at supper when he could not speak.
She did know why she agreed to the bet. It was so she could think of something else other than her father ruining the wedding. That and to wipe the smug grin off the Duke’s face. He was so sure of himself, and she wanted to prove to him that she was capable, too.
Bridget felt the Duke behind her before she saw him. It was going exactly as she had planned. She pushed her horse as fast as it could go, but that did not stop the Duke from drawing up next to her.
