Page 63 of Dueling with the Duke
“He lies to everyone who crosses his path,” her father scoffed. “I am sorry you had to hear this from me.”
“No, I am glad you told me.” Bridget felt the room spinning around her. “I need to lie down.”
“Take whatever time you need,” her father told her. “When you feel up to it, I need to talk to you about something else. His Grace does not deserve a woman as wonderful as you, Bridget. We will talk again, and I hope what I have to say will calm your heart a little more.”
“Alright,” Bridget said.
She felt her father’s hand on her shoulder, and even though she hated him for what he had done to their family, she found herself falling into his embrace. She was a small child again in her father’s arms. She needed someone to make everything right again, and that person was her father, even if he smelled strongly of brandy.
“Go,” her father said. “Take some time to rest, and we shall talk some more when you are ready.”
“Thank you,” Bridget mumbled.
For the first time in a long time, she held some hope that perhaps her father had changed.
CHAPTER24
The Wedding Day
Sheffield Estate, Sheffield
Three Weeks Later
The Duke, torn between his duty and his personal feelings, watched the coaches arrive from the upper window of the west wing of the house. He remained still as the coaches came to a stop and the doors were opened.
As master of the estate, he knew he should be down there to greet the guests, but he had used the excuse of the wedding to be absent, a decision that now weighed heavily on his heart.
Instead, he was in Michael’s parlor, making sure everything was perfect—the brothers were enjoying a glass of the finest cognac together. Nicholas had been saving the bottle especially for his little brother’s wedding day.
Of course, there was another reason he did not want to greet the guests. The day was all about Margaret, and he did not want to cause any upset by greeting Last Bridget. He knew he had hurt her a lot with his parting words, and while he would talk to her at some point, he did not want to start the wedding day with sadness.
“They have arrived,” Nicholas announced to his brother.
“The day is finally here!” Michael shouted.
Nicholas could not be entirely sad when his brother was in such good spirits. He walked over to Michael, glass in hand, and clinked his against his brother’s. They both took a drink.
“Stand up!” Nicholas ordered. “I wish to see how you have grown.”
Michael stood up and laughed. “I will always be your little brother, but I am not so little anymore.”
Nicholas clapped his brother on the back. “You have grown into a fine young man. We are all very proud of you. Soon, you will start a family, and you will bring much joy and happiness to our family.”
“How about you, Nicholas? Are you happy?”
Nicholas took a drink before he answered. “Of course! It is your wedding day, and nothing can ruin this day. I could not be happier for you.”
“Yes, but are you happy, Brother? I have not seen a lot of you in the past few weeks, and you always throw yourself into your work when something is afoot. I know it is my wedding day, but you are free to share your problems with me.”
“There are always problems when you are a duke,” Nicholas assured his brother. “I have no more problems than usual. Now, your attire is ready to be put on later, and you are still to bathe before the ceremony, so it is the perfect time to have a cigar with our cognacs.”
“She is the most beautiful woman in the world,” Michael said wistfully.
Nicholas’s mind initially went to Bridget before he realized who his brother was talking about. “She is, but you are not so bad yourself. The two of you are a match made in heaven.”
A knock sounded at the door, and Nicholas went to answer it. His heart was in his mouth, fearing that Bridget had come to talk to him before the ceremony.
It was not Bridget but his mother.
