Page 55 of Dueling with the Duke
“Well, I am thoroughly comforted,” the Duke replied. “You called me wonderful company. Does that mean you do not think me a complete rake and rogue?”
“I, well…”
“Either I am not, or you were lying.” The smile remained on his face.
“I suppose you can be pleasant when you are on your best behavior. Let us see if it will last.”
“Yes, indeed,” the Duke agreed.
There was another silence between them, and Bridget was the one to break it.
“Mr. Peaches is a good judge of character, so there must be good in you. I do not wish to stroke your ego, but perhaps I misjudged you when we first met. Or, perhaps you try to hide who you really are. Does your personality change after dark? The man I have spent time out here with at night is entirely pleasant.”
“And the man you have spent time with during the day?” the Duke asked.
“I shall defer my full judgment until later.” Bridget sighed. “I can judge your brother very easily. There is no doubt he is a good man and a fine match for my sister.”
“I agree with you fully,” Nicholas admitted. “Soon, they will be wed and start a family. I know my brother will be in no way like my father—you have my word on that. I am like my father, but Michael is more like Mother.”
“I have no concerns about Lord Michael,” Bridget admitted. “I know he will treat my sister well. I am more concerned about the wedding.”
“I know there is a lot to do, but there is still time. Michael assured me that everything is under control.”
Bridget looked up at the stars above. They twinkled in the blackness, and she could not look away.
“That is not what I am worried about.” She continued to stare at the stars above. “I feel foolish to even talk about it.”
“Don’t feel foolish on my account.”
Bridget could feel the Duke staring at her, and she could not meet his eyes.
“I did not go to as many balls as other young ladies. I did not understand at the time, but as I matured, I believe it was my father’s fault. He was not invited to as many balls as his peers because of the trouble he caused. When I attended the balls, I did not dance with as many gentlemen. I found myself making excuses or hiding away. I did not like how they expected me to dance with them just because they asked me to. So, that means…”
“What?” the Duke prompted.
Bridget finally tore her gaze away from the stars and turned to face him. “I’m nervous about dancing.”
She quickly looked away from Nicholas and out toward the black sea near the horizon.
“Nervous?” he echoed.
“You must not poke fun at me,” Bridget said. “Yes, I am nervous about dancing at Margaret’s wedding celebration. I have not danced in so long that I must have forgotten how.”
“Tosh.” The Duke laughed.
“Oh, please don’t laugh at me, Your Grace. “
“I’m not laughing at you,” he assured. “I only don’t believe that you have lost the ability to dance. I have seen the way you move on your horse and when you play charades—you hold yourself with poise and grace. I imagine you will be a fine dancer at the wedding.”
The waves gently roared in the distance, almost interrupting them. A cricket or a frog made a croaking sound from close by.
“I still have time,” Bridget said. “I just want everything to be perfect for Margaret. Everyone will be dancing, and as her sister, I will be front and center. Oh, I should have paid for lessons long ago. I am running out of time.”
The Duke hopped off the wall and held out his hand. “I shall give you a lesson right now.”
“Please,” Bridget moaned. “I am in trouble, and you only mock me.”
“I do nothing of the sort. I see a woman in trouble, and I’m offering my help. I am something of an expert in dancing.”
