Page 66 of Dueling with the Duke
The Duke watched as the Earl was picked up and slung over his horse. He could not believe this was happening on his brother’s wedding day but was thankful it had been easy to deal with.
As he mounted his horse to ride back for Sheffield Estate, he heard a deep snore and grunt come from the drunkard on his mount.
* * *
When the Duke arrived back at the estate, he smuggled the Earl in without alerting anyone. All the happy couple needed to know was that the problem at the chapel had been dealt with, and their wedding would go ahead without a hitch. He took the Earl, with the help of the two footmen, to the opposite wing of the house and placed him in one of the bedrooms.
Ralph Ramsburry slept the entire way from the chapel to the room, not waking up as he was carried in through the back by the footmen or when he was tossed down onto the bed.
“The two of you are to remain here,” the Duke ordered. “I don’t care who comes, no one is allowed to enter that room unless they are accompanied by me. And the Earl is not allowed to leave the room under any circumstances, do you understand?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” the footmen said in unison.
“Keep him here until the wedding ceremony is over, and you both will receive a generous bonus for this month. This is the most important task you will have in this household.”
“You can count on us,” Oscar said.
The look in his eyes told the Duke that he was already thinking about what he would spend the money on.
The Duke left them in the room with the Earl.
He then went in search of Bridget. He knew where their bedrooms were—they were staying at least one night on the estate. He wondered if they would have stayed longer if he had not broken Bridget’s heart. He could not blame her for not wanting to be around him, though after talking to his mother, he wondered if he had been mistaken.
It was not hard to find the woman when he reached the northern wing of the house where they would be staying. They were obviously in good spirits, judging by the sounds coming from the large drawing room. He reached the door and stood, listening for a moment. He smiled when he heard Bridget laugh.
The Duke knocked, and a maid answered the door a moment later. He could see past her to where Margaret was having her hair styled.
Bridget was standing by her sister, and her smile dropped when she spotted the Duke at the door. The same look returned to her eyes—the look that had haunted him for three weeks, the look she had given him before he had left the seaside estate.
Still, she looked even more beautiful than he remembered. She was not yet wearing her dress, but her hair had been styled, and it framed her face, highlighting the soft lines of her features. Her hair looked even more golden than before, and her eyes were more beguiling. Her lips were parted slightly as she stared at him, and all he could think about was the joy that had run through his body when they had kissed.
He realized he had been staring into the room for far too long and cleared his throat to speak.
“I wanted to check that you ladies had everything you needed,” he said.
“We do, thank you, Your Grace,” Margaret replied.
Penelope, the mother of the bride, was also in the room, and she nodded to the Duke to show her satisfaction. The only person who did not respond or move was Bridget.
“In need to speak to Lady Bridget for a moment,” the Duke added.
“I am busy with my sister,” Bridget replied defiantly. “Perhaps we can talk later.”
Margaret wore a tight smile as she looked toward him—it was obvious that she and Bridget had talked somewhat about what happened at the seaside estate.
“It is important,” the Duke insisted.
“Then tell me,” Bridget responded.
“It is a private matter.” The Duke gave her a look, hoping to convey that she must leave the room and talk with him.
It worked. Bridget patted her sister on the shoulder and walked toward the Duke. She wore a scowl on her face. He knew at that moment that he had to apologize to her, to tell her he was wrong about what he wanted in life.
He did not know if it was too late, but he had to try. His feelings for her were so clear, even if she did look at him like she wanted to inflict pain on him.
Bridget was pleasant as she left the room and did not say a word until they were a distance from the door and the rest of her family would not overhear them.
“I don’t wish to talk to you,” she hissed.
