Page 58 of A Wounded Duke's Passion
“No, not in words,” Mr. Russell replied. “Perhaps I am imagining dislike where there is none, but even if His Grace does find me lacking, it does make a great deal of sense.”
“If it is any consolation, I do find that His Grace’s taste is…” Anthony trailed off, realizing too late that he should have said nothing.
“Is…?” Mr. Russell trailed off.
“I do not wish to sound unkind,” Anthony said, absentmindedly swirling his brandy in the glass. “But His Grace… there is something I do not understand about the man.”
“What do you mean?”
“I will tell you,” Anthony said, “but this matter must remain between us. I do not wish for the ton to learn of what I am about to speak, for it may be something which Bridget does not wish to be known by others.”
“Of course, I would not tell a soul. Perhaps it is best that I not know, though.”
Bridget had never told Anthony that he could not speak to others about her situation, and he suspected Mr. Russell could be trusted to keep a secret.
“His Grace seemingly considered the Marquess of Thornton as a potential suitor for his daughter,” Anthony replied.
Mr. Russell furrowed his brow. “Is that not the gentleman who yelled at your servant?”
“Yes,” Anthony replied.
“Does Lady Bridget have some fondness for him?”
“Not at all,” Anthony said. “And I can imagine why. Bridget is a young woman in the bloom of her youth, and Lord Thornton is significantly older.”
“Why did His Grace insist upon the match?” Mr. Russell asked. “I suppose I could understand if Lady Bridget were unable to attract suitors, but as beautiful and kind as she is, I imagine many men would be vying for her attention.”
“As would I.”
Anthony hadn’t noticed many men trying to gain Bridget’s affection, but perhaps that was because his own interest in the lady had been noticed. There were few men who could compete with a duke, much less one with a considerable fortune.
“There must be some reason, though,” Mr. Russell mused.
“I believe the Marquess of Thornton is His Grace’s business partner. Perhaps there is some agreement between them,” Anthony said.
“If they are business partners, surely, their goodwill between one another need not be contingent on marrying Bridget,” Mr. Russell said.
“I suppose you are right,” Anthony replied, “but it is not as though I can simply ask the Duke of Norfolk why he wishes for Bridget to wed Lord Thornton. That would be too presumptuous.”
Mr. Russell shook his head. “Sometimes I wish people would simply say what they mean. I feel as though everyone in the ton has so many secrets, and even the most innocuous statement may have a dozen different meanings. It is as though I speak a language that is different from everyone in the ton.”
“Sometimes, I feel like that, too,” Anthony said. “It is difficult to become accustomed to our world. I felt similarly when I first became the Duke of Hamilton. Everyone expected that His Grace and the dowager duchess would produce an heir, so I never anticipated that I might be a duke.”
“You have handled it wonderfully,” Mr. Russell said.
Anthony smiled. He doubted Mr. Russell would know if Anthony was an effective duke or not, but the compliment was kind, nonetheless.
“Thank you. And you have handled interactions with the ton quite well,” Anthony said.
“Well, I follow Anna’s sterling example,” he replied. “She has been a gracious and patient instructor.”
“That is good,” Anthony said.
Mr. Russell nodded and raised his glass of brandy. “To the daughters of the Duke of Norfolk?”
To the most complicated lady that Anthony had ever interacted with. Offering a small smile, he clinked his glass against the one Mr. Russell held.
“To the Duke of Norfolk’s daughters,” he said. “The two most brilliant, enchanting ladies in the entire ton.”
