Page 61 of A Wounded Duke's Passion
“I understand,” Bridget replied. “It was kind of you to warn me, even knowing that I might not wish to hear what you had to say. It is always better to know.”
“Especially when it involves men,” Lady Hastings agreed.
They had completed a circuit around the garden and stood before the tables, laden with tea and food.
“I do hope I have not ruined the evening for you,” Lady Hastings said.
“No,” Bridget replied. “You have not. Thank you for telling me.”
She forced a smile, silently trying to reassure Lady Hastings that she had not erred. Inside, though, Bridget’sthoughts were adrift and scattered. What if Anthony was as callous as Lady Hastings suggested?
Bridget did not think she could bear it if he was.
Chapter 28
Lord and Lady Whitfield hosted a grand recital every year, where they invited all the ladies to come and perform before the entire ton. Lady Rose had never before received an invitation, and being asked to perform was an indication that the ton was beginning to accept her as one of them. As Lady Rose’s guardian, Anthony accompanied her and Lady Victoria to the lavish townhouse. He would have preferred to remain at Hamilton House, for he had barely slept the night before. His thoughts had refused to calm, so consumed with Bridget and Anastasia.
A devoted guardian would have attended the recital for Lady Rose’s sake, but to his chagrin, Anthony had agreed to attend the recital in the hopes of seeing Bridget. Lady Rose had only been a convenient excuse for his attendance.
Anthony searched the crowd for Bridget. While he had never heard Bridget play, he knew of her skill with the pianoforte. Surely, she would have received an invitation. He wanted to see her again, as he always did, but this time, he specifically wished to gaze at her eyes. After finishing the portrait of Anastasia, Anthony had decided that Bridget would be his next subject. He had produced a partially finished painting but found himself unable to remember properly how the light settled in her hair.
“I hope I perform well,” Lady Rose said, as they entered the ballroom.
It had been transformed into a musical hall and was filled with seats and instruments. The pianoforte had been placed in a place of honor before the rows of seats, and Anthony’s pulse quickened when he thought of Bridget playing the instrument, her slender fingers dancing over the keys.
“I am sure you will do excellently,” Lady Victoria said, squeezing her daughter’s shoulders. “I know you have practiced extensively for this occasion. You will be the talk of the ton.”
“Bridget is also going to perform,” Lady Rose said.
“Is she?” Anthony asked.
His heart soared. Bridget would be present, then, even if he had not seen her yet.
“She always receives an invitation to Lord and Lady Whitfield’s recital,” Lady Rose explained.
“Lady Rose!” The spindly Lady Whitfield waved from across the ballroom. “Join us!”
Bridget! A lump rose in Anthony’s throat at the sight of her, clad in pale green, standing beside Lady Whitfield. He let his eyes sweep over her, noticing things he never had before—like how her brown hair had just the faintest tint of red to it and how she rolled back her shoulders when she stood.
Anthony settled into a chair, Lady Victoria taking her place beside him. He would finally hear Bridget’s playing. The thought filled him with a tremor of excitement.
“I am glad that you were able to accompany Rose and me,” Lady Victoria said.
“Indeed,” Anthony replied.
“I suspect, of course, that you had your own reasons for attending,” she said, smiling slyly.
“Yes,” he conceded.
He needed to feign a proper courtship. Of course, he ought to be present for an event such as this. At least, that was what Anthony told himself. It was impossible to deny that his feelings for Bridget were only those of a man feigning to be in love. While his love for Anastasia still burned brightly, he could no longer deny how much he longed to be beside Bridget. Her company filled him with such feelings of joy and passion that he had not felt in such a very long time.
“When do you intend to propose?” Lady Victoria asked.
That was an excellent question.
“I am unsure,” he replied, “once Bridget is ready to accept.”
“I cannot imagine that she would refuse, Your Grace,” Lady Victoria said.
