Page 67 of A Wounded Duke's Passion
“You are too clever,” Anthony said. “You are right. There is something that bothers me, and I need to discuss it with someone. I considered Mr. Russell, but while he is kind, he does not know me as well as you do.”
“Does it involve Lady Anastasia?”
“Somewhat.” Anthony paused. “I was thinking of Lady Hastings and what happened to her.”
“That was no fault of yours.”
“I would say that the blame was both of ours,” Anthony replied wryly. “Although her father did not need to marry her to that dreadful man, we nevertheless did engage in activities which unmarried lords and ladies should not.”
James frowned. He opened his mouth as if he wished to speak, but no words emerged.
“Say what you are thinking,” Anthony said.
“I do not think it is my place, Your Grace,” James said.
“I disagree. Tell me.”
“I suspect many unmarried couples engage in such activities, and nothing terrible happens as a result. There was no reason for Lady Hastings’s father to behave as vindictively as he did. You would have wed Lady Hastings if only you had been given the chance. The fault was not yours.”
“Do you truly believe that, or are you saying it simply to comfort me?” Anthony asked. “To assuage my guilt?”
“I do believe it,” James said.
“Even if I had…” Anthony trailed off.
“Yes?”
“Even if I had done something similar with another young lady?” Anthony asked.
“By something, do you mean deflowered?” James asked.
“Strictly speaking, I did not deflower her. I pleasured her in another way,” Anthony said awkwardly. “Do not ask any further questions about specifically what occurred. Please.”
“Understood, Your Grace.”
“This young lady was Bridget,” Anthony said, his gaze fixing on her portrait. “I took her to the gardens, where no one would see.”
“Ah,” James said. “And I assume something untoward may have occurred.”
Anthony felt a twinge of discomfort at having that assumption leveled against him, but it was correct, nonetheless. “Something untoward may have occurred.”
“You feel very deeply for this young woman,” James said.
“I do. I want to pursue her,” Anthony said. “I know that will have complications. I will need to contend with the Marquess of Thornton. A confrontation is inevitable to an extent, but he will be even angrier if I pursue Bridget in earnest. If I propose to her.”
“Is this not the best possible solution?” James asked. “From the start, you expressed reservations about this plan.”
“Of course,” Anthony said. “All the plan would achieve is delaying the inevitable, assuming the Marquess of Thornton did not assert his right to Bridget’s hand regardless of my involvement.”
“If Bridget loves you, and you love her,” James said, “that is surely the best possible solution. You could court her, which might bloom into a fruitful relationship.”
“I suppose,” Anthony said.
“You would surely fight the Marquess of Thornton for her,” James continued.
“Of course I would. But I feel as though I am destined to repeat all my previous errors with Bridget.”
“Why should that happen?” James asked. “You were younger and less experienced when you believed yourself to be in love with Lady Hastings. You have learned from those experiences and become a better man.”
