Page 74 of A Wounded Duke's Passion
“It is my duty as the eldest daughter,” Bridget said. “Besides, Mr. Russell will need his money to support your own happiness. You are to begin a life together, and you cannot squander your fortune on me.”
“It would not be squandering,” Mr. Russell said. “You are to be my sister, and I have a duty to look after you as one.”
Bridget drew a shuddering breath. “There is my pride to consider, Mr. Russell. While I do appreciate your kind offer, I will marry Lord Thornton. I have come to peace with my fate.”
That was not entirely true. She found herself still thinking about how the pretend courtship might free her of the amorous Marquess of Thornton once and for all. Bridget knew it was a futile hope, for she had already agonized over the situation time and time again, searching for some manner of escape. Still, she found none.
“You cannot marry him,” Anna said, coming to an abrupt stop and clasping Bridget’s hands in her own. “You must refuse.”
Bridget shook her head. “Anna, I cannot. Even if the debts could be paid in some other way, there is still the fact that Lord Thornton is our father’s valued business partner. If I refuse to wed him, I could damage that relationship and make matters worse.”
“But that would be our father’s folly for not managing to clear his debts!” Anna declared.
“He is our father, Anna! How can you say something like that?”
Anna drew in a sharp breath. For a while, they walked in silence. Bridget tried not to think about the uncomfortable quiet between the three of them. She wondered what Mr. Russell must think about them, their indebted father and Bridget’s hesitance to marry the man who could solve all their problems.
“It is still unfair for Father to go back on his word,” Anna said. “He promised that you could have a love match, and it is cruel of him to deprive you of that.”
Bridget sighed. “Let us not talk about it,” she said. “It is such a dour topic. We ought to be celebrating because you and Mr. Russell are to wed!”
“I have not even proposed yet,” Mr. Russell pointed out. “Who can say how far away the wedding will be?”
“Soon,” Anna said.
“Perhaps I will have my new gowns to wear,” Bridget replied.
“They look lovely,” Anna said. “The blossom, in particular, suits you.”
Bridget nodded. She had noticed that blossom suited her when the modiste held the fabric against Bridget’s face andnoted how the material looked so elegant against the natural rosiness of her cheeks.
“I am excited to see the gown once it is completed,” Bridget said. “It is unfortunate that I will not be able to wear it to any of the Season’s final events.”
She would have liked to have worn the blossom-colored gown to Lady Emily’s ball. Then the Duke of Hamilton would have been able to see her dressed in the gown purchased with his own money. Bridget’s heart gave a little flutter of the thought. Fate was unkind, though. He would only ever see that gown from across the ballroom. Her chest ached when she thought about staring at him and knowing that she was a wed woman.
It would be torturous, knowing that she could not have him. That was assuming that the Marquess of Thornton allowed her to attend social events, of course. If Bridget was unlucky, Lord Thornton might be a husband who denied her the opportunity to enjoy such occasions. He might insist that she remain at home, enjoying only his company. Bridget knew some man preferred that their wives not venture into social spaces.
“That is a pity,” Anna said. Her voice was strange and forced, as though she were uncomfortable discussing such a normal subject.
Bridget supposed that she understood her sister’s hesitation. If she had not been so desperate for a distraction, she might have also felt that the change in subjects wasinappropriate. As it was, she could find no solution to Lord Thornton’s proposed match after weeks of trying, and the more she thought about the future proposal, the more distressed she became. Perhaps it was best not to think of it at all.
At least, she would not think of it until the nighttime when she was alone in her bed and imagining the manner of husband who might lie beside her. Bridget thought of Lord Thornton’s hands upon her, insistent and overly eager, and she wanted to vomit.
“I fear that we must part ways,” Mr. Russell said, sounding genuinely apologetic. “I have another obligation this evening.”
“Oh!” Anna exclaimed. “What is it?”
“A business meeting,” he said. “Nothing exciting, I am afraid. I would simply not go, but I fear I must.”
They reached the entrance of the park, where Mr. Russell’s coach waited for him. Once they ceased walking, Mr. Russell took Anna’s hands in his and gazed at her with such affection that Bridget had to look away. She felt as though she were intruding on a private moment, and this thought was soon followed by the realization that she would likely never experience such tender feelings herself.
“I am glad that you accompanied us, my lady,” Mr. Russell said, bowing to Bridget.
She forced a smile. “Thank you.”
After he departed, Anna sighed longingly. Bridget felt a spark of something like envy, although she was glad that her sister had found a man who loved her.
“Bridget, we must find you a man like Mr. Russell,” Anna said. “Do you think that His Grace will be that for you?”
