Page 81 of A Wounded Duke's Passion
“The Marquess of Thornton is going to propose to me tonight,” Bridget said. “I will be forced to marry him.”
“Were you hoping to ensnare me?” he asked with dawning dread. “You knew that I could not love another woman after Anastasia, and so—”
“No!” Bridget exclaimed, taking a step forward. “I simply wanted one pleasant night, one good experience with someone who adored me, before condemning myself to a loveless marriage with a man for whom I bear no affection!”
Anthony inhaled sharply through his teeth. Bridget looked stricken; it was obvious that his words had wounded her. He felt a spark of guilt for upsetting her. Anthony longed to take her into his arms once again and reassure her, but he could not. He must resist.
“I am sorry,” he said tightly. “I tried to help you. I agreed to Lady Rose’s plan. But I was not strong enough. Perhaps—perhaps—”
A burst of sound reached Anthony’s ears, and he looked over his shoulder. The Marquess of Thornton had just opened the door with Lady Hastings on his arm. Anthony heard Bridget gasp. He had the impulsive thought that he ought to protect her somehow, shield her from the Marquess of Thornton’s gaze, although Anthony knew the man must have already seen her.
“And what is this?” Lord Thornton asked. “My bride unaccompanied on the steps with you? Was humiliating me insufficient? You conspire to steal my bride, too.”
“It is not what you think,” Anthony said.
“Our paths simply happened to cross, my lord,” Bridget added.
“A lie!” Lady Hastings exclaimed. “Do you see, my lord? It is just as I said. His Grace is unable to contain his impulse to deflower every young lady that he sees.”
“That is slander,” Anthony said. “Choose your next words wisely, my lady.”
“I am no solicitor, but I believe that slander must be untrue. Not a word of what I am saying is false, as you well know.” Lady Hastings narrowed her eyes and smiled thinly at Bridget. “I tried to warn you, but it seems that you did not take care as you should have.”
“You lied to her,” Anthony said. “I will not deny that I made errors with you, but they are not as egregious as you claim! I tried to defend your honor and protect you from your father’s wrath!”
“Did you?” Lady Hastings asked. “We can see how wonderfully you did with that!”
Anthony clenched his jaw.
“Just because he was unable to persuade your father to see reason does not mean he refused to try,” Bridget said. “Anthony is a good man!”
Anthony’s breath caught in his throat.
“A good man?” Lord Thornton asked. “What good man deflowers an unmarried lady and one who is engaged to another man?”
Bridget’s face paled.
“You are not yet engaged,” Anthony said.
“It was to be announced tonight,” the Marquess of Thornton said. “We would have been married soon after. Did Lady Bridget not inform you that it would be announced tonight?”
Anthony drew a sharp and shuddering breath. He had ruined everything, though. Anthony had persuaded this woman to love him, while he did not return her affections, and due to his own recklessness, he had just ruined her reputation. No man would have her now, except perhaps for Lord Thornton. Anthony felt a sense of loathing overcome him. He curled his hands into fists, and although he was not a violent man, he had a strong urge to insist upon a duel to restore Bridget’s honor.
“Nothing happened,” Anthony said through gritted teeth. “If you believe that something did, it is only because you are an insecure man and doubt in the virtue of an honest woman.”
The Marquess of Thornton’s face reddened. “How dare you speak so disrespectfully toward me?” he asked. “You may be the Duke of Hamilton, but Lady Bridget is my future wife. I shall dictate how she spends her time and who with.”
“But she is not your wife yet!” Anthony declared. “Until she is, you have no right to her.”
“Her father has already agreed that I do!” Lord Thornton snapped.
“Please, do not fight!” Bridget exclaimed, taking a step toward Lord Thornton and Lady Hastings. “We can settle this civilly!”
“Civilly?” Lady Hastings asked, laughing. “Do you expect that you can persuade His Grace to marry you and spare you the humiliation of this disgrace?”
“No,” Bridget said softly. “I would never presume…”
Anthony looked at her, and his heart ached. “Bridget, I shall make certain that all is well. Nothing happened here tonight, and I will ensure that everyone knows it.”
