Page 89 of A Wounded Duke's Passion
Bridget bit the inside of her cheek. “We have not spoken much about everything that happened when I was unconscious.”
“No,” Anna agreed. “Would you like to?”
“I feel like I must,” Bridget replied. “What happened after… after Lady Hastings shoved me?”
“The ton was scandalized,” Anna said, sounding as though she were choosing her words with the utmost care.“Because of your fall and also because you were allegedly caught in a compromising position with His Grace.”
Bridget sighed. Warmth spread across her face. It had been a magical night that had awakened so many sensations within her. She looked away, hoping that Anna either failed to notice the gathering tears or else assumed they were because of the pain in Bridget’s skull.
“I do not care if it was true,” Anna said hesitantly. “When I am with David, I long to enjoy the pleasures of the bedroom, too. Waiting until we are wed is agony.”
“The engagement was announced, then,” Bridget said. “I missed it.”
“Well, it was not formally announced until after Lady Emily’s ball,” Anna said. “And even then, it was nothing special. David wanted to make some grand gesture, but I did not really care for that. As long as I could marry him, I would be happy.”
Bridget nodded. She wanted to be wholly happy for her sister, but she could not deny the despair she felt at her own lack of love. “What about the Marquess of Thornton?”
“He does not wish to marry you any longer,” Anna said, smiling bitterly. “Do you remember him saying that he wished to cancel the engagement?”
“No.”
“He did.”
“Father’s debts—”
“Those are not your concern,” Anna said. “Bridget, you must not blame yourself for anything that has happened. It was cruel of our father to order you to marry Lord Thornton from the start. Now, you are free.”
Bridget shook her head, wincing at the ache that spread through her temples. “His debts are of concern to all of us,” she said.
“David has promised to take care of them,” Anna said. “I have only to ask, but I have not.”
Bridget’s breath caught in her throat. “Why not?”
Anna sighed. “Perhaps it is selfish of me, but I cannot bring myself to do it. Our father caused all of this. He is the reason that you spent days lying her in this bed, while we worried that you might never wake up.”
“Our father did not push me down the stairs.”
“But if he had not arranged the marriage with the Marquess of Thornton, this would never have happened!” Anna argued, her face reddening.
“It still might have,” Bridget said. “Lady Hastings might have detested me and shoved me regardless. She had already told me rumors about Anthony. And—and even though he does not love me—”
“What do you mean?” Anna asked, eyes widening. “Of course he loves you.”
“He does not,” Bridget said. “I told him that I loved him, and he looked terrified. He admitted that he does not love me.”
Anna shook her head. “I do not believe that.”
“You do not believe it?” Bridget asked.
“He must love you. He acted like he did.”
“It was all an act,” Bridget said tiredly. “He pretended to court me as some sort of plan to deter the Marquess of Thornton’s advances. It was my folly for allowing myself to feel anything more than friendship for him.”
Anna furrowed her brow. “Even if your relationship began that way, I cannot believe that is all it ever was. I saw how the two of you looked at one another. He loves you, Bridget. There must have been some other reason for him to deny it.”
“How can you know that?” Bridget asked. “What other reason could he possibly have for saying something so unkind?”
“There is only one way to learn what his reason is,” Anna said. “You must speak to him once you are recovered.”
