Page 46 of Married By Twelfth Night
Bridget clapped as she always did when she was excited. “You have to tell him.”
She adamantly shook her head, the pins in her hair loosening. “I don’t have to do anything of the sort.”
“Grace, you are my dearest friend, so I am going to be honest with you. You’re a beautiful, charming woman who has a tendency to chase away any suitor who shows interest in you. If you truly love my brother, I cannot let you do the same to him.”
Grace and Bridget had always been frank with each other, but even though Grace knew this about herself, having Bridget say it out loud struck a painful chord inside her. She did chase men away. And she was good at it. Bridget had been all the companionship she needed until recently, and no one else had made her feel anything—except Richard. She had mistaken her flustered response to him as something she must avoid at all costs. She had been keeping Richard at arm’s length for her entire life, and she didn’t know how to suddenly stop doing that.
“Bridget, I cannotsimply—”
“There’s more,” Bridget interrupted. “Not only do you chase away your suitors, you chase away Richard’s too. For years, if you’ve discovered a woman interested in Richard, or vice versa, you’ve chased them away too.”
It was easy enough to recall her efforts to dissuade Miss Harrington, exaggerating how poorly Richard danced, interrupting their conversations and pushing other men her way. She had been less overt with Miss Thorne, but the conclusion had been the same. It wasn’t merely for Bridget’s sake as she had previously justified. It bothered her seeing him with other women. Good gracious, what was wrong with her?
Bridget seemed to guess her internal question. “Can’t you see, you have been in love with Richard for much longer than today.”
Grace couldn’t do anything more than blink. “Upon my word, I’m a terrible person.” She had been contemplating throwing herself between Richard and Ruth.
“Nonsense. You are devoted to those you care for, but when it comes to men—Richard specifically—you will have to adjust your plan of attack.”
“Must I attack? Such phrasing produces results, but not the kind I want. I won’t ruin Richard’s happiness this time. If he is meant to be with Ruth . . .” She couldn’t finish her sentence because she did not believe it to be true.
“He is meant to be with the person he cares for in return, and the only way to discover this is to have a frank conversation about it.”
“A very mature strategy.” No scheming. No running away.
“I thought so too.” Bridget pulled on the ends of her gloves. “I plan to have a frank conversation with my mother too, when she returns. It’s high time she lets me attend balls.”
Grace nodded. “You are braver than I.”
Bridget shook her head. “You are going to be my inspiration. Once you do it, I will have the courage too. Which is why you have to tell him straightaway.”
“How? When?”
“Come for Christmas dinner tonight, and we’ll create a way for you to get him alone.” Before Grace could answer, Bridget swung open the carriage door. “And don’t mince words! Kiss him again if you have to.”
“What?”
But it was too late. Grace’s family had come and Bridget was moving to join her brother. Richard tipped his hat to her in a silent greeting.
She couldn’t respond for fear that she would blurt out how Bridget thought they should kiss again. And what did he think about it?
Good heavens, maybe she should confess before she lost her dignity and did something even more foolish.
Chapter 19
Richard made his wayto his study after breakfast, ready to review his correspondence again. He had stayed up to the wee hours looking over an investment opportunity his solicitor had sent him. It held great risk. He would have to mortgage the house, but the outcome would have the potential to pay off his debts and more so. He would never have considered anything so drastic before, but never had things been so complicated.
The week before Christmas, he had tried hard to take every opportunity to speak with Ruth, to be near her. Many of those moments had been provided to him by Grace as they went to town for more supplies, trekked through the woods for holly berries, and added finishing touches to the kissing boughs. He had made progress in getting to know his quiet neighbor, but his feelings had progressed in a completely different direction.
Grace.
They teased each other and made each other laugh. She challenged him and listened too. She was beginning to be the first person he thought of when he woke and the last before he fell asleep. He had only studied the investment opportunity so he could be free to court her. Hoping beyond measure that he could forget Aunt’s inheritance and court Grace in earnest.
He didn’t know if she would even welcome his attention, should such a miracle change his circumstances, but he couldn’t help letting his mind linger on it. She still goaded him and urged him to be better, and he still teased her in return, but had he imagined the shift between them? He wished he could have a single glimpse into her mind to examine her innermost thoughts. Would he find himself there? Was it worth risking all of Belside and his family’s happiness on such a question?
Just after entering his study, his butler presented him a letter.
He glanced at it and immediately recognized the handwriting.
