As much as her heart felt heavy and numb at knowing his betrayal, for the past two nights, she had woken up breathless with the memory of how sweetly he’d kissed and worshiped every nook and curve of her body.
Yet it was more than that; William had opened up to her in ways he had never shown anyone. She saw more than the Beast of Brookhaven Castle. He showed more of his playful side, his caring side, his self-sacrificing side. She saw his doubts at times, his insecurities at times, but most of all, his determination.
“My lady,” a young lad, about fifteen said, “May I get you anything?”
“Samuel, is it?” she smiled. “No thank you, but I appreciate it.”
In the days she’d been here, the lad had been appointed as her help—or more so, appointedhimself,and while he’d indeed been helpful, there were times she’d felt him looking at her in… sorrow? Why?
“Very good, my lady,” he smiled weakly, then bowed out.
Thoughts trained back on William, she could not understand how he’d been so tender, so loving… and all the while lied to her face.
But had he though?
Curled up with a steaming cup of tea at a window, she looked out as the rain pelted the panes. Now, days after the revelation and being left to her solitude, she could finally organize her thoughts in an impartial manner. William had not known he’d fought her brother that night,true, and it had shown as he had faithfully gone out to search for him night after night.
But when he knew… why didn’t he tell me?
Was he afraid? Was he still shaken by it? Did he fear that I would hate him?
The rain began to ease, and as she pondered the situation, faint sunlight began to break through the gray clouds, and the light glistened over the droplets on the tree leaves and the grass.
“Bridget?” Adam entered and strode over to her, glass of brandy in hand. He did not look steady on his feet. “Oh, here you are. How was your day?”
“Middling,” she murmured. “And yours?”
“Not so much,” he replied. “Have you heard anything from that scallywag of a husband of yours?”
“No,” she sighed.
“It is for the best,” he declared, joining her on the window seat. “I hope he never contacts you again.”
His statement sounded… tooforwardfor her comfort. At the end of the day, William was still her husband, and while he had been caught in this unfortunate circumstance, being separated from him… pained her heart.
“Adam, please, no.” She shook her head vehemently. “William is not evil.”
“Be that as it may, he is not worthy of you, and Frederick was foolish too,” Adam mumbled, taking another swig. “Do you know how many times I asked him for your hand, yet he constantly refused?”
Bridget’s head snapped back, “What?”
“I asked him if I could marry you, but he said no,” Adam clarified as if she hadn’t heard it the first time. “So, I settled for what I could get and that was friendship. Now, I have my chance to prove him wrong and be the one for you in your time of need.”
Bridget immediately recoiled. What was this?
“I will be going out tonight.” He rested the glass on the windowsill and leaned in to kiss her. Instinctively, Bridget leaned away.
“Adam, you’ve been drinking,” she uttered. “You are not in your right mind.”
“You don’t want to kiss me?” he asked with a frown.
“I… am still married.” She pulled out the first rationalization, one that she knew Adam would understand, while trying not to tell him she did not see himthatway or want him the way he wanted. Lest it make him more hostile in his approach and put her in danger.
“You shan’t be a married woman for long. I will wait for that day, and it is coming soon,” he smiled lecherously, then took the glass up and made for the door. “I am sure Frederick would have preferred this union than with that damnable duke anyway.”
I cannot marry him. He is—I cannot marry him. Why—why could he think I would do so?
“Your Grace,” a voice tore her from her shaken thoughts. Sam lingered unsteadily in the doorway, and when she looked at him—he looked tortured.
