Dorothy’s face reddened. “Sometimes,” she said. “Less so since we have married. I believe that has smoothed some of Gerard’s rough edges.”
Bridget thought of the Duke of Wheelton’s sharp gaze. It was difficult to imagine anything about that man smoothing over with marriage. She had no intention of becoming what he wanted either, which meant that their marriage was destined to be a long, fierce battle of wills. It sounded exhausting and dreadful, far from the love-match she had desired for so long.
“Well,” Bridget said. “That is fortunate for you.”
“He must have—you must have been able to determine more of his character, though,” Dorothy said. “Or perhaps you have been able to surmise something of his intentions?”
Bridget sighed. “I suppose he is…intense.”
“How do you mean?” Dorothy asked.
Whatdidshe mean?
“He is a man who knows what he wants,” Bridget said. “His Grace has made it readily apparent what he anticipates his wife will be, and that woman is not me.”
Dorothy’s face paled. “But you are to be married.”
“I know. Terrible,” Bridget said bitterly. “Elias has made it clear that I have no other options, though. His Grace intends on marrying me, even though he dislikes me.”
“Has he said that he dislikes you?” Dorothy asked.
Bridget bit her lip. “Not in those words. But he seems determined to detest me. He insists that I will need to be changed to be his perfect wife.”
Worse. The man seemed to take some strange pleasure from Bridget’s defiance. When she endeavored to anger him, His Grace seemed entirely unaffected by her behavior. A cold wave of hopelessness settled over her shoulders. Bridget was beginning to suspect that there was no way in which she might deter this man.
“Did he explain what precisely he believes to be his interpretation of the ideal woman?” Dorothy asked.
“Someone obedient and demure,” Bridget said. “Everything that I am not.”
“Perhaps I ought to speak to Elias,” Dorothy murmured. “I do not…I have some reservations about this match.”
Bridget’s heart fluttered. “Do you?”
Maybe her sister could convince Elias to call off the marriage! Bridget knew that she ought to be delighted at the prospect. Here was another chance to free herself of the wretched man! And yet?—
There was a heat burning in her core whenever she thought about his dark gaze and coy promises of making herbeg.Bridget would never, of course, but there was something about the Duke of Wheelton that made her body come alive in a way that it never had before. She did not understand it, but she longed for more.
“During your conversation, did His Grace ever mention his grandmother, the Dowager Duchess?” Dorothy asked suddenly.
“No,” Bridget replied.
Dorothy set her teacup aside. She looked towards the window, as though she wished to say something but was uncertain how. For a long time, neither sister spoke, and Dorothy seemed to deliberate something.
“Well?” Bridget asked, after the silence grew too great to ignore. “Is there something I should know about his grandmother?”
“I am uncertain,” Dorothy said. “You know that thetonexaggerates.”
“The Duke of Wheelton would agree with your sentiment,” Bridget said slowly. “He told me himself that he feels thetoncreates scandals where none need be.”
Dorothy shifted uncomfortably on the sofa. “Yes, well…that is why I am hesitant to say anything, but I am your sister. I will do anything to keep you happy and safe. However, I do think that you should be cautious with what I tell you.”
Bridget’s back straightened. “You are unusually anxious today.”
“I understand the difficult dilemma that you are in,” Dorothy said. “I do not want to dissuade you from an advantageous marriage because of something which might prove to be only an idle rumor.”
“What is it?” Bridget asked.
“The Dowager Duchess is said to be a woman who is in poor health,” Dorothy said. “She has been sick for many years.”
