Gerard removed his coat and tossed it to Dorothy. Bridget thought about diving into the lake once more. Maybe no one would rescue her, and she could become a mermaid and just swim away from them all.
“Come on,” Dorothy whispered, draping the coat over Bridget’s shoulders.
“Talk if you must,” the unfamiliar Duke said. “I will not apologize for saving a life.”
Dorothy put her hand at Bridget’s back and helped her stand. Bridget pulled the coat closed over herself, the hem nearly dragging the ground. At least, Gerard would not care if his clothes suffered a little dirt.
Unlikethat man.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Dorothy whispered. “Again.”
He jerked his head into a sharp nod. “It is a pity people have no decency. Good day, Your Grace. Greenway.”
The man sounded so utterly unaffected, as though they had merely encountered one another on a promenade and were parting ways. How did he manage that?
Maybe he already had a poor reputation, so this recent scandal was nothing to him.
“Good day,” Gerard said.
Dorothy put an arm around Bridget’s shoulders and led her through the crowd, which parted before her. Bridget forced down the lump that rose in her throat, as they stared and leered at her.
She was ruined. Again.
And it was only partially because of herownactions.
Bridget blinked back tears and smothered a sob. She had not even attended the first event, and already her Season was ruined!
“Oh, Bridget! Do not cry,” Dorothy said. “It will be fine. I promise.”
“How can you possibly promise that?” Bridget exclaimed. “Everything has gone wrong, and it was not even my doing this time! This is unfair!”
“Itwillbe fine,” Dorothy said.
But Bridget could discern Dorothy’s expression from the corner of her eye, and her sister did not look nearly as convinced as her voice seemed to imply.
“It is bad,” Bridget said, her throat so thick that it was difficult to speak.
“We will think of something,” Gerard said. “Perhaps, if Wheelton and I both insist?—”
“Wheelton?” Bridget asked.
“Lewis Thorn, the Duke of Wheelton,” Dorothy said. “Your…rescuer.”
“My begrudging rescuer,” Bridget muttered.
They had reached the park entrance, where Gerard’s carriage waited. Bridget sighed in relief, longing for the concealment that the coach would offer. Even if she was ruined, at least she would be away from the prying eyes of thetonfor a little while. Safe in the coach and safe in Gerard’s townhouse.
“But he did rescue you,” Dorothy said. “That is the most important thing.”
Gerard’s footman snapped to attention and bowed. “Your Grace.”
“Home, if you would,” Gerard said.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The footman opened the coach door, and Gerard shifted around, helping Dorothy climb the step. Dorothy offered him a soft smile, and his answering grin was dazzling. It was nothing suggestive or improper, but Bridget looked away uncomfortably. She felt as though she had witnessed a deeply private moment, as though she was an intruder in her own family.
“All settled?” Gerard asked.
