“Since when have I been likemost women?” she asked.
Bridget looked away, uncomfortable. It was as if she was intruding on a private moment between her sister and brother-in-law. Beneath the discomfort, there was a newfound ache.Longing.
She wanted someone who cherished her. Bridget had been so very foolish by allowing herself to think that perhaps Lewis had changed. Maybe he had warmed to her. She shook her head dismally. Her husband had shown her a different side of himself. But knowing a bit more about his character still was not enough.
“Bridget was speaking to me about a matter. I believe you might be able to offer her a man’s perspective,” Dorothy said.
“Oh,” Gerard said. “Of course. What is the matter, Bridget?”
Bridget sighed. She could not summon any real irritation for her sister’s interference. Dorothy was only trying to help her, just like she always did.
“I fear that I am developing feelings for my husband,” Bridget said.
Gerard furrowed his brow. “That is…fortunate?”
“Not exactly,” Bridget said. “I might be developing some tender feelings for Lewis, but he made it apparent that he feels nothing for me.”
“Preciselyhowdid he make it apparent?” Gerard asked. “Did he say that he feels nothing for you? Those exact words?”
“He said that I need to remember that we have a marriage of convenience and that I will only cause problems if I become genuinely fond of him,” Bridget said. “That is close enough to saying he feels nothing for me.”
“What problems?”
Bridget fidgeted with her skirts. “He seems to believe that any fondness between us would be destined to wither away over time, so he does not feel like it is worth even trying for something more.”
“Then, the problem is not that he feelsnothingfor you. It is that he fears feeling more for you,” Gerard said thoughtfully. “Perhaps the situation is not as hopeless as you believe.”
Bridget hated the little spark of hope that burned in her chest. “Really?”
Gerard nodded. “It makes sense that a man would be wary of developing genuine feelings in those circumstances, especially one like your husband, who feels as though he must be in control of every aspect of his life. It can be frightening to relinquish that control for something as irrational as love.”
“Irrational?” Dorothy asked.
“Yes,” Gerard said, his face softening. “Because love requires you to consider someone else’s needs before your own. For a man with a title and responsibilities, that is a terrifying notion.”
“I suppose so,” Bridget said. “That certainly sounds like Lewis. But how do I persuade him that some mutual fondness is beneficial to us both?”
“You have only mentioned the possibility to him the once, right?”
“Yes.”
“Give him time,” Gerard said, as though that was the easiest thing in the world. “You are suggesting something which may change the nature of your marriage. Of course, he is hesitant.”
“I will try,” Bridget replied. “Thank you.”
Dorothy suddenly stumbled forward. Gerard caught her in his arms. “Dearest?”
Dorothy gasped for air and buried her forehead into Gerard’s shoulder. She dug her nails into his jacket and sobbed, the sound piercing Bridget’s heart. “The baby,” Bridget said.
“Thebaby?” Gerard asked. “Dorothy, are you?—”
“Oh!” Dorothy cut in, her breath coming in uneven pants. “Gerard, I—I think the baby—I think it is here!”
Gerard froze, staring at her with wide eyes. “The?—”
“She needs to go back to the house!” Bridget exclaimed. “I will go ahead and fetch the physician.”
Dorothy sobbed, sounding wounded. Bridget turned on her heels and ran, prepared to sacrifice dignity for finding her sister aid as quickly as possible. Her heart thundered against her ribs, but she buried the fear and uncertainty that rose withinher. The baby was coming, and Dorothy needed Bridget’s help. So, Bridget would force all her worries down and focus on the present.
