She tugged at his hold, and, as if realizing what he had just done, Farley quickly let go and bowed low, offering his apologies.
“It is all right,” she forgave him. “Just tell me what you mean.”
“It may look safe at the moment, my lady, but this road is notorious for bandits. If they spot the likes of you walking down the road in such jewels and finery, I fear what they would do. I would protect you as best I could, of course, but these bandits often travel in groups.”
Bridget took in the raw worry in Farley’s eyes and knew he was simply not trying to dissuade her from her intended journey. However, the thought of staying inside her broken carriage for the next few hours railed hard against her. She would not give upthis easily!
Bridget looked up at the sky, trying to think of a new plan as she watched the pleasant blue slowly start to shift toward gray. The day had started out so well, but now, like the weather, it was quickly souring.
“Oh, thank heaven,” Farley sighed as Bridget heard the sound of approaching hoofbeats and wheels.
She turned toward the sound and echoed his relief as they saw a carriage approaching from London. It was clear from the dressing of the horses and the driver in the front that those inside were nobles. Perhaps with luck, it would be someone she knew, and she could beseech them for help.
Yet as the carriage drew up beside them and a familiar face popped out from the carriage window, Bridget grimaced.
“Oh no,” she muttered as she met Adrian’s rage-filled eyes.
“Are you quite serious?” Adrian barked.
He then ducked his head back inside his carriage and opened the door. His tall figure climbed out of the back, as per usual, dressed in a dark suit that defined his muscles a little too well. Bridget’s cheeks flushed red as she drew her gaze up and down his body and felt that now-familiar spark of attraction.
This is the last thing you should be thinking about!
“I told you that I would go to Alfriston to investigate, and I would inform you of the results of my research. Must you always be so stubborn?” Adrian stated, walking up to her. “It seems ever since I met you, I have found you precisely in my way. Or are you possibly doing it on purpose?”
Bridget chortled, for some reason finding his tone of annoyance most amusing, then suddenly clapped her hand over her mouth as he narrowed his gaze at her.
“How could a broken carriage wheel bemyfault?” she asked, then snickered. “Please, Your Grace, I would love to hear your logic on this. Would you not believe it to be coincidental?”
“Not this many times,” Adrian said flatly.
Bridget’s humor faded a little as she took in his most serious expression.
“I told you I would be continuing my search for my husband,” she said, fluffing out her skirts. “Seeing as I am not your responsibility, you cannot expect me to obey you.”
“Do not cross me,” Adrian warned, taking a step toward her. “I am in no mood today. Do you have any idea how—”
“I swear,” Bridget hissed, feeling her annoyance shift to rage. “If you chastise me one more time on the dangers of my efforts, I will kick your shin just as I kicked Tibault’s last night.”
Adrian’s jaw as well as Farley’s dropped open at her words, and Bridget used their shocked silence to take the opportunity to gather her thoughts and her temper.
“Your Grace,” she said, forcing a polite tone. “I am aware that you do not approve of my participation in the search for my husband. However, I must remind you that I, too, have been horribly affected by his poor behavior. Just as no one can tell you to stop looking for your brother’s murderer, no one can tell me to stop looking for the man who has brought me so much shame and humiliation.”
“Lady Winslow…”
“No. Do you understand how tired I am? Howverytired I am of feeling ashamed, or meek? Or believing that if I am sweet and obedient, I will be rewarded? Well, I will tell you that I have been such a way my entire life, and all it has gotten me is this terrible mess!”
“Now please,” she went on, giving him an imploring look. “Do not waste time scolding me. Take us with you to Alfriston. Farley will find help there for the carriage, and you and I may approach my husband’s mistress together. Or, if luck is on our side, approach the man himself.”
Adrian looked at her for a long, intense moment, his sharp jaw ticking with obvious irritation as he so clearly turned her words over and over in his head.
“Fine,” he gritted out at last.
As he said so, another rumble of thunder resounded from a distance, followed by a stiff, cool breeze.
“I suppose I cannot leave you out here to drown,” he muttered.
“Thank you,” she said sweetly.
