Bridget drew in a deep breath of the cool night air, trying to regain some control over her frenzied senses.
“Adrian, I am thankful that you came when you did,” she insisted. “But I am so very confused! The last time I saw you was in our room at the inn in Alfriston. We shared so very much with one another. Yet when I awoke the next morning, you disappeared without a word! And now you reappear, stating that I am to be your duchess, yourwife?”
“I know,” Adrian insisted, running a hand through his disheveled dark hair. “I know I have much explaining to do, but I—”
“You certainly do,” Bridget cut him off. “How could you lie like that? The rumors around my husband and me have just died, and such a proposal will only force me into a scandalous state all over again! Do you not realize how improper it would be to marry again while still in the mourning period?”
“It is not a lie. And whether it be improper or not, you need protection, Bridget,” Adrian countered, looking half-crazed. “From him. From men like him. You cannot believe that a woman like you may remain a widow for long before they come to you like vultures.”
“Why not?” she desperately demanded. She had been so very close to her freedom, and now even the man she was coming to like was trying to take it away. The world felt too small, too suffocating to tolerate.
“Because of who you are!” Adrian exclaimed, waving a hand toward her. “Do you not understand that you are the epitome of a perfect wife for most gentlemen? You are beautiful, you are kind, you have an understanding nature about you that most would not dare attempt to comprehend.”
His answer stunned her into silence. In the dim light of the outdoor oil lamps, she watched as Adrian fought to regain his composure. He rubbed his face, dragged his hand through his hair, then finally straightened his black brocade waistcoat that fit perfectly, as always, around his muscular form.
“I cannot leave you here with that man,” he said, much calmer than before as he pointed toward the house. “Nor can I leave you to the likes of him. I am asking you, Bridget, please, to accept my proposal and leave this place. I will not be blamed for what I do to him if he tries to touch you like that again.”
Emotion welled in Bridget’s throat, threatening to suffocate her. It was not that she wanted to go back inside with Victor. It was that, yet again, her choices were stripped away from her.
“You do not understand what you are asking me to do,” she whispered as tears welled in her eyes.
“Perhaps not,” Adrian agreed, “But what I do understand is that I willnevertreat you the way that man just did. You deserve respect, kindness, and protection, Bridget, and I swear that I will do everything I can to keep you safe and happy.”
A small tendril of relief wound its way from Bridget’s heart, but it did little to soothe the ache in her chest. As much as she did not want to admit it, and as much as she did not believe that she would have a loving marriage, she knew Adrian was right.
Chapter 18
Five Days Later
“You looked beautiful today, my darling,” Katie whispered, stroking a brush lovingly through Bridget’s long hair.
Bridget attempted a smile as she looked at her friend through the vanity mirror, but it did not reach her eyes.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “And thank you for staying a while longer. I am still… Though I have done this before, I still find myself a bit nervous about what is about to come.”
It was unusual, to be sure, that a bride would request a friend to help her get ready for her wedding night. Yet Bridget was not quite ready to be alone. She feared what thoughts would unfurl from her mind if she did so.
“You are my dear friend, Bridget,” Katie warmly replied, pausing her brushing to squeeze Bridget’s shoulders. “I would stay all night if you wished. Though I doubt your new husband would appreciate that.”
It was intended as a joke, Bridget knew that. Yet she could not bring herself to laugh. Instead, silence filled the grand layout of the duchess’ quarters of the London Redgrave Estate.Hernewquarters. For she was the Duchess of Redgrave now. The last few days, including the very intimate wedding ceremony and reception that occurred just a few hours ago, had been nothing but a strange, out-of-body blur for Bridget.
She vaguely remembered putting on the white dress, walking down the aisle, and saying her vows to Adrian, but none of it truly seemed real.
“What is the matter, Bridget? Why do you look so solemn? I thought you would be excited for a new start? The way I understand it, you and Warren did not love each other,” Katie said.
Bridget shook her head, once more feeling tears well in her eyes. It was a common sensation for her now. She was sure she had cried more in the last few weeks than she had in her entire lifetime.
“It is true that I did not love Warren,” Bridget whispered. “But everything happened so fast. Besides, what does remarrying so quickly say about me? I thought that as a widow, I would be done caring about what thetonthought of me. That I would have some respite.”
“Oh, darling,” Katie sighed, hugging her from behind. “You worry far too much! Stop thinking about rumors and start focusing on your own happiness! Do you like your new husband?”
Bridget sniffled, then nodded.
“Adrian is most handsome,” she admitted. “And kind. In a gruff sort of way. I just… I have not processed the whole situation yet, and I am not sure I have made the right decision in getting into another marriage so fast.”
“Give yourself some time to get to know one another, and stop worrying about what thetonhas to say about your life.” She paused for a moment, as if contemplating. “He is different, you know. From Warren, I mean. The way he looks at you? It is as if you are the only woman in the room.”
Through her despair, Bridget felt a tingle of warmth spread through her body. She might have noticed that as well. Even if her fear of being discarded and uncared for ran rampant.
