Once more, Bridget felt the urge to lean into the happiness that came with her new life—and once more, she stopped herself right on the precipice. This was too good, too perfect. It surelycould not be real.
Still, she smiled, swallowed her fear, and as the carriage drew to a stop, she allowed Adrian to lead her into her best friend’s home. However, that panic rose in her again as soon as she saw the faces of the ladies who had once teased her for having such an absent husband. She braced herself, ready for another onslaught of humiliation as they approached.
“Congratulations, Your Grace!” Lady Lydia Wintour emphatically praised, as, to Bridget’s surprise, the woman leaned forward and kissed both of her cheeks.
“What a beautiful pair you two make!” Lady Petra Cornwall insisted jovially as she curtseyed low to Bridget.
“I was so very sorry to hear of your loss, Your Grace, but I am beyond ecstatic that you have found such happiness!” Lady Regina Parson said next, then leaned in to kiss Bridget’s left cheek.
She stared in silent shock for a long moment, unable to believe that the ladies giving her great praise were the same ones who were far too happy to mock her only a few weeks ago.
“My wife is taken aback by your generosity, ladies,” Adrian answered, breaking the silence. “However, on behalf of both of us, I offer our thanks for your congratulatory greetings.”
“Yes.” Bridget sputtered, shaking herself from her shock. “Thank you so much for your kind words.”
The three clucking hens all smiled at her widely, and before she could say anything else, they showered her with compliments.
“Away, you three,” Katie said a few minutes later as she joined the small group. She then squealed with delight as she sawBridget and raised her hands in the air. “It is my turn to speak with my good friend!”
Bridget’s smile was wide and genuine as she accepted Katie’s tight hug, suddenly beyond happy that Adrian had surprised her by attending the party.
“Katie!” she exclaimed, “I am so very happy to see you! My deepest apologies for not having you over yet, though please know I have missed you! How are you? How is your precious baby?”
Katie’s smile was warm and loving as she pulled back from their embrace and adoringly stroked her still-small belly.
“The precious baby is perfect,” she sighed happily. “Though I am told in the next month to expect some nausea and strange cravings, I am not bothered. In fact, I am looking forward to experiencing every single part of this miracle.”
“Of course, you are,” Bridget replied, feeling a thrill as Katie reached for her hand and put it on her stomach along with her own. “Oh, Katie, I do not believe I properly expressed my happiness for you in the beginning. This truly is marvelous.”
“Weare marvelous,” Katie replied cheekily, then swatted Bridget’s arm playfully. “And dare not apologize for your lack of invite. I know what it was like, the first time I got acquainted with John’s mother. We adore another now, but it was quite intimidating at first.”
Relieved that Katie understood, Bridget let out a light laugh.
“Oh, we have so much to catch up on,” she sighed.
“Indeed, we do,” Katie agreed, then turned her attention to Adrian. She gave him a proper curtsey, and Bridget loved thatAdrian responded with a chuckle and a respectful bow.
“A pleasure to see you, Lady Harris,” Adrian said politely. “Thank you for the invitation.”
“You are quite welcome for the invitation, Your Grace,” Katie said with a smirk. “Now I must ask if I might steal your beautiful new wife for a moment,” Katie asked. “As she said earlier, we havemuchto discuss.”
It was only then that Bridget realized that Adrian had not left her side once since they had arrived at the party. Her heart ebbed with joy at the thought, thankful that, unlike Warren, he had not abandoned her to society to fend for herself.
Adrian swept into a dramatic bow by Bridget’s side, making her and Katie both giggle.
“I have wanted to speak to your husband anyway,” Adrian replied, then took Bridget’s free hand and brought it to his lips as he met her eyes. “I will not be far at all,” he swore, then placed a warm kiss on her hand.
Bridget blushed and watched him affectionately as he moved a few steps away to greet Katie’s husband, John.
“You look happy,” Katie whispered in Bridget’s ear.
Bridget gave her a sheepish smile.
“I do not dare admit it, Katie. It is a terrifying feeling, I must confess,” Bridget replied as a waiter offered them glasses of champagne.
She took the glass, just in case, to have something to hold on to as she swept her gaze around the party.
“Terrifying? Why?” Katie asked.
