Bridget’s smile slipped a little.
“It has all just happened so very fast,” she confessed. “Warren’s death. Victor’s pursuit. Adrian’s proposal. I cannot imagine what the others are saying behind my back, or if what I did was the right thing. Though I must admit, it is rather relieving to not have their true opinions said to my face.”
“Well, allow me to put you at ease,” Katie insisted. “As for Victor’s pursuit, only you, Adrian, and I know about it. Whatever Adrian did or said to him terrified him so greatly that he has not spoken a word about it.”
Bridget’s shoulders sagged a little in relief. She had not seen Victor since he had attacked her, and she was most grateful for his absence.
“As for the gossipmongers, well, they are divided,” Katie went on. “Some do say it is indeed rather suspicious that you married again so quickly. However, the majority are stating that no blame can be held upon you, especially when the depths of Warren’s debts and sinful behavior became more public.”
“Should I not still be worried, though?” Bridget asked. “About those that are suspicious?”
Katie let out a sharp laugh.
“Even if they do whisper, no one will dare make an issue out of it! Do not forget that you are a duchess now, my darling, and you are above most of them socially. Myself included. We all vie for your favor now.”
Bridget’s smile returned as she wrapped an arm around her friend’s waist.
“Do not dare say such things, Katie. You are my equal in every way, and your friendship has meant the world to me.”
Katie grinned widely and placed a peck of a kiss on Bridget’s cheek.
As one, they turned toward their husbands and found them talking animatedly, not just with one another but with a small cluster of noblemen. As he had promised, Adrian had not wandered from her, and after a moment of watching him, he glanced at her, winked, and then returned to his conversation without missing a beat.
“Your new husband seems to be able to charm men as well as women,” Katie teased.
“He is very charming,” Bridget sighed, admiring how easily her husband seemed to be able to converse with people.
“Oh, dear,” Katie said, nudging Bridget. “I sense doubt in your tone. Is there something I should know?”
With effort, Bridget pulled away from her husband’s handsome features and huddled close to her friend.
“Oh, no,heis perfectly charming,” Bridget replied, then blushed. “It isIthat I am not so sure about.”
“Whatever do you mean by that?” Katie asked, her tone low so that others would not hear.
Bridget sighed, then took a long sip of her champagne for courage.
“I mean, he has done so much to try to make me comfortable and satisfied,” Bridget dared to say. “But I… I do not know the first thing about making him feel the same in return. I fear thathe will grow bored with me, or perhaps even impatient with my reticence. Warren… Warren never taught me anything… about… pleasure, and while Adrian is very quick to give me such, I do not know how to return it.”
Katie gasped, making Bridget blush and look quickly around to ensure no one was paying attention to them.
“My dear! That is what you are worried about? Giving your husband pleasure?” Katie whispered vehemently.
“Shh! Keep your voice down,” Bridget insisted, feeling her blush creep beyond her cheeks and to her ears and neck.
“Oh, darling,” Katie consoled, shaking her head. “You need not worry. Men are very simple creatures, you see. They derive pleasure from one main part of their body, as opposed to us, who can feel it almost everywhere.”
“Oh, I know that much, Katie. I just… how do I go about it?”
“Come along with me to my rooms, my dear,” Katie urged. “Where I can speak of my secrets plainly.”
“But Adrian—” Bridget began to protest, turning to look at him.
“Adrian will be just fine with the other gentlemen for a few moments,” Katie promised as she urged Bridget up the stairs. “Trust me,” she added with an impish grin. “You will want to hear what it is I have to say.”
Chapter 24
“Why do you keep looking at me like that, Adrian?” Bridget asked.
