Nora, Elara, and Damien all greeted her warmly as Adrian escorted them in, giving her kisses on her cheeks and making her feel as if they had always been so close.
“Ah,” Bridget sighed as she laid eyes on a pretty young woman with soft brown hair gathered close to Elara’s side. “You must be Caroline. I am so very pleased to meet you at last.”
Caroline blushed at Bridget’s words and curtseyed politely.
“And I am equally pleased to meet you, Your Grace,” Caroline softly replied. “I have been told you have done much to raise all of the spirits in this house, and for that I am most grateful.”
“Such wonderful praise!” Bridget admonished, feeling a shot of glee move through her at Caroline’s kind words. “However, rest assured, they have done much to raise my spirits as well. And please, do call me Bridget. We are family now, after all.”
It was more than just her spirits that had been raised by the Mason family. Bridget’s confidence had soared as well. No longer did she feel hesitant or unsure about her integration into the family; she genuinely felt part of it now. A true member that was loved and admired, just as she had always wanted. It felt better than she had ever imagined, and she had quickly grown fiercely protective of everyone in the room.
“Come, darling,” Nora said, beckoning toward Bridget. “Have a seat by me.”
“I am afraid I will not allow this,” Adrian said in a teasing tone as he grasped Bridget’s hand as she moved toward Nora. “My wife will sit byme.”
“Come, let us not quarrel,” Bridget said with a laugh. “I shall sit by you both. Adrian, take your seat at the head of the table. Nora, would you mind sitting at my other side?”
“I suppose not,” Nora sighed with mock annoyance. “However, be warned, I am prepared to fight my son for your attention.”
The dining room soon became loud and boisterous with conversation and laughter as the meal was served. Teasing was given by all, and Bridget returned it equally as she enjoyed herself with her new family. All the while, though, she did keep an eye on Caroline.
Unlike Elara, who was quick to join in on the various topics of conversation, Caroline had a more reserved way about her. She laughed and blushed often as she heard the boisterous talk, but Bridget noted that the young woman did not speak much.
Much like Damien, who spoke very little throughout the meal, yet his attention was anything but absent. More often than not, his gaze was fixed on Caroline, lingering a fraction too long to be mistaken for idle curiosity. He never addressed her directly, never sought her eye, yet there was a quiet hunger in the way he watched her that made Bridget wonder how Caroline did not feel it as keenly as it was felt across the table.
Elara, by contrast, remained attentive in a gentler way, checking in on her cousin with small glances and soft smiles, the ease between the two young women making it clear that their bond was genuine and earned.
Toward the end of the meal, Nora set her fork aside and regarded them both with thoughtful interest.
“Caroline, my dear,” the dowager said, her tone gentler than before. “You and Elara have spent a great deal of time together of late. I have asked my daughter more than once what occupies your days, but she is determined to keep her own counsel.” A faint smile touched Nora’s lips. “Perhaps you might indulge an old woman’s curiosity.”
Caroline’s cheeks warmed at the attention, and she reached instinctively for Elara’s hand, their fingers threading together beneath the table.
“Elara has always been discreet,” Caroline said softly. “I would not betray that trust.” She paused, then added with quiet sincerity. “But I can assure you that our time together has beenwell spent.”
Elara straightened slightly, her expression earnest now. “We keep one another company,” she said. “That is all.”
Nora studied them for a moment longer, then nodded, seemingly satisfied.
“That is more than enough,” she said. “Companionship is no small thing, especially after such a… difficult year.” Her gaze softened as it moved between the two girls. “I am glad you have found that in one another, and that you spend your time without causing trouble.”
“I doubt that they would admit it to you if they did, Mother,” Adrian chortled, and a raucous bout of laughter filled the room.
“Very well, very well, do not tell me,” Nora sighed. Still, she winked at the two young ladies. “As long as you are not putting yourselves in peril.”
“We promise,” Caroline answered quietly.
“One more game,” Nora implored.
“I am afraid you will have to wait until tomorrow to play, Mother,” Adrian replied, squeezing Bridget’s thigh under the table.
Fire laced to her core. She had had a tremendous amount of fun throughout the evening. Dinner was an exquisite experience with great food and great conversation. Then after, when they had all retired to the parlor for card games, the laughter had grown even more frequent and boisterous.
It was a marvelous evening.
Even so, Adrian’s promise from earlier had burned bright in Bridget’s mind through it all, and she was as ready to retire as Adrian was.
Nora pouted as Adrian and Bridget rose from the table.
