“Iam making you anxious? Not the fact that our father is up there, possibly brokering a marriage deal with the infamous Cruel Duke?”
Bridget’s spine went rigid, and she clasped her hands together, knuckles white. Arabella knew that she had misspoken and made matters worse for her delicate sister.
“I am sorry, that was not my intention,” Arabella said as she sat down beside her sister.
Bridget was almost shaking, and Arabella held her hands softly. She hated seeing her sister like this. Her eyes went to the door of the drawing room with a deep scowl. This was all the Duke’s fault and his ridiculous contract. It may not be legally binding, but the scandal may be very real.
“I burdened you again,” Bridget whispered.
“What are you talking about?”
“You had to defend me twice in the span of two hours. First with Father and then speaking up for me to the Duke.”
“I plan to defend you for longer than that. You are my sister, and I love you.”
Bridget looked down at their twined hands, and her face went even gloomier than it was before.
“If I could just be more like Father wishes, then-”
“I don’t want to think like that. You are beautiful and clever and compassionate. You don’t need to be anything else.
“Father is right. I am always gloomy and distant. If I were more… like you.”
“It would be hardly a hospitable environment in here if you were,” Arabella chuckled. “You are perfect exactly how you are, and people who love you see that.”
Bridget looked down again with an incredulous look on her face. It broke Arabella’s heart to see her sister take all the blame to herself, for the mere reason that she didn’t react or act as people wanted her to. For simply being herself.
Arabella sat up. Being herself! That would be an excellent notion. Arabella looked ahead as a plan formed in her quick mind.
“I have an idea!” Arabella announced.
“You do?”
“Listen to me,” Arabella turned to her sister with renewed energy. “It is true, the Duke has us in a tight position. That document may have no real value, but the gossip it would cause if it were publicized. Besides, the Duke seems determined to have a bride. You could reject him, of course.”
“Reject the Cruel Duke?” Bridget asked, already nervous.
“Exactly!” Arabella agreed. “He doesn’t look like a man who would gracefully accept rejection. With his money and influence, he can truly harm our family.”
“If this is your plan to make me feel better,” Bridget fidgets, “let me inform you that it is not working.”
Arabella chuckled and grabbed Bridget by the shoulders, a wide smile on her face, the dimples on her cheeks appearing.
“Bridget,” she said with a mischievous look, “while you can’t reject him, nothing stops him from rejecting you.”
“What?” Bridget said, confused.
Arabella leaned closer, lowering her voice as if the very walls might be listening.
“You cannot refuse him. That would wound his pride, and a man like him would punish us. But you can be… unsuited.”
“Un… Unsuited?”
“Unsuited, incompatible, unfit for the role of the Duchess!” Arabella said, proud of her plan.
“And how exactly am I supposed to accomplish such a deceit?” Bridget tightened the grip on Arabella’s hands. “I am sweating just hearing about it.”
“That’s the beauty of it. All you have to be is yourself. Just… more.”
