It was as if Bridget’s stomach had a mind of its own, because it growled. She groaned. Apparently, her hunger made the decision for her. “Fine, we’ll stay. But after this, we need to return to our normal lives.”
Priscilla nodded. “All right, we will.”
As Bridget walked down the stairs with her sister, she wondered how she could bring Pa’s mind out of the clouds. He still expected her to marry a wealthy man and save their farm. Things like that didn’t happen in the real world.
Chapter Twelve
Adrian drummed hisfingers on the desk, not even paying attention to the ledgers in front of him. Today, he was not in the mood to conduct business of any sort. All he could think about was what had transpired this week with Bridget.
As if saving her from the out-of-control horse hadn’t created fear inside him, his heart had melted from their visit after she and her sister’s buggy broke down and they showed up in mud-soaked clothes looking like drenched waifs. He had tried to convince himself not to think about Bridget, to give her sister more attention, yet it hadn’t worked out that way.
It had been a delight to have their company during the meal. However, Bridget acted differently than she had earlier that day. At first, he wondered if she was anxious to return home, but then he wondered if she had overheard his conversation with Collin, although Adrian didn’t think it was possible. Yet Bridget was more reserved, and she didn’t meet his gaze very much.
As they readied themselves to leave once the buggy wheel was repaired, Adrian was ready to offer his assistance to follow them home, but his insipid brother volunteered first, and the ladies accepted.
For fear of following in his brother’s footsteps, Adrian waited only seconds after they all left before he had his horse saddled and rode behind at a distance so they couldn’t see him. Once they reached the Hartwell farm, Collin had dismounted and walked the ladies to their front door. What irritated Adrian was when his brother kissed Bridget’s knuckles as he told her goodbye. He had showered the other sister with the same gesture, but it still bothered Adrian that his brother had done that… when it should have beenhimkissing the back of Bridget’s hand and gently stroking her fingers for the brief moments he held them.
Now, all he could do was think of her parting words to him before leaving the manor. The look in her eyes haunted him. He’d received the distinct impression that she was telling him goodbye forever. But that was ridiculous, since they both lived in the same town.
However, now he felt differently. For the past three days, Collin had tried to visit Bridget at her home, only to be told that she was under the weather. At first Adrian wondered if she had caught a chill from having to walk in the rain the other day, so he had ridden to their farm to spy on her, but when he noticed her through the window moving around and doing chores, looking very healthy, he knew she wasn’t ill.
Grumbling, he pushed away from the desk and walked to the window. The sun was high in the cloudless sky, and this would be a beautiful day for riding—if he was in the mood. But being disheartened about Bridget’s attitude had doused his excitement about being outdoors.
He must talk to her again, if only for his own state of mind. Yet would she accept him as a visitor at her home when she had been turning away his brother for three days? As he tried to decide what to do as the clocked ticked by the minutes, the yearning to see her again grew inside his chest, making it more difficult to breathe. He wanted to hear her laugh because it melted his heart. Instead of dreaming of her sparkling eyes, he wanted to watch them when she looked at him as if she had never seen anything so perfect—as she had done when he rescued her from the runaway horse. And God help him, he wanted to privately hold her in his arms and kiss her passionately. Of course, he needed to figure out a way to make that last part happen, since she was always with his brother or her sisters.
Then a thought struck him. The Worthington brothers could have a dinner social and only invite a few neighboring families. The evening would certainly be more relaxed than when they had the ball earlier in the month.
Before he changed his mind, he rushed out of the study and into the hall. He wasn’t certain where his brother would be in this large manor, but for certain, Aunt Beatrice would know. Thankfully, her high-pitched voice was easier to hear than Collin’s monotone.
Adrian followed the sound until he found his aunt in the music room, instructing Walden on the importance of learning how to play the pianoforte. The poor, mentally challenged cousin sat at the musical instrument with a blank look on his face. Walden had always been a mousy-looking man, and at the age of thirty, the pathetic bachelor’s brown hair was thinning, and his cheeks appeared almost sunken. If Adrian didn’t know any better, he would think his cousin was sickly, but Aunt Beatrice denied there was anything wrong with the man.
The woman paused in her lecture, but before Adrian could speak, Walden started playing a song. Adrian cringed. It sounded terrible. He hoped the man either found a different talent or only played for those people who couldn’t hear well.
“No, no, no,” Aunt Beatrice said loudly, causing Walden to stop. “You are not doing it correctly.”
Walden released a frustrated breath as his shoulders sagged. Adrian felt the man’s irritation, but he didn’t have time to wait for the old biddy to continue with her lessons.
He quickly stepped forward and cleared his throat loudly, gaining the attention of the other occupants of the room. Walden appeared relieved for the interruption.
Aunt Beatrice smiled wide and came toward Adrian. “What a pleasure it is to see you this morning.” She stopped in front of him and clasped their hands together.
“Forgive me for stalling my cousin’s music lessons, but I have something to discuss with you.”
“What is it?”
“I would like you to help me plan a dinner social with our neighbors. I only want a few families invited.”
She gasped and linked her fingers together, bringing them up to her bosom, looking surprised. “You wish formyhelp?”
Adrian chuckled. “Well, since you have done this kind of thing before and I have not, you are the only one who can help.”
“Oh, Lord William, I couldn’t be more thrilled.” Tears glistened in her eyes. “I shall have a wonderful meal prepared that will impress your country neighbors. You and your brother’s social will be the talk of the town for weeks on end.”
When she finally stopped talking, her mouth pursed, and her expression let Adrian know she was in serious thought. He didn’t dare interrupt her, but neither did he want to wait for her to continue her plans. Now that he had given her permission to plan the evening, he wanted to leave and let her begin.
“I shall get you the guest list today,” Adrian said.
She snapped to awareness and met his stare. “Splendid. I shall get started on it immediately.”
