Surprise filled Olivia’s face as she responded, “Really? You’re not a fan of desserts?” Her shock only grew as Bridget shook herhead again. She exclaimed, “Are you serious? You don’t like pies or cookies? None of that?”
Bridget chuckled, feeling a tad uncomfortable under her sister-in-law-to-be’s wide-eyed gaze. “It’s really not my style,” she confessed.
Olivia’s surprise lingered as she spoke, “Goodness, never have I heard that before!”
The tense feeling in Bridget’s stomach grew. The last thing she wanted was to let her dislike of desserts dampen their plans.
She quickly reassured Olivia, “Not to worry! It’s completely all right if you really want to visit the dessert place. I’ll come along and keep you company. We can still have a great time!”
“No, no, no.” With a warm smile, Olivia shook her head at Bridget’s offer. “I would not want you to be in a place where you won’t enjoy yourself merely for my sake.”
The women exchanged warm smiles, and their eyes were filled with understanding as they returned to perusing the exquisite fabrics before them.
“Feast your eyes on this!” Olivia’s attention was almost immediately captivated by a vibrant fabric, and she couldn’t help but exclaim in delight.
“Oh, my dear lady Bridget,” she spoke excitedly, her eyes darting from the cloth to Bridget’s skin. “I believe this would be absolutely splendid on your fair complexion!”
Bridget’s features contorted into a slight grimace once again, catching Olivia’s observant gaze.
Concerned, Olivia inquired, “Oh dear, do you not fancy this either?”
Bridget let out a nervous laugh, her voice tinged with a touch of self-consciousness. “Well, no,” she confessed. “This fabric does not align with my personal taste. Bright colors are not to my liking.”
Her mind traveled elsewhere as she reminisced with a small bittersweet smile. “I much prefer the elegance of muted tones. This fabric, though undeniably beautiful, would make me stand out quite prominently, and I… do not relish such attention.”
Olivia’s eyes widened in surprise, taking a moment to absorb her words. Soon after, she quickly recovered, her warm smile returning.
“My goodness, it appears we are quite dissimilar in our sartorial preferences,” Bridget observed.
She hesitated for a moment before continuing, her voice filled with genuine easiness. “But then again, none of that reallymatters. Everyone is unique and different. It doesn’t change anything between us.”
“I know, I know,” Olivia said. “It’s just, you’re so beautiful, so I’m a little surprised, is all.”
Bridget laughed and cocked her head to the side, observing Olivia.
Olivia quickly raised a hand to her face. “Oh my, I’ve gone and done it again, haven’t I?”
Bridget shook her head, still laughing. “No, no. I apologize. It’s just… I know I lookall right, but compared to the other ladies of the ton, I certainly would not call myself a beauty. So, I found it amusing that you thought of me in that way. I assure you, you have said nothing wrong. It was just unexpected.
“I know the way the other women of the ton view me, my choices, and my lifestyle choices. I mean, a lady who hates desserts and bright dresses? I’m practically the devil personified.”
Olivia giggled uncontrollably. It was such a lovely sight, Bridget found herself smiling too.
Olivia was like a bright rainbow on a rainy day. It was hard to feel gloomy around someone as kind and as alive as she was.
“Well, it’s their loss,” Olivia said when she collected herself. “And I do think you’re wrong. You’re an absolute beauty, and I won’t hear another word to the contrary.”
Bridget beamed. “Why, thank you, My Lady. You’re too kind. I’d try to remember this the next time I see my reflection in a mirror.”
With a gentle touch, Olivia took hold of Bridget’s hand in hers. Her voice was soft and filled with sincerity as she said, “I would really like it if we could address each other by our given names from this moment forward.”
Bridget’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really?”
Olivia’s expression shifted, and her confidence was replaced by a shy vulnerability. “Only if that’s all right with you, of course.” She let go of Bridget’s hand, fidgeting with her own. “I would never wish to overstep any boundaries. Please don’t feel pressured to agree. I only spoke because I’ve never had a sister and?—”
“No, it’s not a problem at all. I’d really like that.” Bridget’s smile was bright as she took Olivia’s hand in hers. “As future sisters-in-law, it would be great for us to have a closer relationship.”
Olivia’s face lit up with joy, a radiant smile touching her lips. “Thank you,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude, then a shy hesitation overcame her before she added, “Bridget.”
