Her eyes remained pleading. “He does try. He just needs a bit more grace than anyone else. The truth is, the reason he seems so cold and detached is because… well, he still believes the only way to survive this world is to remain that lonely little boy, keeping his tears at bay, pretending he’s not in pain as well.”
The silence that followed Olivia’s words was heavy.
Bridget’s gaze softened as she absorbed these revelations, her perception of the Duke shifting in an instant.
The layers of his guarded nature began to unravel before her eyes, and as she pictured his younger years, she felt the back of her throat tighten.
She reached out, placing her hand gently over his sister’s as she flashed her an understanding smile.
“Olivia, I see him now,” she murmured, her voice filled with newfound comprehension. “From now on, I shall endeavor to be more understanding towards him, to look beyond the annoying facade he presents.” She smiled a tad more as she patted Olivia’s hand gently. “For his sake and yours.”
CHAPTER NINE
Abel released a weighty sigh, his conscience burdened by the sharpness of his previous words. They alighted from their carriages, now back in Borthwell Estate.
His gaze lingered on Lady Bridget, observing her countenance for any sign of forgiveness as remorse gnawed at him for his unkind remarks about Elliot during their recent shopping excursion.
She was a portrait of grace and poise, yet he could discern a shadow of hurt in her eyes as she ignored him.
He could not comprehend why her quietness agitated him so much. All he knew was that he’d rather have her fuming at him in her characteristic way than this version he had to face now.
The harmony they had been cultivating since after the incident of the missing ball faltered as she maintained a stoic silence throughout the remainder of the day.
Their recent journey had also marked a departure from their usual conflict, revealing shared interests that Abel found surprisingly delightful. So it frustrated him more that she was quiet, when they could have been conversing.
As they proceeded into the manor, Abel resolved to address the rift that had once more formed between them.
“Lady Bridget, might I beg a moment of your time?” His voice echoed in the hallowed halls of the manor.
Elliot and Olivia, who were with Bridget, joined Hector, who was now also in the hall.
Bridget turned to regard Abel, her eyebrow arched in curiosity, awaiting his words with a stoic expression that rivaled his. While in the separate carriages that brought them home, Olivia had cautiously expressed her displeasure with his unchivalrous conduct when she found out what had transpired in her and Elliot’s brief absence.
“You must seek reparation, Abel.”
Olivia’s words echoed in his mind, stirring a newfound resolve within him. The gravity of his actions weighed on him, prompting him to seek redemption in Bridget’s eyes.
With a deep breath, Abel began, “Lady Bridget, I deeply regret my disparaging comments about your brother. I assure you, it was not my intention to besmirch his reputation.” His tone wasearnest. “I must offer my sincerest apologies for the unkind words I spoke in haste. I was merely motivated by concern for the well-being of my dear sister.”
Abel shifted from foot to foot. There was one more thing he had to say, but he struggled with how to say the words.
“I also have to admit,” he continued, forcing out the words, “that I find you very intriguing and quite interesting. It adds to my agitation, Lady Bridget. Sometimes, I think I am starting to know and understand you. Other times, I realize how clueless I am. I hope you can find it in you to forgive me.”
Bridget regarded him with a mix of surprise and gratitude at his heartfelt plea. It seemed that she was seeing a different side of him. She did not seem ready to let him off easy, however.
“You ought to feel remorseful.” Bridget’s voice was calm and measured. “Truly, the weight of your unkind words should weigh heavily on your conscience. Yet, I cannot help but wonder at the necessity of proclaiming your contrition to me so outrightly.”
“I feel it’s necessary,” Abel said. “I did what I did outright, so it’s important that I offer an apology in the same way.”
Her expression was unreadable as she crossed her arms over her chest. “I must say, I’m shocked to see you climb off your high horse in such splendid fashion. There may be hope for you, after all.”
Abel frowned and balled his hands into fists. Why did she have to make everything so difficult? He swallowed his frustration and tried again.
“I understand that what I said was unacceptable, and I’m deeply sorry for it. However, it is important for you to understand why I felt suspicious of your brother. No, let me finish, please.”
Bridget had opened her mouth to retort, and the frown on her face showed that she wasn’t pleased with how he shushed her.
“As I said, it isimportantfor you to understand why. Olivia is a young lady, and while I trust her upbringing and character, she’s not beyond making mistakes. While Elliot’s intentions may have been noble, it doesn’t change the fact that they should not have been alone without a chaperone. This was what got me concerned, even if my reaction may have been exaggerated.”
