These complicated waves of emotions confused her as well as the unpredictability of the man. Yes, it bothered her, but she reined herself in from delving deeper into it.
Pondering over all this, she took one last look at herself. The dress transformed her from a regular maiden to a dazzling beauty. Still, she felt unsettled wearing it.
When Bridget and her family arrived at the Wareham residence, the party was already in full swing.
She emerged from their carriage, her dress brushing across the properly cut grass of the garden. Her family trailed behind her. This party was organized by Abel for the whole ton to officially announce that his sister, Olivia, was engaged and about to be married into the house of Borthwell.
The atmosphere was charged with beautiful melodies and sounds of chatter and laughter.
Her eyes darted across the freshly manicured lawn and blooming roses of the garden, but indeed, she was searching for the Duke amidst the sea of guests in attendance.
And when she found him across the yard, he was rather engrossed in a conversation with a viscount.
She linked arms with her brothers as they walked through the lush garden until Elliot spotted his beloved and then hastened off to be with her.
Bridget shared a knowing glance with Hector.
“See the quickness in which he’s going over to her,” he remarked, his tone tinged with playfulness.
“Oh, what a feeling it is to be in love,” Bridget drawled, and they both laughed.
“Dear sister, this is where I leave you to go pursue my own diversions.” He let go of her arm.
She slapped him jokingly on the arm as they bade each other goodbye.
As Hector left, she found herself standing alone right in the middle of the garden. Her parents had already begun exchanging pleasantries with a few dignitaries that came to greet them.
She thought of how silly this all was. Exchanging false pleasantries and wearing a smile throughout the evening for people you don’t even care about.
“Lady Olivia is getting married to one of the Borthwell brothers?” the Viscount questioned, acting perplexed.
Abel took a sip of his drink before responding, “Yes”
“Isn’t that a bit hasty? I mean she is a proper young lady, and care should be taken when picking a suitor for her…”
“Are you not aware of the misfortune that has befallen the Earl’s household?” he continued, his face twisting in disappointment.
Abel was already getting annoyed by his non-stop attempts to convince him that he was making the wrong decision.
“It is a love match. I know this is rare, but surely, a lady of her status deserves that much at least. Or don’t you think?” Abel said sternly.
“I suppose so,” the Viscount acquiesced, seeing there was nothing more he could say to change the Duke’s mind.
Abel knew exactly why the Viscount was acting this way—he had been seeking out an opening to suggest his own son to Abel as a suitor for Olivia.
Frankly, Abel also questioned his sister’s choice, but he had finally come to terms with it because he wanted the best for her, and Elliot seemed like a genuine gentleman.
“The truth is that they have been courting for a while now, but I just decided to go public with their engagement, so it doesn’t come as a surprise when they eventually marry,” Abel pointed out matter-of-factly.
As he spoke, his eyes wandered across the garden until they landed on Lady Bridget fiddling with a rose petal and speaking cautiously with one of the servants.
He thought she looked incredibly beautiful in that dress. The dress, made from the finest silk, lay in gentle folds around her slender form. The bodice, made from intricate lace, hugged her body with grace, and the neckline dipped modestly to give her bosom a beautiful allure.
He quickly excused himself before the Viscount could get another sentence in.
Abel began to walk towards her, faltering a bit in his steps in a bid to maintain eye contact.
He couldn’t fathom why he felt the need to go over to her as soon as he laid eyes on her. Something was just drawing him to her like a magnetic pull.
