With a sorrowful tone she carried on, “Still, Your Grace, I understand if you’re angry or disappointed, but we had no other choice, and that is the truth. It was never intended to deceive you or your sister. We?—”
“Lady Bridget, please, calm yourself. I’ve known about your family’s financial struggles from the beginning.”
Bridget’s jaw dropped slightly, her eyes widening in shock as the Duke interrupted, putting her rambling to a stop, his voice steady and relaxed.
“I made inquiries about the man my sister was to marry, of course, and this truth did not escape my notice.”
Bridget’s breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding with a mix of surprise and apprehension. “You… you knew? And you said nothing?”
His gaze softened as he reached out to cup her trembling hands in his own. “I kept my knowledge hidden because I needed to see the truth for myself. I needed to witness Olivia and Elliot’s love firsthand.”
A gentle smile graced his face again. “And now, I am certain that they are meant to be together. There’s nothing to it. As long as my sister is happy and safe.”
He eyed her for a moment before he asked, “You didn’t know, did you?”
Her eyes darted to his, and suddenly feeling desperate to prove her integrity to him, she nodded vehemently. “I only found out last night.” A sad laugh escaped her lips. “No one deemed it of importance to let me know the family was edging on financial ruin.”
“Well then.” Abel’s handsome smile sent shivers down her spine as he stepped closer. “Thank you for deeming it of importance to share with me as soon as you heard, despite the probable consequences.”
A sense of relief washed over Bridget, enveloping her in a comforting embrace. She squeezed his hand gently and smiled back. She couldn’t deny she found herself drawn to this man. She felt an overwhelming sense of ease in his presence.
“You don’t have to thank me for doing what’s right, Your Grace. I would have done this regardless of when I discovered it.” A small laugh left her lips as she spoke, “I tell you, it is difficult being the youngest lady in the house. They do this all the time—keep me out of the loop.”
She shook her head as the memories returned. “They did this with the issue with my sister. I was terribly confused and hurt for a while. Alas, I only learned the full story months later.”
The seconds passed in silence as her mind wandered off. With a soft sigh, she spoke again, her voice filled with nostalgia and longing. “My sister was truly a remarkable woman.”
Her smile was sad as she continued, “She showed me what love could truly be like, just as Olivia is showing you with my brother. It would have been nice for you to have known her as well…” she trailed off, letting her words hang in the air before a quiet question escaped her lips. “You’ve heard Virginia’s story, haven’t you, Your Grace?”
Abel hesitated, his eyes searching her face before he nodded slowly. “Yes, your brother shared with me bits and pieces of how everything unfolded—the parts he remembers.”
A mix of emotions flickered across Bridget’s face. At last, a smile tugged at her lips. “She was the best of us. My father’s golden child. She used to be everything he’d wanted in a daughter. I couldn’t and still can’t compare.”
She laughed and shook her head. “So, yes, it was indeed a surprise to everyone when her reckless love was discovered. Still, she fought hard, all by herself. Sometimes, I wish…”
She let out a wistful sigh and raised weary eyes to him, her voice barely above a whisper. “I wish my sister perhaps had someone like you to protect and understand her, Your Grace. Like you do with Olivia. Perhaps life would have been much easier.”
Abel’s expression softened, his eyes filling with surprise and warmth. He was touched by Bridget’s words, the depth of her emotions evident in her voice.
However, he chose to remain silent, not wanting to interrupt her train of thought and allowing the weight of her words to settle between them.
Seated on a chair in the hallway beside her, Abel listened attentively as she went on to share more of her sister’s story.
The dimly lit hallway cast dancing shadows on the walls as they continued their intimate exchange. Their voices, hushed yet full of intensity, filled the air.
There was an unspoken understanding between them even in the short moments of silence. Time was all forgotten, and their shared similar experiences, though unique, ended up weaving tapestries of empathy and compassion between them.
The silence they shared wasn’t uncomfortable. After all her worries and sleepless nights, this had gone better than she could have imagined.
“I’ve been meaning to ask,” Bridget said, shattering the silence, “did you finish that book?”
Abel narrowed his gaze at her suspiciously. “Pray, tell. Why are you asking? This hardly seems like the right time to talk about books.”
She’d never felt freer. It was almost as if a heavy boulder had been lifted off her soul. “How little you know. This is the best time to talk about books. So… did you finish reading it?”
Abel chuckled. “I did.” He looked away, choosing to say nothing more.
“And? What did you think? Do you maintain your stance that it was a fanciful waste of time?”
