At last, Abel snapped, angry and frustrated as he glared at her, keeping his tone low yet loud enough to be heard past the music.
“Do tell me, Lady Bridget, what brings you to this grand affair?”
However, Bridget’s eyes remained averted even as she responded, her tone matching her expression. “My reasons for attending this ball, Your Grace, are none of your concern. I am free to partake in Society events as I see fit.”
Abel’s eyes narrowed at her, willing her to look at him. Desperate, he added, “Enlighten me. Could it actually be you seeking to torment me further? I mean, out of all the balls to attend…”
“Excuse me?” Her eyes blazed as they flicked to his and back. “Do not think so highly of yourself, Your Grace. It is customary that my family attend the London ball. This is well known.”
His patience wearing thin, Abel pulled on her hand and whirled her around, their movements mirroring the intensity of their words.
“Your family was absent from balls for quite some time, andthatis also known, is it not?” His piercing gaze lingered on her, urging her to face him again.
“Merely because of scandals I created. I tend to get entangled in quite a lot ofmistakes,as you know.” Her glare was heavy with accusation.
She returned her gaze to the side. “But now that all the mistakes are a thing of the past, I am free to partake in the pleasures of Society, am I not? Or do you believe I need your permission?”
“I beg you to try to understand things from my perspective.” He flashed her a tight smile. “My question stems from many things. After all, it is not natural either to find you adorned in such finery. One might think you were desperate for certain attentions.”
“And what if indeed I am, Your Grace?”
“We would not want you to seem to be desperate, now, would we?” He raised an eyebrow at her quick retort.
“Again, and what if I am desperate? What would be wrong with that? Are all spinsters not said to be desperate? Would this be anything new?”
She met his gaze with a deadpan expression, sending a tingle down his spine.
Abel, though inwardly enjoying their spirited banter, did his best to mask his amusement. He quickly realized how much he had missed these moments between them. No one could face him with words like she could.
With a composed demeanor, he spoke with a smirk on his face, “You simply had given me the impression that you despised all things conventional, so I can’t be blamed for my surprise.”
Bridget scoffed, disbelief and defiance dancing in her eyes. Then she shook her head and stuck her nose in the air again, her curls swaying with the motion, choosing to remain silent.
Their feet continued to glide across the ballroom floor, and at last, the music weaving around them came to a stop. Abel’s eyes narrowed in frustration as she refused to meet his eyes after her curtsy.
Just then, William Doonesbury, the gentleman she had previously danced with came into view, flashing her a charming smile, seeming to approach for a second dance.
The man’s smile, telling of his interest in Bridget, stirred a feeling deep within Abel he had never felt before, and his eyes narrowed with jealousy he did not bother to hide.
He watched in annoyance as Bridget returned the man’s smile. The sight of her connection with him ignited a fire of possessiveness within Abel.
Before William could get any closer, he grabbed hold of her hand again and sent him a fierce death glare.
Immediately sensing the intensity of the situation, William halted and then made a swift turn and quickly retreated from their vicinity.
His sharp exit only heightened the intensity of the situation, leaving Abel and Bridget in a charged atmosphere as she staredfrom her hand in Abel’s to the man’s staggering back in shock and confusion.
“Whatever did you do that for? Why would you act in such a manner towards Lord William?!”
Abel’s irritation filled the air, his every nerve on edge. His frustration and confusion rendered him silent. He grunted, unable to provide an explanation that would satisfy her growing fury.
“Dance with me again.”
With no willing prospect in sight and her anger intensified, Bridget took his hand as the music began again, her fingers trembling with the rage she was desperately itching to unleash on him.
“You do realize that you just acted out before the ton for no reason, do you not? A few people surely caught that inexpiable glare of yours!” Her pupils narrowed with anger. “My only wish is to find a suitable partner tonight, and for no reason, you have made it your goal to hold me back and waste my efforts!”
A rush of adrenaline filled Abel’s system at the sharpness in her quiet, angry outbursts. At last, he seemed to have her full attention.
