Her lips parted into a wicked smile as she watched him pretend to be amused. She could see through the facade, though. She had gotten to him.
Serves you right. How do you like a taste of your own medicine?
“So, what? I just sit idly by and have no right to talk about my own sister’s nuptials?” Abel leaned back, his eyes never leaving hers.
“Indeed.” Bridget flashed him a tasteless smile. “Hernuptials, Your Grace. You’re getting there. A bit more thought and you might be able to grasp the point.”
“Unfortunately, that won’t do, Lady Bridget.” Abel leaned forward, his eyes going as hard as flint. “The way I see it, a large portion of this wedding will be paid for from my coffers.Thatis more than enough reason for me to have a say in this. You, on the other hand, are nothing more than just another guest. If anyone should have a say, it should be me.”
Bridget started to speak, but the Duke raised a hand sharply, silencing her. It seemed he was still smarting from her previous interruption. Bridget held her tongue instinctively, holding his gaze.
“More importantly, Olivia is my sister and primary responsibility. It is within my authority to see her married in a proper way, so I advise you to start listening more to my suggestions.”
“Well, that’s too bad—” Bridget started.
“Bridget, that’s enough.” Her father’s loud voice sent a chill down her spine. With a firm and direct tone, he stared her down as he said, “You’re being rude to our guest.”
Bridget’s eyes widened as Leonard’s words cut through the air. Embarrassed, yet still enraged by the Duke’s antics, she lowered her head again as she tried to calm down and refocus on her meal.
However, despite her efforts, she couldn’t shake the feeling of the Duke’s gaze upon her. It was as if his eyes were silently questioning her, egging her on for more. It made her uncomfortable for the remainder of the dinner.
The instant dinner came to a close, without another look at the table, she made a hasty attempt to escape to her room. Her lips were full of angry mumbles as she scurried down the hall, desperate for seclusion.
“Sister, wait!”
To her dismay, a loud patter of running feet sounded behind her before she could get far enough away. Despite the familiar voice, she pushed on, walking as quickly as she could despite her heavy hems.
Suddenly, a gentle hand grabbed her arm, stopping her in her tracks. “Hold on, Bridget.”
She let out a sigh as she turned to face Elliot, his expression filled with confusion and concern.
“You would run from me? Since when did such behavior begin?”
Bridget sighed again, and her eyes fell to the ground as she mumbled out a response. “I am tired, Brother, and was merely trying to retire to my bedroom. Am I not allowed to?”
“What was that with the Duke back there?”
With her father’s scolding still ringing in her ears, Bridget, feeling a mix of frustration and vulnerability, held her tongue and simply shrugged in response.
Elliot let out a weary sigh, and she could feel his eyes boring into her for answers.
“I know you don’t like him,” he finally spoke, his voice filled with understanding.
“What’s there to like?” Bridget couldn’t help but remark.
“Butthis marriage means the world to me.” Elliot lifted an eyebrow at her as he continued. “I’m asking you, as your brother, to try to make these next two weeks easy for me. Please, try to get along with the man.”
“The man is infuriating, Elliot. Surely, you see that?” Bridget gritted her teeth as she finally lifted her eyes back to her brother’s. “Not to mention arrogant and so full of himself?—”
“And he’s the only family of the love of my life.” Elliot’s words were desperate. “Please. They won’t be here that long, and I doubt you two would cross paths that often.”
“Elliot—”
“Ibegof you.” Elliot gently took her hands into his. “It is only two weeks. I ask you to be civil towards him when you see him, that is all.”
Bridget’s initial instinct was to protest again, to voice her discontent. But as she looked into her brother’s pleading eyes, she hesitated. She knew how much this meant to him, and in truth, she couldn’t bear to see him hurt as a result of her actions.
With a heavy sigh, she finally relented. “Fine,” she murmured, her voice tinged with resignation. “I shall try, Brother. I shall try for you.”
