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She was alone again.

CHAPTER8

Keeping A Secret

Nicholas took a deep breath, his chest puffing out as he tasted the early-morning air. It was simply a wonderful day. The morning had just the right amount of chill in it to warrant a cloak, and when he was in full gallop, he would be warmed by the beast beneath him.

He did not know the area well, but half the fun of being out for a ride was the exploration. He headed for the stables to have his horse saddled.

“Your Grace, I have your horse ready for you as requested,” the stablehand informed him when he reached the small stone building at the rear of the stately house.

The Duke pressed a coin into the boy’s hand. “Thank you. I appreciate your willingness to be up so early to do that for me.”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” the boy replied. “Much appreciated.”

Nicholas mounted his steed and trotted out of the stables. He was about to pull the reins to guide his horse toward the open barley field when he spotted someone else emerge from the house. Everything had been quiet when he had risen, and he had not expected someone else to be up so early.

As the person spotted him, she hesitated. She half turned to go back into the house, but then decided against it now that she was caught. Instead of heading for the field, the Duke steered the horse toward Bridget.

“I did not expect anyone else to be up so early,” the Duke said from atop his horse.

“Neither did I,” Bridget replied.

She was wearing the same outfit she had been wearing the first time he had met her on the moors. She had intrigued him back then, and she intrigued him again.

“Michael is very excited for the wedding,” the Duke said, trying to make small talk.

“That is good.” Bridget nodded. “Margaret is, too. I am so glad to see her this happy. Your brother is a good man.”

“He is,” the Duke agreed. “A much better man than me. It will be a fine wedding.”

“It will,” Bridget echoed.

It felt weird for them to make small talk after they had spent most of their time arguing or bantering. There was an awkwardness between them.

“How are you feeling?” the Duke asked.

Bridget looked worried at being asked. “I’m fine. You needn’t worry about me.”

“I don’t worry about you, but I am concerned. You were not yourself on the beach yesterday,” the Duke pointed out.

“And how do you know what I am? How do you know that it is not exactly like me and that all the other times have been lies?” Bridget challenged.

It felt wrong for Nicholas to be up on his horse, towering over Bridget from a position of power. He dismounted in one fluid motion and stood before her.

“If you would like—” he started.

“I don’t need your help or your sympathy,” Bridget snapped. “I made a fool of myself, and I told lies because I was annoyed at something else, and I don’t need you trying to take advantage of me because my life is a mess.”

“I don’t need a woman to be in any sort of state to take advantage of her,” the Duke said, hoping to break the tension.

It did not work, and he received a glare from her.

“I did not want to take advantage of you yesterday. I only wanted to comfort you. I don’t care what is going on in your life, but I did care that you were upset.”

“I wasn’t upset,” Bridget claimed.

“You were,” the Duke insisted. “You were upset, and I comforted you, and that is all it was. Now, we can go back to being annoyed by each other because that is much more fun than whatever this is. I always feel far too gentlemanly when I speak of the weather or feelings.”