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Bridget removed her riding cap when she realized that it was still on her head. First impressions were everything, and while she did not care what the Duke thought of her, she was making a bit of a fool of herself. She was usually calm and collected, but she had made her way into the sitting room with bluster.

“It is wonderful we can all be together before my sister is wed,” Bridget said, smiling wide. “I am glad our families can come together.”

“Thank you, Bridget,” Margaret piped up, becoming the center of attention again. “Yes, we shall get to know each other really well over the coming two weeks. I wish to thank my betrothed for agreeing to this.”

Michael Harrington stood up and went to Margaret in the center of the room. He took her hand, and it gave Bridget and Nicholas a chance not to be the focus of attention.

“I am happy to do such a thing for such a fine woman.” Michael smiled. “So often, a man and a woman are thrust together without knowing one another, and while I have had the pleasure of spending time with Lady Margaret, this time I am excited to really get to know her before our wedding day.”

Margaret smiled sweetly. It was all that mattered now to Bridget. If her sister washappy, then her mother would be happy, and when her family was happy, Bridget was happy.

Bridget didn’t see her mother sidling up to her until she felt fingers dig into her arm.

“What has gotten into you?” Penelope hissed. “What is this about meeting men on the moors and then being late because of it?”

Bridget could not help but look across at the Duke. He was devilishly handsome, but the focus was on thedevilishpart. She had not known it on the moors, but she knew it now. He was trouble. The way he had held her hand for far too long was inappropriate, and he knew it. He had done it purposely to get a rise out of her, but she was better than that.

And who was he to be cutting it so fine to be riding at full speed across the moors to arrive at their manor? Bridget was only annoyed about that part because he had beaten her there.

The Duke looked back at her with a smile.

Bridget turned back to her mother. “I was not meeting men on the moors. I was out riding, and he happened to pass me by, and he might have stopped.”

Penelope placed the back of her hand on her forehead. “My goodness, conversing with a man with no chaperone around. What might you do next, Bridget?”

“I won’t do anything next,” Bridget hissed.

Once again, she was the center of attention, having argued with her mother a little too loudly. She looked at Margaret and gave her an apologetic look.

“We shall depart soon for the estate on the coast,” Margaret informed everyone. Her lips twitched as she tried to hide the smile, but it overpowered her and she grinned for a few seconds before she brought herself under control. “I will ride with my betrothed, and Mother will accompany us. We shall meet with the Dowager Duchess of Sheffield when we arrive.”

Bridget looked over at the Duke again, and he was thankfully not looking back at her this time. He was too handsome for his own good, and he knew it from the way he acted. He had a confident air about him, and Bridget could see how a woman might be taken with him.

She was not such a woman. She had no interest in any man, and certainly not him.

Goodness me!

Bridget knew where she knew the name. Nicholas Harrington, the Duke of Sheffield. If she had spoken to Margaret more about her betrothed and his family, she might have been able to…

Warn her? No, she does not need to be warned. She is not marrying the Duke but his brother.

Bridget had already become irritated by the handsome Duke in a short period of time, and now she thoroughly disliked him based on his reputation alone.

She did not concern herself too often with the scandal sheets, but she had either read his name in them at one point or heard talk of him. He had a reputation for being a gambler, a drunkard, and a rake.

Oh, Margaret!

When Bridget thought about it, she realized her sister was no fool. If Margaret had dedicated herself to Michael, then he must be a good person. Margaret was an idealist, but she was not oblivious. They must be opposites: Michael, a good man, and Nicholas, a rogue.

Bridget did not need to tell her sister any of this. The Duke would not affect her, and Bridget would only be accused of causing trouble if she spoke of the Duke’s reputation during the time they were all supposed to be getting to know each other. Perhaps her sister already knew about the Duke.

“Bridget, will you accompany me to get ready for the coach ride?” Margaret asked.

Once more, Bridget became caught in the act when the Duke turned to look at her, catching her eye again. She flinched and looked at her sister.

“Of course, Margaret,” Bridget replied.

“I shall come too,” Penelope announced. “I must ensure I have everything packed. We all know your father will have forgotten most of what he needs.”