It felt like walking on air. That was the only way Bridget could describe it. Her heart was light, and it buoyed her entire body, lifting her onto her tiptoes as she walked. The kiss was still all she could think about.
If she had heard of another lady doing such a thing, she would have been shocked. Yet, she couldn’t be shocked at herself when it had felt so right.
She entered the breakfast room to find her sister, Michael, and Nicholas.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” she greeted. “Good morning, Lord Michael. Good morning, Margaret.”
She received replies from all three before she sat down beside her sister.
Bridget was so giddy that she thought she might burst. It had been a ridiculous thought a couple of days ago, but she began to wonder if they would become a foursome.
Bridget looked over at the Duke as he ate his toast, and she saw something she had not seen before. When she had first met him, his reputation had preceded him, and it had clouded her judgment. Now that she knew him better and knew he was not that sort of man, she could appreciate just how handsome he was.
His black hair was swept to the side, his green eyes shone from across the breakfast table, and his pink lips reminded her of what they had done. She could not take her eyes off his lips as he bit into his toast. When a crumb stuck to his bottom lip, she wished to be that crumb. And when he licked his lips to remove the crumb, it made her stomach do somersaults.
“This is turning out to be a very fine day,” Margaret stated.
It was then that Bridget realized she had been staring at the Duke for far too long, and she looked at her sister, expecting to see a knowing look in her eyes. They would talk later, and Bridget would tell her some things, but not everything. She would not dare tell anyone about the clandestine kiss in the middle of the night.
“Father has returned,” Margaret added.
Bridget found that she looked straight at the Duke, as if he should be the one to comfort her. He looked back at her with a sad look on his face, and she was glad he understood her plight even if Margaret did not.
“Is it not wonderful news?” Margaret asked. Her frustration was showing through in the conversation she was having with no one.
“Yes, of course,” Bridget said. “When did he arrive?”
“It must have been through the night,” Margaret informed her. “I heard Mother talking about him to one of the servants this morning. He must have returned late and needs to sleep. He is having a late breakfast.”
Bridget looked at the Duke again, and he gave her another depressing look. Perhaps she would take him up on his offer and have him speak to her father. The Earl might listen to him.
“How are the other wedding preparations going?” Bridget asked.
Margaret took a deep breath. “I finally feel like everything is falling into place. Father is back, and I am sure he will want to help with the preparations. I can’t wait to see him dancing with Mother at the wedding.”
Bridget’s heart skipped a beat. “You wish to see them dancing and not me, dear sister?”
She wanted to change the subject.
“I did not know you enjoyed dancing,” Margaret noted.
Bridget tried not to look at the Duke. “It has been some time, but it is your wedding, and we all should dance.”
She took the opportunity to look around the room, and the Duke did not meet her eyes when she looked at him.
“If you have everything under control,” Bridget continued, “perhaps we can play more parlor games. Charades was fun, and you must know some others we can play.”
“You must excuse me,” Nicholas spoke suddenly. “I have something I must attend to.”
He finally locked eyes with Bridget, and she could not decipher what he felt. She watched him go.
Michael stood up soon after. “Please excuse me as well. I shall see what has gotten into my brother. That was rather rude,” he said sheepishly.
“Oh, don’t mind us, Lord Michael,” Margaret said. “I am sure your brother has other things on his mind.” She waited until Michael was gone before she nudged her sister with her elbow. “If anyone will know what has gotten into His Grace, it will be you.”
“I… I have no idea what has gotten into him,” Bridget admitted.
“Don’t worry. I shall seat you together at the wedding breakfast, and I look forward to seeing you dance together. That is who you wish to dance with, isn’t it?”
