Margaret, in her long cream gown with frilly sleeves and blue stitching on the collar, hem, and cuffs, had tears in her eyes but held them back as she slowly walked down the aisle. By her side, Penelope, her heart bursting with pride, held her head high.
It was a moving sight, but it was not what made Bridget weep. The scene was perfect because there was no one around to ruin it, and that was thanks to the Duke. She did not look over at him for fear of breaking down, and she would not have been able to see him anyway with the tears in her eyes.
When Margaret reached her, she hugged her, and the sisters broke down into tears together.
“I am so happy for you,” Bridget whispered.
“Thank you,” Margaret whispered back. “I feel so happy to have you by my side today. This is the first day of the rest of my life.”
“It is,” Bridget agreed.
They came apart, and Bridget finally wiped the tears from her eyes. Then, she took the bouquet of flowers from her sister and took a seat in the front row with her mother. She stole a glance at the Duke.
He stood with his brother, giving him some final words before he sat down, too. Bridget cursed that he looked so handsome. She had known she would run into him again, and even though they had already spoken earlier that day, she felt as if she were looking at him with fresh eyes.
The Duke wore pitch-black trousers and a tailcoat, a cream shirt, and a green cravat to match his brother’s cravat. He looked far too elegant, and it made Bridget’s heart rate quicken ever so slightly. She wished things had been different between them. She wished she were the woman who was waiting for him back in London, but it still would not work between them.
He had spoken of respect and love back at the seaside estate, but he did not have that. Not for her, nor for the woman he was to wed. After talking with him, Bridget was sure he was not to wed her anymore, but it made little difference. He had strung her along, and she would not beg for his love. She had far too much respect for herself to do that.
I must get a hold of myself. He is not in my life anymore, so I should not let him dictate it.
Still, throughout the ceremony, she could not help but glance over at him every so often, and each time she did, he looked back at her. She did not learn her lesson and went back for more each time, locking eyes with him before looking away, embarrassed.
“His Grace looks very handsome in his attire,” her mother whispered at one point.
It was not the first comment Penelope had made about the Duke, and it was not helping. Bridget ignored the comments and willed her feelings to go away. She knew they would in time, but she wanted them gone now.
The ceremony was beautiful, even if most of it was a blur. Bridget could feel the Duke’s eyes on her the entire time, and he became all she could think about—a dark cloud that confused her.
She stood back up as the ceremony came to an end, and she did not dare look at him this time. The happy couple kissed, and it became too much for Bridget. She hated the Duke for what he had done to her, but she could only think of kissing him. What she would give to have his lips gently pressed to hers again.
The Duke joined her and the happy couple in signing the register and making the marriage official. She stood too close to him, and her resolve weakened a little. She had visions of the dance she had shared with him, a moment in a multitude of happy moments until it all came crashing down.
She stood almost with her shoulder touching his as the married couple sat at the table and signed the wedding register. His scent triggered something in her, and she could imagine riding across the moors again. She wanted to hate him, but there was still love in her heart.
Why did you have to do this to me? What did you have to make me feel this way?
“I wish Father could have made it,” Margaret commented to her.
“You know how it is,” Bridget replied. “I know he will have wanted to be here, and I am sure he will arrive for the celebration.”
She finally chanced a look at the Duke, and she was at least thankful for his intervention. The meaning of the look she gave him was clear:please check on my father. It would mean the world to Margaret to have him with her on this special day, even if it is only for a few moments.
The Duke returned her look, but there was more in his eyes. She could see his desire for her, and she had to turn away before it fueled her feelings more.
“I must talk to you before we return to your estate,” Bridget told him as the rest of the congregated guests cheered for the new couple.
She hugged her sister and congratulated Lord Michael. She might not have a future with the Duke, but she was glad that Lord Michael was now part of their family. He would be a fine husband for her sister, and he would be a good brother-in-law, too.
When Bridget made it outside, the Duke joined her immediately.
“I must—” he began.
“Please,” she said. “I have to say this before we leave for the estate. I enjoyed my time with you, even with how it ended. We are tied by family bonds now, and we must be civil with each other. I have feelings for you, but they will wane over time. I don’t regret anything we did together or the time we spent with each other. You do not feel the same toward me as I felt toward you, and I don’t dislike you for that. Still, you chose to leave, and you broke my heart, and you chose another woman and broke my heart all over again. None of that matters. I will marry soon, and I will start a new life, and all of this is for the best. I shall move on from you, but I will not forget you, Your Grace.”
“Bridget—”
“Please don’t say anymore,” Bridget begged. “This is already hard enough as it is, and I don’t know if my heart can take it. Please, let me move on with my life.”
