“Perhaps, I have. But it is a similar situation to Lady Hastings, is it not? I desire Bridget and want to please her, and her father wishes to see her wed to an older man whom she detests. The situations are quite similar.”
“Not entirely,” James said. “The Duke of Norfolk wishes to see his daughter wed to the Marquess of Thornton, something which would have occurred without your interest in Lady Bridget.”
“That is true, but I still would not want the Duke of Norfolk to wed Bridget to that man out of spite.”
“You are the Duke of Hamilton now,” James pointed out. “You are a far more appealing suitor now than you were when you had your dalliances with Lady Hastings.”
“That is true, but that does not guarantee His Grace would wish for his daughter to wed me over Lord Thornton.”
James nodded. “Your Grace,” he said. “I feel like we have spoken twice now about this matter, and you seem no closer to deciphering your own feelings.”
“That is because I am not.”
“I know, and I understand why it is difficult to figure out what your heart truly desires. If you do not let yourself be open to love once more, however, I fear you may miss something truly wonderful in your life. Lady Bridget is a charming young lady. I am sure she will find a husband among the ton, and if you do not learn to move forward, that man will not be you.”
Anthony inhaled sharply. “I do not recall you being quite that forward when we last spoke about Lady Bridget.”
“I know. Then, I was not certain about your feelings toward Lady Bridget, but I am now. You adore her. Even if youintended for this to be a feigned courtship, it is apparent that you desire it to be something more. I suspect that Lady Bridget does, too.”
Anthony furrowed his brow. “Lady Hastings spoke to Bridget. I do not know what she said, but I imagine it was less than complimentary.”
“Do you intend to talk to Lady Bridget about it?”
“I must,” Anthony said.
Perhaps Lady Hastings had not said anything too terrible, though. If she had, Bridget surely would not have hastened to meet him in the gardens. Still, he must speak to Bridget as soon as possible. The thought of courting her in earnest was terrifying, but it was also freeing. He liked the thought of calling on her and having a candid conversation about themselves.
“But what if I do not truly love her?” Anthony asked. “Should I not know? With Anastasia, I was certain that I loved her.”
“And perhaps Lady Anastasia is the reason that you are unsure,” James said. “Your doubt is less about your feelings toward Lady Bridget and more about your refusal to leave the past behind.”
“Probably. But what can I do? I cannot make myself love Anastasia any less.”
“Why would you have to? Love does not come in some measurable, finite amount,” James said. “You can love Lady Anastasia and Lady Bridget both equally. Your Grace, you have thought so much about repeating your mistakes toward women. Have you considered that, perhaps, Lady Bridget instead presents an opportunity to correct them?”
“That is rather optimistic.”
“Well, I try to be good-humored,” James replied. “I am told that is an attractive trait in valets.”
Anthony grinned. “Listening and offering thoughtful advice are also admirable traits.”
“Indeed.”
Anthony stood and stretched. He rolled up his shirtsleeves and considered Bridget’s portrait yet again. “I intend to finish this piece today,” he said.
“You have made excellent progress thus far.”
“Thank you.”
James bowed and departed, and Anthony brushed his thumb over a corner of the canvas, smiling wryly at Bridget’s painted face. When he saw Bridget next, they would need to have a long conversation about their courtship and Lady Hastings and—if he were feeling particularly bold—Anastasia.
Chapter 31
“I am delighted that Lady Emily has invited us to a ball,” Anna announced to Bridget and their mother in the drawing room. “I adored her art show, and I can scarcely wait to see the artwork she has in her home.”
“And I am sure Mr. Russell has received an invitation as well,” said Bridget, smiling.
“Girls, your father and I wish to speak to you about these gentlemen,” their mother said. “In truth, I suspect we have waited a little too long for such a conversation, but it is better to discuss the matter late than never at all.”
