Chapter 10

Abel's footsteps echoed softly as he walked through the quiet Fadden gardens, his mind burdened with thoughts of Bridget. He couldn't shake the image of her disappointed expression from his mind—the way her eyes had avoided his gaze, and the silence that hung heavy between them.

His mind was filled with questions about her refusal to engage with him. There was so much she could have said, so much he realized he wished for her to say.

Every word left unspoken felt like a chasm growing wider between them, and despite how he wished to deny it, the thought of one worried him.

He replayed their last encounter over and over, searching for answers that eluded him. How could he have let things reach this point? What could be pinpointed as the exact reason for her change in behavior?

As he reached the center of the garden, a heavy sigh escaped his lips. The vibrant colors of the flowers seemed muted under the moon's gaze, mirroring his desolation.

"Don't you look a sad, sorry sight."

Lost in his thoughts, Abel hadn't noticed the presence of the two brothers sitting at the garden center a few feet away from him. He finally raised his head, startled by Hector's loud remark, to meet their amused and concerned gazes.

Elliot tapped his brother's arm lightly as he shook his head. "Leave the man alone, Hector." He sent an understanding look Abel's way. "Would you like to join us, Your Grace? We've grown fond of escaping here to drink away our problems."

But the younger brother raised an eyebrow as he inspected Abel's posture. "Brother, I fear our joviality may not be enough to chase away whatever shadows that cloud the Duke's heart."

After a warning glare from his elder brother, he shrugged defensively. "It's all but true, though. We've been watching him stand there for minutes, looking like he's about to be sent off to war."

Abel, grateful for the distraction, laughed as he approached the pair. "Gentlemen, I appreciate your kind offer. Perhaps a drink or two would indeed help ease my mind."

As he drew a seat beside them, the flickering candlelight cast a warm glow on the scene. In a swift movement, he filled his glass and downed the contents with a sigh.

Hector had a furrow in his brow as he watched him. Finally, he leaned in and asked, ignoring his brother's warning glare, "So, Your Grace, what troubles your heart this eve? Pray, do not keep your worries hidden."

Abel looked up slowly and hesitated for a moment. How could he explain to the men that his thoughts were consumed by their younger sister?

He shook his head softly and took another swig of his drink as he murmured, "It is nothing of great consequence."

However, ever the astute observer, Hector squinted at him and pressed further. "Well, I believe there is indeed more to this tale." He paused and added slyly, "Could it be that the cause of your worries has to do with a certain brunette with a sharp tongue?"

Abel froze, his heart pounding in his chest. He raised his gaze to meet Hector's again, a mix of fear and anticipation swirling in his eyes.

Hector stared at him for a moment with accusing eyes, then, unable to contain himself, he burst into laughter, the sound carrying across the garden. "Ah, I knew it! I saw you attempting to engage in conversation with Bridget earlier, only to be ignored."

He took a swig of his drink and winked. "You've landed yourself on her worst side, it seems. A silent Bridget Fadden is not for the faint-hearted, indeed."

Abel caught Elliot's questioning and slightly accusatory gaze from the corner of his eye, and his eyes widened as he tried desperately to explain himself.

"Oh, no! It's not what you assume… I merely sought to offer my sincerest apologies for our… quarrel earlier in the day." He laughed nervously. "We tend to argue a lot, as you know." He cleared his throat, desperate to rid the men of their judgmental gazes. "She and I were only?—"

"I implore you, stop pestering His Grace, Brother." Elliot laughed lightly, finally relieving Abel of his predicament.

"Oh, please." After a mischievous laugh, Hector rolled his eyes and retorted, "Don't act like you're not curious about the immense animosity between him and our dear little sister."

Elliot sipped his drink and shrugged. "Bridget has always been a feisty one." Then an accusing glint lit his eyes. "And we have one here to thank for encouraging her in that manner as well."

"Very desperate for your brother-in-law to approve of your grand wedding ideas, aren't we, Elliot?"

As Elliot threw a spoon across the small table in Hector's direction, the men burst into laughter.

"Forgive me, Your Grace. He's always been this way." Elliot chuckled as he glared at his younger brother, lackadaisically sipping the wine. "But now, I'm sure you understand why our sister has grown to be quick with her words as well."

"Well, some of us in the house had to take on the responsibility of being the interesting ones." Hector bent his head in fear of another table item being hurled at him as he spoke.

"And that is the word you use to defend your incessant disturbance wherever you go?" Elliot raised a mocking eyebrow.

"Oh, please, Brother, I'm a joy amongst the ton. They love me. You, however, are the less fun one. The perfect Borthwell son. The one who carries all the responsibilities, and so you are hardly ever called to the actual parties."

Elliot's offended gasp showed that Hector had hit a nerve. "Only the surface routine meet and greet balls."

The light banter between the brothers escalated, each retort being met with a clever comeback. Abel found himself thoroughly enjoying their company and wit. Laughter filled the air, creating a warm and convivial atmosphere.

As he watched them interact, he realized just how similar he and Elliot were in little ways. The way the man spoke of his younger siblings and the manner with which he carried himself were all too familiar.

In the midst of the playful exchange, his judgment from earlier, along with Bridget's disappointed expression, returned to his mind once more. He sighed and downed another glass.

"You know, Lord Fadden, earlier when I couldn't find you with my sister…" His voice rang out, cutting short the playful argument between the men seated with him. "I must admit, I had some… unfounded suspicions."He let out a guilty laugh. "I thought you were up to something improper. But now, I know, I couldn't have been more wrong."

A gentle smile spread across Elliot's face as his words registered. "Ah, I can't fault you for your protectiveness, Your Grace. If I were in your shoes, I might have reacted similarly." He let out a short laugh. "After all, when it comes to matters of young family, it's only natural to be cautious."

He filled his glass as he spoke. "We're only just getting to know each other, after all. You barely knew me." He smiled and raised his glass. "Here's to knowing me, Your Grace."

"Don't be so modest, Brother," Hector interjected before Abel could respond. "What he meant to say was, we hope now that you know him better, Your Grace, you won't jump to such heavy assumptions so easily."

He turned his eyes away from Abel and raised an eyebrow at Elliot. "That's what you really wanted to say, now, isn't it?"

As Abel's ears heated up, Elliot playfully nudged Hector, shaking his head in mock exasperation. "Brother, must you always attempt to read my mind and fail so miserably?"

"I promise you, I have never once been wrong in my judgment of your true thoughts." Hector nodded his head to himself as he brought his glass to his lips.

"And how would you tell me such? It's my mind, Brother." Elliot shook his head, laughing in disbelief. "I assure you, I was merely expressing my understanding of the Duke's sentiment."

"Care to spit on it?"

Soon enough, the brothers began bantering back and forth again, leaving Abel amused.

When the exchange between the two managed to reach an impasse, Elliot turned to Abel again, his voice carrying a note of sincerity. "Sincerely, Your Grace, I want you to know that I hold no ill will towards you for your initial doubts." He smiled as he went on, "In fact, I appreciate your concern for your sister's well-being. It shows the depth of your love and protectiveness. I truly hope our relationship can improve, for all our sakes."

Abel's eyes met Elliot's, filled with gratitude and newfound respect. "Thank you. I fully agree. I see now that you are a man of integrity and honor."

As Hector opened his mouth to speak, Elliot countered before he could get a word out, "Jealous of this blooming friendship, are we?"

Abel laughed in disbelief as the men quickly began to banter again. As he watched, he couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy deep within his heart. He was reminded for the first time in a while how he longed for the kind of close relationship that brothers shared.

Their teasing and playful exchanges only emphasized the void in his own life with each passing second. Caught in his thoughts, he struggled to find his place in the conversation and continued to drink in silence.

"Your Grace?" Elliot's concerned tone drew his attention after a short moment. "I hope my brother and I aren't being a nuisance." He gave a short laugh before continuing, "We've always had this dynamic between us, you see. Sometimes we tend to forget it's not enjoyable to the poor innocents around us."

Abel shook his head and responded with a warm smile. "You needn't worry. Your banter and closeness fascinate me. In truth, I've never witnessed brothers who share such a deep bond. It's truly a marvel to behold."

"Well, Your Grace…" Hector's smile was understanding as he spoke. "You may not have been born into this family, but you can consider yourself an honorary brother from this moment forward. I dare say, you do better than us in fiery word exchanges. None of us have truly been able to put up a fight when it comes to our dear younger sister."

Elliot nodded with a laugh, and he grinned and raised his glass. "We welcome you with open arms into our circle of banter and never-ending quarrels."

"I'm honored, indeed." Abel laughed as the elder brother raised his glass enthusiastically. He shook his head and laughed again after dropping his own glass back to the table. "Have you all always been like this, truly?"

As the candlelight flickered, casting a warm glow on the elegant dining table, Elliot leaned back in his chair, a nostalgic smile gracing his lips. "Oh, yes, indeed, it's always been like this. Bridget, dear little Bridget, of course has always been right there, following Hector's every step, eager to partake in all of his schemes, fueling the drama."

"My schemes alone? Brother, I can recall you roping her into your own escapades if we're to be honest," Hector piped up instantly.

A soft chuckle escaped Elliot's lips, the sound carrying the weight of countless shared memories. "We've both always been fiercely protective of her," he continued, his eyes glancing towards Hector, who nodded in agreement.

"However, unfortunately…" His voice faltered, the jovial tone giving way to a hint of sadness. "… there's only so much we can do. Neither of us can relieve her of the burdens that Society places on women."

A hushed silence fell over the table, the air heavy with words unspoken.

Abel debated with himself for a while, then finally mustered the courage to ask, "Why… is Bridget not married yet?"

Hector and Elliot exchanged hesitant glances, their eyes silently conveying the weight of the answer.

Finally, Elliot let out a weary sigh, his gaze fixed on the dancing flames.

"It was her choice," he revealed, his voice filled with a mix of admiration and resignation. "She sabotaged all of her Seasons, determined to defy our father's strict notions of propriety."

He paused, and his face was slightly pinched as he went on, "Our father has always been a man of unwavering principles, particularly when it comes to the women of our household. He believed that a woman's worth is equal to her husband's."

He hesitated again then leaned forward in his seat, his eyes meeting Abel's. "I'm assuming you've heard about our family's scandal a few years ago?"

Abel nodded slowly, his memory reaching back to the whispers of various scandals that had once gripped their society. "Yes, I believe I have." he responded, his voice tinged with a touch of uncertainty. "But it was so long ago, the details have faded from my memory."

The brothers shared another glance. At last, Elliot cleared his throat. "Your Grace, it's best I remind you of the forgotten tragedy that has haunted our family for years." His voice was filled with a weighty solemnity as he began.

"In simple terms, we have another sister." His eyes were fixed on the contents in his glass as he swirled the drink around. "Virginia. I assume the name will bring back the infamous tale."

He drew in a deep breath. "We haven't seen her for many years. We're all forbidden from initiating any sort of contact with her nor accepting one in any form."

Elliot fell silent for another moment, then he cleared his throat again and drank from his glass. "Virginia fell in love with a commoner, so she was banished from our home, cast aside by our father like a forgotten relic."

As the flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the table, Elliot's voice grew stronger, his emotions pouring forth like a torrential storm. "Virginia wished to marry the man, despite everything. However, our father, his thinking clouded by his rigid notions of status and propriety, forbade their union."

He continued, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness, "He has always believed that love should be confined to the boundaries of wealth and lineage. Never once has he cared for the true essence of the heart."

"Alas, Virginia fell pregnant." A sad smile touched Elliot's lips. "The estate shook and trembled the night it was discovered. Up till now, the memories of their muffled screams and quarrels live on."

"Our father made plans to send our declared shameful sister away to one of his sisters to avoid the scandal, but Virginia had plans of her own. Brave and resolute, as is the Fadden way, she refused to succumb to the shackles of societal expectations."

Despite the pained laugh that left his lips, his voice was filled with admiration. "She chose to be with the man she loved on her own terms. So, after that night, not one of us ever set eyes on her again."

"Together, she and the father of her child fled to the sanctuary of Gretna Green, where their love could be celebrated without our father's blessing. And that is all we know."

He sighed. "Of course, news of their clandestine marriage spread like wildfire through the ton, nevertheless, casting a shadow of scandal on our family name."

As he concluded the story, he downed his glass. "And in his fury, our father disowned her, erasing her from his heart and publicly declaring her no longer his daughter."

As the final words left Elliot's lips, a bittersweet silence enveloped the table, the weight of the history lingering in the air.

Elliot drummed his fingers on the table before turning to Abel again with a small smile. "The truth is, we believe…" He gestured to himself and his brother. "… that Bridget's defiance in rejecting suitors is her way of rebelling against our father for what he did."

His tone was filled with sympathy as he laughed. "You've witnessed my sister. She's a fighter. This is also a way to assert her independence, to carve her own path free from the constraints imposed on her."

Abel's brow furrowed in contemplation as he nodded slowly, acknowledging the validity of Elliot's observation. He was silent for a moment, then shook his head as he spoke, "Indeed, but your father could have easily married her off despite her wishes, anyway."

"That is something we all recognize," Hector finally spoke.

"We've all thought and wondered. Perhaps, deep down, our father recognizes the cruelty of his actions towards Virginia, and in allowing Bridget to remain unmarried, he seeks redemption for his past transgressions."

Anger and irritation quickly clouded the little empathy that flickered in his eyes, and he continued with a fervent intensity, "Still, it doesn't excuse the way he continues to mistreat Bridget." His voice was laced with righteous indignation. "Regardless of his hidden remorse, his treatment of her remains unjust and unkind."

Abel's mind raced with conflicting emotions as he pondered the men's words. The flickering candlelight cast shadows on their troubled faces, deep lines of contemplation matching the ones etched on his brow.

Their words continued to replay in his mind, and his thoughts drifted back to the countless conversations he had witnessed amongst the ton, where the pursuit of advantageous matches reigned supreme.

Duty and honor, like twin specters, haunted the hearts of all who dwelled within the gilded cages of their high society, and it seemed like they would remain forever.

Abel could understand Bridget's reluctance to enter into a loveless match, and her desire to pave her own way and make her own choices.

Still, he could not understand how one could simply shirk their duty and their responsibility to family and Society.

From all he had seen and lived, it was all too impossible.