Chapter 11

In the quiet darkness of the early morning, Bridget, dressed in her riding attire, snuck out of the mansion. Since the arrival of the house's guests, she had been unable to have one of her regular rides to start the day.

With all that had been transpiring over the past couple of days, however, she was determined to enjoy her regular early morning rides again, regardless of the greater risk of being caught.

With a daunting smile, she mounted Brimmer and urged him forward. The rhythmic sound of hooves on the cobblestone path echoed in the stillness of the early morning, while her thoughts swirled with a slight annoyance at having to alter her routine.

This was all undoubtedly the Duke's fault. She doubted dear, sweet Olivia would care so much about her hobbies.

However, she could envision Abel's judgmental eyes letting her know how unbefitting it was for a lady to ride all alone. Never before had she encountered such an exasperating individual.

Despite Olivia's explanation about her brother's character, Bridget still couldn't shake the feeling his presence gave her. There was something… threatening about him. He made her heart race and her mind work in overdrive.

With a sigh, she adjusted the ribbons on her bonnet, her face contorting with frustration.

"Why must thoughts of him interfere with my peaceful mornings?" she muttered to herself, her voice filled with irritation.

As she rode down the familiar path, her mind couldn't help but wander to the encounters she had with him since his arrival—it had been this way for a while.

He seemed to be everywhere her mind escaped to, always with a smug smile on his face that irked her to no end.

The wind gently tousled her locks as she rode, her frustration slowly giving way to determination. She would not let the man's presence ruin her day or her cherished morning ride.

With each passing moment, her annoyance transformed into a steely resolve. As the sun began its ascent, casting a golden hue over the rolling hills, her conclusion grew stronger, and thoughts of him began to fade.

Suddenly, Bridget heard the sound of hooves behind her, and her heart skipped a beat. She knew she mustn't be caught, especially by a member of the staff.

Just as she turned her head to catch sight of who it was, the voice of the approaching figure broke through the silence.

"Stop right there!"

The chase began instantly.

The voice had sounded somewhat familiar, but the fear gripping her would not allow her thoughts to slow down—all she could do was not let it paralyze her.

With her heart pounding in her chest, she guided her horse into a sudden turn, desperate to escape, but almost immediately, this daring maneuver nearly cost her.

As she teetered on the edge of falling off her saddle, the mysterious man pulled up beside her on his horse, reaching out to grab her waist.

In that heart-stopping moment, he effortlessly pulled her up onto his own horse, their bodies pressed close together. The rising sun behind them cast a blinding light, obscuring his face.

Her horse neighed and reared its head, kicking at the ground as it came to a stop alongside his.

Bridget's breath came in ragged gasps as she tried to catch a glimpse of her savior and chaser's identity.

"Lady Bridget?!"

The sound of the familiar voice finally registered in her mind, coupled with her eyes adjusting to the light to see the face before her. Bridget's heart skipped a beat as she faced Abel, his eyes wide with shock.

"Y-Your Grace?" she stammered, her eyes mirroring the shock in his.

Abel scoffed, his shock turning into a mix of confusion and concern. "I thought you were a thief!" he exclaimed, his words laced with incredulity. "I was merely trying to stop you."

His brow furrowed as he shook his head and continued, his voice tinged with reproach. "Riding so early in the day, alone… This is so incredibly reckless, Lady Bridget. You should know better."

Bridget's eyes narrowed, a flicker of defiance crossing her features instantly. "This is my home, Your Grace," she retorted, "and I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I do not need your admonishments."

Abel's brow furrowed even more as he stared her down. "Spare me, Bridget. Even a child would understand the dangers of your actions. Who on earth goes riding alone this early?"

Bridget's defiance rose as she folded her arms defensively. "Correct me if I'm mistaken, but there's no set time to go on rides, Your Grace. And even if there was, who are you to lecture me on my unconventional choices?"

Abel let out an incredulous laugh and raised an eyebrow at her. "Anyone would admonish you on this, Bridget." He sighed. "I worry for your safety." His tone was tinged with a mix of frustration and care. "You may believe yourself capable, but the world can be a dangerous place, especially for a woman."

His words hung in the air, charged with tension and unspoken emotions. Bridget's heart raced, her pride clashing with his concern. The early morning light cast shadows on their faces, illuminating the intensity of their exchange.

Bridget's gaze remained fixed on his, her eyes filled with a fiery determination. "I appreciate your concern, Your Grace." She did her best to keep her voice steady.

"Bridget, you?—"

However, she refused to let him finish. "But I'm not one to be confined by Society's expectations, nor will I ever be. I will not let fear dictate my every move."

"Whatever your reason, it's still too dark for you to ride alone."

"Is it?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "It is a bit ironic to see you out riding as well. Why is it much safer for you to do it than it is for me?"

Abel shook his head at her again, his eyes reflecting his frustration as they fixed on hers. Bridget glared in return, letting her eyes declare her stance—she would not back down.

As the echoes of their argument dissipated, they were left in a charged silence. Their chests rose and fell with the weight of their emotions, their heavy breathing mingling in the cool morning air.

The intensity of their exchange had left them both breathless, their bodies still pressed against each other on Abel's horse. In the aftermath, they became acutely aware of their proximity.

Abel's grip on Bridget's waist remained firm, his touch both protective and possessive. The worry etched on his face replaced his usual air of arrogance, revealing a vulnerability that Bridget had not witnessed before.

She shifted slightly, feeling the warmth of his hand through the layers of her dress. Sitting side-saddle, her heart raced as she glanced up at him.

Their eyes locked, and at that moment, unspoken words passed between them. The tension in the air grew uncontrollably as their breaths synchronized, heavy with a suddenly known repressed desire.

Abel's gaze slowly drifted downward, his eyes landing on her lips. A rush of color flooded her cheeks as she saw this, betraying her awareness of the charged atmosphere.

Bridget's lips parted, desperate to speak, but before any words could come out, Abel cleared his throat, slightly breaking the spell that had enveloped them.

"Lady Bridget, I…" he began, his voice husky, filled with longing and restraint. "I… apologize for the intensity of our disagreement just now. It was never my intention to upset you."

His fingers pulled her in slightly, and his tone sent sweet shivers down her spine. "My only wish is to be sure you'll always be safe."

Another charged silence ensued, and Bridget found herself fighting to keep from leaning closer to him.

Her voice trembled as she mustered the courage to break the silence. "Your Grace, release me… I must dismount."

Abel's grip tightened momentarily, his fingers digging into the fabric of her dress even more. His gaze met hers, a mix of reluctance and longing in his eyes. At last, he let her go.

With a final glance, Bridget carefully dismounted the horse, her steps faltering as she distanced herself from him, going to soothe her horse and take his reins in her hands.

She cleared her throat as he got off behind her. She could barely look him in the eye, and her voice quavered slightly as she spoke, "And I, too, apologize for my sharp tone. I appreciate your concern, Your Grace."

Abel's voice held a firm resolve as he spoke, his tone leaving no room for argument, "I shall accompany you home, Lady Bridget. It would be expected of me to ensure your safety."

Bridget's frustration bubbled within her again, her brow furrowing as she tried to protest. "Your Grace, again, I appreciate your concern, but there is no need for you to trouble yourself. I am perfectly capable of making my own way."

However, Abel did not give a response. His steps were quick and restless as he fell into step with her immediately. Bridget stared at him in disbelief, and he met her gaze with a deadpan expression.

At last, she gave in, and they began the walk back side by side, both leading their horses. An uncomfortable silence filled the air as Abel's expression was fixed in disappointment. Bridget's anxiety and guilt grew with each passing moment, her eyes darting to his face for signs to read his train of thought.

As they continued on, his quiet restlessness continued to unsettle her, filling her with a growing sense of unease. She couldn't help but wonder if he would bring up their encounter to her father. Pressed down by the weight of his silence and the tension in his expression, she was unable to keep silent anymore.

"As we're already in this situation, I must confess, Your Grace…" She cleared her throat to weed out the nervousness. "… this is not the first time I have ventured out like this, and that is why I can assure you it is completely safe."

Abel's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean to say that you have been doing this regularly? And your father is unaware?"

Bridget nodded nervously. "Yes. It is my secret refuge, a nice escape. I always take precautions to ensure my safety as well, of course."

Abel scoffed and turned away in response, his face shrinking in what looked like deep worry.

His silence only heightened Bridget's discomfort, her voice trembling slightly when she spoke again. "Your Grace, if there is something you wish to communicate, I implore you to speak openly."

A flicker of annoyance crossed Abel's features, his retort swift and sharp. "Riding during the night is dangerous, Lady Bridget. I simply cannot fathom why you would put yourself at risk."

Her hackles rose, her voice laced with frustration as she countered, "Your Grace, I assure you, I do not engage in any such activities at night." She swallowed and tried to keep her cool. "My father's strictness regarding my pastimes is high. Thus, I can only ride early in the day."

Abel rolled his eyes at her emphasis, his frustration rising as well. "Your father's strictness is justified, Lady Bridget. He only wishes to protect you. It's clear you cannot make sound decisions by yourself."

Bridget's head turned sharply to him, and she had to ball her fists to keep from yelling his ears off. Abel fixed his gaze on her, daring her to counter. At last, she turned away and kept her mouth shut. He scoffed and went silent again.

The minutes passed by in grating quiet. Finally, at her breaking point, Bridget let out a frustrated groan.

Tired of beating around the bush, she said, "Your Grace, I plead you promise to keep our encounter and the knowledge that I go horse riding a secret from my father. He must never hear of it."

Abel's face contorted in sudden anger, his voice filled with frustration as he retorted, "Pray tell, why should I keep your secret? Your father should know. Someone has to stop you. You could truly hurt yourself, Bridget, and none would know till late!"

Despite the delicious sound of her name on his tongue, Bridget felt her own anger rise, and she opened her mouth, ready to yell back at him for attempting to scold her.

However, as she met his eyes, her resolve softened. The worry he was showing was both surprising and endearing, making it difficult to muster the anger she had felt just moments before.

"You have no reason to be so irritated," she mumbled quietly and averted her eyes from the intensity in his. "Why on earth would you even care whatever happens to me?"

Abel seemed taken aback by her question, and when she returned her gaze to his, she found his eyes searching for the answer that he couldn't quite articulate.

At last, he remained silent, his eyes locked on hers. Their intense gazes held a conversation of their own, their unspoken words echoing in the air.

Bridget could see his concern, his genuine care for her well-being. She once again felt that now familiar wave of electricity pass through her, sending tingles down her spine.

Her body felt hot at the possessiveness in his expression, at the thought that he cared for her. This intense connection between them was something she could have never anticipated. She didn't understand it, and it left her breathless.

Never breaking eye contact, her voice quavered as she spoke softly, her words barely above a whisper. "Your Grace, I give you my word that I will not venture out at night any longer…" She hesitated. "As long as you promise to keep my secret." She bit her lip before continuing, "Please, you have to understand how important this is to me."

His gaze remained fixed on her, and she could see his eyes searching hers for any sign of deception. She braced herself for his disapproval, anticipating his scolding or attempts to shame her once more.

Finally, to her surprise, he simply nodded, his expression unreadable.

"I won't say a word, Lady Bridget," he agreed at last, his voice steady and resolute. He paused and frowned. "And if you ever wish to go out again while I am still here, I shall come along to escort you. Your safety is important."

His frown deepened as he went on, "And I will not take no for an answer. It's not up for discussion. This is my only request if I'm to keep your secret." He cleared his throat and turned away. "After all, if this ever ends up getting to anyone's ears, it'd be expected that I at least attempted to safeguard you in some way."

Bridget's heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. This must be the protective nature of his that his sister had spoken of. She couldn't deny how deeply his gesture touched her, and a smile broke across her face.

"Well then, thank you, Your Grace," she murmured, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "It's good to see that you're not completely heartless, after all. That's comforting."

Bridget's smile grew as his laughter filled the air. As they continued their journey towards the manor, their conversation took on a lighter tone, and the tension that had once enveloped them dissipated.