Chapter 16

As the wedding ceremony commenced, Abel let his eyes wander everywhere but in her direction.

He avoided meeting Bridget's gaze, even though he could sense her eyes on him. The tension between them hung heavy in the air despite their distance, unspoken words and unfulfilled desires lingering between short stolen glances.

Resplendent in her gown of delicate lace and shimmering silk, she sat gracefully in the bridesmaids' section. Her attire, a vision of ethereal beauty, accentuated her every graceful movement, making it even harder for him to tear his eyes away.

The opulent decorations, cascading flowers, and flickering lights cast a romantic spell over the entire scene, and with the vows of love exchanged between the couple in front of them all, Abel struggled even more to avert his gaze from the woman his entire being yearned for.

Despite trying to fight it, his heart ached to turn to her once more, the thought of her radiance captivating him even in that moment of inner conflict.

The struggle within him intensified with every passing moment, torn between the joy of his sister's happiness before him and the unfulfilled desires that lingered in his heart.

"You may now kiss the bride."

The official's voice resounded through the grand hall, marking the pinnacle of the joyous occasion, and the newlywed couple on the altar shared a tender, lingering kiss, sealing their union in the eyes of Society.

As the applause and cheers filled the air, Abel's gaze instinctively gravitated towards Bridget, his heart pounding in his chest.

In that short moment, their eyes met, and a surge of electricity passed between them. Bridget's cheeks flushed a delicate shade of crimson, mirroring the rosy hue of the rose petals strewn across the aisle.

His breath caught in his throat as he realized again that he was not alone in his longing. The danger of the situation sent delicious shivers down his entire being.

Their gazes lingered while the cheers went on, locked in a battle of desire and restraint. The weight of the unspoken words hung heavily in the air, like a delicate dance of secrets and unfulfilled promises.

Bridget's eyes sparkled with vulnerability and desperation, her lips slightly parted as if to speak the words that dared not escape her tongue. At last, after a nudge from her mother, she let herself be pulled away and did not spare a look back.

The day went on, with Abel's heart still racing in his chest, the rhythm echoing the tempo of the waltzing couples in the grand ballroom. He struggled to turn his eyes elsewhere.

His gaze darted from the ornate chandeliers on the ceiling to the decorations gracing every corner, yet in short periods, his eyes found his way back to her.

Bridget mirrored his actions, nervously fluttering her delicate fan. Despite their distance, there seemed to be a delicate thread that threatened to unravel between them at any moment.

Amidst the jubilant festivities and the joyous celebration of love, Abel found himself teetering on the precipice of madness. The memory of their kiss made him unable to participate in anything properly.

There was a frightening truth he could not deny. He had unwittingly fallen under the spell of her charm. His heart, once guarded and resolute, now beat with a rhythm that echoed her name.

Still, he knew all too well the perils of love in a society like theirs, where duty and honor reigned supreme. He knew he had to resist this tide of emotions, and the last thing he could do was allow himself to be consumed by love's treacherous grasp.

With a tumbling heart, he resolved to put distance between himself and Bridget. With quickness, he had to quell the burgeoning feelings before they blossomed into something he could not control.

The mere thought of developing the obvious connection between them sent a shiver of fear running down his spine. He well knew the consequences it could bring.

As the guests took their seats, the room buzzed with animated conversations and the clinking of glasses. The orchestra struck up a lively tune, and couples twirled across the dance floor in a graceful waltz. The atmosphere was alive with joy and merriment as friends and family gathered to celebrate the union of two souls.

As the wedding breakfast began, a moment of tension and surprise swept through the room as Abel rose from his seat suddenly, his heart heavy with a decision he had come to.

The gentle clinking of silverware ceased, and all eyes turned towards him, curiosity etched on the faces of the guests.

"If I may have everyone's attention," he began, his voice carrying across the hall.

The area fell into a hushed silence, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. Bridget, sitting across the table, looked up at him with curious eyes. His gaze, however, remained fixed on nothing in particular, unable to meet hers.

"My congratulations to the married couple once again." He sent a smile in his sister's direction. Without sparing a second, he continued, "I regret to inform you all that I shall be departing immediately after the conclusion of this joyous celebration."

Murmurs of confusion and surprise rippled through the room as guests exchanged puzzled glances.

Before anyone could voice their questions, he pressed on, his words carefully chosen. "Urgent business calls me away—a matter of great importance that cannot be delayed. I apologize for the suddenness of this announcement, but duty compels me."

With a smile, he purposefully exchanged glances with only a few members of the family. "The Fadden household has indeed been very kind to me. While we may hardly cross paths again, please know that I will always be grateful for the days that we spent together."

He nodded his head and raised his glass higher. "Thank you."

As Abel took his seat once more, the room erupted into a flurry of whispered conversations. Some faces still displayed surprise while others seemed more understanding—all portrayed a lingering sense of curiosity.

Bridget's eyes remained fixed on him, her heart shattered, her eyes filled with disbelief. As the announcement of his departure resounded in her ears, she felt the world crumble around her.

She fought to maintain her composure, struggling to conceal the turmoil within.

She truly was in love with him. At that moment, the realization hit her like a shipwreck. Only hours ago, sharing such a tender kiss, that fleeting moment of connection had stirred her soul.

In the unexpected embrace, she had believed that her feelings were reciprocated, that his heart beat in harmony with her own. But now, faced with his sudden departure, doubt gnawed at her.

She wondered why he kissed her if he had no intention of staying in the first place. Perhaps he was leaving out of fright of what her reaction would be? They hadn't discussed the matter, after all.

Still, he left her standing without giving either of them a chance to process what happened! Could he truly be serious about leaving, when they had such heavy business between them?

Her mind raced with questions, her thoughts in a whirlwind of confusion. The truth eluded her, leaving her only further heartbroken and longing for answers she slightly feared.

As the ceremony continued, Bridget kept her head bowed. She dared not raise her eyes, fearing that they would betray the pain she carried. The joyous celebration felt hollow, the music and laughter a mere backdrop to the ache in her heart.

Her mind was consumed by thoughts of him, yet she could not look at him any longer. She found herself replaying their moments together, searching for signs of his true intentions from the start.

Had it all been a facade? A cruel trick played on her vulnerable heart? The uncertainty weighed heavily on her by the minute, threatening to unravel the steady facade she was struggling to keep up already.

At last, she was forced to excuse herself from the celebration and made her way to the garden, desperate for a moment of respite. With each step she took towards the center, her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. Her heart heavy, she tried her best to hold back tears.

However, as she arrived at the garden center, a shocked gasp swiftly replaced the sobs stuck in her throat. Her eyes were wide as she found Abel standing by the flowers, his countenance seemingly filled with sorrow.

His eyes were like saucers when he met her gaze, his own filled with shock and dismay.

After a short moment of sputtering, he quickly spoke, his voice filled with unease, "Lady Bridget, I didn't anticipate finding you here. I shall be out of your way."

Bridget's heart thumped in her chest as he began hurriedly walking in her direction and past her. Quick as lightning, she stepped in front of him, placing a hand up to stop him.

"Why are you leaving so hastily, Your Grace?"

Her voice quavered with a mix of the anger and hurt she felt. She raised heavy eyes up to him, yearning for an explanation. Now that she'd caught him here, she had to get an answer, her fiery spirit pushing her forward.

Abel, feigning ignorance, responded, "I fear I do not understand your question, Lady Bridget. I have earlier explained my departure. There are pressing matters that demand my attention."

But Bridget's glare intensified, her frustration boiling over. The intensity of her emotions surprised even herself, yet she couldn't suppress her righteous anger. She demanded, "Do not play coy with me, Your Grace! I deserve the truth!"

She hesitated, and her heart raced as she looked into his eyes. With a fallen tone, her voice trembled as she asked, "Why did you kiss me?"

The air grew heavy with silence, tension enveloping the space between them. Finally, Abel broke the silence, his voice tinged with regret and filled with an apology.

"I apologize. I never should have done that."

His admission echoed through the air, leaving her heart torn even further. She had somewhat expected him to present such an answer, yet she heavily hoped for another.

Her gaze softened, her emotions swirling within her. She wondered if perhaps he felt he'd taken advantage of her. She grabbed the thought as quickly as it came.

Of course, that could explain his hasty departure. Perhaps he believed she would not want to see him any longer after the liberties he had taken. He was merely being a gentleman.

Bridget's heart thumped wildly in her chest. She wanted to tell him that instant. Her lips parted to explain that she had actually wanted the kiss, that she was, as a matter of fact, glad it happened. Now she had an understanding of her emotions better.

She was in love with him.

But before she could find the words, Abel's voice cut through the air once more. "I pray you do not come to misunderstand me, Lady Bridget." He paused and raised firm eyes back up to hers. "The kiss we shared should have never happened. I shall live with regret for my spontaneous action."

He took a deep breath before he went on. "Perhaps I was intoxicated by the atmosphere. You are… the last woman I would wish to kiss." He finished firmly, "It was a mistake."

His words were like shards of glass that shattered Bridget's heart into a thousand pieces. The surprise that initially filled her gaze quickly transformed into a deep and profound pain.

Her eyes searched his, cold and unfeeling. She refused to believe it could be true. The passion they had shared in that single kiss—there was no way it could be true.

She longed to understand his sudden change of heart, to delve deeper into his feelings. What could have gone wrong?

With a trembling voice, she mustered the strength to speak up once more. "Your Grace, please?—"

But the Duke cut her off in a curt and abrupt manner, delivering another painful statement.

"I apologize, Lady Bridget. Goodbye."

Once again, he left her standing alone, her heart shattered and yearning for a closure she had slowly begun to believe she would never get.