Chapter 19

Abel's heart thumped loudly in his chest as he fought to tear his eyes away from Bridget. All his attempts were to no avail. He simply could not help himself.

He was both mesmerized and troubled by her strikingly different appearance. Her resplendent gown was a departure from her usual style. The vibrant hues of emerald green and sapphire blue cascaded down the gown, adorned with intricate lace and shimmering sequins.

Despite their distance, he felt he could sense a change in her demeanor as a whole. It appeared as though she had purposefully dressed to attract the attention of gentlemen at the ball.

And to his dismay, it seemed her tactic had worked. Abel's blood boiled to see a man standing by Bridget's side. He tried to fight the feeling, yet his heart stirred with a mix of jealousy and frustration.

Her gaze did not once return to his direction as she engaged in conversation with a gentleman by her side. Abel's irritation grew with each passing moment.

He knew he should be mingling with the ladies surrounding him, engaging in order to find a spouse as was his goal for the evening. However, his eyes and thoughts remained solely fixed on her.

She was not supposed to be in London, let alone at the same ball as him. He wondered what evil he had done to cause fate to play such wicked tricks on him.

He didn't want her here. He couldn't have her so close to him and be able to control himself.

As the ballroom continued to buzz with excitement, Abel sucked in the corners of his cheeks and gracefully extricated himself from the surrounding throng of adoring women, their voices echoing with calls and protests as he made his way towards Bridget.

His heart quickened with anticipation at the thought of getting to interact with her once again. He knew he shouldn't. He tried to force his legs to stop moving, yet every fiber of his being screamed to seize a moment with her.

However, just as he approached, a sinking feeling took hold of him as he witnessed Bridget walking away with another man.

Fury ignited within him, but with the eyes he could feel watching him, he knew he couldn't let it consume him. With a deep breath, he resolved to continue in that direction, albeit reluctantly.

Ruth stood waiting with surprised eyes. He knew it would be impolite to not exchange pleasantries with his sister's mother-in-law, after all.

"Good evening, Lady Borthwell," he began, doing his best to avert his gaze from her daughter, his voice laced with forced composure. "I hope this evening finds you in good spirits."

"Oh, Your Grace. What a pleasant surprise to see you here!" Her words carried a hint of astonishment as she exclaimed, "I had thought we would be deprived of your presence for quite some time. This is a delightful turn of events!"

Abel nodded, his attention momentarily drifting towards Bridget again. She was engrossed in conversation with the irritating man. The gentleman's back was turned to him, so he still could not see his face.

He found it even more infuriating not to know. Balling his fists, he tried to keep himself from marching over and yanking the gentleman by the collar, demanding he identify himself.

He sucked in his cheeks, and the air crackled with tension as he struggled to return his focus to Ruth.

Her eyes sparkled with warmth as she smiled. "Ah, Your Grace, how delightful it is to see you, indeed. The ball is quite enchanting, is it not?"

"Indeed, the atmosphere is captivating," he replied, his voice betraying a hint of longing. "I find I can barely keep my focus in one direction. Every corner entices me so."

As Abel spoke, his gaze flicked back to Bridget, his jaw clenching with restrained frustration. Just then, his eyes narrowed as the gentleman with her twirled her around, causing his face to come into Abel's view.

Lord William Doonesbury!

Abel's eyes blazed with judgmental frustration. Of all the people. Bridget surely could do better. Focusing her attention on a man like him?

He knew well of William. It could not be denied, he was a great businessman and did quite well for his family. Without his recent accomplishments, the Doonesburys would be nearly lower in rank than the Borthwells.

Is that what Bridget was attracted to? Hard workers and rank chasers? Abel felt he was a much more beneficial match than William. So how could Bridget stare at the man with so much grace, when her relationship with him in comparison was contemptuous?

Ruth continued to chat, but her words became a blur in his ears. At that moment, the entire ballroom seemed to fade into the background as he battled with his thoughts and counted the minutes till the music would end.

As the night wore on, Abel's struggle to maintain his composure became more apparent. Ruth's elegant eyebrows arched in curiosity, an indication of her intrigue as she observed the Duke's failing responses and persistent glances.

At last, her eyes followed his line of sight, and her eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets, a silent gasp escaping her lips as she discovered the object of his intense focus.

Abel stared at Bridget like she was the only woman in the room. In her lifetime, Ruth had seldom seen a man staring at a woman with such longing.

She had been suspicious of his interactions with her daughter for a while, and this was the best confirmation she could have gotten.

Maintaining her composure, Ruth allowed herself a slight knowing smile, a spark of excitement dancing in her eyes. She cleared her throat and leaned in slightly, her voice tinged with mischief when she spoke this time.

"I must share, as you are now family. The Fadden's attendance at this grand ball is not solely for the sake of the occasion, Your Grace," she admitted, her tone carrying a note of playful secrecy. "You should know, we are to be expecting another wedding very soon."

"What did you just say?"

Ruth nearly let out a chuckle at the swiftness of the turn of Abel's neck. At last, she had his attention. She hid her devilish smile as she nodded at him, pushing on.

"Oh, yes. Bridget has been the center of our attention tonight. We want her to be married soon, you see."

A subtle smirk graced her face as she skillfully wove her words, enjoying the terror in the Duke's eyes at her revelation. She continued, her voice filled with feigned innocence.

"And my, how beautiful she looks this evening." Her words dripped a sugared sweetness. "I cannot help but be thrilled that she has finally decided to actively begin her search for a suitable husband."

As anticipated, the Duke's reaction was immediate and palpable. His eyes narrowed in Bridget's direction, his gaze filled with a mix of surprise and possessiveness. Silent daggers seemed to emanate from him, aimed at the gentleman with whom Bridget was currently engaged in a dance.

Ruth watched as he took a moment to collect himself and then made his attempt to respond in a nonchalant manner.

"Indeed, that is quite interesting news." He nodded curtly, his tone betraying a sharpness that did not go unnoticed by Ruth. She maintained her facade of obliviousness, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Her smile widened ever so slightly as his eyes shifted to Bridget again, and her pupils gleamed with more excitement.

"I have to say, I do find it quite surprising to discover Lady Bridget has finally decided to return to the marriage mart. I was given the impression she preferred the spinster lifestyle." The Duke's words echoed through the air with a slight annoyance.

He let out an obviously forced chuckle as a means of damage control. "Then again, it can be said to be a cause for celebration, indeed. My congratulations, Lady Borthwell."

Ruth reveled in the satisfactory feeling that washed over her. She had successfully stirred the emotions within the Duke. A glimpse of his true feelings was undeniably revealed.

With a glint of mischief in her eyes, she continued to fan the flames of jealousy within his heart. She turned her attention to the man Bridget was dancing with, praising his accomplishments with every word she spoke.

She rattled on about William's achievements and exploits, listing off reasons why she felt he would be an excellent match for her dear daughter. The Duke's jaw was tight as she went on.

"Oh, Your Grace." Her voice dripped with honeyed sweetness as she spoke. "Aside from all that, have you not noticed the undeniable connection between dear Bridget and this fine gentleman?"

Abel's eyes flicked to her with a heavy glare, and Ruth knew she had hit the nail right on the head this time.

"Their conversation flowed as smoothly as the steps of their dance. It was marvelous. It is quite evident that they have hit it off splendidly. I am ever so happy. I wonder if there really could be a better match at this ball tonight."

Ruth could tell her happy laughter grated on the Duke's nerves, so she drew it out as long as she could.

His eyes narrowed, and a mix of annoyance and possessiveness flashed across his features.

When he spoke, his voice, laced with tension, betrayed his true emotions. "I must add, Lady Borthwell, I find it rather perplexing that Lady Bridget would be so drawn to this man."

His gaze lingered on William in annoyance. "His accomplishments are indeed commendable, but perhaps it could be said she is only running a faster pace than she should?"

He grunted and shook his head slightly. "Does he truly possess the qualities that make him a suitable match for her? He is her first dance of the night, is he not? Let us not limit her options. She ought to explore before settling on one alone."

He turned with accusatory eyes. "It would be expected that you encourage her to do so."

However, Ruth's grin grew, her satisfaction evident. She continued to stoke the fire, skillfully pushing the Duke to his limits.

"Ah, but, Your Grace, you underestimate the power of connections and shared interests. Bridget and this gentleman seem to have found a meeting of minds already, a harmony that cannot be denied."

Abel, seeming unable to contain his jealousy any longer, silently fumed.

Audaciously, Ruth pressed on, her words purposeful arrows piercing his pride.

"Do you not see, Your Grace, how her eyes sparkle with delight in his presence? How her laughter dances on the air as they converse in this dance? This, indeed, seems a connection that cannot be ignored." Her eyes twinkled some more. "Perhaps I shall advise Lord Borthwell this instant that we have already a solid prospect."

Abel's grip on his glass tightened, his knuckles turning white. He wondered to himself how it had not broken yet. His gaze remained unwavering on Bridget, sending scornful glares her way.

Thankfully, just as he was about to snap, the music stopped at last. His heart thumped as Bridget turned. Her eyes met his with surprise, and she approached hesitantly after her dance came to an end.

After giving him a polite nod, she began to inquire about her next dance partner, but before her mother could respond, Abel's voice cut through the air.

"Lady Bridget, I ask you to allow me the honor of being your next dance partner," he declared without a moment to waste, determination ringing in his tone as he extended a hand her way.

At that moment, Abel caught a flicker of excitement dancing across her mother's face. However, Bridget herself wore a look of displeasure, her eyes filled with resistance as she glared at his hand like it was diseased, before raising her gaze back to his.

"I should not pull you from the excited party awaiting you, Your Grace." She gave a tight smile as she responded. Her glare was nearly more aggressive than what he was used to. "I have many options awaiting me, and I, as well, would rather dance with someone I actually wished to dance with."

Her words stung heavily, and Abel clenched his jaw to keep from demanding she name a man present who was a better option than him. Who on earth could she pick over him that wouldn't raise eyebrows among the ton?

Everyone's eyes were fixed on them, and the ballroom seemed to go silent as though they were all straining their ears to overhear the conversation. Abel's hand remained outstretched, and from the corner of his eye, he could see the whispers being exchanged in every corner.

Undeterred by her disapproval, he gave a charming smile and extended his hand further, his words dripping with politeness. "I implore you, My Lady, to grace me with your presence on the dance floor. It would be my utmost delight to share this dance with you."

"Unfortunately, as I said, I have to politely refuse." She lifted the tiny card she had collected from her mother and gave him another tight smile. "As you can see, you are not on my card. My mother spent time picking appropriate options for me, didn't you, Mother?"

"Well, I—" Ruth looked slightly panicked as the pair shifted questioning eyes in her direction. "I-I do not know, my dear. The card is not really of such importance now, is it?"

"Yes, indeed. It would be a shame to let your hard work all go to waste." Acting oblivious to her mother's words, Bridget smiled sardonically Abel's way again. "There you have it."

Abel sighed and plastered another smile on his face. "Lady Bridget, if you would?—"

"Adding to that, I heard of your desire to find a wife, and quickly at that. I assume that would be your reason for attending this ball. Do you not fear dancing with me would only waste the precious time you would spend sampling your prospects?"

Abel's gaze narrowed at her words. He wondered if he was imagining the raging jealousy behind her nonchalant gaze. His heart thumped as the determination in his eyes grew.

"I wish to dance with you, Lady Bridget."

"Your Grace, you are not on my card," she repeated slowly, drawing out her words as though she was speaking to a child.

However, as she opened her mouth to speak again, Abel, driven by his unwavering determination, cut her off mid-sentence and gently took hold of her hand, leading her towards the dance floor.

He pulled them in position and, ignoring her gentle squirming, drew her in by the waist firmly, forcing her to come face-to-face with him.

Bridget's soft gasp sent tingles all over his system, and his hands instinctively tightened around her as the music began.

With their gazes locked, he spoke softly and assuringly, "Never mind all that, Bridget. I am choosing this moment with you."