Chapter 20

As their dance commenced, Abel and Bridget both moved with anger and frustration. Their steps were nonchalant towards each other, the purposeful silence telling a multitude of words.

Bridget averted her gaze with every move, this deliberate act only fueling his fury. As they glided across the dance floor, his mind raged as he waited for her to break the silence between them.

He twirled her with strength and moved her swiftly to his front at every turn, yet her gaze remained fixed on the side, her entire aura seeming to reject his existence.

Despite the anger that simmered within him, being in such proximity to her undeniably stirred a pleasant warmth in his soul.

Abel wished for the dance to never end. As she continuously rejected him with her body language, he was enveloped with a strong desire to caress her delicate face, return it to his, and steal another kiss.

Despite the pressing desperation to do so, he knew all too well the consequences such an act would bring. The watchful eyes of Society scrutinized their every move at that moment, and the scandal that would ensue would be immeasurable.

So, he resisted the temptation, burying his longing deep within his heart. Still, with each twirl and turn, he seized the opportunity to draw her closer than necessary, his eyes boring into hers, hoping to break through the barrier she had erected.

Yet, despite his passionate efforts, Bridget stubbornly kept her gaze averted. Abel's frustration reached its peak, threatening to shatter the fragile facade of composure he was doing his best to maintain.

Unable to endure the torment any longer, he made his decision. With a firm yet gentle pull, he cautiously guided her closer with each move, their bodies pressing intimately together.

The soft, shocked gasps that escaped her lips only fueled his determination. He yearned for her to finally look at him. But with her stubbornness and resolve unyielding, Bridget did not once look in his direction, even though her cheeks burned crimson.

At last, Abel snapped, angry and frustrated as he glared at her, keeping his tone low yet loud enough to be heard past the music.

"Do tell me, Lady Bridget, what brings you to this grand affair?"

However, Bridget's eyes remained averted even as she responded, her tone matching her expression. "My reasons for attending this ball, Your Grace, are none of your concern. I am free to partake in Society events as I see fit."

Abel's eyes narrowed at her, willing her to look at him. Desperate, he added, "Enlighten me. Could it actually be you seeking to torment me further? I mean, out of all the balls to attend…"

"Excuse me?" Her eyes blazed as they flicked to his and back. "Do not think so highly of yourself, Your Grace. It is customary that my family attend the London ball. This is well known."

His patience wearing thin, Abel pulled on her hand and whirled her around, their movements mirroring the intensity of their words.

"Your family was absent from balls for quite some time, and that is also known, is it not?" His piercing gaze lingered on her, urging her to face him again.

"Merely because of scandals I created. I tend to get entangled in quite a lot of mistakes, as you know." Her glare was heavy with accusation.

She returned her gaze to the side. "But now that all the mistakes are a thing of the past, I am free to partake in the pleasures of Society, am I not? Or do you believe I need your permission?"

"I beg you to try to understand things from my perspective." He flashed her a tight smile. "My question stems from many things. After all, it is not natural either to find you adorned in such finery. One might think you were desperate for certain attentions."

"And what if indeed I am, Your Grace?"

"We would not want you to seem to be desperate, now, would we?" He raised an eyebrow at her quick retort.

"Again, and what if I am desperate? What would be wrong with that? Are all spinsters not said to be desperate? Would this be anything new?"

She met his gaze with a deadpan expression, sending a tingle down his spine.

Abel, though inwardly enjoying their spirited banter, did his best to mask his amusement. He quickly realized how much he had missed these moments between them. No one could face him with words like she could.

With a composed demeanor, he spoke with a smirk on his face, "You simply had given me the impression that you despised all things conventional, so I can't be blamed for my surprise."

Bridget scoffed, disbelief and defiance dancing in her eyes. Then she shook her head and stuck her nose in the air again, her curls swaying with the motion, choosing to remain silent.

Their feet continued to glide across the ballroom floor, and at last, the music weaving around them came to a stop. Abel's eyes narrowed in frustration as she refused to meet his eyes after her curtsy.

Just then, William Doonesbury, the gentleman she had previously danced with came into view, flashing her a charming smile, seeming to approach for a second dance.

The man's smile, telling of his interest in Bridget, stirred a feeling deep within Abel he had never felt before, and his eyes narrowed with jealousy he did not bother to hide.

He watched in annoyance as Bridget returned the man's smile. The sight of her connection with him ignited a fire of possessiveness within Abel.

Before William could get any closer, he grabbed hold of her hand again and sent him a fierce death glare.

Immediately sensing the intensity of the situation, William halted and then made a swift turn and quickly retreated from their vicinity.

His sharp exit only heightened the intensity of the situation, leaving Abel and Bridget in a charged atmosphere as she stared from her hand in Abel's to the man's staggering back in shock and confusion.

"Whatever did you do that for? Why would you act in such a manner towards Lord William?!"

Abel's irritation filled the air, his every nerve on edge. His frustration and confusion rendered him silent. He grunted, unable to provide an explanation that would satisfy her growing fury.

"Dance with me again."

With no willing prospect in sight and her anger intensified, Bridget took his hand as the music began again, her fingers trembling with the rage she was desperately itching to unleash on him.

"You do realize that you just acted out before the ton for no reason, do you not? A few people surely caught that inexpiable glare of yours!" Her pupils narrowed with anger. "My only wish is to find a suitable partner tonight, and for no reason, you have made it your goal to hold me back and waste my efforts!"

A rush of adrenaline filled Abel's system at the sharpness in her quiet, angry outbursts. At last, he seemed to have her full attention.

Without backing down, his tone grew more intense as he defended himself. "I would never spend my time to hinder your prospects. What exactly are you trying to claim?"

He scoffed as he twirled her, whispering loudly in her ear, "After all, it's been clear that you have been the one obsessed with me from the start, constantly picking on me and seeking my attention."

Bridget's eyes blazed with defiance as she turned to face him and shot back, her voice shaking with disbelief, "You truly still believe that? Obsessed with you? You flatter yourself, Your Grace."

She lowered her voice as a few eyes shifted in their direction. "I have merely tried to make sense of and tolerate the frustrating enigma that is yourself. But no more! I am done entertaining your baseless questions and judgments."

Before she could fall silent again, he pressed, "Surely, it cannot actually be called a crime for me to ask such a simple question as I did today, can it?"

Bridget let out a frustrated sigh as she faced him. "I merely felt it was time to return to Society." Her smile didn't reach her eyes, her voice laced with heat as she added, "Again, is there anything wrong with that?" As he scoffed, her glare intensified. "At least I'm not the one running away from my feelings and responsibilities after kissing an innocent lady."

Abel couldn't help the cackle that escaped him as he responded with an accusation. "You? Innocent? Oh, Lady Bridget, do not act like you were not taught the implications of being so close to a man."

Her head rose indignantly, her eyes blazing with righteous emotions. "Perhaps I felt I could trust you," she shot back, barely able to hide the hurt that seeped from her tone. "Perhaps I believed you were a man who would act with honor."

Abel growled in her face, ignoring the guilt that tugged at his chest. "I beg your pardon, Lady Bridget. You have treated me as though I was nothing but a distasteful rake from the moment you laid eyes on me."

His eyes narrowed again, his voice dripping with cynicism as he sneered. "It would be best you admit it, do you not think so? You've always been infatuated with me. You've been obsessed from the first day, and that kiss was simply a manifestation of your desires."

Bridget's face flushed with indignation, her voice rising to a shrill pitch as she spoke through gritted teeth, "You kissed me first, Your Grace!"

Despite the odd glances that flew their way from the other pairs on the floor, she continued, bothering only to lower her voice.

"Don't you dare try to shift the blame on me!"

Before Abel could respond, the music came to an end, and she extricated her hands from him sharply.

"Finally, I am free of you," she spat, glaring daggers at him. "A third dance would be deemed inappropriate. Enjoy the rest of the evening, Your Grace."

Abel's frustration boiled over as she curtsied, scowled, and stormed away without another word.

He scoffed and turned, desperately trying to let go of the frustration simmering within him, but it consumed him, fueling his every thought.

As he turned back in Bridget's direction, a group of women hurriedly approached him, each vying for attention. The first woman to arrive beside him, with a seductive flutter of her eyelashes, boldly declared, "You must dance with me, Your Grace. Your name is first on my card."

Before he could even respond, another lady stepped forward, her voice dripping with confidence. "I beg your pardon, I had spoken to His Grace earlier, long before you did."

The other woman quickly retorted, immediately igniting an argument between the two.

Abel, however, barely registered their words, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on Bridget as she slipped through the crowd, seeming to head towards the exit. His eyes narrowed, surprise and annoyance swirling within him.

Did she not grasp the danger of venturing outside alone without a chaperone in the midst of a crowded ballroom?

"Your Grace, may I present my enchanting daughter, Lady Catherine Highwater."

The persistent mothers of the eager spinsters reached his side as well, surrounding him with their hopeful gazes.

However, at that moment, Abel's anger and worry for Bridget consumed him entirely. He couldn't spare a single thought for anyone else. His eyes widened as she gracefully exited the building.

Without a second thought, he hastily excused himself from the ladies surrounding him, his heart pounding in his chest as he hurried to follow her outside into the dark privacy of the night.