Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Although Lady Hastings did not often participate in the ton's social gatherings, there was no question about her talent in hosting a lavish tea. As Bridget entered the gardens, along with her mother and Anna, she saw elegantly set tables, laden with tea and delicacies. Many preeminent ladies of the ton walked about the gardens, gossiping about the Season's events.

"It is a marvelous day to host a tea in the gardens," Bridget's mother said.

"It looks as though only ladies were invited," Anna noted.

Their mother nodded. "It does, which is lovely. I do enjoy occasions where only ladies are present. It provides us with the opportunity to discuss subjects men often have no interest in. I adore your father, but I do sometimes wish that I could discuss my love for needlework in detail without having to worry that I am boring or vexing him."

"I suppose," Anna said, sounding as though she disagreed.

Bridget suspected her sister would prefer to be having tea with Mr. Russell. She could not fault her for that either, for a small part of Bridget had hoped Anthony would be present. Bridget doubted that she would be bold enough to ask Anthony about their kiss, but she had nearly resolved to pursue him in earnest. The sooner she saw him again, the better. Bridget feared that if she tarried too long, her courage would abandon her.

She considered her mother's advice, though. There were certain things that ladies did not readily discuss in the company of men, and perhaps this tea would be a good occasion to learn how she might charm Anthony. She might even be able to learn something about how she might turn her feigned relationship with Anthony into something real. That would not solve all her problems, of course, for there was still the matter of the lost dowry. Still, any help would be better than none.

"Your Grace," said Lady Hastings, approaching them with a warm smile. "I am so pleased that you and your daughters were able to accept my invitation to tea."

"As am I," Bridget's mother said. "It looks as though you have arranged the event beautifully."

"Thank you," Lady Hastings replied. "It was certainly a labor of love. I seldom host such occasions, but I have always taken great delight in planning events."

"Will Lord Hastings be joining us?" Bridget's mother asked.

"No," Lady Hastings replied. "He is occupied with business this afternoon."

"Most regrettable."

"Indeed," Lady Hastings replied. "Speaking of gentlemen, I have heard that the Duke of Hamilton is courting Lady Bridget."

Warmth rushed to Bridget's face.

"He is," Bridget's mother confirmed. "His Grace is quite fond of Bridget."

"Shall we promenade, Lady Bridget?" Lady Hastings asked. "I know His Grace well. He is an old acquaintance, and I should like to learn more about the woman who has captured his heart."

This might be precisely the opportunity that Bridget was hoping for. If Lady Hastings did know Anthony so well, she might be able to offer some insight as to how Bridget might be able to accomplish her plan of winning the duke's affections.

"Please," Bridget said. "I would like to promenade with you."

Bridget gave her mother and sister a fleeting smile before joining Lady Hastings. They started along the path which cut through the gardens, filled with long grasses and fragrant flowers. Once they were some distance from the other guests, Lady Hastings sighed. Her smile fell, and her brow furrowed with concern.

"I am glad that you agreed to speak with me," Lady Hastings said. "I wanted to advise you to exercise caution with the Duke of Hamilton."

Bridget blinked, startled by how direct the words were. "Caution, my lady?"

"Yes," Lady Hastings replied. "I am sure you have heard rumors about Lady Anastasia."

"Of course."

"His Grace was quite infatuated with her," Lady Hastings said. "He is a tormented man, haunted by Lady Anastasia's death and unable to move forward. If you love him, I fear that he will only break your heart."

Lady Hastings's words made an awful sort of sense. They would explain why Anthony regretted their kiss. Perhaps he wanted to love her but found himself unable to do so because he still adored Lady Anastasia so deeply.

"It is my fear," Lady Hastings continued, "that His Grace, because he is unable to forget his love for Lady Anastasia, may seek solace in another woman's arms without being willing to commit to marriage."

"I see," Bridget said.

She considered the comment. Bridget did not wish to believe Lady Hastings, but everything she was saying sounded so rational. The lady's face was so soft and sincere, too. Bridget felt her heart sink. What if Lady Hastings was right about Anthony? The realization that Anthony might not want to commit to a relationship with her should not have hurt as much as it did. It would not have hurt if Bridget had been willing to let his feigned courtship remain just that—an act to convince her father and the ton that she had other potential suitors besides Lord Thornton.

"But perhaps that is what you want," Lady Hastings said conspiratorially.

Bridget gasped and reflexively placed a hand over her collarbone. "Lady Hastings, I do hope that you are not insinuating what I fear you are."

She felt a surge of guilt and embarrassment. She was less distressed by the accusation and more by the knowledge that she had thought often about how much she might enjoy a dalliance with Anthony, even before she had considered that their relationship might blossom into something real and tender.

"Oh, there is nothing to be ashamed of, Lady Bridget," said Lady Hastings. "Every lady experiences such desires, especially when she is young. They are nothing to be ashamed of."

"Young ladies ought to be pure," Bridget said, discomfited. "I can assure you that my virtue is unquestionable."

"I am sure," Lady Hastings said. "However, many virtuous young ladies have found themselves unable to resist the advances of handsome gentlemen. I do not believe there should be any shame in such, but you must be careful. His Grace has been unkind to his past lovers."

"Lady Anastasia?" Bridget asked.

"I am unsure about his treatment of Lady Anastasia," Lady Hastings said. "However, I have heard terrible rumors about his behavior toward another young lady."

Bridget frowned. She could not imagine Anthony ever exhibiting any cruelty toward a young lady, but she also could not think of any reason for Lady Hastings to lie.

"Perhaps the rumors are untrue," Bridget said hesitantly. "I am sure we both know how quickly salacious gossip can spread and how readily it may ruin a good man's reputation."

"I am aware of that," Lady Hastings said, "but I have heard this from a very reliable source. I know you are an intelligent young lady, but I would advise you to heed my warning."

Bridget took a deep breath. "What have you heard?"

"Shortly before meeting Lady Anastasia, His Grace fancied another lady. She was young, like you, and hoped to find a husband on the marriage mart. When His Grace expressed a certain fondness for her, she was delighted. She thought he would propose."

"Who is the lady?" Bridget asked.

"I would never share her name," Lady Hastings said. "I am sure you understand my reason for keeping the lady's identity a secret. She confided this to me, and I do not feel comfortable sharing her story with anyone. But I cannot keep this a secret, knowing that the Duke of Hamilton has expressed interest in courting you."

Bridget wanted to insist that any rumor without a specific name attached could not be trusted, but she also understood quite well Lady Hastings hesitancy in revealing the identity of the young lady. If it were her that had been disgraced, Bridget would not want the ton to gossip about her. She was also terribly curious.

"What happened to the young lady?" she asked.

"As with you, he courted her. Soon, his courtship became more enthusiastic. They shared a passionate affair for months. I am sure I do not need to detail for you everything that was involved in such an affair."

Bridget thought of the kiss she and Anthony had shared and of all those fantasies she had conjured in her bedchamber, the ones that left her hot and wanting. "No, I can imagine," she said, her throat tight and her mouth dry.

"She was hesitant to accept such overt advances," Lady Hastings said, "but he insisted that he loved her. His Grace promised he would meet her every need and that he would propose when the time felt right. She was wary of agreeing to such an arrangement, but she loved him. So, she did anything that he asked her to do."

Bridget's pulse quickened. What would she be willing to do if Anthony only asked her? She shivered. That answer was perhaps best left unsaid, for Bridget suspected she would do many things that a proper lady ought not do before she was wed. She would kiss him again and again, and if he wanted to take her to his bedchamber, Bridget thought she might let him take many liberties. She would let him fulfill all her fantasies if he so desired.

"Regrettably, their affair was discovered by the young lady's father, who was terribly angry."

"I am sure," Bridget murmured.

Lady Hastings's eyes hardened. "It was quite terrible. Of course, the lady's father wished for her to wed His Grace. Marrying him would restore the young lady's honor and avoid a scandal. The Duke of Hamilton refused, though. Despite ruining her, he refused to marry the young lady. He heartlessly denied having done anything untoward and insisted the lady was entirely to blame. His Grace claimed he had fallen victim to the lady's temptation and that she was at fault for her disgrace."

A knot twisted in Bridget's chest. She felt a sudden chill, although the evening weather was quite pleasant and warm. "Surely he would not do something so cruel," she murmured.

"He did," Lady Hastings said firmly. "Seeing no alternative, the lady's father was forced to wed his daughter to the only suitor who would have a ruined lady—an elderly man who desired a young wife to give him an heir. She remains unhappily married to that man still."

A shiver traced the path of Bridget's spine. She could not imagine Anthony doing something so callous, but the story Lady Hastings painted was so terrible and so detailed. Bridget swallowed hard, for she could see her own fate clearly foretold. What if Anthony did take his liberties and then refused to wed her? Bridget's reputation would be ruined, and there would be nothing to prevent her father from marrying her to the Marquess of Thornton.

Bridget felt as though she could barely breathe. She needed some time to think about what Lady Hastings had told her, preferably away from the rest of the ton.

"I can see that I have upset you," Lady Hastings said. "I am terribly sorry, Lady Bridget. I only wanted to warn you."

"I understand," Bridget replied. "It was kind of you to warn me, even knowing that I might not wish to hear what you had to say. It is always better to know."

"Especially when it involves men," Lady Hastings agreed.

They had completed a circuit around the garden and stood before the tables, laden with tea and food.

"I do hope I have not ruined the evening for you," Lady Hastings said.

"No," Bridget replied. "You have not. Thank you for telling me."

She forced a smile, silently trying to reassure Lady Hastings that she had not erred. Inside, though, Bridget's thoughts were adrift and scattered. What if Anthony was as callous as Lady Hastings suggested?

Bridget did not think she could bear it if he was.