Chapter 9

The Race to The River

Bridget took off at speed. She could not outrun the Duke, but that was not her intention. However, she had to make it look like she wanted to win by speed alone when she hoped to win by cunning. That was why she was not heading in the direction of the estuary.

She leaned forward on the horse, riding like the wind. Bridget was not sure why she agreed to the race, but she needed to win now. She wanted to see the Duke at supper when he could not speak.

She did know why she agreed to the bet. It was so she could think of something else other than her father ruining the wedding. That and to wipe the smug grin off the Duke's face. He was so sure of himself, and she wanted to prove to him that she was capable, too.

Bridget felt the Duke behind her before she saw him. It was going exactly as she had planned. She pushed her horse as fast as it could go, but that did not stop the Duke from drawing up next to her.

He shall not see me as just another woman he can charm.

Bridget pulled on the right rein and steered her horse a little to the right, pushing into the Duke's horse. She did the same again to try and knock him off course. She did not expect him to respond with the same move, jostling her, but she enjoyed it.

He is riding to win. He sees me as his equal.

Bridget kept her eyes ahead, blatantly staring at the small wooden arched bridge across the stream ahead. She flicked the reins, knowing that her horse could not go any faster, and it spurred the Duke into action, just as she had hoped.

Nicholas flicked his reins and pushed his horse faster, meaning to cross the bridge first. They both headed toward it with only space for one to cross at a time, and Bridget had no option but to slow her hose and fall in line behind the Duke. He would not know which way to go when he crossed, but he would have a precious lead.

Bridget slowed her horse further, and when she had fallen far enough behind and the Duke was almost at the bridge, she pulled on the reins and steered her horse to the left, partly doubling back.

There was no way to the estuary on the other side of the stream, and the Duke had just crossed the bridge. He would know something was amiss at some point, but by that time, she would have already beaten him.

Bridget laughed as she rode down the bank of the stream, keeping close to avoid having to zig-zag through the trees. The trees opened up a little, and she steered her horse to the right some more. She smelled the sea air once again and basked in her brilliance.

And it was done—she was there.

"You!" she screamed, finding the Duke already at the estuary.

He was so out of breath that he could not get his words out.

"How?" Bridget gasped. "You must have cheated!"

"I did nothing of the sort," Nicholas assured her. "I knew something was up when you let me cross the bridge first, and it took me a second to realize you had gone the other way. I knew it would be too late to follow you back, so I rode in the direction I hoped you had gone, and we leaped across the stream together. We almost didn't make it." He patted his horse on the neck.

"I don't believe this," Bridget muttered.

"You had better believe it," the Duke said, chuckling. "Now, a deal is a deal."

Bridget stared at him, her horse pacing back and forth before him. She was trying to work out how she could get out of the bargain.

"It is a fine place here," the Duke noted. "I am glad I followed you. Come, I shall tether your horse to one of these trees."

Bridget was mad, but he had won fair and square. She could not begrudge him that.

"I do admire your tactics," the Duke said as he dismounted and led his horse. "I knew you would have to resort to something other than speed, but I still did not see it coming."

"And it was still not enough," Bridget moaned.

"It would have been if the stream had been a little wider," the Duke replied. "Don't blame me—blame nature."

Bridget gave him a sardonic smile as she dismounted and let him take her horse's reins.

"Fifteen minutes," she reminded him. "And the time has already started."

"I should hope so because we are already having a wonderful time together," the Duke said.

Bridget smiled genuinely for the first time that morning. The estuary was her happy and hidden spot, and now the Duke knew all about it. The morning was cold, but there was warmth still in her core from the ride and the horse.

"Come and sit with me," the Duke said, falling down onto his rear on the grassy bank.

"I will stand, thank you very much, Your Grace," Bridget replied.

She did not want to succumb to any of his tricks. She had remained firm and vigilant, but she knew his reputation, and she needed to be aware at all times. It was bad enough that he had somehow tricked her into being alone with him miles from the estate. She was glad it was only for fifteen minutes.

She knew he was a handsome man, and she could appreciate that, but there would be no more than appreciation. He would not use her and then toss her aside—she had no desire to become another of his conquests.

"I have never seen a couple more intent on being married than my brother and your sister," the Duke noted, looking out toward the horizon. "And here the two of us are. We shall never marry, and neither do we wish to."

"How do you know I do not wish to get married?" Bridget asked.

"Well, you are a strong-willed, opinionated, and independent woman, for one."

"I shall take that as a compliment," Bridget said, stepping closer to him.

"As you should. Your personality makes me think there is not a man out there who can handle you. When you couple that with your beauty, it makes sense."

"What do you mean?"

The Duke craned his neck to look at her. "Well, just look at you. You are a beautiful woman, and any man would be happy to have you as his wife. I know I would if I were inclined to marry."

Bridget wished he would stop saying things like that. She enjoyed his compliments far too much.

"If a man has not managed to tie you down by now, then it can only be because you have not let it happen. If you were to attend events in London, you would have a husband by the end of the Season. And, you must be twenty-five?"

"Twenty-six," she corrected him.

"Twenty-six and not married. If you have not married by that age, it is unlikely you ever will. All of that leads me to believe you are not interested in marriage."

"Well, you happen to be right," Bridget conceded. "I have no intention of getting married, but that does not mean I have not thought about it. If I find a man who loves and respects me as I deserve, then I might consider it."

"You might want to lower your standards," the Duke said.

"I don't need to. I don't need or want a man, and I am quite happy to live my life as a spinster. There are other things to do in life besides making a home for a man and raising a family."

"We are in full agreement there," the Duke relented. "Please, will you come and sit with me? I feel awkward being down here with you standing over me."

"My goodness, you can be so persistent, Your Grace," Bridget huffed. "I shall sit, but not by your side."

The Duke laughed and then patted the spot beside him. Bridget finally relented but sat five feet away from him.

"How about you?" she asked. "You mentioned that we are both not interested in marriage. How did you come to the realization?"

"It sounds far too boring," the Duke replied.

Bridget rolled her eyes at his answer.

"There is so much fun to be had in life that I don't have time to keep a woman at home, raising my children. And she would surely frown upon my lifestyle. No, there is so much to experience in life to get married."

"Yet, you are a duke," Bridget pointed out. "Should you not have an heir?"

"Ah, now you are starting to sound like my mother. She would love nothing more than for me to get married and have children, but she will have to contend with Michael. I am sure he will produce enough children for the two of us. I shall pass the dukedom on to one of my nephews when the time comes. The bloodline will continue, and I can continue my life of freedom."

"There is a certain freedom in it," Bridget agreed. "I sometimes wonder if I am missing out, but there are enough good times to experience that I know I am not."

"Exactly!" the Duke stated. "I am sure there would be good times with a wife and children, but one path in life is not necessarily better than another. If we are happy, that is all that matters."

"Yes," Bridget agreed. "That is all that matters." She paused for a moment. "This is nice."

The Duke was unusually quiet.

Bridget realized her mistake, and when she looked at him, his smug grin had returned.

"I—" she started.

"You are having a good time with me," he interrupted.

"I said nothing of the sort. I said, this is nice. I was clearly referring to the view and nothing else."

"Nothing else?" the Duke asked.

"And you have made the morning thoroughly awful again. I appreciate the reminder of who you truly are—a rogue!"

"I shall take that as a compliment," the Duke said.

"Take it however you will," Bridget huffed. "Your fifteen minutes are up, and I do not wish to stay here a moment more. I shall see you back at the estate."

She did not look at the Duke as she went back to her horse and untied the reins from the tree branch. She mounted her animal and offered only a curt nod in his direction before she started back toward home.

It infuriated her that she had been having a good time with him.