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“Drew, you speak of the people who cared for her, protected her before she married Harry.”
Both gentlemen had strong arguments. He wanted to listen to their opinions before deciding the best way to protect Bridget.
Gerard turned to him. “Harry, I advise you to replace every servant in this castle. If you wish to have her remain here before we discover who is behind this, then perhaps you should employ new servants. The butler, steward, and housekeeper may remain.”
“Her food is tasted for poison every time,” Drew said. “New servants are strangers and should be trusted less than the present ones.”
“Tasting her food every time is bloody work.” Gerard winced. “Did you not see how uncomfortable she was at dinner?”
Yes, Bridget found the food tasting a little awkward but she had accepted it because it was necessary. She would not have to suffer it any longer once she was safe again.
“I did,” Drew replied, “but Bridget understands and is cooperative.”
Asking Bridget herself where she wished to stay could be the solution Harry was seeking, for he could not decide. Both sides had as many strong points as they did weak points.
“I will ask Bridget what she wants,” he declared. Both men nodded.
“I believe that would be best,” Gerard said.
Harry picked up the glass in front of him and gulped down his remaining whiskey before rising. “Thank you for your opinions. Good night gentlemen.”
Harry rested his chin on his arm, which was on the window ledge, as he stared out into the dark night. Bridget had seen through his pretense that nothing was wrong. Well, he had not expected her to believe it but he had still hoped. He intended to tell her but was waiting to decide on the best way to keep her safe first. Instead of asking him about it when he returned to their bedchamber after his conversation with Gerard and Drew, she left him a trail.
First, it was a glove, ivory satin, which lay by the door. He picked it up and slung it over his shoulder. Next, on the sitting room floor, was one of her pearl earrings. Smiling, Harry had also picked that up and tucked it into his coat pocket. A few feet from the earring was a stocking. Laughing, he slung it over his shoulder near her glove.
At their bedchamber door, he found the dark green velvet dress she had worn. At that point, his imagination had begun to whirl. Picking it up, he stepped into the chamber to find her on their bed, wearing nothing but a pearl necklace. It was the diversion he needed, and for the rest of the night, he placed his attention only on pleasing her.
When she fell asleep, he slipped out of bed and sat by the window to think. He had been here more than two hours but he had been unable to think of what to do.Your castle will burn, Alderham, and your wife will be lost…
Those words had not been able to leave him, and they were what prevented him from telling Bridget what had happened. He had never felt this helpless and lost.
“Harry?” Bridget called. She was sitting up, squinting, when he turned.
“I am here,” he returned, almost rising from his seat. Instead, he watched her step down from the bed, cover her glorious body with a silk robe, and come to him. Harry drew her onto his lap and ran his fingers through her hair.
“You did not sleep,” she observed.
“No, I did not.”
The question was in her eyes but she did not ask it. He had to tell her now. “Goliath was the most magnificent horse I ever saw,” he began, smiling slightly. “His power was unrivaled, and I was very proud and fond of him. I have a painting of him in the tower, and I will show you sometime.”
Harry closed his eyes for a moment as she touched his cheek. There was magic in her touch, something calming, which always seeped into him to strengthen him. He needed strength to tell her this.
“My father made a wager and lost.” He opened his eyes. “Goliath was the price. I did not know he was wagered until they came to take him. When I refused, they threatened to take my father. I was forced to choose between the man who never gave a damn about me and the creature that had become my dear friend.” He paused as the memory washed over him.
“Who did you choose?” she asked when he did not say anything for a long moment.
“Goliath. I could never have chosen my father. Especially after what he had done. He became enraged, unable to fathom why I would choose an animal over him, and he pulled out his pistol and shot Goliath.”
Bridget closed a hand over her mouth, horrified tears brimming her eyes. Anyone would be horrified after discovering what his father had done. Harry took her hand and pressed his lips to her fingers.
“You said he broke his back,” she whispered.
“I did so to spare your sensibilities, and it was not a story to tell at dinner.”
“Oh, Harry!” Bridget wrapped her arms around him and held him close. “I am sorry.” He nestled into her warmth, glad she had woken and was there with him.
A moment later, he pulled away and looked up at her. “I cannot decide where is safe for you, Bridget. I thought about asking you to travel to London with your father and brother but I want you to decide where you want to be.”
