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Bridget giggled. “They should mind their business.”
“Oh, I agree.” He undid her robe and slipped his hand under.
“Harry!” she cried as she felt his fingers begin to play with her.
At mid-morning, Bridget bid her father and brother farewell.
“Write to us often, my dear,” her father said as he hugged her.
This time, Andrew did not tell her he would come to take her away from her tyrant husband. He smiled at both her and Harry as he promised to return for the hunting season.
Bridget and Harry had carefully kept the dangers they faced from them, and were greatly pleased they were parting with each other on good terms. They might begin a new quarrel with Harry if they knew.
At noon, Harry returned from his business at the brewery, and Bridget skipped out of the castle with him. They went to the stream where he spread a woolen blanket over the grass.
“I think we should paint the nursery,” Harry said as he bit on a strawberry.
“What should we paint?” she asked, squinting up at the sky. The clouds were gathering but it did not appear as though it would rain soon.
“Anything a child would like. Butterflies, Cato, cats and mice, little fairies and imps.”
Bridget laughed. “It appears we have quite the task ahead of us.”
Harry picked up a strawberry and fed it to her. “I love this task.”
They splashed in the stream before giving in to the urge that quickly overtook them. Bridget thought the bets the servants were placing were right because even though their actions were controlled by their love, the outcome would be inevitable.
By evening, she’d had one of the most fulfilling days of her life. Even though her fears still occasionally prickled her, she was happy to spend every moment she could with Harry. For dinner, she wore a dress she knew he would relish removing, red silk with a low neckline, the string of pearls that he loved adorning her neck.
She arrived at the drawing room without him because he was in his study responding to a correspondence from his business associate Mr. Smith, whom he had not heard from in several months.
Belinda raised a glass of sherry at her. “You look lovely, my dear.”
“So do you. Blue is becoming of you,” she returned.
Bridget was about to sit when she remembered a special request she had to make for Monsieur Paquin.
“Where are you going?” Belinda asked.
“I forgot to ask Monsieur Paquin to include almonds in the ice we will have for dessert,” she said over her shoulder as she hurried out of the room. Harry loved almonds.
Bridget heard murmurs as she passed one of the storerooms near the kitchens, and paid them little mind. But as she continued further, she saw the hall darken before her and heard footsteps crawling up behind her ever so slowly.
She turned just as the last candle was put out.
Chapter 36
Finally getting word from Smith ensured Harry was late for dinner. After waiting for a very long time, he could not resist reading the letter he had received and responding immediately.
Belinda was alone in the dining room when he arrived. A small frown touched her features when she saw him. “Why are you alone?” she asked.
“Should I not be?” he returned, puzzled.
“I thought Bridget would be with you.”
Harry was immediately at attention. “Where is she?”
“She went to request almonds from the cook and has not returned.” Belinda slowly rose, her eyes searching his face.
