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Bridget's heart swelled as she heard Graham's vow, and a wave of warmth washed over her, bathing her in a tingling sensation. Whata brave, good-hearted man he was.
She then stared at Bragg, lying on the ground,crumpled up like a fallen leaf, no longer vibrant or charming.
Graham ushered Jane outside, instructing her to find Warren so that he could provide her with an alibi. Bridget heard it all as if she were dreaming, because her eyes and attention were fixed on Bragg.
“Bridget?”
“What now?” she asked, turning to Graham. Shivering, she wrapped her arms around her lower waist. He smiled and placed a hand on her cheek.
“Now, I shall tie this horrid man up, and then we will seek Mr. Hastings.”
Bridget took a deep breath and noted the metallic scent of the fresh blood in the air.
“And then? Will it be over? Really over?”
Graham let his thumb run over her cheek and nodded. “Itisover. We shall tell all about what transpired between Mary and Lord Bragg. That I heard his confession, and combined with his attempt on our lives, we will see to it that he is taken away, never to know freedom again.”
“And what of my family? He owns my father’s debt,” Bridget said and bit her lip.
“Do not worry. I shall see to it that all of his misdeeds are uncovered and everything he’s done is reversed. As for your father’s debt, I shall take it on myself. Your mother may stay at Sedgwick Manor if she pleases. If not, I will arrange a monthly allowance to keep her comfortable. And you, my dear Bridget, will want for nothing.”
Bridget pressed her cheek closer to his hand, feeling the slight roughness of his palms against her soft cheek.
She wasn’t sure which was more soothing to her at that moment, his warm voice or the sincerity of his words. Whatever it was, she was grateful. She’d been terrified and thrown into the deepest depths of despair since Mary’s death and knowing that it was all over now filled her with great relief.
“Oh, Graham, I can hardly believe it. I truly thought that was my end. That I will see another sunrise is a gift, and that I shall see it with you is a blessing.” He smiled, and pressed his head against hers.
“You are a blessing, my love,” he breathed and they stood that way for a moment, soaking in each other’s presence. “But now, we must ensure this scoundrel is taken away. Will you help me?”
Bridget nodded, and then theyensuredBragg was restrained usingthe suspenders that had kept Graham's pantaloons in place. The first was wrapped around the man's hands, and the second was used to bind him to the railing. Then, certain he wouldn't escape, they went outside in search of the constable, to finallyhand over the man who'd made their lives a living hell to the law—to face justice.
* * *
“It is an outrage,” Oliver Bragg’s voice came from the back of the constable’s carriage as he was carted away an hour later. Bridget stood on the porch of Foxglove Hall, Graham to her right and the dowager to her left, observing in silence.
As she stood and watched the wagon rumble away, surrounded by men on horses, she could not help but note the sweet scent of lavender and roses in the air. A sparrow sang from the oak tree to her right, and a gentle breeze wafted through the fields and flowers around the estate. It was peaceful that early afternoon, and she felt that same peace in her heart for the first time in weeks.
Graham’s fingers gently wrapped around her hands. Then, the two looked at one another, smiles on their faces.
“Faith, I will need a good sherry to wash away the horrible taste that man’s presence has put in my mouth,” the dowager said and pursed her lips in displeasure. Bridget had worried that the woman might break down once faced with the man who had killed her only daughter. However, as was so often the case, the Dowager Duchess of Hertfordshire had remained composed in the face of pure evil. She’d stared the man down while he confessed to his crimes under pressure from the undeniable evidence.
Bridget hadn’t been present for the entire confession. It was too upsetting to be anywhere near him. So instead, she, Jane, and Tilda had sat together, waiting for it to be over.
The constable had already interrogated Bridget before questioning Bragg, and she had stuck to her story, claiming Graham had struck Oliver to save her. If the constable had any reservations, he didn't show them, and when he finally left, sherealized the nightmare was finally over.
“I’ll partake in a sherry too,” Graham said to his mother, who chuckled.
“Well, then, I say we make it a celebration. Shall I send word to your mother, Bridget? She will want to know all is well.”
Bridget hesitated. She didn't know when she'd be able to look her mother in the eyes again. She understood herpredicament, but she'd all but sold herto a monster.
“Tilda is about to return to Sedgwick Manor. Perhaps she could pass an invitation along,” Bridget conceded.
“Very well, that is a good decision,” the dowager said and squeezed her arm before turning and headed inside.
“She’s taken it all quite well,” Bridget said once the older woman had departed. Graham nodded, his hand still wrapped around hers.
“Indeed. I believe knowing what truly happened to Mary helped her reconcile with it all,” Graham said.
