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It had taken her several trips to the lending library and two different bookstores before she came upon what she considered the most boring book a person could discuss at a social gathering.
Her gown was not quite as bad as the one she’d worn to the dinner party, but it was still a dull, shapeless gray disaster and not at all what a young lady would wear when she expected gentlemen callers. Unless she was a woman who preferred the spinster life, instead of marriage and the accompanying total loss of one’s rights, she reminded herself.
Passing on the tight hairdo, she had Fiona pull her hair back and fasten it at the crown of her head with a ribbon so that it actually looked like a horse’s tail. It swayed when she walked, making her giggle.
“Oh, dear. I don’t think Cam is going to be thrilled to see you.” Lady Dunmore entered the drawing room, shaking her head. “I know he can be a bit overbearing at times, but there are some things that even my sister or I never attempted with him.”
“And what was that?” Bridget asked.
“Making him look like a fool. You are his ward, you know.”
Bridget raised her chin. “I am his ward, not his possession. I am one and twenty years and legally an adult. If Papa hadn’t made that ridiculous clause in his will, I would have nothing to do with Lord Campbell.”
Constance sat, picked the book up from Bridget’s lap, looked at the cover, and smiled. “Ah, but unfortunately he did make that clause, and knowing my brother as I do, he will do his duty to ensure you are well settled.”
Bridget let out a deep breath. “That is the trouble. I don’t want to be well settled.” She thumped her hand on the book. “When I reach three and twenty, I can inherit my father’s wealth and then do as I wish. I won’t have to depend on a husband to tell me what to do, where to go, and how to live. I want to travel. Not just to Italy or France, but other places: India, the Orient, maybe even America.”
“My goodness. You are ambitious.”
“My lady.” Fenton stood at the doorway. “Lady Penrose and Lady Esther have arrived.” He stepped aside so the ladies could enter.
Constance stood and embraced the older woman, then turned to Bridget. “Lady Bridget MacDuff, this is my dear friend, Lady Penrose.” She waved in the direction of the younger woman. “And her daughter, Lady Esther.”
After they exclaimed over one another and settled into their seats, Lady Penrose said, “I have heard much about you, Lady Bridget.”
There didn’t seem to be much to say to that remark. Either Lady Penrose had heard she was Lord Campbell’s much unwanted ward or that she was a woman hardly bothered with fashion. Either way, it could not have been good.
Lady Esther viewed her with wide eyes. “Is it true you wore a dressing gown to Lady Benson’s dinner party?”
For goodness’ sake, the ton gossipers were at it again. Nothing ever resembled what had actually happened. “I am sorry to put a squash to that story, but no, I did not wear a dressing gown. I doubt very much if Lord Campbell would escort me to a dinner party dressed that way.”
“My lady, Lord Calvert, Mr. Pemberton, and Lord Chadwick.” After Fenton made his announcement, he returned to the door.
The three men headed to her corner, two of them taking a seat alongside her, and Mr. Pemberton on a low bench in front of her that he dragged almost completely across the room. Before she could even welcome them, Lord Campbell stepped into the room.
He glanced around then frowned when he saw her with the three men surrounding her. Why was he frowning? She hadn’t even started her ruse yet.
“Good afternoon, my lady.” Campbell bowed to her, then glared at Calvert, Pemberton, and Chadwick.
The men nodded.
The time had come. Bridget opened the book and looked at Lord Calvert through the spectacles. At least she thought it was him. She was practically blind with Papa’s old glasses on. “My lord, have you read this exciting book?” She held it up and all four men stared at the copy.
“No, my lady, I am afraid not,” Calvert said. The other three shook their heads.
“Oh, but it is so very interesting. Here, let me read a passage for you.”
“The orangutan is indeed an animal to teach humans many skills. Also called pongo, as was used to describe all great apes, the species was identified in the eighteenth century. A remarkable fact about the orangutan is that their faces resemble humans to an eerie degree. It is even said their expressions are quite human, as well.”
She looked up over the top of the spectacles at the four men who stared at her with expressions of shock and puzzlement.
She continued.
“When first discovered as a species in—”
Lord Campbell reached out and snatched the book from her hand. He closed it and placed it under his arm. “Lady Bridget, a word, please.” He motioned toward the door. “This way.”
She stood and excused herself, maneuvering around Mr. Pemberton, and then tripped over the edge of the bench, went sprawling toward the floor, and was scooped up by Lord Campbell before she landed on her face.
