“And then what?”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
“You said you handled it quite well. However, when I found you, you were completely turned around, with a torn bodice, and no idea how to remove yourself from the gardens without causing a scandal.”
“I would have thought of something.”
The smirk on his handsome face was his only answer. “Seeing that your attempt to distract me has failed, may I now proceed to remind you of a few things with regard to Society?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him.
His smirk turned to seriousness. “You may relax. I do not intend to lecture you, Bridget. You are a woman grown, and I am sure, in most circumstances in your life you’ve been able to take care of yourself. However, just as I would no more drop you into a den of wolves—the animal kind—without the proper protection, pushing you into an unfamiliar life in London among men who are desperate for wealthy wives, or just a good—” He ran his palm down his face. “I just need to point out that what you did was reckless and could have ended up with you married to that despicable man.”
“First of all, no matter what happened, I would never marry Chadwick. Second, I didn’t go with him to the garden on purpose, believe me. He had escorted me to the Prince’s Pavilion to enjoy the fireworks. After they had ended, he extended his arm to accompany me again, and I assumed we were returning to the supper boxes.”
“Which is precisely why I have already spoken to your chaperone.”
They both looked over to the now lightly snoring Mrs. Dressel.
“A proper chaperone would never have allowed the situation to occur. I know you are fond of Mrs. Dressel, but I am afraid she is useless as a companion for a young lady in Society.”
“Hopefully, you did not tell her that.”
“No. I would not hurt her feelings, but we must consider hiring someone else and possibly pensioning Mrs. Dressel off.”
They both sat silently for a few moments.
Cam cleared his throat. “Also, you should never trust a man you don’t know or already have doubts about.” He leaned forward and reached across the space, taking her hands in his. “Even though you are at the great age of one and twenty years, you are a babe when it comes to the intricacies of Society.”
“I hate Society. I never wanted to be a part of it. I managed to avoid it for three years.” To her dismay, her eyes filled with tears. “Please stop this compromise you offered and just leave me be for the next eighteen months until I inherit my father’s money.”
Cam leaned back in his seat and sighed. “Ah, if only I could do that, Bridget. Even if I were dishonorable enough to turn my back on my duties as a guardian, what would you do with yourself until you turned three and twenty? You cannot be involved in your project without the protection of a man while you wander the streets of London, helping abused women. Either a husband or a guardian would have to be involved.”
“But you said you would help me.”
He grinned. “And I will, since you have managed to interest me in ill-treated women’s plight. However, that was the contingency of my compromise. I would help you if you made an effort to find a man you could tolerate over the breakfast table.”
She raised her chin with all the dignity of a queen. ?
??So we are back to that again?”
“I’m afraid so. I know you to be a person of honor, so I have no doubt that you will hold up your end of the bargain. But on another note, here is something to cheer you up. We have been invited to a house party in the country at the estate of Lord and Lady Banfield. There will be men for you to look over, horses to ride, games to play, and picnics in the woods.”
“Hmm. Suppose I skip over the men to look over and spend my time riding? I haven’t had a good run since I arrived in England.” She loved the frustrated look on his face. She actually liked the man and loved more than anything to tease him and give him trouble. Someone as stiff and rigid as Lord Campbell needed to be poked every once in a while. She was more than happy to fill that role.
“There you have it. Something to keep you happy while you hold up your part of the bargain.”
“Ah, yes. The bargain. I get what I want, and you get what you want, is that correct?” She hoped her mischievous smile gave him a sleepless night.
…
Toward the end of the afternoon, two days later, Cam’s carriage rolled to a stop in front of Banfield Manor. It had been a tedious one-day drive; the distance not being so great to allow for an overnight stay.
Bridget had spent most of the time either working on her cursed embroidery that she was no good at or gazing out the window. She couldn’t read while she rode. It made her nauseous.
The scenery had been splendid, the trees all turning a beautiful orange, red, and yellow. Autumn was her favorite time of the year. It also felt wonderful to be away from the city. She didn’t know how people remained there year after year.
She would take the country any time. The air was cleaner and smelled better, and the view was certainly nicer on the eyes. While she desperately missed the peaks and valleys of Scotland, the English countryside was beautiful in its own way, with its rolling hills dotted with grazing sheep.