How to Claim a Governess’s Heart - Bridget Barton Page 0,88

had such a shocking character.”

“But you did fall in love with me?” Lord John asked, leaning again towards Bridget.

“Yes, I did,” Bridget said softly. “And heaven help me!”

Chapter 28

It had been a perfect evening, despite the encounter just before the play began. Bridget had sat entranced by the play that unfolded on the stage before them. Higgins and his sister had joined them later in the evening.

Bridget admitted to feeling a little nervous when she learned that Higgins and his extended family would be joining them. She was happy to share the night with them but knew that there would be several people of the Ton who would share the duke and dowager duchess’s opinion of associating with a governess of no consequence.

To her happy surprise, Mr. Higgins’ sister had been kind and friendly and by the end of the night was even suggesting that she could call to visit Bridget.

Though Lord John had not said it, he had made his intentions clear when it came to his relationship with Bridget to the others in his party. After making a comment on a bright and happy future, Higgins remarked that he wasn’t sure what had surprised him more: That Lord John had found a way to skirt around his brother’s treachery or that Bridget was actually willing to risk her future with such an unorthodox man.

With many plans to make to set their future in motion, Lord John had left in haste the following morning directly after breakfast. Bridget knew she needed to bring up the situation with the blackmailing letter to him, especially after being out in public the previous night, but she couldn't bring herself to bring the matter up.

It had all been so perfect from the theatre production of two seemingly impossible couples finding a way together. The afterpiece that was so funny Bridget thought she might burst a stay from laughing so much, and then the happily content carriage ride back to the house.

There had just not been one single moment she was willing to ruin by unmasking her situation. Instead, she had determined that she would take the letter to Lord John first thing in the morning and hope that he understood her reasoning.

It had not been possible with him hurrying so quickly out of the door to find a moment with just the two of them. So instead she went through her day’s lesson with Betsy, a ball of nervousness.

Time never seemed to move so slowly in Bridget’s mind than through that morning and afternoon. Finally, just after their midday meal, Lord John returned.

Bridget was in the garden with Betsy as they drew pictures of an insect the cook had found that morning and trapped in a jar. Bridget had already assured Mrs. Smith that her frazzled nature was due to the fact that she was hoping to clear the air upon his return. Knowing this, Mrs. Smith was quick to find Bridget, interrupt the science lesson, and inform her that Lord John had returned and took tea in the parlour.

“I’ll keep Miss Betsy with me,” Mrs. Smith assured her. “You take as long as you need, and don’t worry. It will all be fine,” she added for good measure.

Betsy looked between the two ladies with her golden brow furrowed in concern. She didn’t know what was going on, but at least understood that something was about to occur of a critical nature.

Bridget reconsidered going straight to the parlour. In a moment she instead turned and mounted the stairs quickly. She would get the items to show to Lord John. She wanted him to know that she was going to be completely open and honest with him. If he would rather keep the items, she would give them willingly over.

It was all she could think to do to prove that she never intended to take the items for herself. If she could find a way to explain that clearly to Lord John, he was sure to find a way to get that information to the writer of the letter.

Bridget was in such a hurry to get the whole situation over with that she didn’t even notice the additional voice in the parlour as she pulled open the door.

She froze, her hand still on the knob to see the three faces starring back at her. Lord John was not alone. Instead, he sat in his usual spot with his mother in the opposite chair. The duke was sitting relaxed on the couch with an arm