Certainly, what must be refused · 13. May 2025

CWMBR 14

Chapter 14

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During her few days in Breford, Bridget bought and read every newspaper in circulation.

After a few cautious outings, she became convinced of one thing. Unless you were a Glynford local who knew her personally, most people didn't even know the face of "Mrs. Wise." Some obscure weekly even got her name wrong, let alone her face.

It probably helped that she hadn't left her secluded mansion since her marriage. If she had attended even one formal event, she would have had a headshot that would have been circulated.

The only public photo she could find was of her standing miserably with a veil over her head at her wedding, and even that was taken from a distance, so it was hard to tell who was who.

Of course, the atmosphere in Glynford was a little different, but even there, there were plenty of people who wouldn't mistake Bridget the tour guide for Bridget the Mrs. Wise.

For one thing, the name Bridget was quite common. And with Ronan as her uncle and the managing agent of the Glynford Grand Theater, there were quite a few people who didn't realize that the owner of the theater and the town's tour guide were the same person.

If all went well, life in Glynford might not be so tumultuous.

With a glimmer of hope, Bridget decided to go as quietly as possible, first splitting up with Finn. Unlike her, who was known only by name, Finn was a well-known playwright, popular with young and old alike, and accompanying him was quite a burden for Bridget.

So Bridget met Finn in the small lounge attached to her lodgings.

"I can be of considerable assistance to Miss Pennington."

Finn shook his head as Bridget suggested they go their separate ways. He emphasized that his connections, social standing, and generous funds would benefit her in many ways.

But Bridget didn't balk at any of his offers, for a peaceful, quiet return home was far more valuable to her than any of those things.

"The help I've gotten so far is enough."

"So far, I've only booked you a place to stay."

"Yes, I'm saying that's enough."

Bridget stood firm and looked Finn straight in the eye.

"I'm in the middle of an annulment proceeding with my husband, and I don't need more attention here than I'm getting."

Finn Emerson was the kind of popular man everyone wanted to talk to, and someone must have been hoping he'd make the first move. Bridget hoped that Finn would turn his attention to another woman who longed for him.

But sadly, her hopes were dashed. Finn, far from being offended by her bluntness, was actually laughing.

"You're more direct than I thought."

"I'm not well enough to waste time being formal."

"Oh, right."

Finn glanced over at Magnus, who had been checking Bridget's condition with trepidation, and he nodded with a look of understanding.

"Very well, I'll leave you to it, and I'll see you again in Glynford."

Grabbing the brim of his hat and tipping it up slightly in greeting, he added with a wry smile.

"I'm visiting Glynford on my own personal business, don't get me wrong."

Bridget didn't bother to respond to his future meeting. A silent bow of her head was all she could muster, and she turned away, fighting back her exhaustion.

If Finn was determined to find her, there was nothing she could do to stop him. Whatever hope she had once held that life at Glynford might be easier had melted away like a dream, leaving her with only the familiar resignation.

I don't know. I must return to the abbey to collect my thoughts and prepare myself for the life ahead.

With that thought, Bridget placed her suitcase on the table, which she had set aside. She planned to pack her things and leave immediately. At her request, Magnus had already gone out to arrange transportation to Glynford. It had been a while since he had been gone, so it was time for him to return.

Knock.

Just then, someone knocked on the door. Assuming it was Magnus, Bridget opened the door without bothering to check the peephole.

"Magnus.................."

Bridget froze at the sight of the gray coat in front of her. As her gaze slowly moved up the long frock coat, she saw the firm mouth of a man she never thought she'd see again. She let out a short sigh as his cobalt eyes locked on hers.

Whatever he sensed in that reaction, Ain, standing in the doorway, narrowed his brow. Then or not, Bridget tore her gaze from his face and spoke nonchalantly.

"I'm sorry, but I haven't vacated the room yet. If you come back in three hours, the maids will have finished tidying up."

"You think I came here to stay?"

Bridget retorted, her tone of voice rising in response to the immediate retort of absurdity.

"If not, make your request brief, for I shall be leaving soon."

"You've been in Breford for days, and now you're leaving because I'm here?"

Bridget glanced at Ain’s face at the sarcasm in his tone. A faint trace of irritation was evident in his cool features.

"Did you have someone follow me?"

She realized that setting people up to do someone's dirty work was a routine for Ain. Of course, that was nothing unusual among the upper class.

She was just a little puzzled that he had wasted his manpower at this point. She hadn't done anything so egregious that he needed to have someone investigate, and she didn't have time for that.

At Bridget's question, Ain lifted his chin and smiled coldly.

"I don't even need anyone to keep track of you."

It wasn't a surprising statement. Ain had the power to check the entry and exit records of any city checkpoint right now.

Of course, the checkpoints wouldn’t record which accommodations Bridget used, or what name she rented the room under. But that shouldn't be hard to find out, either, for Mr. Wise, a man whose name was in the papers when he was bored.

“You ran out as if you were going to Glynford right away, but you’re still here. Isn’t that like an appeal to me to look into it?”

Bridget couldn't help but laugh at his outrageous arrogance. She could only speculate as to why he had traveled all the way here.

If it were anyone else, she would have been naive enough to think that he had come to retrieve something she had left behind at the manor, but sadly, the man standing before her was Ain Wise. Bridget knew very well that he was not kind or thoughtful enough to bring back what she had left behind.

She had given up trying to guess his intentions. Or, more accurately, she gave up because she didn't feel the need to.

She'd had enough of being watched, of being guessed at.

"What is it?"

Ain pursed his lips in a pout at her obvious lack of desire to continue the conversation.

Bridget stared at him with a dry gaze, wondering what on earth he could possibly find so unhappy about. After a few moments of silence under that stare, Ain asked shakily,

"Are there more people here?"

"What's wrong with it?"

"Do I have to point out that this isn't the right place to have a conversation?"

The two were in the middle of a confrontation at the door of the room. Naturally, anyone walking down the hallway could see them, and perhaps even eavesdrop on their conversation from nearby.

Ain had managed to keep his face out of the media, but this conversation could easily undermine that effort.

.................. But what do you know?

"I don't think your matter will be that long.”

Bridget didn't think Ain would have a long time for her.

He'd come to her himself, probably for security reasons. He was a man who treated time like gold. How long could he stay, how long could he talk? Bridget wasn't going to give him much time either, so the conversation at the door didn't matter.

Ain let out a hollow laugh when he realized that Bridget had no intention of even inviting him to sit down, but he quickly wiped the laughter off his face and cut to the chase in a cold tone.