Page 20 of Lady Fiona's Tall, Dark Folly
"I had no intention to become fast friends with her again. Not as we once were."
"Why not?"
Bridges hesitated. "My future is so uncertain."
"Surely the Corps is headed by men who understand the normal desire to marry."
"It wouldn't be fair to court any woman, not knowing what I must do or where I'll go." Bridges had explained to Charlton he had a choice to make and soon. Once the third son, he'd been sent to school to become a Royal Engineer and had served honorably and well for eleven years. But his two older brothers had died and now Bridges had inherited an estate. As head of a centuries' old barony, he should remain home to administer it. But to do that, he'd have to resign his commission. For a Royal Engineer to resign his commission was an unusual act. His years of training had been extensive and expensive. His years abroad had seen him in the thick of battles in Spain and France, Waterloo too at the end. Now that the wars were done and Bonaparte off to St. Helena, the Royal Engineers could be expected to serve abroad, mapping wilderness and building roads and bridges in the colonies.
"Yet you knew she'd be here, didn't you?"
"I wasn't certain. I know she is a distant relative to Northington and I accepted your invitation to accompany you because I purposely came to see him. But I hoped I might keep my distance and let her enjoy her friends, Esme and Fifi and the others."
Charlton liked her funny little name. It was as she should be, always. Happy. "Fifi, is it?"
Bridges turned wistful. "Fifi is what her friends call her."
"It suits her."
Bridges laughed. "And you, I see."
"Pardon my intrusion, sirs." Another footman stood in the entrance.
"Yes?" Charlton looked up.
"The ice, the tea and bandages await you in the lady's rooms, my lord."
"Well, then." He rose. "I'm off to do my doctoring."
"Get to it, Charlton. I'm off to join the party."
"To explore new possibilities, I do hope."
Bridges winced, uncertain. "We shall see."
