You pulled up to Bridgerton House feeling tense to say the least.

With every bump in the road, you and Anthony had been thrown together multiple times within the carriage. Profusely apologizing on both ends every time it happened, you both continued the cycle before deciding to accept the inevitable closeness. You still tried to remain as motionless as you could in order to avoid any more incidents, and so, arrived at his beautiful home a little stiff.

However, that stiffness instantly melted away when Anthony climbed out of the carriage first and stuck a hand out to help you down as well. Taking it gratefully, you could not help but notice the gentle firmness of his grip as he held on until you were safely on the ground. But it was Anthony who could not help but wonder how soft your hands might be without the cover of your silk gloves.

When his helping Lady Danbury down did not seem to take nearly as long as your assist did, you tried not to read into it.

Entering Bridgerton House, you were immediately taken with the grand decorum of the foyer before you heard an unexpected exclamation of your name.

Turning, you saw Daphne and her mother making their way towards you from the hallway. Returning the embrace Daphne gave you, you were instantly confused when she pulled away with a smile and said with excitement,

"What ever are you doing here? I thought you could not make it today."

Not seeing Anthony frantically shaking his head from side to side behind your back until after she finished speaking, Daphne could only freeze when you replied.

"Oh? Well, Lord Bridgerton said you insisted we keep our appointment today..."

Looking back at him for confirmation, you only saw him encouragingly start to nod his head when your gaze fell on him.

You turned back with a weak smile now feeling unsure of yourself. That feeling only grew when the new Duchess unthinkingly said,

"I did?"

Seeing her brother throw his hands up in exasperation behind you and Lady Danbury, she finally understood what was happening and said again with a bit more confidence,

"Yes! I did."

Relieved, you saw her give you a warm smile as she entwined her arms with yours and began to lead you all to the Bridgerton drawing room. She took an unnoticed glance at her brother, before looking at you with a brighter smile. If the peek she took told her anything, it was that you were soon to get an upgrade on your title as her unofficial sister.

You both took seats on the couch as your Aunt, her mother, and the Lord of the house found seats elsewhere. You had thought it odd that Anthony had remained with you all, but before you could dwell on it any longer, your once best friend began to ask you a question she had inquired about the night before.

"So, where have you been?"

Only explaining that you had been staying with your father's sister out of the country, you strategically tried to move the conversation away from such a topic.

"Forget about me though! What about that ring on your finger? Who is the lucky beau?"

Blushing slightly, and glancing down at the diamond with fondness, Daphne told you all about the story between her and her husband, Simon. Telling you she already had a nearly one-year-old baby named Augie, you could not help informing her,

"I am so pleased for you Daphne! Making a love match within our station is so rare. I am very happy it found you!"

Delicately chuckling at your kind words, you both turned towards Lady Bridgerton as she asked with a smile,

"And what of you, my Lady? Have you found anyone who has piqued your interests?"

Taking this moment to take his focus off the letter he was pretending to write as he sat at a table away from the ladies, Anthony made sure to tune into your response.

But being the strategist you were, you evasively answered the question.

"Well, a debutant can never have too many choices."

You said with faux haughtiness. Taking your answer for what it was, Lady Bridgerton gave an amused laugh before it turned into an understanding smile. You all paused to take sips of your tea and after she placed her cup back onto her saucer, Lady Bridgerton decided to ask the girl she practically helped raise another question.

"What of any new hobbies? I know the last time you were here, it was books that called to you."

Smiling bashfully at the reminder of one of your most favorite pastimes, you tried to be modest as you replied.

"Oh, yes, I have definitely picked up a skill or two during my time away."

Giving a slight laugh at your choice of words, Daphne said with a touch of reprimand, "Come now, do not be shy about telling us of what I am sure are your many talents."

Grateful to your friend for the push, you decided to be a bit more forthcoming.

"Well, I suppose I am fond of languages."

Delightfully surprised, Lady Bridgerton repeated your words with a question.

"Oh! Languages, you say?"

Becoming somewhat excited yourself, you continued to explain.

"Yes! I just find them fascinating. Especially the romance languages."

And while Anthony knew that in this case, "romance" was a word referring to a specific group of foreign tongues, he still could not stop himself from freezing as he heard you use it in a sentence. But luckily, no one noticed as all the attention was on you since you were the last to speak. However, it was your Aunt who spoke next.

"Dear girl, what ever is a romance language? Is it some new form of communication for you debutantes to use as you ensnare available men?"

You all gave jovial laughs at the absurd question before you chose to answer anyway.

"Certainly not, Aunt!" You said through your laughter. "The romance languages are modern languages that evolved from Latin. As such, they share grammatical and phonetic similarities. So if you can learn one, it makes learning the others much easier."

Impressed at the way you were able to simplify such an explanation, Lady Bridgerton could not help curiously asking,

"And pray tell, do you speak any of these languages?"

But it was Daphne who began to answer on your behalf.

"Well if French is one such language, I know that she speaks that exceptionally well. She was even the one to help me with my French when the tutor could not break through to me."

Not used to such praise, you almost became shy before you remembered your mother's words that said allowing your light to shine a little did not mean you were dimming someone else's. So you placed a thankful hand over Daphne's, before turning to address the room from your seated position on the couch.

"Yes, French is one such language. I also know Spanish and I am currently trying to learn Italian. It is a goal of mine to learn all five of the most common romance languages spoken in the world."

And then finished your statement by giving a small smile and taking a casual sip of your tea while the rest of the room looked at you with shock.

Not realizing Anthony had been paying attention all this time, you almost jumped when you heard his voice incredulously ask,

"You speak three different languages?"

Surprised, you turned towards him before correcting him with visible confidence and a slightly teasing smile on your lips.

"Forgive me, my Lord, but I know enough Italian for it to be considered four, not three languages."

Instantly deciding that was his favorite look on you, Anthony replied.

"Ah, well if that is the case, then it is I who must beg your pardon."

But since you were feeling slightly emboldened in his presence, you did not think about the rest of your audience when you immediately responded from behind the cover of your teacup with a touch of innocent playfulness,

"Lord Bridgerton, you may beg for my pardon for as long as you like."

And took another calculated sip as the room once again paused at your words. Every lady present, except for you of course, took a discreet glance at the Viscount in order to gauge his reaction while sly smiles grew on their lips. Speechless at the speed of your wit, Anthony could only stare at you with shock before he quickly joined the joke and composed his expression into one of good-natured deferment as he conceded to your words. Turning back to face the still blank letter sitting on the table in front of him, he rested his elbow on the wooden surface and put one hand to his temple while taking a much needed breath.

As the ladies behind him continued to converse and you and Daphne continued to catch up, you all once again paid no mind to the Viscount's presence. He wanted to keep it that way since the more he learned about you, the more resolute he became in the decision his mind was making.

"This is the woman I am going to marry."