A/N : Kate Sharma left for the gardens. What has Anthony been doing?

CHAPTER - 10 - SEAL OF APPROVAL

Since Anthony felt that his search for the perfect viscountess had ended, he posed the last question. "I should like to meet the man who raised a wonderful daughter like yourself, Miss Edwina."

Only, the young miss's face suddenly fell. "Sadly, my father died years ago, My Lord", she responded politely.

Anthony was taken aback. "I am sorry, Miss Edwina. It did not come up in the conversation I had with your mother."

"Thank you, my lord", she said.

"My father passed away as well. Years ago. Not a day goes by where I do not think of him".

She looked at him with a hint of recognition. Maybe she did understand the pain of losing a parent, just like he did. Something he thought no one could ever share. Anthony chuckled. "It was a pleasure meeting you Miss Edwina", he bowed as the dance ended. "Lady Mary did wonderfully in raising you all alone. I shall make sure to convey my thoughts to her."

Miss Edwina smiled. "Thank you, My Lord. It was, however, my elder sister, who raised me," spoke Miss Edwina, fondly reminiscing her memories. "She taught me everything I know. I could never imagine doing anything she does not approve of, let aside marrying someone."

"Oh." An elder sister who raised her. She must be quite older if she could raise her sibling. He offered her an arm as he walked her towards the lemonade table. "Is she in attendance today?" he asked.

"Yes, My Lord", she said, looking around promptly. "Perhaps she stepped out for a bit?" she added when she did not find whomever she was looking for.

"Ah. That is alright. I am sure we will meet her soon." He handed her a glass of Lemonade, and took one for himself. "Lemonade, Miss Edwina?"

"Thank you, My Lord," she accepted it with a smile. "Do you have any siblings?" she extended.

"Yes. Seven of them, in fact", he said in an amused tone. "They make me question everything I know, but they are very dear to me. One of my brothers is in attendance here today, allow me to introduce you to him", he said as he looked around for Benedict.

He was supposed to dance with Eloise up next, so they should be lingering at the periphery of the Ballroom, Anthony thought. But what he saw next felt unbelievable. His sister was dragging his brother out of the Ballroom. It was no surprise that Eloise did not like to be out in the society, but Anthony hoped she would come to her senses and make an advantageous match. And here she was running away from the first ball of the season. And Benedict, she must have convinced him by honoring him as her favorite brother again. He needed to get the two of them in check immediately. And that would mean taking his leave from the woman who he would most likely ask to be his Viscountess.

"Now that I see, they seem not to be around either. Maybe another time?" he politely said.

"Of course, My Lord", she replied in the same demure manner in which she answered all of his questions.

"Please allow me to call upon you", he said as he bowed to take his leave. Miss Edwina simply nodded with a smile, and curtsied.

Anthony rushed to find his notorious siblings. But needless to say, he was too late. By the time he stepped outside of the conservatory door, the carriage with the Bridgerton crest left the premises. The cool spring wind from the fading winters hit his face and he couldn't help but realize how relieved he was to have stepped out of the packed ballroom. Maybe he would take a brief respite from all the scheming mamas inside, to which might he add, his own mother.

"Bridgerton, join us", came a voice. Anthony turned to his left to see Hardy, Montague and Rickard, clearly there for some respite of their own. Another conversation it is, thought Anthony.

"I owe you a drink, Lord Bridgerton", spilled Rickard as Anthony began approaching the group.

"For what?"

"With you as the prized catch of the season, the rest of us shall receive a respite from the marriage minded mamas this season indeed", spoke Hardy.

"Well, enjoy your freedom while it lasts, gentleman. You too will soon submit to this ridiculous rigamarole of courtship, squiring every eligible miss around town until you're barely able to see straight", he joked coolly.

"Is one lady unlike any other?" said Montague. "Simply pick the least objectionable and get her wed, bed, and bred. Then you can return to more pleasurable pursuits, and more pleasurable partners", he cackled as the others joined. Anthony kept in mind to never let these gentlemen anywhere around his sisters.

"You may be so cavalier, but if I must leg-shackle myself in marriage, the lady in question should have more to recommend her", scoffed Anthony.

"Do not tell us you are hoping for a love match?"

"Love is the last thing I desire", he said abruptly. "But if my children are to be of good stock, I have to choose a bride more carefully."

"Their mother must be of impeccable quality", chortled Hardy. God, he was despicable. And to think he was courting Daphne the previous season, yet came to boast about these horrendous tactics in front of her brother.

"A pleasing face, an acceptable wit, and manners genteel enough to credit a Viscountess", listed Anthony. "It should not be so hard to find. Yet the debutantes of London fall short at every turn", he cried in disappointment.

"You want the best, eh, Bridgerton? Perhaps the queen will finally name a diamond. Save you some trouble, atleast, of choosing her. Wooing the piece will be a different story, indeed", laughed Montague.

"I shall have no problem there," Anthony chuckled as others joined in. He could charm his way into any woman's heart. Some would even say that the Bridgertons are the most good-looking bunch in the ton. And they would be right.

"Ah. I forgot the matches. What say, we continue this in the smoking room gentlemen?" suggested Rickard.

"Ofcourse, I shall be there anon".

Anthony wanted to enjoy the fresh air for some more time. But be that as it may, coming across this bunch at least let him know never to let Hardy, Rickard, and Montague near any of his sisters again. They seemed to believe what they said vehemently, and there would be no way he would let his sisters marry someone who disrespected their marital bed so.

Anthony decided to ditch the men in their smoking room, and head back inside. The second half of the ball would start soon, and the least he could do is finish going through the list he drafted. Though Miss Edwina seemed worthy of being the Queen's diamond, he did not want to miss a chance to look through the entire ton thoroughly before that happened. So he began walking back towards the conservatory again. Only, the sound of something clattering behind him in the bushes caught his attention first.

.

.

.

.

A/N : I don't believe Anthony is shitty enough to degrade women by calling them and comparing them to chattel.
Especially after Daphne ripped him one the previous season.
His wed, bed, and bred buds though? They are.
Yet, misunderstandings over eavesdropped white lies is my favorite trope. I love that.