I DO NOT OWN BRIDGERTON
Bridgerton House. London, United Kingdom. The next day.
After Lady Portia Featherington totally embarrassed herself at Queen Charlotte's luncheon, I was a mess of emotions. I knew that Marina had to be suffering as a result of what Penelope had written in Whistledown and I wanted to comfort her, to let her know that I'd understood what she'd done and why. However, I realized that there was no point in that anymore. My sympathies wouldn't do Marina any good at this point. She would still be forced to marry Sir Philip and have the babies and then kill herself. I had down the best I could to save her and I had nothing to show for it. The worst part is that I couldn't even be pissed at Penelope for it because now I had a chance to be with the woman I really wanted.
The Bridgerton women and Benedict were attending some fancy concert, but I elected stay home because I wasn't in the mood to be bothered with opera or whatever the Hell they were seeing. I was content to spend the night sitting in the study, feeling sorry for myself that my plans to save Marina's life had been for nothing. Eventually, my solitude was broken by the arrival of the viscount himself.
"Missing the concert?" Anthony asked as he poured himself a glass of scotch.
"Indeed, not exactly in the mood for music and finery this evening." I answered as he poured a 2nd one and handed it to me.
"I want to apologize." He said as I took the shot glass from him.
"Apologize for what?" I inquired as he had done nothing wrong. Despite being a prick, Anthony had only tried to keep Colin and by extension me, from putting the reputation of the Bridgerton name at risk by marrying a slut and claiming her bastards.
"I may have been a trifle harsh with you, and I'm sorry." Anthony explained as I chuckled while sipping my scotch.
"However you went about it, you were trying to keep me from making the most foolish mistake of my life." I conceded.
"So you admit it now? You were acting a fool?" Anthony asked with a smirk of victory on his face that in his defense, was justified.
"I can't deny it, can I?" I asked in return as Anthony looked more pleased with me than he had been since my arrival.
"The youth finally matures." He said as he raised his glass and I met it in a toast to my sudden wising up. "You may hurt now, but the pain will pass. You have the love of all your family and the honor of your actions. Soon you will forget Miss Thompson's name, and it will be as if you never loved her at all."
"Truth is that I cared for Marina…but I never really loved her." I admitted as that threw Anthony for a loop.
"Then why in God's name would you marry her?" He asked in confusion. I knew that I couldn't tell him about the babies, so I did the next best thing.
"Lady Featherington kept trying to push her on that sack of shit Lord Rutledge and I thought I could rescue a damsel in distress. I fell in love with the idea of being a romantic hero more than being Marina's husband." I explained as Anthony shook his head.
"I've no doubt that your intentions were noble, brother. But you can't save everyone; especially not at the risk of your family." Anthony insisted as I finished my scotch.
"So I've learned."
2 days later.
Eventually, I realized that I was nearing the end of season 1 because Francesca returned from Bath. I was hopeful that maybe whatever force had brought me here was only for this one season and then I would be allowed to return. I knew that it was a long shot, but it was all i could do at the moment.
"I am confident I could last a few rounds in a boxing ring." I quoted as my faux brothers laughed at my expense. We had been talking about the match that Will Mondrich had thrown to get the payoff from Lord Featherington to open his club while Francesca was showing off her forte skills.
"Well, that is certainly a match I would like to see." Benedict insisted as Daphne and Simon made their grand enterance.
"Sister!" Francesca exclaimed as the sisters embraced.
Francesca! Welcome home, it is so wonderful to see you." Dalhne replied as Francesca then turned to her new brother in law.
"And you, Your Grace. I thought four brothers enough, but returning to five is quite nice." She remarked.
"Simon, When will I be able to visit Clyvedon?"the youbgest Bridgerton child eagerly inquired as she rushed up to the Duke of Hastings.
"Hyacinth, allow the duke to find a seat before you trouble him." Lady Violet rebuked as Simon took his little sister in hand.
"You are welcome to visit at any time." He promised, which made his little sister pleased as punch. I took this as my cue to make a hasty exit from the drawing room. First of all, I've never really been that good a singer and I was no mood to humiliate myself; even with Luke Newton's voice. The 2nd reason for lockinng myself in my room was because I knew that Penelope would be coming over to visit with Eloise and I wasn't ready to have the talk.
I mean, I didnt know how much longer I would be in the Bridgerton universe if my theory was correct. Did I really want to start a serious courtship with Penelope Featherington if I was just going to be ripped away from her? I couldn't have her only to lose her again.
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