A/N : We were all waiting for this, are we not?

CHAPTER 21 - FIRST QUARREL

Anthony Bridgerton was sure he could correct his wrongs. By wrongs, he definitely meant upsetting the young lady he chose to woo. Maybe this gift he brought along would please her enough to give him a chance to explain.

Climbing off of his horse once he reached Danbury residence, Anthony raised his hand to signal the doorman to alert his presence to Lady Danbury. Alas, the other Miss Sharma caught him first. Walking out of the house with a murderous look in her eyes was no one other than Kate Sharma.

Anthony sighed, knowing what was coming about, yet not demotivated even one bit.

"How much clearer must I be?" she questioned him aloud, walking hastily towards him, fury in each and every single one of her steps.

Anthony chose to ignore her pointless questions as the doorman left to alert the mistress of the house. He was here to woo Miss Edwina. Not placate her anger over being outwitted. "I have brought a gift for Miss Edwina," he said, pointing towards the horse standing a few feet behind him.

"Take your trojan horse elsewhere", she combusted and crossed her arms in front of her. Oh she was very angry indeed. Teasing her should be fun.

"I assure you Miss Sharma, it is a very real horse," he smirked. "I'd recommend not trying to climb inside."

Kate huffed out in disbelief once more. "Truly, this is all a game to you then?"

"I'm not here to play games. I am here to-"

"Then what was Mr. Dorset, Lord Bridgerton?" Her tone was scalding and challenging. "If not some deceitful prank that you played upon me, what else was it?" she huffed.

Anthony scoffed at the insinuation. "You think of me as deceitful in hiding that I knew him? You speak as if I maimed you."

"And now you question my judgment?!" she raged as her nostrils flared and her intense eyes kept him rooted to his spot. Pure unbridled rage was what he saw on her face.

"Only because you question my honor," he spat out.

What was he doing anyway? He had come here to woo her sister, and now he was standing in the middle of a battle with her. Which she only wanted to escalate.

"It is up to me as to what I deem as deceitful. You surely would not ask a thief if he committed a crime now, would you, my lord?" she asked, crossing her arms in front of her.

"Now you are comparing me to a thief," Anthony replied with surprise. "You do not even know me."

Kate let out an exaggerated laugh as if pointing out a paradoxical problem. "I have never met a man as brazenly presumptuous as you, Lord Bridgerton," she said, rolling her eyes, then stopping to stare him down. "I have seen enough. I have even heard enough. More than enough, to tell you the truth. Now I know your tricks, by the book. You are a dishonest man, Lord Bridgerton. Leave," she spat out as she stepped back towards the house.

Anthony however stepped towards her. "You have not even given me a chance to explain."

"I already know what you are going to say," she chided.

"No. You do not," he laughed. "Because you have not allowed me to tell you yet", he scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"Even if I did, Lord Bridgerton, it would not change what I think of you", she bit out.

"Nothing is a good enough prerequisite for the hatred you have towards me", he said, "I did not expect this much prejudice for no good reason, Miss Sharma. You know nothing about me."

Miss Sharma's stare continued to tear through him like a bullet from a machete. "I know you are polished", she finally began. "I know you are careful. I know you make promises without so much as uttering a word. There really is not much more that I need to know in order to dislike you."

Anthony's brow unfurrowed upon understanding what she meant to say. "Is this about what you heard on the terrace again?" he challenged his eavesdropper. "You act as if I am some kind of villain when every other woman in London aspires for the kind of marriage that I am offering."

"I believe I have already given you my reasons. You are not the sort of man I wish my sister would marry. In fact, I would not allow my sister within ten feet of you", she laughed.

"And yet I walked with her this afternoon", he said in response to rile her up.

And it worked. As her face burned with embarrassment, she tried to hold her own. "An act which shall not be repeated, I can assure you."

"Why is it that you get to decide Edwina's fate?" Anthony asked promptly.

To dislike him is one thing. To not want him near her sister is another. But the most puzzling thing Anthony could not wrap his head around was this, why the elder Miss Sharma was intent on deciding the younger Miss's choice of groom. Something that always stayed in the back of his mind.

As her mouth flattened into a thin line and her eyes narrowed at him, she spoke primly. "Edwina trusts my judgment."

Although that did not sound like a good enough reason for someone to be this intent on sabotaging the best of the offers a woman can receive from gentlemen for a hand in marriage, he knew better than to say it out loud in that manner. Also, even if Miss Edwina did want a love match, it would be something she had to decide for herself.

So Anthony couldn't help himself but reply. "Oh? And since you have managed most of the men who are trying to court your sister, you believe you can manage me the same way," he said crudely as he looked away. "Judging without a second thought, barely enough reason-"

"I do not seek to manage you, Lord Bridgerton, only to keep my sister away from you," she gritted her teeth.

"The decision should fall on her. It should be her choice whether or not to marry me."

"My sister does not," she challenged again, and Anthony wanted to laugh. Only from the corner of his eye, Anthony caught the doorman walking out of the house. It wouldn't be long before Miss Edwina would walk out, perhaps with Lady Danbury herself.

Keeping his voice proportional, Anthony replied, "You have been exceptionally clear about what it is that you do and do not wish for her, so I shall believe it when Miss Edwina says that." Saying that he stepped back from the elder Miss Sharma and turned towards the entrance of the Danbury residence, where Miss Edwina stood.

Miss Edwina's gaze was fixed on her sister in surprise, something that told him that Miss Kate Sharma did not, in fact, tell Miss Edwina that she was coming downstairs to converse with him.

"Kate?" Miss Edwina questioned before she turned her eyes towards Anthony. Only the sight of him turned her warm face into more rigid curves which liquid Anthony. As her brow straightened, she curtsied him, pressing her lips into a thin line. "Lord Bridgerton," she greeted coldly.

Ah. Miss Edwina was still upset with him, as it seemed. Yet Anthony bowed in response and greeted her politely. "Miss Edwina. I have brought you a small token to remember our fine time at the races yesterday and as an apology for causing you hurt."

"Causing me hurt?" the young woman questioned in both confusion and disbelief.

Anthony was at loss for words. ".. Yes. The fact that I was acquainted with Mr. Dorset and I did not tell you - - It caused you - - I am sor-"

"My lord…", Edwina said, as she shook her head, putting an end to his sentence. "What you did yesterday has hurt me in the sense that you have hurt my sister," she spoke at once.

Anthony let out a nervous chuckle in confusion. He had hurt her sister? Miss Kate? The one who was vehemently against their union and cross with him ever since she heard him outside the conservatory? It seemed impossible that he could ever hurt her when she was the one who was itching to shoo him away.

"I have done nothing to cause her any hurt. I only wished to spend time with you."

Edwina took a deep breath as she looked away in what seemed to be disbelief? "Lord Bridgerton," she began as she breathed in deeply. "You… set up Mr. Dorset to make us believe that my sister was being courted!" she chided. "We had thought that he had been the only person that approached her with interest in her, and not making conversation because someone insisted on him. How can you not understand how hurtful that is?"

Something shifted in Anthony at once. The first person to show any interest in her. The words rang in his head like a church bell, as his eyes found their way to where Miss Sharma was standing beside her sister. Kate held her head high but her gaze kept to the ground. This was why- How could someone not want her? Even the thought of it seemed unbelievable to him now when only yesterday he was surprised that Thomas Dorset wanted to speak with her. He was himself a hypocrite, was he not. If someone did that to one of his sisters- he did not even want to think about the hurt they would face, being unwanted by everyone in the society. And now Miss Edwina's anger and cold conduct, he felt, was completely justified.

Miss Sharma's deep eyes turned glassy as she glanced at him, and she immediately turned towards Miss Edwina and pulled at her hand. "Let us go, Edwina," she said, as she took a step back.

"Miss Sharma, wait", Anthony broached urgently. He was himself surprised at the genuineness in his voice. "Please give me a moment."

Miss Edwina stopped even though she was about to turn around, and Miss Sharma sighed at that. Stopping her tracks as well, Kate turned around towards him. "I am truly sorry for the hurt you feel. I did not realize- I now understand what it looked like", he said, bowing his head in shame. "But, Miss Sharma, you must believe me when I say, I did not intend for any of it to be misconstrued like that. I did ask Mr. Dorset to hide the fact that he knew me, but that is all I hid. Please believe me when I say that his interest in you was genuine." He turned towards the younger miss now. "I am telling the truth, Miss Edwina. It was not my intention to hurt your sister. Nonetheless, I apologize for however this fact has come to hurt someone," he said as he bowed again.

Miss Edwina sighed, relaxing just a bit. "Thank you, My Lord," she said, turning to look at Kate. There was a fierce bond between the two sisters, something very akin to the Bridgerton brood themselves. Miss Edwina then turned to look at him, and she smiled politely. However, the Elder Miss Sharma's face still bore a semblance of shock. Shock that translated onto her face because Miss Edwina forgave him.

Anthony took that as a sign that he might still have a chance with Miss Edwina, and took it upon himself to win her over with his gift.

"I brought something, Miss Edwina," he took a deep breath and smiled, and he brought the reins towards her.

Miss Edwina, however, was more alarmed than happy. "For me?" she said gravely as she eyed the reins as if it was going to bite her.

Anthony chuckled nervously. "I… I thought you loved animals?"

"I do," Miss Edwina replied anxiously. ".. but.. small ones… that can curl up on my lap," she finished as she smiled hesitantly.

Anthony's eyes caught hold of Miss Sharma's smug smile throughout their exchange as if she was trying to hold back laughing at Anthony Bridgerton.

Now, he was certainly embarrassed. "My apologies. You said something about Nectar reminding you of a beloved horse back at home. I…" he huffed out a nervous breath.

Miss Edwina turned pink at once. "That horse is a character from a novel, My Lord", she gushed in embarrassment, and Anthony could only muster a chuckle at that situation. And then, Miss Sharma broke into the conversation.

"A novel of love, in fact. Something for which my sister is an enthusiast," she smiled cunningly, as if that proved her point.

"I do adore it, My Lord," Miss Edwina said politely. "The horse is a generous gesture, but I would not even know how to ride it," she apologized.

Anthony could only nod in response. "That is alright, Miss Edwina; I shall keep him at Aubury Hall, where you might see him again?" he posed hopefully.

Miss Edwina simply smiled and curtsied, and Anthony took that as a sign that it was time to leave. After all, his only reason for coming here was to give Nectar to Miss Edwina.

As the sisters walked towards the entrance of the house hand in hand, Anthony paused. He could not help but overhear snippets of their conversation. As he readied his horse, he remained attentive toward their retreating voices in the hope of overhearing their opinions.

"-you believe him, Edwina?"

"- seemed genuine didi. And the way Mr. Dorset seemed interested in you, it does not seem that someone can act so brilliantly." Anthony rolled his eyes and scoffed at this internally.

"Well I do not believe him-"

"-try and give him one last chance-"

And then there was no response from Miss Sharma. As the door to the mansion shut, Anthony mounted his horse and left for Bridgerton house. One last chance to woo Miss Edwina to become his Viscountess.

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The day went by and the sun rose another morning, yet Anthony was nowhere near to finding a way to convince Miss Edwina to court him. Tired from the parliament sessions, he reached home late in the evening when a certain commotion caught his eye.

His mother, along with Colin and Eloise, were dressed up on their way out.

"I was unaware there was a ball this evening," Anthony mused as he stopped by the stairway.

His mother was the one to respond, albeit with a bit of confusion on her face. "A soiree, rather," she chuckled. "Did you not receive your invitation from the Danbury footman?"

Understanding washed over his face as he realized what had happened. Miss Kate Sharma seemed to have convinced all of the women in the Danbury Residence and was the one behind him not receiving the invitation.

"The soiree is at the Danbury house," Anthony realized in exasperation. "And she likes to accuse me of playing games," he muttered to himself.

"Can you blame her?" said his mother, and Anthony met her eyes. They were full of contempt and disregard - for him.

Perplexed, he asked, "What?"

"She is looking out for her sister, Anthony. She hopes to find her a love match," his mother chuckled humorlessly as he felt a stab of pain through his body. "And with you, apparently so forthright in your disdain for such a thing… Perhaps Miss Edwina's other suitors plan on choosing their words more wisely tonight," she claimed outright. Anthony set his jaw as his mother made her opinion very clear on what she expected from him. "They are reading poetry, from what I hear," she finished, walking away.

Anthony could not help but scoff at that. Only, it seemed to be the exact thing that he could have done to rile up his mother at that moment.

"There is a lesson here somewhere for you, Anthony," she chided loudly in front of both his siblings who were accompanying her tonight. "I only hope that this time you will finally learn it."

Anthony looked away as she ushered Colin and Eloise out, both of whom looked dumbfounded by this side of their mother. The side he got to see quite frequently. Another thing he failed at, he supposed. But that did not waver his determination to pursue Miss Edwina. He had to do something, be present at the soiree, and capture her attention undivided, above all else. So he did the only thing he could think of.

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The art studio benedict frequented and practiced at was not too far from the city. That is how Anthony was absolutely positive that he could pay his brother a quick visit and still reach the soiree before it ended. If a soiree was the challenge, who else but the most artistic one in the family could teach him to say it in the most ardent manner.

Anthony found his way into the room Benedict was practicing. "Brother, I need you," he said swiftly, intending to capture Benedict's attention. Only the room was quite small, and all eyes turned towards Anthony, then towards Benedict, who was now staring at him dumbfounded.

"I am in the middle of painting, brother," Benedict responded through gritted teeth.

"A moment," Anthony muttered, nodding towards the corridor, and stood outside waiting for him.

"What!?" he asked as he walked outside, with a murderous glare in his eyes. Yet, since fratricide was illegal, Anthony could be sure that today was not the day his younger brother would choose to kill him. But there was no time for this. He had to finish this quickly and he needed Benedict's help.

"I need your- What are you even wearing?" Anthony said aloud, only to be distracted by Benedict's attire. Trying to set some of the folds straight, he muttered under his breath, "No caravat, buttons undone.. If anyone saw-"

"-What do you need?", Benedict asked, roughly swatting his hand off.

Well, now was the time to brave the truth. Anthony sighed as he began. "I need you to teach me how to read this aloud", he said, as he handed Benedict a book with poems.

Benedict's face went from irritated to amused in a flash. "Byron? Did Colin strike you much harder than I thought while fencing yesterday?" he laughed.

Anthony pursed his lips and yanked the book from Benedict's hand, and opened a page he had left dog-eared earlier. "There is a pleasure in the pathless woods," he began to recite aloud for Benedict. Between his 'Ooh's' and 'Aah's', Anthony tried his best to continue.

"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods; There is a rapture- how does one make that sound good," he gave up dejectedly and looked towards his brother.

Benedict chuckled out in response. "I'm afraid that is not possible, brother. That poem is the opposite of good. Nonsense, in fact."

Confusion threaded Anthony's brows. "I thought this sort of thing was supposed to be your pleasure?"

"I am literally covered in paint," he replied, showing his colorful hands out to Anthony, who nodded giving up. Benedict took to explaining a bit more.

"Maybe sometimes I spell out a poem or two, but Byron? Heavens no!"

"Is not everyone supposed to love Byron?" Anthony asked.

"Many in our year at Cambridge thought my poetry was far superior to his. Now you take what you will of that. Pick something else," he mused as he began walking towards the room he was painting in.

But Anthony was quick to stop him. "Wait. Does that mean you are more or less deceitful?"

Benedict turned around in surprise. "Deceitful? Brother, poetry is the opposite!", he insisted. Whatever was that supposed to mean?

"It is the art of revealing precious truth with words," Benedict looked at him suggestively.

That definitely let out a chuckle from Anthony. "You're serious?"

Benedict nodded in amusement. "Alright. You can't help me," Anthony declared after a momentary thought. "Goodnight to you… and your… paint," he waved his hand around.

However, it was Benedict who stopped him this time around. "Ant," he began, "what is it to truly admire a woman?"

Now, how on earth would he know? And why would Benedict of all people think that he would know? And wasn't he trying to avoid all that admiration that got him here in the first place?

Benedict could almost read him mind, Anthony thought, as his brother continued unperturbed. "To look at her and feel inspiration? To delight in her beauty. So much so that all your defenses crumble, that you would willingly take on any pain, any burden for her."

Astonishment splashed across Anthony's face upon hearing that. This was something unexpected. Benedict was good, but he never knew he was this good with words. Hence he did not think to interrupt.

"- To honor her being, with your deeds, and words. That is what the true poet describes," Benedict finished.

"You should apply yourself more often Benedict," Anthony said. Maybe Benedict did know something about love after all. But he did not have time for these thoughts. He needed to get going and choose some better poet's work on his way.

Only, an idea stuck him upon that thought. "Write that down," Anthony said to Benedict urgently.

"What?"

"Write that down, what you just said, and give it to me. I shall read it," gleamed Anthony. Benedict rolled his eyes and walked towards the art room.

Soon, Anthony Bridgerton was on his way to the Danbury house, Benedict's words written on a piece of paper that was well secured in his pocket, determined to make Miss Edwina forget everything that passed and give him a chance.

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A/N : Now tell me, does Edwina not seem better?