The downfall of Viscount Bridgerton

chapter eleven - a response

"I don't understand how she could refuse me." Declared a thoroughly outraged Anthony, "if anything she should be honoured to receive the attention of a Viscount."

Simon, who was comfortably seated by the fire of Lord Brigerton's study in an armchair, slowly turned his head to face him, his face distorted with the ghost of a smile.

"Perhaps she is not disposed to accept proposals from men who refer to her as 'barbaric'?" Responded Simon, far too smug at the events that had transpired earlier on in the evening.

"I do not understand. Would this not be an acceptable match for her? I know, I should have asked her father first - perhaps that is the matter."

"Bridgerton stop your rambling!" Simon rose from the chair, placing a hand on Anthony's arm to halt his frantic pacing.

There was a pause before he began speaking.

"Aurora is a sweet girl. She is, really. But she is still caught up in the idea of love. She will not marry without it. That is not to say she will marry a pauper. Oh, Anthony, of course she would not accept your hand, whoever does manage to earn her affections will have to work far harder than you have done. I am aware of your ridiculous assertion that you will never again be in love but know this Anthony - if you really want to take Aurora Grey as your wife you will have to court her properly."

Anthony thought for some time upon what Hastings had said. In fact, he pondered for so long that Simon had returned to his seat and finished an entire cup of coffee before he had even begun speaking.

"You mean to say that in order to marry her I must make her fall in love with me?"

"Yes."

At this Anthony looked up to the ceiling and groaned with despair. "This is ridiculous."

"Why, might I ask, are you so determined to marry her? You seem quite distraught at the idea of her affection and yet you still seek to make her your wife."

"I am a Bridgerton, therefore I must marry well. You have seen how positively my family speaks of her and even Lady Whistledown has spoken of our compatability. I fear it would be stupid to look elsewhere. No, I will court her as you suggest, and hopefully I can do something good for the Bridgerton name."

***

Aurora was sat in the Grey carriage, accompanied by Daphne Basset as they made their way back to the Bassets' London house.

They had ridden half of the way in complete silence before Daphne worked up the courage to comfort her friend.

"I am so very sorry that he did that to you. I shall speak to him in the morning." Said Daphne kindly.

Aurora glanced at her and smiled gently, "it's quite alright, Daph. Honestly, I wish you'd seen his face when I said no." She giggled at the recollection. "He looked like a lost puppy. No really, his eyes nearly doubled in size!"

Daphne looked at the girl in perplexity. "I do not think anyone has ever referred to Anthony as a puppy before." She raised her eyebrow with a knowing look.

The young lady in question blushed lightly as a smile came to her face and she shook her head.

"Don't even try and suggest such a notion. If I liked your brother I should have accepted his offer. You can count my refusal as proof that I do not."

"I didn't say anything about you liking him." Laughed Daphne in false sincerity.

"Stop it. Stop it!" Aurora responded, not grinning broadly. "I do not like your brother. I do not know him!"

"But you wish to?" Although intended as a question, Daphne's response came to as more of a statement, something which sobered up both women.

"Perhaps." Whispered Aurora quietly, but not so quietly that Daphne could not hear. She only responded with a nod and a small smile.