Secrets & Scandals •Anthony Bridgerton•

An Affair of Honor Part III

RECAP:

"Ester, I'd greatly appreciate it if you'd meet me in the study for a moment?" Ester nodded following him into the room.

When they were alone, the two both grabbed stiff drinks, Ester could feel that in the morning her memory would be hazy, but she couldn't and wouldn't question it at the moment. She was crazy. Was it always this hot?

"The number one rule with duels is that they are illegal, correct?" Ester nodded, sitting on the chair opposite of him.

"I thought about was to happen if I were to get caught?" Anthony sat there, staring at the fire, with no response Ester hummed.

"Well....I have a proposition for you, if you are open to it." Anthony lifted his glass.

"Marriage." The loud shatter of Ester's glass cup was enough to wake the entire servant's quarters below.

An Affair of Honor Part III

TEN HOURS PRIOR

The room was silent. Painstakingly so. Ester had no clue how to react, to respond or even breathe. Taking in a slow breath, she then placed herself on the ground and began cleaning the broken glass and spilled alcohol from the floor.

"I'm sorry, it must have slipped." Ester said, her voice soft and almost unheard by the other man in the room. Anthony, coming over, he calmly placed his hands on her own, and lifted them, never minding the glass.

"I know it's shocking to say the least but I promise you, I have my reasons." Ester looked at Anthony, with a glance he didn't quite understand. He couldn't tell if it was one of curiosity or one of bewilderment.

"I don't understand Anthony, how does marriage to me-of all people-accomplish anything?" She took her hands from his grasp. Lord, she was drunk. She could tell. Her face was flustered, her heart rate was beating rather fast and yet, deep in her heart she could feel it inside that her feelings for Anthony Bridgerton, even as a child, awakened when under the influence of a good stiff drink.

Wasn't it something her father said...a drunk man's words were a sober man's thoughts? There was no way she would let herself fall again so easily towards this man, despite their happiness that they found themselves recently. The way her heart fluttered however insisted that any anger she had towards him was to fly out the window when he suggested marriage of all things.

"Ester, it's the perfect match. Sure maybe not one out of love but in light of our past differences and quarrels we were always friends. I know your family, you know mine. You are in desperate need of money and my sister stole nearly every chance at you finding any. I have money. My family name is good and I will need an alibi if whatever should occur at this duel does not favor me."

Ester was listening, really she was but everything seemed to be swallowing her and shrinking into herself, she walked towards the window. It was dark outside and still there were many still wandering the streets.

"Heaven forbid but the worst case scenario for you either way is you inherit my family money, and are wed for the season." Ester placed her head against the cool window pane. This was too much.

"Anthony but we've been quarreling and spouting arguments since we were at least ten, what makes you think, in the best scenario that you do live and nothing occurs in a violent nature that we would be able to be a-a-a married couple!" She could feel him approaching her once more, and she quickly stepped to the opposite side of the room. If she was to even accept thinking about this Ester knew she had to think of all the angles.