The Viscount and The Traveler|| Anthony Bridgerton

1

Addison

When I opened my eyes, I immediately closed them and opened them again. "Where the hell am I?" I said looking around as the lady who I now notice was sitting on the left side of my bed standing up to speak. 

"Hello my darling" She said with a thick English accent, as I looked at her in confusion "I must ask, have you come to find yourself lost?" She as I stared at her blankly 

"Where am I?" I asked the lady wearing a costume similar to mines 

"You're in my home young lady" She answered 

"Oh, well thank you for your hospitality" I said to her as she now stared at me blankly. 

"I must ask, where are you from, in all my years here in London I have never heard an accent like yours" She said which confused me more. 

"London?" I asked as she nodded 

"What in the freaky Friday?" I whispered to myself

"I beg your pardon?" She asked 

"Sorry Ma'am" I smiled at her. She must be apart of Mrs. Grunts play 

"I am Lady Danbury" She held out her hand

"My name is Ad-" I started before she cut me off 

"Marlrowe Riverdale... A Duchess, already a widow? You seem no more than twenty and two dearest" She said to me making me chuckle 

"I'm no widow, I was never even married. I am only 20 years of age" I replied to her

"So you haven't found a match at any of the seasons you attended?" She asked and I can tell by her face she is serious. 

"Seasons?" I questioned 

"Oh my, you have never attended a season? Your parents must want you to become a spinster!" She exclaimed 

"I'm only 20, and besides that term hasn't been used since the 18th century." I chuckled looking at her

"This IS the 18th century young lady" She said turning on her heels "Come along" She said heading for the door. I jumped out of the bed and ran behind her and to my surprise the corridor was no longer old and dusty instead it was vintage and colorful. The more we walked I started to remember various parts of this place although I can't exactly put my finger on it. 

"Lady Danbury" I said grabbing her attention

"Yes, Ms. Riverdale?" She said now facing me 

"How long was I unconscious?" I asked her 

"Not very long, one of my servants heard a loud sound and went to go check what had happened, he then found you unconscious in my foyer" She told me as everything came rushing back to me at once. 

I quickly dashed to the foyer as best as I could remember the museum. Only for me to notice that the wall where the painting once was is no longer there and is replaced with an expensive wall covering. What in the actual hell? I turned around to see Lady Danbury now standing where the mystery woman stood. She referred to me as a Traveler. I know I'm still inside of The Holburne Museum of Art, I just doubt it's in the 21st century even the maids here look different. Not just their outfits but rather their whole appearance. I noticed as I was looking around. 

"Are you done running around as if you have lost all of your senses Ms. Riverdale?" Lady Danbury asked

"Yes ma'am, I just can't believe that I am actually here" I sighed 

"I suppose the journey here must have been a long one?" She asked 

"Very much so" I told her 

"I must ask, how far have you traveled?" She questioned 

"Very very far" I said not knowing how to respond I think she knew I didn't want to be pushed further because she just nodded as if she understood. 

*

"Lady Riverdale, the season starts up in two weeks, I shall be your sponsor for this Season, that is if you indeed choose to stay here." Lady Danbury said as we strolled through her garden. I don't even know what a season is, but I know I'm not in the 21st century either. I guess History class will pay off to some extent, I do believe I am in the 18th century, I just don't know exactly when.

"I must ask, what should be required of me to attend the season?" I asked her in my native tongue 

"You first need some speech classes, to teach you proper English... and you would have to be able to learn rather sooner than later. After all, you wouldn't be the first person in my care who needed it." She reassured me with a smile

"What if I mess it up?" I asked her 

'Listen to me" She said tapping her cane on the floor "The way you speak is beautiful, you are a full figured beauty, and I must say you seem to be a very brilliant young lady. Although you might seem confused, I can tell you're going to bring something different to this season." She smiled 

"Thank you" I said to her 

"My maidservant said that your father sent your dowry in that strange looking briefcase" Lady Danbury said "I thought that this was a letter he sent with you but I am now aware that you are not a Duchess" She said 

"I-I can explain" I sighed 

"Well come on then, this is a matter we must discuss in my study" She said walking towards her study 

I honestly don't know if this is a lucid dream, but I doubt that this is all a joke Mrs. Grant is playing. As I followed Lady Danbury to her study I began to think of a story I'm going to tell her. I highly doubt she is gonna believe me if I lie because she seems to be a woman who can tell the difference between what's real and what's bullshit. 

"Did you steal someone's identity girl?" Lady Danbury asked me bluntly 

"No, ma'am" I said looking at her directly in her eyes. We held eye contact for some time until she spoke

"I trust you. So if I must ask, what is your actual Name?" 

"Addison Hannah" I answered softly 

"Oh my, strange... two first names as your first and last, I must ask what is your Christian name" 

"Aurora" I said 

"Hmmm," she said glancing at me

"I told you I am not from here" I sighed getting all depressed again

"Miss Hannah, you do not have to explain it to me just yet. I trust that you have been through enough getting here. I do believe that someday you should trust me enough to tell me" She said 

"I doubt you would believe me even if I told you" 

Smiling, she just sat there looking at me in awe, "Trust me I can feel you're different" She said. "I won't have to write to the Sharmas any longer. The four weeks it would take for them to travel here we could already have your gowns being tailored, and your dancing lessons sharpened. By the morning we shall go to the Modiste and get you about 50 gowns made" She smiled 

"50?" I asked as if she had grown two heads

"Yes, we can start you off with a few house dresses and then a few dresses for when you're being courted, and called upon and the lot of your dresses would be ball gowns." She said as if I'm supposed to be taking notes. 

"Why all those dresses?" I asked her

"Once your eligible bachelor takes your hand in marriage you would need way more than that." She stated "You have a rare beauty, and a perfectly round face that accents your rosy cheeks show just how beautiful us ladies of color truely are. So I say to you, trust me and let's see what this social season brings" She smiled at me as I nodded in agreement.