The Emerald Viscountess

~16~

"And on that cheek, and o-er that brow, so soft, so calm, yet eloquent. The smiles that win, the tints that glow, but tell of days in goodness spent. A mind at peace, with all below. A heart whose love is innocent," Lord Lumley recited from memorization, as he looked fondly at Edwina. All the other women were also enchanted by his eerily beautiful words, applauding once he finished.

Lady Danbury stood at the center of the room. "Gentlemen, thank you all for the most splendid display of your talents this evening! A memorable occasion, to be sure . . ."

"Pardon me, Lady Danbury," Anthony called, entering the room in determined strides.

"Oh, god," Eleanora said quietly, putting her head in her gloved hand.

"Lord Bridgerton, I did not expect you," Lady Danbury said, taken aback.

"No, I seem to have fallen off the guest list," Anthony said, eyeing Kate. "Though surely, you'd never deny a young man you've known for nine and twenty years the pleasure of your company? And neither would your footman at your front door."

"Apologies, Viscount, you appear to be late again," Kate chimed in. "We were just bringing the evening to a conclusion-"

"Surely Miss Edwina has time for one more," Anthony insisted, turning to Edwina for an answer.

"I cannot bear to watch this," Eleanora whispered to Eloise, already feeling the secondhand embarrassment.

"I spent all evening crafting something; an original. Would you like to hear it?" Anthony asked, holding up a folded piece of paper. Edwina nodded and Anthony turned to the rest of the room. "Would everyone like to hear it?"

Everyone exclaimed and whooped as positive feedback. Finally surrendering, Kate nodded for Anthony to take center stage, and Lady Danbury got out of his way.

He glanced at Edwina, before unfolding the paper, and began reading from it. "What is it, truly to admire a woman?"

Eleanora couldn't help but sense how out of place Anthony looked and must've felt from reading aloud his poetry. Poetry was more of Benedict's fortee. Eleanora connected the dots, finally realizing that what if Anthony was so desperate to impress Edwina that he would go out of his way to steal Benedict's work?

"To look at her and feel inspiration," Anthony continued. "To delight in her beauty, so much that all your defenses crumble, that you would willingly take on any pain, any burden for her. To honor . . ." He trailed off, glancing up at Eleanora, who gave him a reassuring look. "To honor . . ."

He looked to his mother, who broke the gaze from her son and averted her eyes in disappointment, seeing through this trick much like Eleanora. Without a second thought, he crumbled up the paper and threw it into the fireplace behind him, focusing his gaze on the floor.

"My apologies, I cannot do this," he confessed, fidgeting with his waistcoat. "I cannot claim these words as my own. They are someone else's entirely. Truth be told, I'm not . . . I'm not a man of poetry." He turned to Lord Lumley. "Words of flattery are beautiful and sweet, but they are also hollow, unless accompanied by action." Anthony then forced himself to make eye contact with Edwina. "Miss Edwina, I could stand here and pretend to be someone I am not; I could pretend to want the very same things as you, but I'd be lying. I may not be able to . . ." He took the time to find the right words. ". . . Offer you the display of passion that you truly deserve. But I assure you, that when it comes to action and duty, I shall never be found lacking. And I hope that is what will speak louder than any pretty words ever can."

He nodded his head politely towards Edwina, before walking off to the refreshments table, and Edwina quickly followed suit. Eleanora couldn't help but experience a nagging feeling of wanting to be on the receiving end of the beautiful and wise words Anthony had just said. If the diamond truly made Anthony feel the way that he confessed to her that evening, in front of the room full of people, then Eleanora was going to vouch for Anthony when it came to tea time with the Sharmas. She was quickly snapped out of her thoughts at the sight of Anthony watching her as Edwina talked with the viscount, and she decided to give a small smile and a nod of praise for his improved actions.