The Viscount and The Traveler|| Anthony Bridgerton

16

Anthony

"Brother, are you alright in there?" Asks Benedict who is standing outside the door to my study

"I am doing just fine" I answered back 

"Well I have something for you" He said again through the door

"Well then, come in you annoying bastard" I said putting down the paper that once occupied my attention 

When the door opened, he stood before me with a rather questioning look on his face. Before I could ask what was wrong, he held up two letters, one with Mr. Hargreaves seal, and another with Addison's. 

"You have two urgent letters that arrived one after the other" He says placing the one from Mr. Hargreaves on my desk 

"I do believe that belongs to me as well" I said pointing to the letter that is still in his possession 

"One at a time" He says before breaking the seal on the letter 

"Don't be an ass" I said yanking the letter out of his hand in time 

"Must be some scandalous smut in there" He chuckled sitting down 

Dear Anthony, 

If it's okay with you, I'd like to see you today. It's quite urgent, and I wish to talk to you about a few things. Around noon, I'll be heading to Mr. Hargreaves' residence. Although I want to alarm you, I do not intend to scare you. It seems that your calculations were accurate.

"What calculations?" I said aloud 

"What is it? Calculations of what?" Questions Benedict 

"I don't know, but Ms. Riverdale has asked me to meet her" I informed him "What time is it?" I questioned standing abruptly 

"It is now 25 minutes to noon" He answered pulling out his pocket watch 

"Very well, I shall be on my way to Lord Hargreaves residence" I said getting my coat 

"But you have yet to open his letter" Benedict says still pointing to the unopened letter on my desk

"I know" I said taking the letters, placing them inside my desk and locking it.

"I shall accompany you then" Says Benedict 

"Not today brother" 

"Why not? You read a letter from Addison and now you're on your way to Mr. Hargreaves residence to find what? Calculations??" he questions 

"Yes Benedict, I shall see you later" I said headed for the door

"If you don't allow me to join, I shall simply follow you" He said which resulted in me stopping 

"Come along, but I swear if I hear a word about anything you find out today... I will murder you" I pointed to him 

As if he was a child in a candy shop, he sprang behind me with glee. As we approached the stairs, he said began talking again

"You're acting as if we're about to find out something about Addison that we've never heard before" He snickered 

"Not we, just you" I retorted 

"What, is she pregnant?" He asked resulting in a dreadful silence 

"Dammit" I muttered now realizing what she meant 

"Seriously? How on earth did you manage to pull that off? Or in your case not pull out?" 

"We have not a moment to spear" I said running towards the stables 

"You could have warned me we were going to ride there" Benedict says now straddling his horse 

"Please, I need quietness" I said as we headed for Lord Hargreaves residence 

************

After arriving at Mr. Hargreaves home, I ensured Benedict's horse and my own were properly situated in the stable. We did not need any extra company here at this time. I gathered my thoughts together as I saw Benedict was not at Mr. Hargreaves door and I was just leaving the stable. I quickly walked towards the house, and as I arrived onto the porch, I heard Benedict's mouth going. 

"You're looking a little pale in your face" Benedict says as I walk through the door 

"Why are you touching her like that?" I frowned moving his hands away from her face 

"Can't you see she looks a bit unwell, I mean pregnancy can do that bu-" He began to ramble 

"Benedict, you're talking a bit much right now" Interjects Addison with a giggle

"Well, are we not gathered here today to have a meeting?" He retorted 

"I for one did not invite you, you invited yourself, now if you would excuse me, I need to talk to my soon to be wife ALONE" I told him

"Yes, we shall talk first, and then we can have a conversation with Mr. Hargreaves about-" Addison started to say

"Just worry about telling him what you need to tell him right now. You two can go upstairs, and you can come with me" Says Mr. Hargreaves 

I took her hand, and we went upstairs to the room where we first shared our special moment. We both stood in an awkward silence, until she broke it. 

"This is where it all started"

"I would have it no other way" I said taking her hand in mine 

"Anthony, there is no easy way in saying this s-" She started before I cut her off 

"If it's about you being pregnant, it's alright darling, I will take care of you both" I assured her 

"It's not that" She said 

"Then what is it?" I asked 

"I-I don't think I love you" She said making my heart sink 

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