Chapter Text
Six - Michaela
”Don’t do it,” Michaela cautioned as Phillip reached for a green cocktail laid out on the festive tray.
Phillip hesitated, his hand in midair. Michaela nodded towards the door, silently leading Phillip past the chocolate fountain and out a somewhat hidden exit, down the hallway and into what was presumably Anthony’s study.
She rummaged around in a desk drawer, producing an expensive bottle of whiskey she poured into two tumblers stolen from the party. She pressed one into Phillip’s hand, chinking her glass against his, “To better things.” Phillip looked up at the portrait of Edmund Bridgerton looming over them, sipping on his drink, “So how long have you been fucking Eloise?”
Phillip coughed, the whiskey burning down his throat as tried to take in a breath, “I’m not-“ Michaela threw him a look so disbelieving that Phillip’s cheeks instantly coloured, “A while.”
”Mmm,” Michaela replied, seemingly unimpressed as she sat down in Anthony’s chair.
Phillip eyed her, sipping on his drink, “Did she say something or…”
Michaela’s lips twitched as she placing her feet on Anthony’s desk, “You remind me of my cousin.”
”My condolences,” Phillip offered quietly.
Michaela nodded, not addressing her loss, “Life is short Phillip. And you miss all of the chances you don’t take.”
”Profound.”
Michaela laughed, tilting her head as she took in his guarded expression. “Not really. If you like her, go after her. It’s what I did.”
“Ah.” Phillip replied, a hint of amusement in his tone. “Nothing but smooth sailing then.”
”Eloise tells you a lot.” Michaela remarked, studying Phillip even more. “But yes, it was messy, and painful, and I lost her for a bit. But we got there in the end, and that’s all that matters.”
Phillip lifted his glass, a small salute to Michaela’s triumph, “Eloise doesn’t want anything more.”
”Then win her over.” Michaela answered, as if it were obvious. Phillip hesitated, the question clear, and Michaela shrugged. “I don’t know. That’s for you to figure out.”
Phillip sighed, nursing his drink, “I don’t know if I’m going to be enough.”
“Isn’t that for her to decide?” Michaela asked, her expression knowing. Phillip looked down at his drink, “Don’t go soft on me now.” Michaela remarked, downing the rest of her drink. “You’re bedding a Bridgerton. Act like it.”
Phillip smiled, unaccustomed to such bravo, “Are they all this…complicated?”
”Yes.” Michaela confirmed, “A bunch of drama queens with really good genes.” Michaela phone buzzed with a message, one she didn’t bother to check, “Time’s up lover boy. Our absence has been noticed.”
Phillip nodded, finishing the last of his whiskey. Michaela was already straightening everything on Anthony’s desk, well aware of the sibling on sibling violence that would occur if he found his office in disarray.
Satisfied, Michaela held open the door for Phillip, the noise from the party even louder and more boisterous than before. “A bit of advice,” Phillip paused, waiting for Michaela’s parting words. “Think big. This is a family of love stories and Violet and Edmund’s was the greatest of all.”
Phillip glanced at the portrait on the wall, “No pressure then.”
“Oh all the pressure,” Michaela said with a wry grin, pushing Phillip out the door, “Thank fuck it isn’t me.”
Eloise
My mother found me. I have been returned to the festivities.
Phillip
Sorry, was talking with Michaela
Eloise
That bodes terribly
Phillip
She helped clarify some things
Eloise
Sexy things?
Phillip
Important things. Are you free tomorrow ?
Eloise
Family thing. But you could come? As Colin’s friend.
Phillip
Do I get to know what I’m signing up for?
Eloise
No
Phillip
I’ll be there