The Duchess | Anthony Bridger...

By MLTonks

32.4K 758 20

After spending years as one of the most sought-after bachelorette of the ton, Esmeralda Blackwood has decided... More

Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
New Story
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31

Chapter 16

755 17 0
By MLTonks

Getting up the handmaidens started packing my stuff and i just stared at them. This was a disaster i never should have come here to begin with i thought to myself as i walked out of the house behind Lady Danbury with my head down i didn't dare look at anyone else. "I am sorry things did not go as planned" i said walking in between Edwina and Kate "It is not your fault, Izzie we all did everything we could have done the viscount's feelings are clearly not there for me perhaps they are elsewhere" she said about to get in the carriage.

I feel so bad for her i never should have come i knew this was a bad idea looking up i saw Lady Danbury looking back at me and i knew i had to tell her "Edwina? There is something I must tell you" i spoke up but was cut short by someone else "Wait" turning around it was Anthony walking up to us "Anthony"

"Might I speak with you?"

"Of course"

"That was meant for Miss Edwina" he said walking past me and i just stood there before i turned around towards them "My lord?"

"Miss Edwina Sharma. Will you marry me?" he said getting down on one knee "Yes. Yes! Yes! I shall be your viscountess. I shall marry you" Edwina said as Anthony placed his mother; 's engagement ring on Edwina's finger and that was it; 's when my heart broke for a second time by Lord Bridgerton looked up at Lady Danbury she looked at me with worry in her eyes turning away from her i saw Julie get in the cage behind us "Lady Blackwood...Lady Blackwood" i could hear a muffled voice said most likely it was Lady Danbury as i climbed into the carriage with Julie it was silent for a moment before i looked up at her.

"I'm sorry" i told her and she smiled placing her hand on mine" it's alright don't cry in front of these people...Driver let's go" Julie said and i could see the driver nod before, snatching off the necklace i had for so many years i tossed it out the window and we headed to Blackwood manner this time. I do not wish to be with any of them at the moment.

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"Your mail my Lady" Robert my footman said handing me the mail and on top, there was Lady Whistledown's paper "Would you like to hear what she said Robert" i asked taking a sip of my tea one of my new handmaidens got me "I would indeed my lady" he replied with a small smile. I have to say being here at my father's estate is very relaxing besides the continued suitors showing up to my door. It's been like this since I've gotten back. It's something to do to keep my mind from wondering about other things for sure. Every now and then Lady Danbury would show up or El or even Mrs. Bridgerton there was one time when all the Bridgertons showed up beside Anthony and let's say it was a day.

I wouldn't forget mostly because most of my staff was quiet that day and good reduce if they couldn't handle that they won't be ready for the ball i have been playing with the help of Lady Danbury and the Queen herself but she never came alone she always came with someone else most likely trying to match me with someone. "Would anyone else like to hear it?" i asked "I'll find out Lady Blackwood" he said bowing before leaving after a few moments I walked most of my staff.

"Oh if i known so many of you would like to read this i would have gotten more planets" i said standing up and in front of them all "Well what are you all doing standing there please take a seat i shall begin to read now" i said motion for them to take a seat the where hesitate at first like it was a test but i assured them it was alright "Now let us begin...Dearest gentle reader, while much occurred at the Bridgerton country visit, this author feels not all is fit to print especially when so much is already known by far too many members of the ton but if you thought we would reach the end of this journey without this trusted author finding a truly delectable morsel of gossip, then you are sorely mistaken.

While Prudence Featherington seems to have secured her match, it was not the only occurrence of note Anthony Bridgerton is now betrothed to Miss Edwina Sharma as for Lady Blackwood she was not successful in a betrothal...yet but it seems she has gotten close to none other than Prince Somberton the nephew of the Queen herself i can hear wedding bells for Lady Blackwood and Prince Somberton already, From this author i would believe the match would be the most beloved of the Ton...Victory, indeed"

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As i was persuaded to come downstairs and with Kate and Edwina, i knew for a fate that Viscount Bridgerton was going to be there. "Please excuse me i need some fresh air" i said to Miss Sharma and Queen Charlotte, they nodded and i headed out about to leave but Kate stopped me "i hope you're not leaving we need you if it wasn't for you Edwina and Viscount Bridgerton wouldn't be getting married" she said with a smile on her face i looked over at her and smiled back before stopping by the flowers outside the room they where in "no I'm not i just need some fresh air" i said pulling out my fan and fanning myself she nodded walking back into the room.

I was hot today i don't see why nobody else was fanning me my mind started to drift off to the things that happened through these past weeks i couldn't help but think about everything Anthony and i did together or almost did together that's when i started to get hotter and hotter this fan wasn't helping at all. As soon as i started to calm my racing heart and my body started to release I heard the doors open and walked Anthony.

As he walked closer his eyes never left mine and i could feel my heart starting to beat faster and faster as he got closer in "Lady Blackwood" he said bowing his head ever so slightly as he walked past me i could feel his hand move closer to mine as i reached out for his hand he was already in the room with everyone else. Sighing i started to slowly walk away but i heard someone clear their throat rolling my eyes i heard Queen Charlotte say "Viscount Bridgerton we thought perhaps you'd not be joining us"

"Your Majesty nothing could keep me from my beautiful bride" he replied i sighed deeply before turning around and seeing Anthony kissing Edwina's hand. I didn't know how to feel i was happy Edwina found someone but i was not happy it was Anonthy but she also devised someone who was going to listen to her and respect her wishes and that is Anonthy as i stared at him as he kissed her hand i felt someone else staring at me looking over it was Lady Danbury with that knowing look she does look away i sighed one more time before walking back in and sitting next to Kate just my luck it was also next to Anthony as i sat down his eyes meet mine and i heard a someone cleared there though i knew it was Lady Danbury looking away from him i looked at Queen Charlotte as she spoke "now, tell me of your wedding plan there is no talk of a special license, I would hope." she said jokingly.

I knew what she was getting at and i did find it quite funny. "Of course not, Your Majesty" Mary replied before Anthony spoke up "I believe a modest family affair would be most fitting perhaps back in the country at Aubrey Hall" he said then i clinked when we were younger that was where our wedding was going to be we planned it awhile back.

Taking out my fan i started to fan myself it's really hot in here I'm not used to dressing this formally "In the country? No, that will not do you must have it here in town In fact I shall host the nuptials myself" the Queen stated and Mary gasps as Edwina laughs happily "that is most generous, Ma'am but not at all necessary" he replied "nonsense she is my diamond, after all. It is only right that I give you both a wedding worthy of that title besides, one could almost credit me myself with bringing about this most illustrious match I shall oversee every detail" she stated and everyone smiled brightly.

Grabbing the tea that sat on the table beside me i took a sip "Can you believe it, Izzie? It is like a fairytale come true" Edwina replied smiling at me.. how could i not be happy for her i couldn't help but smile back "You deserve nothing less" i said smiling warmly at her "nothing less for a true love match and speaking of true love match how was the date with my nephew" the Queen replied as i held the tea cup in my hand it swayed a little too much but i grabbed it to steady it "my apologies, Your Majesty" i replied smiling slightly and placing the cup back on the table, looking back up everyone eyes was on me "oh it went lovely we had a wonderful time"

"I hope i can plan another wedding soon if things are going as well as you say they are with him"

"Possibly" i said forcing a smile at keeping my eyes on her and nobody else as they looked at me i could feel Anthony's eyes burning my skin but i did not dare look. As they spoke about plans i stood up "If you'll excuse me i shall head back i am to see an old friend at a moment's notice he just phoned me this morning i completely forgot about it, your Majesty" i said bowing my head and Anthony stood up as he stared at me i couldn't pull away from his gazes "yes very well we shall talk later" i heard the queen said and that snapped me out of the trace he had me in "of course your majesty" i replied me before i started walking out, glancing at Lady Danbury who face read 'we will also talk about this later' as i hurried out the carriage was waiting for me to take me back to Lady Danbury's home "oh second thought could you take me to Blackwood manor" i called out to him and i saw him nodded as we heading to i house i didn't believe i would ever visit again.  

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