SUMMARY: Anthony is known as a libertine; his younger sister, as a spinster destined to remain on the margins of love. But behind those reputations lie doubts, fears, and a quiet longing to love. When their mother, Violet Bridgerton, decides that both of them must focus on finding a match, she certainly does not expect it to happen in the same season. The two siblings will face a question they never believed they would have to answer: what happens when love finally knocks on your door? Is fear greater than longing?
WARNINGS: My native language is not English. Sorry if there are any mistakes in the writing. I do not authorize my work to be re-uploaded, plagiarized, or translated and posted on other platforms without my permission.
BridgertonReader! > Sister of the Bridgertons, younger sister of Anthony and older sister of Benedict and the rest of the siblings. Reader calls Anthony "Thony".
The story takes place in Season 2 of the series Bridgerton; the story follows the same events with a few changes: Anthony and Edwina do not reach the altar. He does propose marriage, but it does not lead to a wedding.
PARINGS: PrinceFriedrich x BridgertonReader! And AnthonyBridgerton x Kate Sharma.
Carriages lined up to drop off their passengers at the gates of the Danbury residence, where an unwritten rule had long dictated that the season should begin there.
All the debutantes had a single mission: to find a gentleman of good reputation and secure a good life for themselves and their families. Just as the young ladies and their mothers sought the best prospect, the gentlemen also sought the perfect companion for the rest of their lives, and of course, the best dowry in the ballroom.
The carriage doors opened before you, revealing the imposing building before you, adorned with enormous bouquets of flowers and ribbons. Eloise walked in front, followed by Anthony, Colin and Violet behind them, while Benedict and you brought up the rear. Upon arriving at the ballroom, you noticed how all eyes turned to you, how the crowd parted to let you through, but above all, how the young ladies looked at your brothers. It was a little comical, but you had been there, once in your life, in love with a man, hoping he would turn to look at you. However, you still walked arm in arm with your brothers, and there was nothing wrong with that; you adored them. But a part of you still held onto the hope of getting married, although with each passing day, that hope slowly faded.
Anthony stopped in a spot in the ballroom, at the edge of the dance floor, implying that for the moment they would stay close, hoping some gentleman would approach Eloise, even though her face showed utter boredom.
"Eloise, smile a little, dear," her mother chided her in a whisper as she looked around, hoping that no other member of La Tong was watching them.
"I'm sorry, Mother, I can't smile right now. I feel like I'm walking to my funeral," Eloise replied. Anthony, Benedict, and Colin laughed, while Violet hissed in disapproval.
"We're not leaving here until you dance with a gentleman, and that goes for all five of you," she said, pointing at the five of them. "And dancing with each other doesn't count," she threatened, knowing how capable they were of it. Eloise and you sighed, while your brothers were still laughing.
Little by little, your brothers began to disperse one by one around the room, chatting with other gentlemen or having a drink, while you stayed with your mother and Eloise. She, with the sharpness and coldness of her tongue, was able to reject any man who crossed her path. You noticed your mother starting to get annoyed, while Eloise's smile widened.
"Mom, I'm going to get some lemonade. I'll take Eloise with me. After talking to so many boys, she's bound to be thirsty." Violet only responded with an almost inaudible "Mhm," revealing how annoyed she was.
"If you go outside, don't forget to ask your brothers to come with you," Violet said. You nodded as you walked toward the table with drinks and snacks.
"Thanks for saving me from Mom," Eloise said.
"You shouldn't be so hard on her."
"I'm not being hard on her. I just feel like this isn't for me."
"How can you be so sure of that?"
"You're still single, and from what I can see, you don't want to marry any man. You're my older sister, so it can't be anything good." There was a silence between you. Eloise felt your body tense up.
"Daphne is also your older sister," you replied.
"But you were supposed to be the first, and if you weren't, it's for a reason." Silence fell again. You took a glass of lemonade and sipped it.
"There was a time when I really wanted it, I wanted it with all my heart. It was actually what I wanted most: to have a husband as a father and to have my own children."
You shrugged. "I don't know, it didn't work out with either of them." You didn't want to talk about your heartbreak, especially not with Eloise. Instead of encouraging her, you'd discourage her.
"Did he do anything to you?"
"Not exactly." Eloise looked at you with a raised eyebrow.
"Not physically," you replied. She nodded.
"That's what I want to avoid."
"I don't know, but I want to avoid it."
You laughed, about to reply, when a murmur began to grow among the people. You both turned toward the noise. When your gaze settled, you saw Queen Charlotte, who was walking followed by Lady Dambury and three women you didn't recognize. The queen walked until she was in the center of the dance floor, completely surrounded by everyone.
"I have chosen this season's diamond," she said, looking around at everyone.
Her gaze shifted to the three women accompanying Lady Dambury.
"Miss Edwina Sharma," she said as she approached her and took her chin in her hands. You saw how the women beside her cheered and hugged her, praising her.
"Who is she?" Eloise asked.
"I have no idea.""I have no idea."
Across the room, Anthony watched the girl expectantly, as if he'd struck gold. Benedict noticed.
"Will you dance with her?" he asked.
"She's the diamond of the season, and as I told you before, I will marry her."
"Sure," Benedict responded as he watched his brother make his way through the crowd.
You followed Anthony with your eyes, you saw his determined step towards that girl, you frowned a little, at that scene. Anthony asking a girl for a dance? Usually it was the other way around.
Surely it was some other protocol act, so as not to lose his reputation in high society. You didn't think about it anymore, you looked back at Eloise, who had a smile when she saw how the other unknown girl's attention was getting her.
"Miss Edwina?" Antony spoke, the young woman turned to look at him immediately. "Miss Danbury" greeting.
"Mister Bridgerton" What a surprise, please allow me to introduce you, Mister Bridgerton, Kate Sharma, Miss Edwina's older sister, said pointing to the young woman next to her, and her mother Lady Sharma." Anthony made a small bow towards them, looking up again, he noticed how Miss Edwina's older sister looked at him with suspicion, even with a little annoyance, however he looked again at the youngest.
"Miss Edwina, would you grant me a dance?" He asked, the young woman's eyes shone, but before answering, her older sister stepped forward.
"No, my sister will not be giving any more dances" she said, Anthony watched her with half-lidded eyes, waiting for her to continue speaking "I know your reputation very well Mr. Bridgerton, and it is not something I want my sister to live with." Anthony returned his gaze to Miss Edwina, waiting for her response, although quickly noticing the influence that his older sister had on her, then Lady Danbury spoke.
"Dear, a dance doesn't mean anything, it doesn't mean that you are going to spend the rest of your life together" Miss Edwina's smile was noticeable again, a little imperceptible, but noticeable to anyone who would observe closely.
"So, Miss Edwina, would you allow me this dance?" He asked, the notes of the melody were beginning to be heard.
Edwina smiled. "Yes, Mr. Bridgerton," she said as she placed her hand in his, walking towards the track.
On the other side of the room, you and your brothers were watching the scene, Benedict and Colin were smiling with amusement, Violet was really smiling, she was smiling proudly, Eloise was probably thinking about a book, while you were trying to decipher Anthony, his body language, something that said he was only doing it out of commitment, but you saw how he was talking to the young lady, how he was smiling and you could see that it wasn't something out of commitment at all, he wanted to do it.
And of course, he didn't have to give you explanations about his life or changes of opinion, but you could see how you were alone in the world again, in a world of appearances, a world of gossip, and a world where society already considered you worthless. He was your companion in that world, he was the only one who could understand you.
@zestygingergirl @blargh00 @inutheangel @hqrtsss @esposadomd @shoxji
If you want to be added to (or removed from) the tag list, please leave a comment.
Sorry if it's too short, I've had writer's block, but I hope to be back soon with longer chapters!
origamiaround
dededos
annaxmalina
blakekathryn
dailybridgerton
discoholicmusic
jbbartram-illu
