synopsis • you and anthony don't need words to converse.
an • mildly inspired by my coke studio binging because they're bloody amazing.
maybe it was a gift. or a lucky connection. whatever it was, you were glad it existed.
being married to a viscount meant that society had expectations. graceful, poised, calm, beautiful, intelligent. and sometimes, just sometimes, thinks could get a little overwhelming. it was perhaps your hundredth ball this season. you had decided to assist anthony in his quest to marry daphne off to someone he deemed proper enough to marry his sister. of course, it took some severe looks from you for him to reluctantly agree to let daphne actually dance with interested suitors.
having managed to convince your husband to come away for a dance (something the dowager viscountess had been most grateful for, for it meant her eldest son was away while daphne continued her quest to find a husband)
but of course it would never be that simple.
anthony bridgerton was a very, very attractive man, and every single lady in the ton new it. you'd think that his marriage to another woman would have stopped the batting eyelashes and sultry gazes, but much to your chagrin, they didn't.
if anything, they increased. hushed voices greeted you at every turn, mamas looking at you with contempt and disfavour. you were the woman who had deprived their daughters of the title of viscountess.
you could feel their gazes burning holes in the silky material of your blue dress, matching anthony's waist coat and cravat. his hands rested lightly on your waist, and interlaced with your fingers. he couldnt believe he was married to a woman like you, a woman so sweet and kind and loving and smart.
oblivious to the vicious whispers, he leaned in close to press a kiss to your forehead, watching the way you tensed and your eyebrow creased.
"is everything alright my darling?" he asked, gently squeezing your waist.
a few feet away, lady cowper leaned around to whisper something into another lady's ears, a contemptuous smile playing on her lips, cruel eyes boring into yours.
anthony caught the way your eyes looked down after meeting lady cowper's, and the first glimmer of tears in your eyes.
he hated it.
he hated how even thought he was married to the woman he loved, the ton thought it acceptable to gossip and chatter about his marriage and make his beloved feel like she was worthless.
he was well aware of how much the comments and whispers hurt you, and that in turn hurt him.
gently, he reached up to caress your cheek, looking into your eyes.
your soft gaze met his warm, familiar one. it was safe, familial and homely.
i love you, he said, with the gentle touch of his hands. i adore you, he said, with the soft caress of your cheek. i need you, he said, with the burning passion in his eyes. i care for you, he said, with the grip on the blue silk that adorned your body.
i am yours, he said, when his lips descended upon your temple, tracing up to your forehead and then down to your nose, before pressing against the corner of your lips.
a public display of affection was a rarity for anyone, especially if it was a viscount. but anthony didn't care.
he was yours and you were his.
and if it took kissing you (something he enjoyed very much) to convince the vile ladies that he was truly enamoured with his amore, then he would gladly do it.
and so he pressed his lips to yours, sweet and plump, ignoring the sharp intake of breath from the old couple next to the both of you.
relaxing, you leaned into his touch ever so slightly before pulling back.
thank you, you said to him with the glimmer in your eyes. i love you, you said to him with the gentle pattern you were tracing on his cufflinks.
you didn't need to tell anthony what was troubling you.
he always knew.
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
HI OMG IM SO SORRY FOR NOT WRITING FOR SO LONG SO HERES JUST A TEENSY TINY LITTLE SNEAK PEAK OF A FIC IM GONNA POST SOON THAT ALSO WORKS AS A BLURB and I'm so sorry for being MIA for so long 😭
any feedback, comments, reblogs and likes are appreciated ♥️ much love and happy reading!!
TAGS -:
bridgerton - @freyathehuntress
everything - @roslastyles420
to be added to the taglist send me an ask or a dm 🥰
The Four Times Anthony Realised He Loved You And The One Time He Confessed.
pairing | anthony bridgerton x reader
fandom | bridgerton
synopsis | exactly what is says in the title : ))
warnings | pining, lots of it, period typical misogyny, anthony himself is a warning ahah
Word count | 3.6 k
masterlist ♥︎ masterlist ii ♥︎
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
Anthony Bridgerton was determined not to fall in love. In fact, he had decided that he would marry only for the business of providing an heir to the Bridgerton family. love would simply not be a factor he would consider. He was also a Rake, with a capital R.
But then you came along. and you had ruined everything for him.
You had walked into his life, a hurricane of smiles, laughter, sunshine and warmth. It was unfair, who had asked you to be this stunning? it was as though he could not tear his eyes away from you no matter where he was. He remembered the day his mother poked her head into his study while he checked over the finance ledger, with a soft, “oh my dear, y/n l/n will be staying with us for a few weeks while her parents visit some family abroad. It doesn’t seem right to let her stay in that big old house alone with no company”
Her words had barely registered in his head, and he had merely nodded, promising
to be there when you arrived later that day.
Eventually, the golden sun rays pouring in through his window told him he’d better go prepare for the arrival of this new woman, before his mother had his head. He was just in time, for a slightly breathless Hyacinth was just making her way up the stairs to his study, her done in two plaits down her back, saying excitedly, “brother! I think we have a princess coming to stay with us!” earning a laugh from him.
“I believe miss l/n is just another lady, sister. But come, let us go inspect for ourselves” he smiled, offering his hand to the girl with a dramatic flourish, earning a giggle from his sister.
But hyacinth was right, you looked like the most beautiful woman he had ever laid his eyes on. No wonder his sister had mistaken you for a princess. You looked as though you had emerged from one of fairy tales his mother used to read to Daphne, with your lips a soft shade of pink, eyes of captivating beauty, and your thick, long lashes. You were utterly captivating. He watched as you stepped out of your carriage, embracing his mother, curtsying softly before Benedict, who took your hand pressed a soft kiss to it. Snapping back to his senses, Anthony hurried down to where you stood, brushing a hand through his messy curls as he did. He paused before you, and when you looked up into his eyes, he felt a zap of electricity run through him, looking deep into your eyes. God, you really were stunning. With a soft rumble of “my lady” he pressed a soft kiss to your knuckles, missing the way your cheeks flushed and your heartbeat rose.
“Lord Bridgerton” you had murmured, bowing slightly before him, as he nodded, a soft smile playing on his lips. Both of you missed the way Violet smiled knowingly, watching as you did not remove your hand from Anthony's grasp, and the way her eldest kept looking into your eyes.as she shared a look with Benedict, who was clearly concealing a grin. “Welcome to our home, my dear” Violet interjected, breaking the moment. “thank you, lady bridgerton. I am most thankful to you for having me” you smiled at her, having known her since you were very young. In fact, you had been rather close with Daphne while Anthony was away at Oxford, and still looked forward to your evenings with her. You were a little older than her, closer to Benedict in age.
Anthony’s eyes followed you as you walked up the stairs with his mother, your arm looped with hers.
Lord, he was in trouble.
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
The first time he realised he felt something deeper than attraction for you was the very next day after your arrival. He had awoken to gleeful laughs and squeals from the garden below. Rolling over with a groan, he raised a hand to his face to shield his eyes from the bright sun. He left the bed with a slight sigh, and made his way over to the window.
There you were, in an orange dress that seemed to compliment you in the best of ways, playing a game of tag with hyacinth, Gregory, francesca and, to his surprise, Eloise. How you had managed to coax her into playing the game with you, he didn't know. But it was a welcome sight. He watched as you grabbed Eloise by the waist, earning a squeal of laughter from her as you tickled her side. He felt his heart beat faster, as he focused on your lips, watching as you threw your head back and laughed, a true, deep laugh. Had anyone else seen you, they would have called it
unladylike. But he found it utterly beautiful. The thumping in his chest grew louder as he watched you twirl around with his younger sister, hair fanning out around your shoulders.
He felt an odd sense of peace, watching you bond with his siblings. His lips curled into a warm smile. In the last 24 hours, he had smiled more than he had in the entire week. And the cause of it seemed to be none other than you. The peaceful moment was interrupted by a shrill squeal of his name from Gregory, who had suddenly spotted him leaning over his balcony. “Come and join us!” the little boy cried, unfiltered happiness present in his eyes. “I’m quite alright up here, gregory. Besides, I have to get to work in a while, and I must get dressed” he replied, feeling regret seeping through in his tone.
It was those words that caught your attention. You looked up, cheeks flushing upon the sight of the viscount, dressed merely in his undershirt and night pants, hair tousled in the best way possible, sleep and happiness present in his eyes. Oh how you longed to run your fingers through his locks. It seemed unfair to you that he was such a handsome man. A handsome man you couldn’t have, you thought remorsefully.
“Good morning lord bridgerton” you smiled up at him, watching as he returned your smile. “Good morning, lady y/n, i hope you had a good night’s sleep before my siblings aroused you for a game?” he asked, eyes twinkling when you responded with a soft laugh. “Very well my lord. And it was actually me who aroused eloise, francesca and hyacinth came to wake me for a cup of tea i couldn’t refuse” you responded, feeling butterflies flutter in your tummy when he seemed to gaze at you with pure adoration. Putting it down to the tricks of the sunlight and morning air, you offered him another soft smile.
“Come now, let us not keep your brother from his duties any longer” you said, turning to the younger bridgertons, who resumed their game, this time a game of ball.
You missed the way Anthony’s eyes followed you for the following few minutes, not wanting to look away from you, wanting to register every detail.
Anthony missed the way your eyes travelled to the balcony after he turned, watching the wind gently ruffle his curls.
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
The second time was a few days later, when you accompanied Violet, Benedict, Colin and Anthony for a spot of shopping, and a walk around the park. His eyes watched you with fondness as you teased Colin about something, and he smirked at his brother’s poor retorts to your witty comments. Your arm was linked with his
mother’s who kept looking between you and her son, discreetly of course. He was so lost in his thoughts of you, he nearly tripped, to be steadied by benedict, who caught him by the elbow.
“Steady there brother!” he called, watching as Anthony brushed his coat, cheeks flushing softly. “Right, my apologies, I seemed to have missed that rock” he replied, ignoring the mischievous grin spreading across his brother’s face. “Careful, do not take falling in love quite seriously anthony” he smirked, watching as his usually composed brother sputtered like a fish out of water. “In love? Do not talk such nonsense brother” he replied, hoping to avoid the subject. “Do not take me for a fool. I see the way you look at y/n. anyone can see quite clearly that you love her. Why don’t you try talking to her?” Benedict suggested, looking up to where you and his mother were enjoying a glass of lemonade.
“Because she deserves better than me” anthony said, the dejected note coming into his tone, making the second eldest bridgerton stop short. “Better than you?Brother, you are Viscount Bridgerton. You are aware that mamas all over the Ton practically command their daughters to try and gain your courtship?” he smirked, reaching out to pat his brother’s shoulder, earning a smirk from his brother. “You know what i mean” he said, looking down at his shoes. “I do not, actually. I think you are so terrified of love, you don't want to give it a chance. Utterly foolish, as papa would have said. At Least spend some time with her, she is truly wonderful”
Leaving Anthony to his thoughts, he walked ahead. In front of the two eldest bridgertons, Violet had her own plans to get her son to spend time with the woman he was obviously in love with. Pausing, she pressed a hand to Colin's shoulder. “My dear, I forgot, how silly of me, I promised lady Danbury that I would join her for a cup of tea along with you and benedict! Come, if we hurry, we should be able to make it” she said, before turning to you. “My dear y/n, I apologise. But I see no reason as to why you and Anthony can’t enjoy a nice walk in the park. I shall send the carriage back for you after we are dropped at lady danbury’s” and with a motherly smile in your direction, she called out to her eldest.
“Anthony, I must rush to lady danbury’s with your brothers. Why don’t you and y/n spend some time here, feed the ducks, enjoy some lemonade, and I will send the carriage back for you” she said, watching as her son’s cheeks coloured a soft red.
“I could accompany you mama” he suggested weakly, knowing his mother had already made up her mind. “There is no need, benedict and colin will be accompanying me” she smiled back knowingly, before turning to give you a soft hug, and heading off to the carriage.
Gulping, Anthony turned to you, watching as you fiddled with your fingers nervously. “Would you like to feed the ducks miss y/n?” he asked softly. “I would like that, yes, and please, call me y/n” you smiled back, feeling your heart hammering in your
chest. “In that case, I insist that you call me Anthony,” he said, feeling his own stomach doing somersaults. “But you are a viscount, my lord. It would be highly out of pace for me to address you by your name only” you said, shocked.
“If i am to address you as just y/n, it seems only fitting that you call me anthony” he pushed on, watching as you shook your head with a soft smile. “Alright then, Anthony, shall we go find some ducks to feed?” you replied, tasting every syllable slowly, trying to ignore the way it made you feel almost lightheaded and giddy. You had never felt this way around anyone before. What was it about him that made you feel this nervous and this happy at the same time? Was it that lopsided grin? Or the messy hair, that no matter how many times he fixed it, ended up back up messy. Was it the way he was so caring towards his younger siblings? Or just that he had devilishly handsome, yet kind eyes? You just didn't know.
“We shall” he smiled back, offering you his arm, inhaling sharply when the soft skin of your arm brushed his. He looked down to where your arms were linked.
He could get used to this.
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
Later that week, Anthony was rushing through the halls of the Bridgerton home, trying to find his blue silk cravat for yet another ball he had to attend. Honestly, he hated going to balls. Mamas, all desperate to see their daughters wedded to the one and only viscount bridgerton, crowding him and forcing their daughters onto him. He repressed a shudder at the thought.
He was so lost in thinking of ways to escape these lecherous old ladies, he completely missed your door opening and your form emerging from within. Which of course meant, he collided right into you as he passed.
With a shocked gasp, your hands clutched onto his shoulders, while his arms instinctively wrapped around your waist to steady the both of you. His knee had ended up between your thighs, and your leg was pressed up against his inner thigh. Breathing rapidly, you tried to catch your breath.
“I am so, so sorry y/n, i did not see you open your door” anthony stuttered out, taking in the heaving of your chest and the faint heat radiating from your body. He could smell the scent of your perfume, frangipani and was it vanilla? He inhaled deeply, trying to be discreet, feeling your scent cloud his senses. You smelled like a piece of heaven, and he did not want to let go.
You found yourself in a similar dilemma. Anthony’s arms felt so strong and comfortable, wrapped around your body, and you didn't want him to let go. He smelt of cedar and oak, or was it a slightly musky note? You inhaled the scent of him,
feeling the butterflies in your tummy go into overdrive. Oh god, he smelt and felt so good. You didn’t want to move, wanting to be in his embrace forever.
But of course, all good things must come to an end, and your moment was disrupted by a surprised gasp of “oh!” from none other than eloise bridgerton. You jumped back at once, already missing the feeling of Anthony's arms around you. You shivered, and yet you felt warm. Were you falling ill?
“Ah, eloise! I didn’t see Miss y/n emerge from her room, and I ended up walking into her ``Anthony rushed to cover, trying to hide the slight shake of his hands as he pushed back as well, chest rising and falling. “That’s quite alright brother, i did not ask for an explanation” she smirked, making you blush. It seemed as though the only people oblivious to the longing stares you sent each other, or the way you both seemed to light up when the other one would enter the room, was, well, you two.
Anthony longed to have you back in his arms. But how could he?
You longed to feel him wrapped around you again. But how could you?
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
The ball was immensely boring. Ladies dressed in their ridiculous best, men trying to woo women half their age, and giggling frivolous ladies who all had their eyes set on one man : Anthony Bridgerton.
Unfortunately for them, he had his eyes set on one person : you.
You looked breathtaking. Well, you always did, but especially so today. You were dressed in a lilac gown that seemed to compliment you perfectly. Your hair was up, but a few tendrils peeked through, sending Anthony's heart into overdrive. His eyes were trained on you the entire night, watching as you shared a dance with his brother, smiling as he twirled you around, and then as you stood with his siblings near the refreshments, ranking the ridiculousness of the gowns the mamas had on.
He watched as you whispered something to eloise that made her snort in a most unladylike manner, hiding your own smirk with your glass of lemonade. The one and only notorious Lord Brookbanks made his way over to where you stood, making his chest tighten, and a muscle in his jaw tick. He did not particularly hold lord brookbanks in high regard, or any regard at all. He watched as he strutted over to you, taking your hand and kissing it for far longer than necessary.
He watched the shudder that passed through you, and the way your eyes seemed to lose some of their sparkle. He felt a surge of something rush through his veins. Protectiveness, and yes, he would admit, twinges of jealousy. Lord brookbanks had no right, dancing with you, making you uncomfortable
Feeling a slight surge of panic as he bent dangerously low towards your ear, and his hand travelled to the small of your back, you looked around desperately for a rescue, when your eyes met Anthony's. At once, a slight electric wave passed through you, as you tried to communicate through your eyes. Please help me, your eyes called out to him, and much to your relief, he obliged, setting his glass down, and moving through the crowd with purpose, ignoring the silly giggles he encountered.
“Lord brookbanks, i believe miss y/n owes me a dance” his low rumble started you, and you felt him move behind you. “Ah lord bridgerton. Well, it would seem as though our dance is over, unless you would like to dance again, hmm?” he asked, leering at you, eyes tracing your corset, and how your breasts pressed up against them. “She would not. It's my turn to dance with her, Brookbanks, and I fully intend to do it justice” he continued, placing a reassuring hand on your back.
You let out an audible sigh of relief as he moved away, letting Anthony take your gloved hand in his, the other set softly on your waist. It was so different to your other dance partners that evening, so soft, and caring, it made you blush.
“Thank you Anthony, I was beginning to think I was doomed,” you said, earning a warm smile from him. “Doomed? Never if im around” he whispered, and the sudden adoration in his eyes made you feel weak. He guided the both of you around the ballroom, spinning you out and pulling you in, so that your back was pressed against his front, and his breath hit the sensitive skin of your neck. He spun you again, dipping you, before drawing you back to him once again.
Every single eye in the ballroom was on the two of you. To everyone, it seemed clear.
Viscount Bridgerton was in love.
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
The day after the ball was confusing for you. Anthony seemed to be ignoring you entirely, disappearing into rooms when you approached. You gained sympathetic looks from violet and eloise, and sad smiles from benedict and colin.
By evening, you were infuriated. How dare he?! How dare he make you feel that breathless and relaxed, that safe and comfortable and happy, only to completely ignore you the next day?! You would not have it.
Storming into his study, you watched as his startled orbs looked into your fury filled ones. “Alright, viscount bridgerton, what exactly are you upto? Do you think of this as a game? Where you make me feel so content and happy, only to pretend as though i do not exist the next day? I am not a toy, my lord, and i for one-”
You were cut short by warm lips pressing to yours harshly, and you stumbled back, hands finding home in Anthony's hair, as his settled on your waist once again, scrunching the blue, silky material in his hands, as he poured all his passion into the kiss. The eventual need for oxygen had the both of you pulling away, your eyes still closed, as Anthony took the opportunity to press soft open mouthed kisses to your lips in quick succession. Your chest heaved and legs trembled, but your heart felt as though it would explode.
“I love you” he murmured, leaning his head down to meet your forehead. “You love me?” you asked, surprised, watching as he nodded. “With my body and soul, y/n, and if you give me the chance i will spend everyday proving it to you” he said, and much to your surprise, he sunk down to one knee, eliciting a gasp from your lips.
“I have loved you since you stepped foot into our house. I will love you for all eternity if you would have me” he continued, sincerity and love dripping from his every word.
“Yes” you whispered, breathless once again, “yes, i will marry you anthony!” you said, and he scooped you up into his arms, laughing as you giggled. He set you down once again, his lips pressing to yours again.
“You are my everything, my love. You are the sunlight in the garden of my life, and my starlight in the darkness. I adore you, truly. I burn to feel you every moment of my life”
a/n - ah, another bridgerton piece! i hope you enjoyed it, and as always, comments, feedback, etc are always appreciated! also i struggled with google docs for an hour and my fonts still got messed up and i just couldn't be bothered anymore. ♥︎
to be added to the taglist, please send me an ask or a dm specifying which fandom you'd like to be tagged in ♥︎
