In hopes to find love

His heart broke infront of me

It had been a few days since daphne had left, things with my mother had been getting worse. A few slaps, a lot of bottles of whiskey, and barely any work done.

"While this author, along with the rest of the ton, will certainly miss its most-remarked-upon couple back in London, perhaps we might find solice in the promise of the duke and duchess returning to us bearing a surprise."

My lady's maid had convinced me to go to the next event. And I, had convinced her to come with. If I wasn't walking around with the bridgertons, there was no way I was bringing my mama.
So I walked through the gate, Lucy on my arm, and my nerves to a high, the youngest bridgertons running toward me catching Anthony's eye.
"Ana! Where have you been?! We have missed you so much. Are you here to come back with us?" Gregory bombards me "hey little dude, I just needed a few days alone" I smile softly there's always one that I could count on. "Miss williams. May we ask where you ran off to?" Benedict asks with Anthony and as Anthony was about to say something we were stopped by a clanging of a glass, Colin, 'may I have everyone's attention?' All three of us and the rest of the ton look over, where he stood with marina "I would like to make a small but rather important announcement. I have happy news to impart." He starts
Don't say it. Do not. Please Colin Bridgerton I beg.
"I have asked miss marina Thompson to be my wife, and she has accepted." He announces, with everyone's applause I stand frozen, my hand grabbing a handful of my skirt, only benedict noticing, his hand going to my shoulder as people go to congratulate the happy couple. Benedict guiding me over to them so it does not look suspicious
'Colin, marina. Congratulations I do hope you have a very happy marriage" I strain a smile, surely everyone within a mile of me could see the falseness.

I had departed from the garden party as soon as I thought it would be least suspicious. Heading straight for my house "I am so terribly sorry miss I should have let you stay home I did not know-" Lucy starts out "it is okay lucy really, if he is happy that is all I can judge on" I shrug that was it. If Colin was happy I should be too.

And for the second time today I left my house. This time headed for the bridgertons house hold with a simple wrapped package in my hand and 6 roses. Being let in to the house I hear the arguing in Anthony's office "why does anyone marry, brother? For love. Ofcourse"
'Look I know you are still rather green, that is my fault. I should have taken you to brothels when you returned from eton" that was when I step in. I knocked on the door allowing myself in
"Stop pestering your brother anthony" I mutter handing the wrapped gift to Colin and the flowers "the gift for you and for marina the flowers. As I do not know of her interests" I smile.
"Ana you of all people I would have thought had objections to this!" Anthony. "Anthony. No, if the two are happy we shall support it." I warn earning a soft smile from Colin
"If this is simply a matter of wetting your wick-" Anthony starts ignoring me as per
"You really are an ass. Do you know that?" Colin argues. I silently leave the office and go sit in the drawing room with Eloise who was silently writing.

*********

I had stayed the night with the bridgertons sitting at the breakfast table
"Colin! Your engagement is in whistledown" hyacinth smiles before benedict leads us all to take leave. So we left colin and his mother to have their talk on their own.
Mrs Bridgerton had basically forced me to go with her and Eloise to the dress makers, for Eloise to get sized for her upcoming season, she was not too happy about it. Eloise didn't want to look like every other young lady, and I understood why, why should we have to all dress the same, act the same and do the same things just to marry a man? And if it's like violet says and we are to marry our bestfriends. Should they not know who we truly are, what we truly wish to have or to be? Maybe I am just rambling. But I do not wish to marry a man who expects so much of me that I do not have.
"You must join us tomorrow night, you, and dear colin and the viscount." Lady featherington invites Eloise and I glancing at eachother awkwardly

Dearest friend,
Anastasia. The duke and I have been up to such...intimate activities, which I assume you know of considering I now understand some of the jokes you and my brothers have made over the years. Although I am afraid he may be lying to me, about the workings of his body. I really need you Anastasia. I miss you dearest. I heard the news of Colin in whistledown and I know you must be acting civil as though you do not care but I sense you liked Anthony more anyway
Please write back as soon as possible
- Daphne

I finish reading the letter making a mental note to reply back as soon as I got time, which would be quite soon considering I do not do much in my days anyways. I take a look at the newest whistle down gasping to myself and calling for lady Bridgerton instantly showing the article to her.

When Colin came downstairs "what is it?" We say nothing handing the whistledown to him

"The bond between man and bride is private, sacred. But I must tell you, I have learned that a grave fraud is afoot. As if the featheringtons did not have enough to be dealing with, miss marina Thompson is with child...and she has been from the very first day she arrived in our fair city. Desperate times call for very desperate measures
But I would wager many with think her actions beyond the pale. Perhaps she thought it her only option or perhaps she knows no shame. But I ask you can the ends ever justify such wretched means? And will this news lift the spirited of a certain Anastasia williams as we all saw the girl growing more and more fond of the young Bridgerton boy this season."

I stood helplessly watching the Bridgerton boys heart break right infront of me I cover my mouth with my gloved hand turning to violet 'excuse me for being improper for a second' as I go up to hug her son. My hands going around his neck and his landing loosely around my waist as I hear soft sobs leaving his lips. The poor boy was broken. And I, was ready to murder marina.