Last Chance: A Bridgerton Tale about Anthony (AU NON-COMPLIANT)

Chapter 16: Conclusion

"How far along are you if you don't mind me asking?" It was a strange thing to inquire about; he knew that too, but he wanted to approach the conversation with her cautiously, so he continued this safe footing.

"I think... Almost 7 weeks" she said with a blush. Seven weeks... Inwardly he did the calculation and then came to only one conclusion; that the child had been processed during their stay at Aubrey Hall. During that delirious, lovely afternoon with her in the gardens of his favourite place in all of England.

"Oh... I see" he said nodding and then there was silence... Unfortunately, the awkwardness had not yet disappeared, and both seemed unable, or unwilling, to mention the elephant in the room. At least not for now.

"Um. Mother... suggested we use Doctor Parson... as he has a lot of experience with... I mean he was present at all the births in the family, and he has accompanied mother so hence... she suggested it but if you, I mean you want to consider another option then-".

No, no. Seems like a good plan" she said to which he asked 'Really', and she nodded.

"Well then I'll have my clerk schedule an appointment soon if that's ok with you" he stated with a serious expression.

"Sure" she said and then there was silence again and that silence would probably have lasted longer were it not for the fact that Anthony brought his hand to his nose; not yet convinced that the smell was really gone.

Mara had to chuckle; unintentionally at the recollection; and brought her hand to her mouth to suppress it but it was already too late because he suddenly looked at her irritated, at first; but then his gaze softened.

"Again, it was really not funny..." he said in a reproachful tone, but it came out a lot less angry than he wanted.

But she chuckled once more as it was funny the vain Anthony and somehow; he had to laugh with her at some point. It made the atmosphere change; become more convivial; and a pressure disappear that had been weighing heavily on both their shoulders.

"Whose plan, was it? Yours or his?" wanted Anthony to know.

"Mine..." she replied slightly nervously but with a mischievous twinkle in her eye which let out the first signs of lust in him.

"But Lucas took the bucket from me because of my condition so to speak" and at that moment Anthony immediately lost any resentment towards his young brother-in-law.

"Good lad" he said to Mara or more to himself; she wasn't quite sure before taking a deep breath. It was now or never.

"I want to apologise, once again for, my idiotic mistake of going to Sienna. Nothing really happened between us; I swear to you, Mara. I wish I could turn back that day. I was looking for something, answers maybe, but I was so stupid not to realise that they were staring me straight in the face. He paused briefly before continuing and she couldn't help but look at him thoughtfully, inwardly curious as to where his argument was going.

"You are the answer, Mara. You are. And I didn't realise it. I didn't realise how, how fortunate I was with you, with our marriage. I know that our meeting and decision to marry... has been unconventional but I haven't regretted it for a moment, and I don't regret it now."

He was telling the truth, she could tell; true; they had married as two strangers but in the past few months she had learned a lot about him. Her husband was many things; haughty; and could sometimes be blunt; but one thing he was not: a liar. She did not know why she had not believed him before; probably it had to do with her own insecurity. You see; she had thought. You see that you are not good enough for him? You see, you are a fraud; she had been right; she should not be a Viscountess and certainly should not bear the name of Bridgerton.... You see; you are not good enough.