Tales of a Heart ▪︎ Anthony Bridgerton

✵EIGHTEEN✵

F i n a l l y

*this is the last and final chapter before the epilogue*

"Miss Y/n, How nice to see you" the Duke of Fairfield said as I entered the drawing room, followed by Edwina, who came to chaperone, he handed me a bouquet of roses

"Your grace" I bowed "Thank you for the flowers"

"What did I say about formalities?" I smiled sheepishly "So, there is a reason I have come here"

I nodded "I figured"

"Have you thought about what I said while I was gone?"

"Uh, I know I said I will give you a chance but." I trailed off pursuing my lips

"I get it, I cannot go away for a few weeks and expect that nothing has changed" he smiled reassuringly "He proposed, then?"

"I am so sorry, the truth was that, honestly, I did not even know if I was going to be able to allow you to court me, and it was wrong for me to agree when I was in love with the Viscount, you deserve a lady that puts her whole heart into your courtship. I could not do that" I explained "He has proposed, but I have not accepted, yet"

"Something that we are very annoyed with, might I add" Edwina interjected making the duke laugh "He has not stopped coming over everyday bringing flowers, we do not even know where to put them anymore. And I am certain he spends more time here than he does at his own home"

"Oh, do not be dramatic, bon" I scoff amused

"We love it, It shows he is genuine"

"Well, I got the answer I came for, so I must take my leave, I am having Lunch with her majesty, the queen, and she does not like to be kept waiting" Louis said as he went to walk away. I looked at Edwina, who was staring at the duke and smiled.

"Your grace," He stopped as I walked closer to him "It may have not worked with me but Edwina is a sweet, young lady, it will not hurt to try, will it?" I smiled giddily

Louis looked at Edwina, observing her before he smiled and nodded his head, Anthony walked in as Louis gave me a last smile before he walked out.

"Y/n, Miss Edwina" He greeted as he handed me a bouquet of lilacs

"Lord Bridgerton" Edwina greeted "We do not have any more free vases, where are we supposed to put this one?" Edwina grumbled as she walked away, leaving us.

"Tell Lady Danbury and Mama, that Anthony and I are going for a ride and will be back soon" I called out to her, I heard her say something in agreement "Are you ready for a ride?" I smiled but his face stayed unreadable

"What is wrong?" I asked

"What was the duke doing here?" I furrowed my eyebrows at his tone

"He was just passing by, wanting to greet me, a friend" i answered

"Yes, because friends give other friends flowers" he gestured to the roses

" I did not ask him to buy me flowers, he just brought them to me" I furrowed my eyebrows "he is my friend" I sighed

"You do not even spend time together, how can you be friends?" He remarks, clenching his jaw

"Why are you so mad? We do not have to spend every single moment together to be friends, it was just a friendly gesture, the flowers i mean"I added

"Yes, well if I was the one to call on another young lady, and gifted her flowers, you would have something to say, would you not?" Anthony snapped

"No, because I cannot say anything about who you are friends with, Just like you do not get to choose who I have as friends!" I insisted angrily