𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒 | anthony bridgerton

𝐢𝐢𝐢. lady danbury's ball

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

"Catherine!" Cressida shouted up the steps. "It's time to go!"

Catherine sighed as she turned down the stairway, holding her lavender dress skirts in one hand as she descended the steps. Forever a representative of the family of Fleuria, she had tears of golden roses woven through her long, wavy blonde hair and a smile golden rose necklace resting on her pale collarbone.

As she reached where her family were stood, she realised she would stick out like a sore thumb among their light blue outfits and white feathers in their tightly wound hair.

"I'm wearing blue to attract Anthony Bridgerton." Cressida stated, a conniving grin on her face. "Rumour has it he's looking for a wife this season."

"And wouldn't Cressida make such a lovely Viscountess?" They mother cooed, sending a sharp look Catherine's way.

"That you would." Catherine said though gritted teeth, smiling the way her grandmother had always told her to when it came to their family.

"Lady Danbury's ball is the event of the season." Cressida said as she lead the way to the Cowper family carriage. "We must make an impression, particularly on the Bridgeton's."

"You were friends with their little Eloise, weren't you Catherine?" Their mother asked as they were helped into the vehicle. "Perhaps you could get Cressida in with her, that would be a direct link to the Viscount."

"Mother, I'm not going to help you scheme with the Bridgerton's." Catherine said, already exhausted and she had only been with her family for practically twenty four hours. "Perhaps if you spoke to-"

"You really don't understand how this works do you, sister." Cressida said as their carriage lurched into movement. "A husband doesn't want a wife who blathers on about this and that, it is why you may not succeed in the ton this year. You have much to learn."

"Your sister is right." Their mother said, nodding along with her eldest child. "In fact, I believe Cressida is on route to being the diamond this year! Wouldn't that be quite spectacular, Catherine?"

"Quite." Catherine said with a tight smile as a particularly smug look worked its way onto Cressida's face at that.

"I would've been last season if it weren't for Daphne Bridgerton." She said snidely.

"Yes but she simply can't chose Eloise this season." Their mother said, so very sure of herself in a way that made Catherine irate. "I mean she's so..."

"Smart? Pretty? Well read?" Catherine listed off, always one to protect her friends. But her family merely rolled their eyes at her.

"See? This is why you have much to learn." Cressida said patronisingly as she reached out to tap her sisters gloved hand. "No husband wants an argumentative wife."

At that, Catherine merely gave her a tight smile and set her attention on the city as it rolled past the window, happy to leave her mother and sister to their plots and schemes as she hoped only to have a somewhat enjoyable evening that night without the pests that were her family.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

"Lady Cowper!" Lady Danbury greeted the blondes as they entered the venue which sparkled with the glass that hung from the ivy that surrounded them and music filled the room as well as the sweet scent of fruits. "I have been eager to see Miss Catherine after her return after so many years."