𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒 | anthony bridgerton

𝐱𝐢. aubrey hall

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

"Perhaps I shall wear the blue silks once more, tonight." Cressida said, preening in her hand mirror as her mother nodded beside her. "It caught the eye of Lord Featherington and it may catch the eye of Viscount Bridgerton."

"Oh you need not worry about the Viscounts favour, my darling." Lady Cowper said, making a face at the nature as to brushed passed their bustling carriage. "You could have any man you wish for."

"Then why is there no ring on her finger, mother?" Catherine asked, not lifting her eyes from the scenery out of the window. It seemed to be the only respite she had from the mind numbing conversation of her mother and sister on their trip to Aubrey Hall, having been invited by the Bridgertons as they had been every year.

"Well, it is an exceedingly good sign the Viscount has invited us to spend a few days with the family before the rest of the ton arrive." Lady Cowper bristled at her younger daughter. "Cressida has done well."

Catherine could not help but hide her smile at that. Although her family's delusion was worrisome at times, it helped that she knew fell well of Anthony's intentions. And none were directed at the elder of the Cowper sisters.

"He will be assessing me, I know." Cressida said, snapping her hand mirror shut as she dressed the carriage. "Considering how I might perform as  viscountess."

"But do not forget, my darling." Lady Cowper cut in. "There is Lord Featherington as well."

"It is always good to have back up options, mama." Cressida said with a solemn nod of her head before sending a snarky smile Catherine's way. "I hope you'll understand that one day, sister, perhaps another season."

"Yes, perhaps another season." Catherine hummed in agreement, making the two women opposite her's brow furrow in confusion. Just how she liked it.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

It had been days since he had seen her but it felt like years. They had arrived at Aubrey Hall just the night before and while he knew it would not be enjoyable for Catherine with her family here, he decided to make the trip as comfortable as possible for his future viscountess.

He had had the room she had always taken when she had visited when she was younger, the one beside Eloise, and had it refurbished, though making sure to keep the bookshelves and bed frame the same so there would be some level of familiarity. He even somehow had pried the knowledge that her favourite flowers were Lilies and immediately and a bouquet arranged atop the desk that she had spent many an hour writing at.

This fact now no longer surprised him. He know knew her to be a talent as poetry as well as what he assumed would be many other virtuous academic pursuits and was desperate to discover them all. How on earth, the perfect match for him was writing away just rooms down the hall from him for years was astounding to him.

Anthony felt like luckless puppy waiting for her to arrive so he was glad for the appearance of his sister and nephew.

"Oh I am so pleased you were able to come!" His mother exclaimed, practically leaping to her feet to cross the room to her grandson.

"As if I would allow dear Augie to miss out on watching his mother win this little family tradition." Daphne said, sending a pointed look the boys way as they rolled their eyes. "Second year in a row, if I might add."

"Charming words from a duchess." Benedict stated before being quickly cut off by his sister yet again.

"A duchess who is still a Bridgerton."