Invisible Strings | Anthony Bridgerton

one

Anthony conspired for a moment, not yet answering the beautiful woman in front of him, whose name he was most desperate to know. He knew that no one travelled this path often, never mind at a time as early as this, he wished to keep her here longer but he would not inform her of his conflicting thoughts. He was intrigued, to say the least.

Celestia grew tired waiting for a reply, she turned to look in the direction she was heading, noticing that the reason she had travelled so far for was currently taking place, she had missed her favourite part of the day, no thanks to the gentleman before her.

"What are you looking for? I can assure you that no one travels this path but you and I." Anthony reassured her, not realising that she hadn't a care if anyone rode on this path.

"I do not care if people are to ride this path on this morning, sir. If you must know, I was trying to make it in time for the sunrise, which I have now missed, no thanks to your intrusion." Celestia commented, she knew it was improper of her to speak in such a manner, but, she couldn't help but display her anger towards the gentleman.

Anthony was slightly taken aback, he didn't expect for the lady in front of him to speak to him in such a way, he had never been spoken to in such a manner, perks of being a viscount. He couldn't help but find it refreshing.

"My apologise, miss. I did not realise, I can escort you back to your residence as a sign of my gratitude." Anthony suggested.

"I am quite capable of making my own way back home, thank you, sir. I bid you goodbye." Celestia informed him, placing the hood back on her head.

She tapped Dover on the side with her foot, signalling for him to ride on and before Anthony could respond, Celestia had left him there alone with his thoughts, wondering who she was indeed.

———

Celestia had always been very close to her family, holding her younger sister dear to her heart. Louella Bennett was a young lady is strong intellect, only the age of ten and two. It was clear she looked up to her eldest sister with such admiration.

Lord William Bennett and Lady Catherine Bennett loved their children ever. William had never cared about the gender of their children, when his wife had revealed that she no longer wanted to have anymore children once dear Louella was born, he was supportive with her desires.

He loved his two daughters terribly and would put his most effort in finding them suitable husbands to treat them as well as they had treated them.

Celestia thought that she had managed to sneak back into the Bennett house without anyone noticing her, her thought success were soon to been diminished when she was soon to be scolded by her parents in the morning room.

Once the ladies maid awoken Celestia for what they thought was her first rising of the day, they had readied the young lady for the very busy day ahead of them.

"Celestia, good morning." William greeted as she walked into the morning room, a bright smile upon her face.

"Good morning, mama, papa." Celestia smiled, sitting down beside her mother, reaching for her embroidery. "I apologise for my late awakening, it appears I was enjoying my slumber."

William looked towards his wife knowingly, he had been informed by one of the staff that Celestias horse had been cleaned yesterday and was found dirtied upon feeding not long ago.

It wasn't the first time that Celestia had been caught, they had ridiculed her more often than not about riding alone at such a strange time in the day, it was a mere worry about her safety.

"I had a lovely walk down to the stables this morning." William informed, leaning forward to take a biscuit. "What a surprise it was to be told that Dover was already dirtied after his cleaning day was only yesterday afternoon."

Celestia paused, the needle that was going through her hoop pricking her in her finger only slightly, she let out a quiet hiss.

"Oh, dear, please do be careful." Catherine acknowledged, taking the embroidery from her hand and putting it to the side. "Answer your father."

"I am sorry, papa, truly." Celestia made sure to put on her sweetest voice, she knew it would work on him as it did always. "You know how much I love to watch the sunrise, I could not help myself this morning, you see. It calms me when I am at my most stressed."

"Why are you stressed, sweet girl?" Catherine questioned, taking her hand in her own to comfort the girl.

"It is indeed a big day today, is it not? The ball this evening is to be my first presentation into the season, due to the Queens sudden halt a mere few days ago." Celestia told them. "I am just worried in finding a husband, that is all."

"You will present this family honourably, I am sure of it, daughter. I have no doubt in you." William reassured her. "You are the eldest daughter of the Bennett family, the first to be presented within this society, I have no doubts that you will cause heads to turn."

"You speak so kindly, father." Celestia smiled. "I have no one to thank but you both, you have raised me in the most proper way, I shall do this family proud."

"I don't doubt it for a second, my dear." Catherine grinned, placing a hand on her daughter's face, taking her beauty in.

It would be no surprise to Catherine if her daughter had a line of callers at their door tomorrow, she had true beauty that she wish Celestia would see in herself. She had a feeling she would find her love match very soon.