Charlotte, although bursting with excitement inside, managed to keep her cool for now. She watched as Simon laughed along with Daphne as they promenaded through the gorgeous gardens, Charlotte watched every movement carefully attempting to unpick the relationship, she knew something was wrong, she knew it.
"Oh look who it is," a voice spoke from beside her, Charlotte's heart began to race and she smiled, turning around to face Anthony, he smirked at her checking around to see if anyone was watching and he kissed her hand winking, Charlotte's cheeks flushed red and she stood up dusting off her skirt,
"Viscount, what a pleasure indeed," Charlotte could sense Lady Danbury and Lady Bridgertons stares, but she ignored them "A promenade, My Lady?" Anthony asked, Charlotte quickly nodded her head, eager to spend some 'alone time' with Anthony.
The pair made their way over to the path as Charlotte took Anthony's arm, she hurried him along so they could try and eavesdrop on Simon and Daphne's conversation,
"Charlotte, are you quite alright?" Anthony asked suddenly, Charlotte snapped her head around to meet his eyes and she frowned "Why would I not be, My Lord?" She flashed a quick smile and carried on rushing ahead, "It is just, you seem very set on getting away from me" Charlotte chuckled at Anthony's words and shook her head "Anthony," she began "I can assure you that I am not trying to escape you, however tempting that may be," Anthony pouted in fake hurt which made Charlotte giggle "I am only trying to catch up with Simon and Daphne so I can attempt to listen in," Anthony raised his eyebrows,
"Why would you want to eavesdrop?" He questioned, Charlotte shook her head "Must you be so oblivious to everything?" Anthony rolled his eyes at her comment "As you know, Simon will never marry," Charlotte explained, Anthony nodded his head for her to go on "well why has he taken such an interest in poor Daphne? You and I both know he has no intention to propose, so why must he lead her on? What are they hiding?" Anthony pursed his lips,
"I do not know, my love," Charlotte's stomach did tiny flips when he said this "but I am intent on finding out" Anthony's voice was now low and gruff, he had finally realised there was something wrong and he would stop at nothing to break apart this supposed courtship.
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Charlotte had returned to Bridgerton house earlier than everyone else, for preparation had begun for the wedding. Charlotte's parents had completely cancelled their arrival to London as they were still stuck at sea and did not want to risk anything. William was taking frequent visits to go and see his mistress who Charlotte had learned was called Adelaide, her baby was due in exactly three months from now and William was terrified. He had never needed to take responsibility for someone else and now that the time was etching closer and closer he quickly began to regret his actions.
"Ah sister," Francis called over to Charlotte as he made a beeline in her direction, John was following close behind. Charlotte smiled at the pair,
"My favourite brother," Charlotte started, John then came into view giving her a hurt look, Charlotte rolled her eyes "yes and you" Francis chuckled at his sister taking her arm in his, well that was before he caught sight of Benedict. He quickly detached himself from Charlotte's arm and ran over to the Bridgerton boy, Francis had created quite a strong bond with Benedict recently and Charlotte had her speculations as to why. She made her way over to the men ignoring Johns calls, she smiled warmly and Benedict took her hand to kiss it,
"Good afternoon, Ben," Charlotte's smile widened, Benedict raised his eyebrows and looked from Charlotte to Francis and she got what he was signalling. Charlotte turned to Francis and tilted her head "I believe John wants to see you," Francis turned around to look at an extremely lost John and frowned at Charlotte, he sighed and finally gave in flashing her a sad smile as he left, she would have to question him on that later,
"What do you want?" Charlotte inquired, her head still tilted, Benedict huffed and rolled his eyes, "Have you spoken to Anthony about the proposal yet?" he asked, Charlotte's eyes widened and her jaw dropped open a tad,
"I completely forgot, I-I-" Benedict cut Charlotte off by tapping her nose, she gasped out of shock,
"for someone who was so ecstatic about sharing the news to my dear brother, I am disappointed, Char," she raised an eyebrow at his comment "I thought I would have to begin planning for your wedding but apparently not!" he laughed, his voice was slightly raised but not in an aggressive way, Charlotte smacked his arm,
"Benedict be quiet!" he quickly raised his fingers to his lips doing an imaginary key motion and then throwing it away, he grinned,
"Okay, I shall tell him when he returns home if that will appease you," Charlotte told him, he then nodded his head with a huge smile and bid her goodbye.
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Charlotte really did not wish to plan her wedding, especially since she most likely would not be marrying the man anyway, she just sat in the Bridgerton's sitting room considering her options. She had taken quite a bit of time thinking until something finally popped into her head, something risky yet worth pursuing, she jumped up from her seat and went to find William.
Today had been one of the days that William had gone to see Adelaide, the man spent more time either up in his room or with Adelaide hardly ever sparing a glance at Charlotte. She assumed it was out of embarrassment but she did not know. The Hamilton girl sought the house for her fiance in desperate need of talking to him, she could not give up.
After a while of searching, she finally saw him walk hastefully across the landing over to his room, he saw her yet he did not stop, Charlotte now quite riled up began to speed up her pace, but by the time she had gotten to his door, he slammed it in her face. Charlotte was now furious, she began banging on his door and all of the staff stared at her in shock and confusion,
"William you bastard!" she screamed, everyone now stopped what they were doing and just stood there in awe "William open the door-" before she could say another word the door flung open and there stood William with an irritated look on his face, he grabbed her arm and pulled her inside of his room with such force she almost fell to the ground. William slowly shut the door not daring to face Charlotte, her chest rose and fell quickly as the anger inside of her just carried on building up and up, he finally chose to look at her,
"What do you think you are doing Charlotte? That was extremely unfair, you should be happy that Lady Bridgerton is not home." without warning, Charlotte stormed towards him and punched him in the jaw. It was quite an extreme retaliation, yet he deserved it. William held the side of his jaw in pain,
"Unfair?" Charlotte asked absolutely infuriated "What is unfair is how I have been forced to marry you" William regained his posture and gulped,
"Please Charlotte," he begged "It was not my decision, I did not wish this upon you," Charlotte rolled her eyes at her 'fiance' "Is that supposed to make me forgive you?" she asked rhetorically, there was so much tension in the room you could most likely cut it with a knife "Because it does not," Charlotte scowled, William began to pace, dragging a hand through his thick hair,
"William, I will not marry you," she spat, venom lacing her tone, William looked up at her, his face dropped as he rushed towards her.
"Charlotte," he pleaded, taking her hands "Mon cherie please do not do this, you must think of Adelaide, of the baby," Charlotte ripped her hands away from his grasp and took a few steps backwards,
"I do not owe you anything, I do not owe your mother anything, I do not owe Philip anything, I do not owe a girl that I do not even know anything. William, I will not marry you. Philip can say whatever he wishes, but you must both respect my decision and understand that I will not go through with this, I simply will not." Charlotte cried exasperated, William looked at her with wide eyes,
"I- Charlotte may I ask you something?" he asked after a while of silence, Charlotte nodded her head "Are you in love with this man?" Charlotte looked at him in shock,
"Will I didn't mention a man-"
"I know," he stated "but I also know that there has to be a certain someone," Charlotte bit her lip, he was right, of course, he was, William was always right. "so, do you love him?" Charlotte pondered over his question for a moment, she imagined Anthony and his gorgeous eyes, she remembered the time he held her while she cried, how she felt, how safe she felt, she then remembered their first kiss, the surreal feeling it gave off. Charlotte cared deeply for Anthony but did she care that deeply about him? She had never loved another in that way before, she did not really know how to love another like that, she did not know.
"I do not know, Will," Charlotte breathed "I do not know..."
Author's note!
Dearest readers,
Charlotte has finally decided that she will not go through with it!! Ah, I am so happy. William is beginning to become somewhat irritable, and Chanthony have been noticed by the two mumma bears! I have to say, Ben and Charlotte are one of my fave brotps I have written bahaha I actually love them, I feel bad for Francis though :(
Please excuse any spelling/writing mistakes in this, I am so tired but I made it my mission to update before Saturday!
As always, please comment feedback, predictions, and literally anything else you want to as I LOVE reading and replying to comments with all my heart,
Ella <3