Addison
I prayed all the way here. All the way to the Bridgerton's residence, I asked God to give me a sign that being here in this time period is going to be okay. I smiled as I exited the carriage behind Lady Danbury because if not, my facial expression would have given away my worry. Thankfully she did not question me any longer about the Viscount on the way here, we just sat in comfortable silence.
"Good evening beautiful ladies, welcome once again to my humble home" Greeted Mrs. B
"Good evening" I smiled back as did Lady D
"Addison, I thought you wouldn't make an appearance tonight" Said Eloise coming down the stairs
"What- Why would you ever assume such a thing?" I chuckled going to hug her
"Benedict" She chuckled back
"Where is he anyway?"
"Looking for me, my darling?" Asked Benedict coming out of their lounging area with Colin in tow
"No, I was actually looking for my favorite male Bridgerton" I smirked back at him
"Well then Anthony is in his study" He whispered only so I could hear
"I was talking about Gregory" I giggled seeing the young lad running towards me
"I'm very much dissatisfied with that answer Ms. Riverdale" Colin faked a sigh making me laugh a little louder
"Addddddyyyyyyy" Gregory yelled out as he hugged me which made Hyacinth push him away
"Only I get to call her Addy" Said the youngest Bridgerton who is now latched onto me
"Ugh, there is enough of me for the both of you" I beamed down at them
"Well, hello to you too beautiful Diamond" I heard that familiar velvet voice
Turning around, I stood in awe watching as Daphne walked towards me.
"Is it normal for the whole Bridgerton clan to be obsessed with one person?" Francesca chuckled looking at the embrace Daphne and I held
"Come on Francesca, you're the only one who is still immune to my charm I assume" I said to her
"It's not that I'm immune... I just think it's best you have room to breathe" She smiled now embracing me
"So you do like me after all" I smirked at her
"Shut it" She smiled nodding
"We can stand around all night, or we can go have dinner. I refuse to let mother and Lady Danbury eat alone" Colin said, which made me realize the older ladies have already left
"Well then, let us all go then. I am famished" Benedict says laughing
We all began walking towards the dining hall, but Daphne pulled me back. Looking at her a little confused, I began to speak up.
"Are you alright?" I asked her looking at her now frantic looking face
"W-well, I don't think Anthony is going to make it to dinner" She said
"Why is that?" I ask
"Well, I got your letters that you wrote and I know that you care rather deeply for my brother" She began "But he is in his study with Simon"
"Is he okay?"
"He is on a rampage" She deadpanned
"Does your mother know?" I ask almost immediately
"No, I've tried to keep her busy" She answered
"Anthony Bridgerton" I mutter while holding my head "I need to see him Daphne"
"Dinner is about to be served, I assure you we do not have time-"
"I don't need time, I need to see him" I said feeling my accent threatening
"I will try to distract the table for as long as I can before they realize people are missing" She said to me "Wait, take Augie to Simon instead... I'll tell them you went to change him. Tell Simon to wait at the top of the stairs and I will come get him" She said and I nodded taking Augie into my arms
"Thank you" I said to her beginning up the stairs
"Addison... make haste, the most time we could keep them from worrying is around 20 minutes" She said which made me pick up my pace.
When I got up the stairs, I rushed down the corridor to where the Viscount's study is located. I didn't have to ask anyone where it is, because Anthony's voice alone led me there. When I got to the door, I stood outside for about 30 seconds. I could hear Simon trying to calm him down only for him to ignore Simon. Hearing enough, I fixed Augie on my shoulder to free my left hand, and I opened the door to the study. I watched as Anthony kicked a chair over, spewing obscene words and walking through papers that are most likely important. I need to get his attention. Neither he or Simon notices me yet.
"Anthony Bridgerton" I said loud enough to get both men's attention. Simon looked at me in confusion, while Anthony stood there in complete shock "So this is what you do" I gestured to the messy room
"Addison, your accent" He said lowly
"I don't care about my accent right now, what I do care about is you and your behavior" I said glaring directly at him
"Simon, your wife said to tell you to meet her at the top of the staircase with Augie" I turning to Simon, now holding the accent that was taught to me
"Ms. Riverdale-" Simon began before Anthony cut him off
"Hastings, she's not from here, she has traveled from the Caribbean" Anthony said concealing most of my secret
"I hope you both resolve your issues, I must say he cares for you fondly" Simon says as he takes his son away from me
"I've been hearing that a lot when it comes to the Viscount" I said looking up at the Duke
"Bridgerton, get your head out of your ass man" Simon says just before he leaves the room now closing the door behind him
Sighing, I began to pick up the papers that were littered across the floor. I didn't care to talk with Anthony, because it's now his turn to be upset. I realized after the match today, he truly does care for me, and I should not have accompanied Sir.Thomas to the wrestling match, but I needed to clear my mind and I also knew I would see him there.
"Why did you go against my wishes, in spite of knowing how I felt Ms. Hannah?" He questioned. OUCH my surname
"So I'm Ms.Hannah now?" I asked still trying to clean up the mess he's made
"Soon to be Mrs.Thomas" He scoffed
"Well if you want that Viscount" I shrugged now feeling his body behind mine
"Face me"
Doing as told, I looked into those gorgeous brown eyes and melted. "Why are you so stubborn?" He questioned caressing my cheek
"Anthony, you shouldn't care, I don't even belong here" I reminded him
"I don't care about that Addison, I told you that you are mine. I protect what's mine despite the cost" he said still caressing my cheek and staring down into my brown orbs
"I do apologize for not considering your feelings, but you left me for two days" I said lowly
"I assumed you changed your mind about us being together" He frowned
"What made you think that?" I asked
"Well, for one I woke up to an empty bed after the best night of my life with you, and Eloise invited you over but you didn't accept her invitation, I took it as a sign that you didn't want to see me" He said "However, I wrote to Lady Danbury inviting the both of you to dinner"
"DINNER... come along, we have to get downstairs." I said pulling him towards the door. "I already trust you with my life, but I must warn you... there is a possibility that I will end up back in the timeline from whence I cometh." I told him
"That's a risk I'm willing to take" he nodded opening the door
He extended his hand to me and I took it. We left the study and upon arriving at the banister, we were greeted with four faces.
Three of which looked at us with a bit of worry on their faces.
"Is everything alright brother?" Asked Benedict
"As of now, everything is splendid..." He answered
"Well then come along you all, we have dinner to attend before something goes wrong" Daphne says now descending the stairs with the rest of us in tow.
"Bridgerton, I hope your plans for the evening are not postponed any longer" Simon who is still holding Augie, merely whispered behind me to the Viscount who is on the side of him.
When we got to the dining hall, there were a few outbursts of "Finally" and "Took you all long enough"
When we all sat down, the table was filled with chatter, while the lot of us that came put food on our plates. I sat down eating the way I was taught while striking up a conversation with Eloise.
"I would like to make an announcement" Said Anthony causing the table to fall in complete silence
"What is it that is so important brother? I am clearly hungry so get on with it" Benedict said lighting the mood at the table
"Well, if you must know. I had this dinner arranged with all of you here, to let you all know that it is my intention to court Ms. Riverdale" Anthony said making my fork drop back onto my plate.
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