Ace of Spades//Anthony Bridgerton

❧eight

I head to the Bridgerton home first thing in the morning. I need to know if Anthony is alright. I need to know that he kept his word. Lady Bridgerton is sitting on a couch looking like she had a marvelous evening.

"Good morning Lady Bridgerton," I greet. "I see you enjoyed your evening."

"Oh. Lady Downing. Is it not a little early for you to be here?" Lady Bridgerton questions.

"I was hoping I could speak to Daphne about something," I explain.

Lady Bridgerton nods. "You are welcome to wait." She puts her head in her hand as her maids tend to her. "I did not overindulge. Truly, it was just a poor night of sleep."

"I shall fetch a glass of raw eggs and garlic, ma'am. Should be just the thing."

Daphne walks into the room.

"Are you feeling better, dearest? Perhaps I, too, caught whatever it was that sent you home early from the party. I have a terrible headache, indeed," Lady Bridgerton says. Daphne sighs. "What is it?"

"I am engaged," Daphne states.

I gasp. "Engaged?"

How on earth did it go from a duel to an engagement?

"Oh! Well, that is wonderful news. So, you will be a princess," Lady Bridgerton says.

"No," Daphne tells her.

"No?" Lady Bridgerton asks.

"No, I will not. Mama, I am engaged to the Duke. The Duke asked for my hand, and I accepted," Daphne explains.

Lady Bridgerton smiles for a moment. "You do not seem pleased. Whatever is wrong?"

"Oh no. No... Nothing is wrong. It simply happened so quickly. I've not had a moment to take it in. But I am overjoyed, Mama, truly," Daphne assures.

"Of course you are. You are to be a Duchess!" I offer.

Lady Bridgerton pulls Daphne into a hug. "Oh, darling! I knew there was something between you... ruse or not! Well, tell me. Tell me everything! How do you feel?"

"So in love. I'm unsure how I can be expected to wait an entire month to marry. Could we not obtain a special license to marry this week? I do not wish to lie to you... But the Duke and I..." Daphne starts.

Lady Bridgerton cuts her off, "You do not need to tell me anything. Whatever happened between the two of you, it is all right. I know good society makes quite a fuss about such things... but when it comes to love, such things happen more frequently than one might expect. Even your father and I, we had trouble controlling our passions as well."

The housekeeper comes back in with a glass. "Your drink, ma'am."

"Will not be necessary, Wilson. I am feeling much improved. We have a wedding to plan in three days. My darling girl, you are getting what you always wanted. You are marrying for love," Lady Bridgerton muses.

"Congratulations." I wrap Daphne in a hug. "Though I do think I need an explanation of how exactly this happened."

"It was either an engagement of a duel," Daphne whispers.

"Where has Anthony gone?" I question.

"I am unsure," Daphne tells me. "It was Colin that road back with me."

I nod my head. "You have a lot to plan. I shall leave you to it."

One may say modesty is a virtue, yet this author is hardly a virtuous woman. It is therefore my great pleasure to announce the news others questioned, but I never doubted. The diamond of the season has made her match, officially betrothed to the Duke of Hastings. The bride, undoubtedly, is giddy with anticipation over the impending nuptials... an event that will apparently take place sooner rather than later. Of course, there are only two reasons to procure a special license and race to the altar: true love, or concealing a scandal.