The Ungodly Hour~Anthony Bridgerton

part VIII: unwelcomed suitors

Songs:
BS- Still Woozy
Halah- Mazzy Star
Losing You-Solange
Ungodly Hour- Chloe X Halle 
Selfish-Madison Beer

I shall say, dear reader, expectations were high, however, no one expected the presentation we saw yesterday. Completely unprecedented and on her first day in the ton, too! Our untitled guest from the country has finally been announced and what an announcement it was, Miss Kensington appeared to make such an entrance the Viscount Bridgerton could not help but disrupt the entire reception. To the point where many were not even concerned with the crowning of this season's incomparable diamond, Princess Nathalia Telvie. Whether it be first impressions or old flames this investigative gossip intends to get to the bottom of it all.

LADY WHISTLEDOWN SOCIETY PAPERS

27, April 1814

Anthony awoke the next day attempting to ignore his splitting hangover. He rolled over lazily checking his pocket watch. The time springing him from the bed. It was half-past one, far later than he had intended sleeping. 

After dressing, eating, and grumbling through his hangover, nearly another half hour had passed. 

"Where are the flowers?" Anthony was dismissive to his staff in a tunnel vision of his own priorities.

"Sir, I apologize they did not have the tulips you requested, will pink roses suffice?" 

"What do you mean?" Anthony snapped. He'd registered the statement instead rather annoyed things were already not going his way.

"They were out of stock, apologies, my lord the florist was not given enough notice, considering they were requested at three this morning," Anthony's butler said more stern than Anthony cared for, only reminding Anthony of all the shortcomings his laziness had caused.

"Ahem well," Anthony cleared his throat as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat, "It will have to do, that will be all, Mr. Talbot."

The walk to the Heathman manor was not far from Anthony's bachelor lodgings. However, when he had crafted his grand apology last night in his drunken state he had not anticipated how nervous he would be in the moment. Last night he had been so confident, memorizing his speech, making sure he would not forget his thoughts as he had every time before. This time Anthony would be prepared emotionally and mentally, he hoped. 

His hand shook slightly as he reached to knock the ornate gold lion's head doorknockers. His lips quivered with each slow inhale and exhale as he waited for a response, fidgeting with the thorns of the roses slowly picking them off bit by bit. 

But Caroline was not there, and though it had flustered Anthony he decided to wait in the drawing-room for her until she returned, continuing to pick at the thorns anxiety building within him. 

x

"My lady, perhaps you should head back now?" Mia, one of the lady's maids near Caroline's age asked nervously. It was mid-afternoon and Caroline had been exploring the gardens for the past hour and had no intention of returning back to the Heathman manor.

"Yes Mia, you are right. We will head back very shortly, I must finish this passage first," she stalled rereading the last couplet repeatedly before giving in. The light spring breeze tossed the pages of her very old and worn poetry book to the most dominant crease in the spine. The crease she had attempted to remedy, in a feeble attempt expel anything that had ever reminded her of Anthony. A crease that led to a page that nearly caused her to burn the sentimental book her father had given her. The mere sight of the sonnet caused her to shut the book abruptly nearly making Mia jump.