Secrets & Scandals •Anthony Bridgerton•

Diamond of The First Water Part III

I do not own the rights to Bridgerton, accept my own characters and any events that take place with them. 

Diamond Of The First Water Part III

It wasn't much long after a dance with Colin, and another fine young lad she couldn't remember the name of, who spoke of nothing but his collection of butterflies that Ester had to take a rest. Dancing while keeping up the societal expectation for the first ball of the season was quite tiring.

Daphne had finally made it to the party and she greeted her friend with happiness.

"Daphne, the dress looks even more becoming on you, than in the box!" Ester smiled, although it didn't quiet reach her eyes.

"Thank you Ester, you look simply radiant yourself, doesn't she Anthony?" Ester realized that Daphne was at the arm of her eldest sibling, Anthony Bridgerton. To say the least, he was the only Bridgerton that Ester never enjoyed speaking too.

"Yes, very plain." He spoke, rather rudely if Ester said so. Needless to say, Anthony was never too fond of her either. Ester tried not to let the blunt Anthony dim her positive spirits on the night.

"I still see you are ever so charming, as ever." Anthony, instead of responding, walked away with Daphne held tight on his arm, away from Ester leaving her all alone.

She was about to turn and forget the conversation entirely when Lady Danbury herself approached her. She immediately dipped into a curtsy.

"Lady Danbury, this is the most ravishing event I've seen! Thank you kindly for the invitation." Lady Danbury smiled and swirled her cane in a devious circle.

"Thank you, Ester you are too kind. I admire your dress, it's nice to see some young ladies not rely upon their outfit to attract a man. Unlike some." Ester tried not to laugh at Lady Danbury's not so slight comment about the Featherington style. Yellow, and lots of flowers.

"Thank you kindly, Lady Danbury. I see the Duke has made an appearance?" Lady Danbury smiled and gave a slight chuckle.

"It took quite a lot of convincing, but with much persuasion I did have him join the party." Ester smiled, the Duke and her would often share an amusing conversation during her time in the country with her sister. For Charles lived not too far from the Hastings estate.

"I see he's already found himself surrounded!" Ester and Lady Danbury witnessed the spectacle of at least a dozen mothers and daughters surrounded themselves around the Duke. Ester was not surprised when she saw her mother amongst the crowd. Her father, already gone to join the men's tables.

"I also see a friend in need of assistance." Ester followed Lady Danbury's eyes and noticed Daphne by the lemonade table chatting up Lord Berbrooke. A somewhat handsome fellow but a rather crude and forward speaker. Ester quickly understood Lady Danbury's warning and walked to meet her friend.

"-You've always amused me Miss. Bridgerton, ever since I was but a young school boy." His persuasive speech coming out anything but, Ester found a perfect moment to rescue her friend.

"Where I was all but five?" Daphne spoke hesitantly.

"Yes, you always were a charming child friend Daphne! Lord Berbrooke, how lovely to meet again. If you don't mind, Daphne is needed urgently by my mother, she does wish to speak to her." With that, Ester tugged lightly on Daphne's arm dragging her away from the devilish man.

"Adieu." Daphne said, however with the constant calling of Lord Berbrooke shouting "Miss. Bridgerton, Miss. Sloehigh, wait!" Constantly throughout the dance floor, Ester didn't notice when she tugged her friend a second, third time that she would shove her accidentally into The Duke of Hastings.