Scandalous || Anthony Bridgerton

Chapter Two

The Hartside ball was an elaborate affair, just as every other ball in the ton and Lucy expected nothing less. She spent the majority of the night, glued to her mother's side, denying every eligible bachelor the opportunity to dance. Every now and then she would accept an offer, in attempts to appease her mother, but every single time, her heart was just not in it. 

    "I do wish you would at least try, Lucy," said Amelia. 

    "What do you mean, mama?" asked Lucy, pretending to be dumbfounded as she sipped a glass of champagne.

    "You are not even putting forth an effort to get to know any of these men," she continued, "do you wish to live the remainder of your years as a lonely spinster?"

    "Well if you would allow me to attend university -"

    "Women are not allowed!" Amelia bellowed, a little louder than she anticipated. Lucy stared at her with an arched eyebrow.

    "Well perhaps they should be allowed," spat Lucy, before taking another sip.

    She attempted to turn away from her mother, but her mother grabbed her and spun her so they were facing each other.

    "I am trying so hard, Lucy," she whispered harshly, "I have done all I can do, to prepare you for the life you deserve. However, if you do not make any attempts to better yourself, there is nothing else I can do!"

    "Don't you understand mother?" she asked, "I do not want you to do anything! I am perfectly happy without a husband. These balls, these parties, they are dreadfully dull. I do not wish to be here. I wish to be at home, with a book, in my bed!"

    "I understand that my dear, but I cannot provide for you forever," said Amelia, her eyes brimming with tears. Lucy hadn't noticed until now that her mother was filled with pain. She was saddened not because her daughter had not found a husband, but sad that she would not be looked after long after she was gone.

    "I understand that, mama," said Lucy softly, "I will be okay on my own. I always have been."

    Amelia did not have the chance to respond before her attention was pulled away by Lady Danbury. Lucy found this as an excuse to escape and find Eloise.

    Penelope Featherington and Eloise were standing around the perimeter of the dance floor. Lucy meandered over to join them. Their eyes were trained on Anthony Bridgerton who seemed to be dancing with every eligible debutant in attendance.

    "What do you think he's playing at?" asked Eloise as Lucy approached. 

    "Perhaps he's trying to live up to his expectations," mused Penelope as she watched Anthony Bridgerton and Cressida Cowper waltz to the music. 

    "Or perhaps he's actually trying to find a wife," said Lucy, recalling the information she had learned previously that afternoon. Penelope and Eloise laughed.

    "I doubt I'll even live to see that day," joked Eloise.

    "Ah, Miss Wellington," cooed a familiar, squeaky voice. Lucy rolled her eyes as she turned to face Nigel Berbrooke.

    "Lord Berbrooke," she returned politely.

    "I suppose there's room on your dance card for me?"

    Lucy sighed. Nigel Berbrooke had attempted to court almost every single eligible maiden in London, but had been unsuccessful. Unfortunately for Lucy, she had been his latest conquest.

    "I actually have no more room, Lord Berbrooke," she mused, most politely. However, she knew Nigel would not give up so easily.

    "Nonsense, I see an empty space right there," he said as he pointed to her wrist.