CALISTA / Bridgerton

NINETEEN

ART OF THE SWOON

CHAPTER NINETEEN - MILK?
(03/04/2021)

She tiptoed through the hallways, down towards the scullery which she had never been near before but was desperately seeking warm milk from her explicit dream she had just woke up from, it was starting to become a nightly occurrence- dreaming of The Duke of Hastings, she was noticing slight chances towards her feelings for the man. How could she not, she had let him touch her in places only herself and Arthur has touched. She had attended an event a few nights ago along beside Simon, they danced and laughed all night amongst other stuff, to be completely honest, she forgot their courtship was a ruse.

She stood propped against the wall in the very empty room, trying to find something to hold onto which happened to be the Duke's shoulder for the time being as they kissed with a burning need -

"Sister? Whatever are you doing?" She heard the voice of her eldest brother, Anthony behind her confused as to why she was heading for the kitchen.

"I could not sleep. I thought a bit of warm milk
might help matters."

"Should I ring for a servant?" He asked.

"Heavens no, it can't be that hard. Would you like to join me?" She asked and he caught up to her. They found themselves infringe of the stove, unaware how to start the bloody odd contraption which the maids used daily.

"We should light it." She scratched her eyebrow, thinking about how she had never approached this machinery before.

"Anthony, you should light it." She added and nudged her brother forward, wanting him to be embarrassed about not knowing more than her.

"You know, it's pretty humid outside so we should have cold milk." He informed and she poured a glass of refreshing cold milk for both of them.

"Did you see how Daphne danced with the Prince? I think they are a match made in absolute heaven." Calista fawned over her sister finally meeting someone who she likes.

"Yes, I must agree with you, they do suit each other very well."

"Can I ask you a question, brother?" She quizzed once they had finished their milk, not wanting to head to bed yet.

"So long as it has nothing to do
with the inner workings of that thing." He scoffed.

"It is about the duke."

"What about the duke?"

"Do you know the reason he is so opposed to marriage? He is your closest friend. Surely you must know things." She lightly sighed but enough for Anthony to take notice of her changing demeanour regarding Simon. She wanted to know about the Duke without needing to ask him. She would be stupid to assume that he would ever marry her, she wasn't virtuous as the other debutants yet he never treated her differently, he treated her as though she was the most delicate creature there was on Earth and yet he had indulged her.

"The things I know are certainly not for your ears." Anthony sighed.

"How foolish of me to ever even wonder about such things." She shook her head, feeling stupid for asking about him.

"He barely knew his father. Never knew his mother. Not one sibling. The duke grew up quite differently than us, Lista. In all the years I have known him, he has not mentioned
his so-called family even once. He has spent his entire life alone. He prefers it that way."

She understood why he would consider spending his life lonely but her heart ached slightly- the thought of him not having anyone by his side didn't sit right with her. Apparently, she wanted to be that person and she had only just realised that their courtship was only faux, Simon would soon drop her like a bombshell.

"You must not concern yourself
with his troubles. You must simply know
some people are not meant to be together no matter how much we might wish otherwise." Anthony stood up and washed each glass in the basin. Calista helped by putting them away in the cupboard.

"But what if we are?" She asked, stopping her brother from walking away and heading to his study to catch up on late night paperwork.

"Calista, you can't be serious-"

"He's charming."

"Arthur was charming, what I'm trying to say- every man is charming to a woman they find somewhat beneficial to them." Anthony lectured.

"I've made a real mess of things, I think."

short ass chapter cause I've been super busy and I haven't been feeling fabulous lately x