Composure

Chapter 2: Connections

"Ah for fucks sake" sighed the man voice on the other end of the line.

"Yes; it is that time of the month again" the other responded.

"I thought he had stopped with the foolish antics..."

"I thought so too but unfortunately I was called by Chariot Hill once more because.. Penelope is abroad for her interview with Michelle Obama and mother is also abroad; on a romantic getaway to Lisbon; with Richard".

"Really? Wow that is great." said Benedict.

"What is? Penelope's interview for Vogue UK with the former first lady of the United States or the fact that our mother is in love and has been grinning like a shy, pimply teenage girl for weeks?" asked Anthony in a slightly sarcastic tone.

He might be joking, but Anthony was secretly happy for his mother who had not dated for years after the death of their father. And Richard seemed to be a good guy; a spontaneous and friendly man who had quickly made a connection with him and the rest of his extended family and got along well with them, so all was well in his book.

"Both" Benedict replied with a chuckle.

"How is he? And what has he done now, then? Parkour again? He'd stopped, hadn't he?"

"No. Not parkour this time... He has picked up cycling; but not regular cycling, no, the high-speed late-night racing through the city like a maniac version... Apparently, he encountered a car door that suddenly opened which made him fly through the air; and he eventually landed with a smack on the road or so he says".

Benedict remained silent for a moment and then sighed deeply.

"One of these days he is going to kill himself if he doesn't let up" Benedict dejectedly stated.

"I know, I know. Look he is alright I think; has been given medication but he is still in pain, and we are once more waiting for the doctor. I think he or she will be along shortly, but I really must leave after that, Ben... The Elston Case is still ongoing, but we haven't gotten made any headway yet so please-".

"I'll be there as soon as I can" Benedict said with a sigh.

Anthony hung up and then went back to his younger, idiot brother's room. Colin had fallen asleep, he saw, so he silently sat down beside the bed. He looked at Colin; at the brash boy; no man, he was 27 now and a melancholy feeling took over. At times like these, he would have liked to have had his father with him; he would have been able to talk some sense into Colin; something Anthony apparently could not do. It had been difficult for him to take on the role of patriarch of the family after his father died, but he had done it.

He had tried to fill some of the void, but at the end of the day he was only 18 and had just started studying law. Maybe he had failed... maybe he should have taken over the business; maybe he had... He didn't know any more; not now; his head was spinning in all directions again. Anthony had not noticed that someone seemed to be watching him and had walked into the room.

He turned with a jolt and saw Kate Sheffield standing there; to his surprise... Well, somewhere he had expected to see her. Well, he had 'hoped', although he would never admit that, and certainly not to Kate. He wanted to say something, but Kate held a finger in front of her mouth and motioned with her hand for him to come out. Anthony stood up and followed her.

"Dr. Sheffield... Good evening" Anthony greeted her politely; hoping not to repeat their previous meeting in hospital and to make things civil this time.

"Mr. Bridgerton... I'd be lying if I said I was glad to see you; both of you as a matter of fact" she spoke slightly annoyed. On the other hand, there was a hint of concern in her voice although she did not realise it herself; nor did she realise that she was looking worriedly in Colin's direction through the opening of the door.