Secrets & Scandals •Anthony Bridgerton•

Oceans Apart Part I

*This chapter is slightly more "sensual" than any chapter within this book, with that in mind I would advise that to any readers who would not wish to read, are uncomfortable or just want to skip the part entirely. I will have another note where you can continue to read when it is not so intense.*

Oceans Apart Part I

Ester was awakened to the feeling of something fluttering against the back of her neck. Her eyes fluttered open and although her eyesight was hazy she knew immediately she was not in her own room. She had been in this room for a few nights now to recognize where she slept.

Noticing the darkened curtains and the darker bed sheets she knew this to be her husband's room. Turning over to where the feathered feeling was, she noticed that Anthony was asleep, but his hair had been brushing against her neck.

It tickled her to the extreme and tried to quietly and skillfully remove herself from the room without waking the man. However, right when she moved, she felt his arm that was draped over her bare stomach pulled her closer.

"Where are you off to so early?" His voice was blissfully deeper since it was morning and Ester quite liked this view early in the morning.

"I am trying to escape the room so I can get ready for my day." Anthony pulled her even closer to where their chests were touching among other attachments to their bodies.

"I daresay, you shall not be leaving until I have commanded it." Ester's eyes raised. "Oh really?" Anthony gave her a cheerful grin and attacked her lips with his own as they had done mearley hours prior.

"You must stop assaulting me with your lips--I feel they will fall off!" Ester squealed into his neck. She was going to enjoy this until the last possible moment.

"That, my dear wife, is precisely what I aim to do. After all, we have been married for almost three months and that is a lost time." Ester squealed as Anthony began to tickle her under arms, a spot he found the night prior--slight love bites all around the area--and decided to continually use it.

"Stop! No!" However Anthony kept his assault on tickling his wife when suddenly he stopped.

"Now, now Ester. If you're going to play dirty, then I should increase my strategies!" However before the two of them could engage in more marital activities, a knock on the door sounded.

Ester's face went instantly red and Anthony shouted to the door.

"Who is it?" He called out, chuckling at Ester who hid her face with a pillow.

"Hector, Your grace." Anthony sighed and mentioned for him to come in. However, both Ester and Anthony were greeted with the large pain of another copy of Lady Whistledown. Hector's face is a tell tale sign that it once again would slander the Bridgerton name.

********YOU MAY CONTINUE TO READ NOW*******

Miss Marina Thompson's recent fall from grace continues to echo through every drawing room in town. Days after it was revealed her engagement to Colin Bridgerton was nothing more than a sham!

Of course a lady's disgrace does not merely tarnish her own name. Like the tars of the Thames, it also leaves a horrid smear on anyone nearby. While there is no parasol in the world strong enough to shelter a ruined woman, the fallen Miss Thompson can only hope she shall find a refuge...somewhere.

After all, not everyone has the saving grace of the eldest Bridgerton like Miss. Ester Sloehigh--now Viscountess Bridgerton. Will Miss.Thompson be able to secure any match after this scandal? Or will she be subject to a ruin far greater than any social season has seen.