Secrets & Scandals •Anthony Bridgerton•

After the Rain Part I

After the Rain Part I

The fastest courtship upon record occurred during the markedly wet season of 1804, when Miss Mary Leopold secured a betrothal over a plate of sugared almonds and licorice in just four and a half minutes.

Of course Miss Leopold and her new husband would leave London mere hours after their own wedding. Reason? Unknown. The newest record was of course this fine season between Miss Ester Sloehigh and Mr Anthony Bridgerton--a marriage that did not even see the heart of a betrothal and took place overnight.

Of all that I have imparted on you, dear reader, there is but one bit of reason you must heed most. One can never know the truth of a marriage hiding behind closed doors. Beware indeed, blushing newlyweds. You know not the future that awaits. Will there be hardship...or indignity?

Or will one's future see the rarest accomplishment of all, a true love match? As for which of these fates await the eager matches of the season of 1813, only two things will tell...time and as always this author.

Ester was rather overjoyed this month as not only a month ago were she and Anthony on their way home, yet another month pregnant. However this month especially as of late did not have her tossing her stomach on rose bushes and buckets nearby.

The most pleasant feeling for her indeed was when Mar was lacing her corsets rather loose the other day and Mar noticed that Ester's stomach was at the point of showing a little in her underclothes.

Ester had asked for a moment alone and had spent at least a good hour alone. Anthony and her spent some nights together but recently Anthony had been...rather distant. It was an odd distance however. He seemed emotionally still connected to Ester, sharing laughs and sending her sour mood over her parents in a better place. What really startled Ester was how often Anthony was gone.

He did more collections, more time in the office, at the gentlemens club and at more boxing fights. He often came home late at night or early in the morning. Ester however spent more time with Daphne, Eloise and Violet helping prepare for the last ball of the season. A grand ball indeed to be held at Hasting's House.

Lady Danbury as well had helped sponsor the event. Daphne was still struggling with Simon but she was trying with their relationship. So Ester was often helping Daphne plan and organize recently.

Daphne also was obsessed with helping Ester do nearly everything. Since her pregnancy she noticed much of the Bridgerton's were very ecstatic to assist her. Even though they were not happy Ester still chose to keep her pregnancy from Anthony quiet. Ester recalled the conversation earlier last week:

"Why ever would you?" Eloise called out to the group. Ester sighed and relaxed her posture a little more.

"I don't know how to simply bring it up." Ester said to her sister in law.

"Just spit it out, perhaps?" Francesca said, her first conversation really with Ester as the last time she was out with Colin getting new suits tailored.

"It's not that simple, dear." Violet said to her daughter.

"I think it is rather complex." Benedict said, as Gregory and Hyacinth were playing at his feet. "I couldn't even imagine what I would do if someone told me they were pregnant and the child is mine." He gave a slight chuckle and his face went white.

"I for one think honesty is the best policy." Colin said, tender with the subject as it reminded him of Marina Thompson's condition.

"I agree." Daphne said, next to Simon who looked miserable being here.

"Knowing Bridgerton I think it best that you prepare and when everything is ready then you can tell him. He seems to be out of sorts lately." Ester tried not to notice the odd tone in Simon's voice but decided it must be nerves.

"I just would really appreciate having the idea sink in a little more with me first--then I'd like to tell Anthony. I promise I will tell him before the ball." After a few more rounds of suggestions and comments, the group agreed that telling Anthony before or after the ball was the best course of action as it would be a good close to the season.

Daphne and Ester were currently deciding floral arrangement placements for the flowers that she had ordered for the Hastings Ball.

"No, no, put those over there." Daphne said. The ball was later this week and Daphne was at wits end. Between posing for a painting, dealing with Simon and her marriage she had a lot on her plate.

The servant immediately helped another move the giant floral arrangement over to where the Duchess commanded.

"I think something is missing." Violet said as she looked around the outdoor ballroom. It was certainly going to be a beautiful ball. Ester was honestly excited for it. Her first ball with a baby in her womb and her last before her baby would be out of the womb.

"It needs something to make the room look taller...candles or something?" Ester said as they stood on the stairs overlooking the room.

"I agree. Oh! Daphne, what if you had outside candelabras hanging from the ceiling?" Daphne pondered Violets suggestion and after serious consideration Daphne agreed. Leaving to place an order for some candelabras and candles, it was just Violet and Ester.

"How are you feeling?" Violet said, holding Ester's arm. Ester smiled and touched her stomach.

"I am feeling rather well actually. I am finally over my sickness in the morning and at night. I can sometimes feel a fluttering in my stomach and I am honestly so overjoyed." Violet smiled.

"I remember when I was pregnant with Anthony...it was hard at first knowing that it was all happening so fast. I knew however that with Edmund's love and support everything would be alright." Ester smiled and tapped Violet's hand.

"I know that if you told Anthony he wouldn't be as afraid as you think he will be...if anything, I think it will help him." Ester smiled and nodded, a little tearful.

"Thank you." Ester said, knowing that maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea if she told Anthony sooner than later.

___________________

Later the next day, Ester was currently creating more lace for Eloise's gloves as she had ripped a hole in her day gloves that she was now required to wear but Eloise didn't want to use the silk gloves anymore and requested her dear sister make lace ones.

Deciding it could become a new fashion trend she agreed on making new ones for Eloise's first ball at Hasting's House.

Her thought process however had been diminished on the pattern she was creating when the door to the joint living room was slammed behind her. She swore she heard the wood cracking.

"Goodness! Anthony, you scared me!" However Anthony didn't acknowledge Ester's presence and instead headed to the table where the drinks remained.

"Anthony?" She asked, slowly standing up to go talk to him. He looked mad.

"Just leave me be Ester, please." With that he walked into his room and once again slammed that door. Pregnancy brain Ester said 'oh, no you don't!' and found herself once more in his room with a face of rage herself.

"Now, what on Earth are you so upset about that you cannot tell your wife?" Ester said while crossing her arms. However what she was not expecting to see was Anthony Bridgerton crying in his room, with his head in his hands on his knees with his back against the ground.

"Are you pregnant?"