Unwanted|| Simon Basset

1

Annalise's pov
I wake with no help as usual and after bathing myself I dress in

I head downstairs seeing my family freaking out about some gossip calling Daphne the best. That was me the it girl of the season. It's gone now. And it has been for quite some time. Anthony my twin says "Danbury ball is tonight" I shrug "have fun. I'd hate to tarnish the perfect ones evening" he stops me "I don't quite know exactly what happened that night. But you're still my sister. Come out and have fun" I sigh "fine"

They fuss about Daphne a bit and I head back up and dress in

I get looks from the others in the family and my mother asks "you're coming? You'll tarnish daphnes night!" Anthony speaks up "I invited her. The town is starting to think she's dead. It'd be good for her to show her face" my mother says "keep her in line" and with that we head to the ball.

I part from my family after grabbing a drink. I stumble into a person and I see it's a male. Attractive, and tall, skin a bronze color. I say "my apologies" he takes my hand and kisses the knuckles "it's I who should be apologizing." "May I ask your name?" I ask. He raises an eyebrow "you don't know?" Anthony interjects "Simon!" The two hug and he says to me "this is the Duke of Hastings. We went to Oxford together. Duke this is my twin sister Annalise" I look over and see my mother glaring at me and eyes are on me as well. Judging me. I curtsey "I must get going now, it was nice to meet you, your Grace. Brother" and I walk away outside.

I sip at my alcohol and a voice says "you know the party is inside" it's him. The duke. I stand and curtsey "your Grace" he says "you need not to do that Miss Bridgerton" he sits beside me "I don't think I've heard of you, or that you're wed" I reply "I'm not wed. I tend to keep away from the publics eye"

Not that I have a choice in the matter. I used to dream of having a husband, falling in love, having children. But it's gone now. He looks to me "you're from a noble house, of age, beautiful, and yet you're not wed?" I nod "yeah. That sums it up pretty much your Grace" "call me Simon" he says. I stand "I should get going before they forget me" he replies "they already left"

I huff "great." And start to walk. He stops me "do you want a ride back home? You shouldn't be walking at this time of night" and what? Get seen with the Duke? See horrific headlines about me poisoning him and maybe even lying for a place in society? I'll pass. I say "I'll fare alright your Grace. Enjoy your night" he continues to follow me "why are you following me your Grace?" Ignoring the stares as we pass through the crowd "I'm walking you home since you've rejected a ride there" i turn around now outside "I'm alright. And I will be so on my walk as well Simon. Enjoy the party" no one would dare touch me because of my condition. I'm useless. He chuckles "I was miserable there. I quite like your company already miss Bridgerton" I reply "call me Annalise" he nods "alright Anna"

He asks "who made that dress?" "I did. Delacroix doesn't make clothes for my type" I reply. He asks "your type?" "Undesirable" I reply shortly. He furrows his eyebrows "I heard around that you were the most desirable of your coming out season" I huff "and now I'm not" he asks "why?" "Why does it interest you?" I ask. A woman isn't a woman without her ability to carry children without it she might as well be a man. It's what my father told me once the doctors revealed it. I still have the Brigerton name but I'm the black sheep, the defect. I'm underserving of love. Of marriage.

So now I'm undesirable. He says "you interest me Anna." As we arrive to my place. Im greeted by Anthony, the only one who seems to care still. "Where have you been?! I was worried sick!" I say "I was outside taking air, The Duke found me and brought me home" he turns and sees Simon and he says "thank you" "it's no problem at all." He replies his eye on me. "Your Grace, thank you" I reply curtseying. He bows "pleasure is all mine Miss Bridgerton"