Simons pov There's something about her. Annalise Bridgerton. I don't plan on marrying, or having children that promise to my father on his deathbed something I intend on keeping. But she's beautiful. I don't quite understand why she's not wed and having children. Who would pass on such a beauty?
Annalises pov I wake again the Duke on my mind. He's handsome but I shall never be able to be with the likes of him. I get dressed
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There's another ball to go to and unfortunately Anthony wishes for my presence again. I don't know what game he's playing but I can tell there is one. Again I'm ignored by all but Anthony as they fuss over my sister. Nigel Berbrooke comes and we shuffle out and I tell my brother "you know he has a bastard child right? He's not fit for our sister" if he's going to listen to anyone it'll be me...sometimes. He scoffs "easy sister it's only gossip. I know what I'm doing" it doesn't take long for us to go to the event. My face is grabbed by my mother "do not...embarrass us again. Word has been spread about the stain on our name and the Duke" I tear away and get out the carriage.
I walk passed anthony but he stops me "what happened" I scoff "why don't you ask mother dearest. I shouldn't even be talking to you" he stops me from leaving again "what is wrong sister?" "I'm nothing to this family, I'm nothing to society! I'm a stain to the family's name." I huff. He furrows his eyebrows and hugs me which makes me freeze a bit. He mutters "you are not a stain. You are lady Bridgerton. Viscountess"
I tell him "but I'm not" and I walk and grab a drink. A voice says "I take it you've got a bit of a drinking problem" it's Simon. I chuckle "if I had a problem I'd be 10 drinks in right now. You're in luck...I'm not" he chuckles "may I say that you look beautiful tonight" "you're the Duke you're allowed to say what you please" watching Daphne leave and then Berbrooke follow.
He chuckles "I guess I am. But I like asking a lady's permission" I reply "youre not wed" "no. And I don't exactly plan to be" he replies. "Why? Most men would kill for the chance to have heirs and a wife and maybe a mistress on the side" I question. He chuckles "I'm not most men. If and that's a really big if, I get married it won't be because of obligation or a set up it'll be..." I reply "a love match" he nods "but that's a big if"
"Why?" I ask. He chuckles "why aren't you allowed to be wed? Why are you considered unwanted?" I quote my father "a woman isn't a woman unless she can have children. Without that ability she's nothing and might as well be a man" "they treat you like this because you cannot have children" he remarks. I nod "not a good trait to have as a female of a powerful and popular house unfortunately"
He says "I'm sorry" I shake my head "don't be. I have my freedom. Sure I'm a walking disappointment but I don't have to be forced into corsets that make me faint or forced to marry someone like Nigel Berbrooke." The male chuckles and I watch my flustered sister come back in. He asks me "would you like this dance Anna?" I shake my head "I'll have to pass" "I don't remember saying no is an option" he says with a raised eyebrow and a smirk on his face.
"Stand up straight everyone's staring" I mutter watching the anger go onto my mothers face. "Only if you dance with me love" he replies. "You should not be seen with the likes of me your Grace" I reply hotly. "I don't care about that" he replies taking my hand and leading me to the dance floor and we dance. We stop dancing and he says "see that wasn't so bad?" As we walk off the dance floor. "Except for the fact that everyone now, undoubtedly thinks we're courting" I huff. This is the last thing I wanted.
A Duke to tarnish his reputation with me who can't even have children. I'm not worth it. I always did hate attention and now I'm getting a lot of it. I head outside and he follows "are you alright?" "No, Simon I am not" I mutter. He sits beside me "who cares what people think? Let them talk" "you are the most desirable men on the market, women fawn over you and even faint in your presence. And I'm the black sheep of a family of 9, Simply because....my existence isn't to their approval. Now you'll be tarnished as I am" "good" he replies.
I huff "that isn't good Simon" "I don't intend on getting wed. Think about it...it works perfectly. You become desirable again I become less so" he replies. I shake my head "I highly doubt I'll become desirable. But looking at your face there's nothing I can do to talk you out of that terrible plan" he chuckles "then we're on the same page then?" I shrug "guess so. Don't cry when it doesn't work"
