Simons pov I sit with Anthony at the club and he says "so you're courting Annalise?" I nod "yes I am" Annalise is different. It doesn't feel forced with her or like a scheme. It feels natural. She doesn't care about my status and treats me as a human. Not like a celebrity. She's like a breath of fresh air. He asks "what happened to never getting wed?" I chuckle "I met your sister"
He says "you're aware that she can't give you heirs right?" And my family line will die with us just as I promised that retched man. I say "that doesn't make her less of a woman" he nods "I know. Only if others would've seen that." I ask "how did it happen if you don't mind me asking?"
He says "we're not quite sure. Only she truly knows. She went to the market, she was gone for hours which isnt unusual for her she was a free spirit, always roaming. Even during her season that didn't change. She was always doing male like activities. Fencing, horseback riding, archery she was always into something. Mother hated it but father nurtured it. Anyway, she came back hours later on our lawn, bleeding. We brought her upstairs and called the doctor and he went in, came out, said she will recover but had bad news. That she won't be able to bare children"
I ask "how do you think it happened?" He shrugs "she must've fallen and the fall must've ruptured something who knows? Only the doctor and her. She paid the doctor to secrecy" huh. I ask "and how did she take it? What about her season?" "She was distraught, there was nothing more that she wanted than children. She'd make an amazing mother. She'd often wake crying and screaming. All she had was me" he replies sipping his drink. I sip mine and reply "and her season?" "It went to hell just like her life. She was the queens diamond of her season. A great honor, but what happened was seen as the biggest shame to my parents. Said she spit on the gift the queen gave her. She was courting a prince. He heard about her condition and called it off, another great shame. My parents were the ones to tell everyone of her condition. My diamond sister turned into a onyx. A black sheep. My parents forbade my siblings from talking to her, cut her out of the family in every way but name. I'm the only one who stood by her. Then our father died and she shut me out for a bit anyway" "why?" I question.
"Her and my father were close before everything. She was his pride and joy. Our mother forbade her from going to the funeral. And she couldn't take it" he replies. I ask "why are you telling me this?" "Because Hastings. I see how you look at her. And she you. You're the only man I know who looks passed her incapability and still sees her as a person. And for that alone I give my blessing. Just...don't hurt her. She's been through a lot of that" he replies. I nod "I should go, I'm meeting her at the festivities" he asks "are you going to promenade?" I nod "if she'd let me" he raises an eyebrow "you have not asked her yet?" "No I have not. But I intend to" I reply and he chuckles "I'm going to join you, I can't wait to see my mothers face when she realizes that you're not there for Daphne" and with that we head out.
We head to their house and I'm announced and lady Bridgerton says "your grace, welcome to our home. I expect you're here for Daphne" with a smile and I see said girl on the couch with her siblings I'm assuming looking my way and giggling. I shake my head "it is not Daphne I'm here for Lady Bridgerton. I'm here for Annalise to promenade. Is she in?"
She looks at me as if I've grown three heads "you're the Duke of Hastings, I'm sure you'd want to promenade with a woman who is able to fulfill giving you a family, Daphne is fully able" I tell her "I'm well aware of miss Bridgerton's condition. And I do not care, I wish to promenade with who I came here for" she nods and says "Annalise! You have a guest!"
I hear footsteps on the stairs and there she is. Annalise. She's beautiful. Her hair is down and not in a intricate style. It's simple, as I gather it always is. Something I like immensely. Simplicity.
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I kiss her knuckles and say "miss Bridgerton" she curtsey's "your grace" her mother looks her up and down and sneers "you're to be promenading with the Duke surely you should go upstairs and do something with your hair and choose a different dress!" I shake my head "there's no need Lady Bridgerton. I think she looks perfect" with a smile her way. I ask "would you like to go and promenade with me Anna?" She nods ignoring her mothers glare and Daphnes look of shock and I think animosity, and Anthony's smug look "yes I would like that." I ask "are you ready to go?" She nods "yes"
I take her hand in mine and we walk out. She asks "do you think they bought it?" I chuckle "definitely. But I didn't ask you out as a ruse" I help her into the carriage and she seems to detest being in it. "Why did you then?" She asks. I ask "is it so hard to believe I actually enjoy you and your company?" She looks my way "thought you were only doing this to get the flocking ladies to leave you alone?"
I say "that's only part of it" I like her. There's something about her that intrigues me more than anyone ever has. The only thing I look at women for is sex. But I look at her, and yes I want her, but that's not all I want her for.
