Unwanted|| Simon Basset

4

Annalise's pov
He helps me out of the carriage and we begin our walk in the park and I note all the stares and hushed whispers. His hand slides into mine and he says "do not worry about them and what they may think let's have a good time yeah?" I nod "yeah" with a small smile his way. He says "if I remember correctly you said you make all of your dresses" I nod "that's correct"

He nods "must take a lot of time for you to do, I admire your work." I reply "considering being well...you know, I had nothing but time. And over that course of time I no longer wished to pin up my hair in the ridiculous fashion and realized I had the freedom to not have to. I realized I had the freedom to wear what I pleased, even in public. No one cared anymore" he sends me a smile "so you enjoyed your time of freedom?"

I shrug "it had its ups and downs Simon. I realized I couldn't sulk about it forever and decided to look at the upside to the tragedy" he nods "that's brave of you. I don't know anyone who'd be able to just...look passed whatever happened and see a upside to being cast out and treated horribly I bet" I sigh "it is indeed a hardship. Did my mother make it obvious about my treatment?" He chuckles "that and I can just tell you haven't been treated the best since everything"

I ask "you know my biggest shame...what's yours?" He gives my hand a squeeze "I wouldn't call your condition a shame Anna." "What would you call it then Simon?" I question. He replies "I don't know. But I wouldn't call it a shame. It's something that I can see has made you stronger and has opened your eyes in ways I don't think I or anyone else can fathom." I nod "you were right about the eye opening part."

I was naive back then. And daphne is the same way now. Luckily Eloise doesn't seem naive like I was. He nods "what are your other pastimes?" I chuckle "you didn't answer my question Simon" he chuckles "oh how could I forget. My biggest shame....hm....not coming sooner to sweep you off those pretty little feet and saving that innocence you seem to have had"

I push his shoulder "shut it. I'll have you know I was such a proper and quite annoying person back then. You'd throw up from the bright colors I used to wear all the time" he laughs "I'm sure I would've. I often feel a headache from seeing these colors now"

I say "my other pastimes aren't 'proper for a lady of my status' but you're in luck....my status was obliterated years ago" he chuckles and says "well go on duchess" I roll my eyes "not a duchess Simon. I have yet to receive a proposal and a ring" he chuckles and gets on his knees and takes my hand putting one of his on his chest "my dearest apologies my fairest lady! I only beg you to be my duchess and take my name and ring!" I toss my head back and laugh "oh my fairest Duke! Who am I to deny bestowing such an honor on you." He kisses my knuckles "I shall take this honor with pride! I am truly floored and honored to be called your husband!" We share eye contact before laughing and he gets up and I note all the stairs and the glare from my mother, my sister Daphne, and an eyebrow raised from lady Danbury.

We walk away a bit and we can feel the stares as we do and I say "you must be wondering what many activities I indulge in" he nods "yes I do. Maybe we'll have one in common" I question "and it doesn't bother you?" He chuckles "absolutely not. I like that you're different and don't mind doing as you please despite society and their standards for women" wow.

"I do like archery" I tell him gauging his reaction. He simply grins "fascinating. I do wish to see you do so" any other guy never wanted to hear about such a thing, though everyone already knew. I even shot a bow with that prince and I beat him at it and he threw a fit from embarrassment and never wanted to hear about me shooting a bow ever again. "Perhaps one day you will...horseback riding, anything that involved an adventure really. I'd climb walls and anything I could get my hands on. Mother always scolded but my father...he'd encourage it. Sword fighting is another beloved activity as well" I list. He nods and says "I'd love to part take in all of these activities you love...with you"

I smile "I'd like that" he kisses my knuckles and I ask "you already know of my family...what if yours?" He says "my mother died birthing me, and my father passed not so long ago" I squeeze his hand "I'm sorry for your losses and whatever pain my question must've brought forth" he shakes his head "don't apologize Anna. It's quite alright. My father wasn't the kindest so I don't exactly miss him...lady Danbury raised me" we find a spot by the water wildflowers around us.

I ask "what's being the Duke like?" "Haven't had the title long enough to let you know if I like it or not" he replies. He asks "do you play instruments?" I chuckle "I was raised to. But I haven't in a while" he nods "you say you like horse riding. What's your horse like?" "He's an all white stallion. I actually helped his mother Diane birth him" I reply. He nods "so you enjoy animals" I nod "more than people most of the time"

"And what would you rate me? Better than a horses company or better?" He asks with a grin. I shrug "I don't know. You're going to have to take me to an event so I can access it properly" he chuckles "I'll be there to pick you up." I chuckle "I was kidding. You don't have to accompany me, after all I don't even know if I'll be going" he looks my way "nonsense. Of course you'll be going. You're my date after all"

I ask "was there a question in there?" He chuckles "you truly don't make things easy Anna" "was I supposed to?" I joke and he shakes his head "I quite like that about you." And adds "will you accompany me to the event tonight duchess?" I chuckle "we're not wed, therefore i am not a duchess. But yes I'll accompany you" he winks "yet" I roll my eyes and he asks "is that an eye roll?" I raise my eyebrow "no it's a- hi lady Danbury" I stand and curtsey. She looks me up and down in distaste and says "Simon a word" oh great.

Simons pov
I take Annalises hand and kiss her knuckles and say "I will return to you momentarily lady Bridgerton" she nods "Your Grace" I stand and follow her and ask "what is it?" She asks "what are you doing with the likes of the unwanted Bridgerton when there's a perfectly good one, wanted, available, and perfectly able to-" I cut her off "lady Danbury." She stops talking and I say "it does not matter to me if she can bare a child or not. I don't care that people see her as unwanted. I'm courting her. I don't care about the younger Bridgerton who's enjoying her season. I care about her. Her name is Annalise. You'd like her if you gave her a chance"

She replies "you marry her and you won't know what you're giving up until it's too late" I tell her "you already know how I feel about the subject of children. It's not a sacrifice to me." "But there's-" I cut her off again "I won't treat Anna as if she's less than a woman because she had an accident lady Danbury, and neither should any of you, it could've happened to anyone. But it happened to her and you went from singing her praises to treating her like dirt. It's not right. And I won't let you change my mind or let it go on" and walk away.

I sit beside Anna and she asks "how did it go? She manage to talk sense into you about me?" She already knew what the talk was going to be about. "I apologize about her." She sends me a small smile "don't be sorry for her worry for you, courting a woman who can't bare children." "That doesn't define you Anna" I tell her. She chuckles "yes it does" I reply "not to me" she looks into my eyes and wow...her eyes are gorgeous.

"What's one thing you miss?" I question. She sighs "my siblings" I give her a questioning look and she goes on "anthony is the only one allowed to talk to me Benedict does rarely as well, though no one knows that and anthony does get shit for it. We were all close once but I became the family's stain, and mother dearest prohibits me from staining them and their societal reputation like I did my own"

I take her hand in mine "I'm sorry for my insensitive question" she shakes her head "don't apologize for her actions." I nod and she asks "why me?" I tell her "I could immediately tell you're not like the others. You're unapologetically you. You didn't even know who I was and it was like a breath of fresh air just as you are Anna. I like you. You're not only incredibly beautiful, but you're strong, funny, not afraid to speak your mind, talented in things other ladies are too afraid to even attempt. You've been through hell and yet you still look at the bright side and get through your hardships despite everything. I admire you. And that's why you"

She asks "I'm sensing you already thought this way and used your idea to be left alone as a way to court me" I chuckle "would you have said yes if I asked?" "Are you going to ask?" She asks with a raised brow and a smirk. I smirk "you do know how to get what you want" "a good talent to have I was told" she says with a chuckle. I kiss her knuckles "may I court you Annalise Bridgerton" my eyes on hers. She sends me a smile "are you sure you want this Duke of Hastings?" I chuckle "do you Viscountess of Bridgerton" she replies "if it keeps going the way it is now...then yes...and I'm not the viscountess. I'm now on my way to be the duchess of Hastings now thank you very much" I laugh "that you are"