Simons pov I already made sure she made it home safely and now I'm walking back when Nigel Berbrooke says "hey!" I turn and he says "why are you courting the purest of diamonds" I say "she's more than that Berbrooke. Why do you care? You showed no interest in her. You're a lord surely you'd want a child" "you don't need her like I do! If you're really courting her why haven't you proposed! I'm sure you would have already!" He shouts after me. He says "unless she's a slag and you've already had her!"
I turn around glaring at the man. How dare he! I wrap my hand around his throat and snap "don't you ever. And I mean ever. Call her out of her name and question her honor again. What? Was Daphne not enough for you so you just had to come and move onto what's mine?! If I ever see you near her again there will be problems. And I'll be sure to tell viscount Bridgerton of the way you talked about lady Bridgerton" the asshole moves away and talks about my father and his treatment to me and he finishes "you know once she sees the victim you are she'll leave and fuck another like the slag she is" and that's when I start hitting him repeatedly. I leave him there and go home.
Annalises pov I wake the next morning and dress in
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I leave my hair in it's waves and I head downstairs and Colin says "you look lovely today sister" I must look taken a back because I am. My mother speaks "we treated you wrongly. Get to know your siblings again. It's okay" I ignore her and say "thank you Colin" Daphne asks "you make your own clothes?" I nod "yes. I do"
She nods "they're beautiful" I nod "thank you" feeling weird by their attention. Benedict simply comes and hugs me "sister" he mutters and I freeze. I break the hug and say "excuse me" and walk back upstairs to my balcony and take a breath.
Anthony's pov I watch as she heads upstairs. Benedict asks "was it something we did or said?" Confused by her action. I tell them "she's been neglected for years. Start trying to get to know her before you just attack her with affection. Your attention was too much for her to handle I take it." They look guilty. And siblings aren't at fault. My mother is. Benedict would sneak a short conversation or two. But my mother wouldn't even let Colin and Daphne near her much never mind talk.
Colin asks "should we go up and check on her?" I say "I got it. Just...take it easy." Daphne asks "how is she uncomfortable when she's courting the Duke of Hastings" I reply "she may not seem uncomfortable with the attention while out but she is. She's not used to being this close yet just give it time" heading to her room. I see her out on the balcony and head out.
"They meant no harm you know?" I speak softly. She sighs "I know" "are you alright?" I question softly. She sighs "I don't even know anymore anthony" I stand and hold my arms out and she allows me to hug her. I kiss her head "they love you. I told them to take it easy for your sake." She sighs "me telling and everything feels like a fever dream. Like I'm going to wake up and I'm going to have to put on that brave face and take the verbal abuse and being shunned all over again"
