rage. [A. Bridgerton]

vi

❝ no man shall say that I betrayed a brother ❞

Elias Ellsworth was the eldest Ellsworth child. As the eldest brother, it was almost natural to become close friends with the Bridgerton's eldest brother as well. They were inseparable. One would say they were often mistaken as brothers. And as brothers, they made a pact, at age thirteen, to never fall in love with the other's sister because that was 'gross'.

The first strike happened when Elias noticed Anthony and Evelyn sharing small glances with one another during dinners or events. 'Puppy love,' Elias thought then rolled his eyes and continued on with his life. 

Throughout their time at Oxford, Elias and Anthony became well-known rakes. Neither wanted to settle down with any woman anytime soon. They were okay with spending their time at the clubs and taking home whatever misses they could. 

The second strike happened when Elias was walking through his family's home. He had walked past the drawing-room before stopping and taking a few small steps back to look at what was unfolding. He saw his sister and Anthony laughing together. He didn't mind the laughs. It was the fact they sat close. A little too close. Her hand was on top of Anthony's. He knew of Anthony never wanting to marry for love. He also knew his sister was too naive to not fall for his friend's lying words. So he sat each one of them down and spoke to them individually. He told his sister that Anthony was his friend and this was not one of her love stories. He questioned Anthony on his intentions with his sister. Anthony laughed it off and brought up the pact they made at age thirteen.

And so Elias thought it was done. 

The third strike was when he found his sister sobbing on her bed one night. Elias would comfort her as it was his duty as her eldest brother. Evelyn would tell him that it was just some silly boy who thought he was interested in her but she found him with another woman. Elias would sigh and give her a talk about men. He told her to be careful, that at that age they only lust... not love. Except one night turned into many nights. Elias figured out quickly that it was due to his best friend's love triangle with Siena and his sister. 

Evelyn did not know that when Elias came home one night with an almost broken nose and a few bruises that he and his best friend had gotten into a fight. Elias had confronted Anthony stringing his sister and Siena along. He brought up Daphne, stating that if the roles were reversed. That made Anthony unhappy. So as men, they brawled. And after that night, Elias cut ties with his oldest friend. 

Elias would ask his father to send Evelyn to their Aunt Hattie's so she would be ready for the next season. Edward was skeptical about why Elias wanted to send his sister away, but Elias stated that it was so she knew what to expect as it was a different experience for women than it was for men. Elias got through to Edward when he stated that Aunt Hattie was the only woman in their life and it would benefit Evelyn most to learn from her. Edward agreed that she was of age now and deserved a chance to find love.

Elias convinced Aunt Hattie to burn any letters that Evelyn would receive from a boy named Anthony Bridgerton. He told her everything that had happened... maybe a little more dramatic than said. He stated he wanted to protect his sister from a rake. Aunt Hattie agreed because she knew what heartbreak was like.  

Elias Ellsworth and Anthony Bridgerton are the eldest brothers in their respected families. They took it upon themselves to ensure their sisters' futures. With the vast similarities between the two, one would mistake them for being brothers.

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The Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens was as serious of an event as it was scandalous. Evelyn wore a light purple dress with delicate jeweled designs that flowed throughout the dress. She wore her hair down with pearls that danced in her hair along with a pearl necklace. Her white silk gloves only complimented her attire. 

Evelyn stood in the middle of the dark lanterns as she waited for the ceremony master to continue with his speech. "It is with great privilege I present Vauxhall's newest spectacle of illumination! Feast your eyes above! And allow all that is radiant to overwhelm you!" Then he nodded to his accomplice.

Lights flickered above the guests of Vauxhall. Evelyn's eyes sparkled with joy. Her smile was contagious. 'Wow,' she thought. 

'Wow,' he thought. He had to approach her.

Evelyn's blissful moment was paused as she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to the person who had asked for her attention. There stood a man, dressed in fine clothing. He wore a smile on his face. 

"Hello, miss..." he trailed off as a way of asking for her name.

"Evelyn Ellsworth," she bowed with a smile at the gentleman.

"Miss Evelyn Ellsworth," he corrected himself and held out his hand. "May I summon you for a dance?"

Evelyn took the man's hand and nodded with a blush flowing to her cheeks. "Yes, yes you may, Mr..." she trailed off.

"Augustus Ashburnum," he smiled cheekily. 

Augustus led Evelyn to the dance floor where they stood next to Simon and Daphne. Evelyn made a mental note to ask about the sudden fondness between the two. 

The man in front of her smelt of cedar and vanilla. Evelyn was entranced. He took a step closer to Evelyn. She did the same. The two locked eyes. She felt her cheeks warm. The two locked hands as they began their dance. 

'For those not in attendance at the Vauxhall celebration, you missed the most remarkable coups of the season...'

Evelyn felt eyes on her. She did not mind it though as she felt she was floating. The night felt like magic to her. It only amplified with the handsome man in front of her. As Augustus spun Evelyn, time slowed for just one moment as she met eyes with Anthony Bridgerton, her breath hitched. 

'It appears Miss Evelyn Ellsworth has captured the interest of none other than royalty itself, the Prince of Denmark. Perhaps she is the one true incomparable along with our Queen's chosen, Daphne Bridgerton - who found herself in the arms of the newly returned Duke of Hastings.'

...

A/N:

hello sweet readers :) i have updated the character list with augustus in it if you would like to see who i imagine him as! i hope you guys enjoyed this chapter as it was kind of a filler. 

- alissa