Unwanted|| Simon Basset

8

Annalise's pov
I get home and Simon smiles "until later" I nod "until later" I ignore the eyes on me and dress in

A knock sounds at my door "come in" I voice. It's my mother. She says "you look beautiful Annalise did you make that?" I reply "you already know I did Lady Bridgerton." Her eyes soften "I want to apologize for everything..." "I'm afraid there's way too much damage done" I reply. She replies "please. You're my first daughter. I love you" "how can you stand here and say such a thing to me after everything you've done to prove the opposite of your statement"  I reply.

She says "I have never not loved you annalise" I scoff "is that why you told everyone I'm useless and not worthy of being married? Is that why you told them that I can no longer bare children? Out of love? Spare me another lie mother" "I messed up. I didn't know the whole story. And I'm sorry" she replies

"You never asked. Not once. I'd wake screaming at night and hide in here and you never asked why. Not only that but it was never your place to tell anyone about my body. Ever. If the cover story was true we wouldn't even be having this conversation lady Bridgerton. I'd still be the stain that you always called me" I mutter brushing through my hair. She says "and I apologize. If I could take it back I would" "you can't. You can't change what you've said about me. What it did to me. You can't change the fact that you prohibited me from going to my own fathers funeral. You can't change any of it. Your duty as a mother was to love me despite everything and to remain at my side and you failed to do both tremendously. I cannot and will not forgive you for what you've done" finishing my hair.

She says "you'll need guidance if you're to marry the Duke" I chuckle "I don't need a sex talk from you mother trust me. Anything you say to me would only cut short on preparing me." "Not all sex is as rough and demeaning-" I cut her off "I know. Trust me I know." She nods "so any plans with a proposal yet?" I sigh "what do you want from me mother? Really? I don't like small talk and my relationship isn't your business to care for."

She says "I'm your mother-" I cut her off "by blood. But you haven't been acting like one for years now." She touches me and I freeze. There's been many times throughout the years that she'd strike me. It's how I learned certain things. Like not to talk to my siblings. She says "I'm not going to hurt you" "you've been doing it for years now. Wouldn't surprise me" I mutter. She sighs "I want to start over" "you've done too much to me to simply start over" I tell her and hear the door man at Simon is here.

I head out and smile seeing Simon and he kisses my knuckles "annalise" I smile "Simon" Anthony comes over "you don't have to worry about Berbrooke anymore" I look to Anthony and say "what has happened?" "Well besides what he tried and said about you, he's also tried to force himself on Daphne. Mother and gossip has handled it. He left town. You were right about the child with the maid." He says.

I nod and he asks to borrow Anthony before we leave.

Simons pov
I sit in the office with Anthony. "How far are you going to take this Simon?" "Take what?" I question. He sighs "you and Annalise. I know you said you had no plans to marry. The heir part is out of the question. But I need to know for her sake. I've not seen her as relaxed, or happy...herself. I haven't seen her be so much of herself in years." He really does love his twin, I mean it was obvious before. But it's more shown now. His eyes line with extreme worry and love for her.

I tell him "that was before I met her Anthony. I'm courting her. And if you'd allow me...I'd like to ask for her hand. I have no intention of hurting her. In the little bit of time we've known one another, she's become very important to me." He smiles "that's all I wished to hear. Do you think it's love?" I think about her, the feeling I get from doing so makes me nod. "That's all I want for her. For someone to love her and her be able to love as well." He says.

I nod and he asks "do you have a ring?" I reply "not yet. It's being made" he nods "now lets get you two out of here" I nod and leave and I'm stopped by Lady Bridgerton. "Can we talk?" I guess so? She leads me elsewhere in the house and says "my daughter has been through a hell no one would truly be able to understand" "from my understanding, you're the reason for a lot of it" I reply. "That is true and it is also my biggest regret. Not being there when I should've been. I only ask if you wish for children" she replies.

I shake my head "if she can't have them then I don't want them" "I don't want you to give that up if you're not truly sure. But I also don't want her hurt." She replies. I say "I do not wish for children if she cannot have any lady Bridgerton. I don't count on hurting her either. If that's all...I have to get going" and I find Anna. I say "ready beautiful?" She nods "yes"

It doesn't take long for us to get there and catch everyone's eye. I wish to kiss her but it would be improper to do so and not be wed. She looks absolutely gorgeous today. Her hair in a hairstyle I've never seen before but it's so....her. I hand her some champagne. She asks "what did my mother talk to you about?" I chuckle "wondered if I was sure about you and the topic of children"

"You didn't deserve to be grilled about such a thing" she replies and I say "she cares about you and want to know things because I'm courting you" she chuckles "she has no right considering what she's done" I kiss her knuckles "dance with me" she nods and we set up accordingly to start a dance. She asks "so besides fighting for the sake of my honor what do you like to do?"

I chuckle "I box often, writings always been a bit of a passion of mine as well." She smiles "mind teaching me how one day?" "I thought you can fight?" I ask. She chuckles "just what I taught myself" her lips are captivating. Begging. "I'll teach you, but you have to show me what you taught yourself" I reply. We finish the dance and I'm called for by the man making the ring I'm to propose to her with. I bow to her "if you'll excuse me I need to handle that" she nods "of course I'll find anthony" I nod and watch her go and she surprisingly goes to dance with Benedict. Guess her family situation is improving? Good but weird. I wonder what happened.

I approach the man "what? Is something wrong?" He shakes his head "it's done your Grace I imagine you'd want it as soon as possible" I nod and he hands it to me and I look around before opening it. I smile "thanks. I'll pay you later" he nods and I tuck it into my pocket and head back to her.