𝐁𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐞 ✔️

Chapter 2 - Lady Danbury's Ball

Beth was braiding Emma's hair in her chamber when she suddenly heard a knock at the door. She eyed the entrance and yelled for the person to come in. Emma expected the visitor to be her mother or sister, but instead, a tall man with brown hair walked through the doorway.

"Brother? Is there something you need?" Emma asked, surprised at who was standing in her room. Luke placed his hands behind his back as he hesitated to speak.

"Emma, I came to speak to you about Anthony Bridgerton," Luke informed. Emma felt a tug from behind, pulling the hair on her scalp. Beth apologized and went back to styling. That curious mind of hers wanted to know what needed to be said about the Viscount.

"If you come to lecture me, then I have nothing else to say to you," Emma added, trying not to move so Beth could finish.

"He is not acceptable nor manageable for you! You are not to go near that man tonight, do you understand?" Luke ordered. Emma slammed her hand down on the vanity, causing Beth to stop her progress. Emma got up from the chair and walked over to her brother.

"You mustn't order me around on who I can associate with. You are certainly not my father or my mother. Now leave, Luke!" Emma spat. She pointed to the door as her body tensed up.

"He is the definition of a rake Emma! He pays women for his greedy needs! You have to listen to me with that stubborn head of yours." Luke hollered back. Emma felt a sting of pain against her chest Luke kept rambling about the eldest Bridgerton.

She couldn't hear his voice anymore as she fell into deep thought. He's a rake? Did he pay for pleasure? The small chance of liking him was ruined, he was a horrible man and she wanted nothing to do with him.

"Luke, you have my word. Now leave my chamber." Emma murmured. Luke stared at her, concerned about how she must be feeling about the whole thing, but he didn't question his sister since he got what he wanted. He nodded in her direction and then left the room.

"Emma? I need to finish your.." Beth paused, realizing it wasn't a good time to bother the Harrington girl and that some time alone would do her justice.

Emma turned around towards her maid and sat back in the chair she was standing by. She stared at the white wall as her musings went feral in her mind. She couldn't stop thinking about him. Of course, they were never going to become anything, but part of her dreamed of more like a small chance.

≈≈≈

The Harrington's carriage came to a stop in front of a large property. Luke opened the door and stepped onto the gravel. He held out a hand to assist Emma out of the carriage to which she gratefully accepted his offer and stepped down.

She gazed at the building with her round green irises and observed the outside. It drew the eyes of members, who have never been faced with something so wonderful. There was a huge water fountain with a statue in the middle as lily pads surrounded the surface of the water. The architectural design of the estate was painted a linen white and the aroma when you walked along the dirt road smelled of fresh bouquets, blessing the nose with every inhale. Torches were lit in between every ornate marble planter.

The family headed inside, parting ways with each other. Jenny and Lady Harrington strolled in first, then shortly after Luke followed and mixed in with a group of men, which included the Bridgerton brothers.