The Emerald Viscountess

~26~

"Does this have anything to do with our dinner with the Sheffields the other evening?" Violet asked hesitantly, following her three eldest sons into Anthony's room where he readied himself in. "Or, perhaps, some even greater issue has come to pass that we must discuss, Anthony."

"Miss Edwina is merely agitated, she will come to her senses," Benedict defended, knowing how much in the wrong he was.

"Miss Edwina does seem to have a delicate constitution, perhaps fresh air will be just the thing," Colin chimed in, following into the room with Daphne, Eloise, Hyacinth, and Gregory.

"Perhaps the archbishop's talk of lifelong covenants overwhelmed her," Eloise thought aloud, lounging on one of the pieces of furniture, earning a glare from her mother. "Perhaps that marriage is, in fact, a prison for women."

"Must you always be so . . . you?" Colin groaned.

"How else should I be? Married and silent?" Eloise retorted.

"Where's Nora?" Hyacinth asked, slightly concerned for her dear friend and surrogate sister.

"Possibly calming Miss Edwina's nerves," Violet said.

"Perhaps she decided she must change into a different dress," Gregory hypothosized innocently.

"That is absurd, she looked beautiful," Hyacinth argued.

"Perhaps, we should allow Anthony a little respite," Benedict suggested. "Brother, is that what you need?"

Benedict turned to Anthony, who had his head down and fingertips firmly pressed against his forehead and temples in deep thought, eyes shut tightly. The eldest Bridgerton looked up at his family, inhaling deeply, staying silent. "Precisly," he finally concluded, walking past his family and out of the room, giving Daphne a longing glare.

~~~

"Lord Bridgerton," Mary said coldly, answering the door to reveal Anthony.

"Lady Mary," he greeted. "I was hoping to speak with Miss Edwina."

The mother glanced back into her room, looking for approval from Edwina, before looking back to Anthony. "Of course."

Anthony clasped his hands behind his back firmly, entering the room to face his bride. Edwina stood up in his presence. Kate was by her sister's side.

"Lord Bridgerton," she greeted, as coldly as her mother, approaching the man while Kate stood behind. She avoided eye contact, but Anthony could tell from the redness of her eyes she had cried an unhealthy amount. "I am quite certain this delay is rather . . . unexpected."

"Indeed," he confirmed in a quiet tone. "But I must ask, if it is indeed a delay and nothing more?"

"I am considering what more there may be regarding out courtship, and those involved with its . . . interference."

"I know you may think that we-"

"Please tell me you did not come here to offer me more lies or half-truths, my lord. At least offer me that," Edwina interjected, keeping her calm manner.

Anthony didn't know what was scarier; how she reacted after she ran out of the chapel, or the calm aftermath that he now faced.

He nodded slowly in understanding. "I am intent upon this marriage. The very fact that we have arrived at this day with whatever interference there might have been should be proof enough."

"Indeed. Yet, I still wonder whether it is the marriage or me that you truly want."

"It is both," he answered in a whisper. "Miss Edwina, I have never wavered in my intentions since the first moment of our meeting. It was clear to me then, as it is now, that we share is greater than all else."