Talk of the Ton | S. Basset DoH

The Duke and The Lord Berbrooke

The Duke and The Berbrooke

Diamond of the First Water - Part II

Previously...

He continues to call after me and I look to back to see him advancing. I pick up the pace, thinking about how my brother might've ruined my chances at making my family proud of me. I'm so caught up in my thoughts and trying to get away from Lord Berbrooke, I did not see the man heading my direction.

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    I continue briskly walking from Lord Berbrooke, caught up in my escape, that don't notice the man walking toward me. Ungracefully, we run into each other. "Oh..." I look up at him. "Pardon me, Sir. I'm sorry!"

    "Forgive me," he say starting to walk away. I look back behind me, and see Lord Berbrooke still advancing. I grab the unknown man's arm and pull him back, preventing him from leaving.

    "Pardon the rude interruption, Sir, please." He turns and looks back at me. "But it seems I am in need of help. I'm being followed by a rather unsightly man, you can see him just there, if you look behind me. Would you mind staying with me for merely a moment, if only to ward him off, please?" He sighs and looks behind me. True to my word Lord Berbrooke was walking this way, still calling after me.

    "Of course, Miss...?" He asked as he took my gloved hand to place a kiss on the knuckle.

    "Oh, right. Elena... Bridgerton," I said as I curtsied.

    "Bridgerton?" I nodded. "I believe I knew your brother, Anthony, from our time at Oxford. Simon Basset." He looks behind me once again, looking for Lord Berbrooke, missing my surprised face. "I see what you mean. He is rather ugly, is he not?"

    My eyes widened in humor. I could not stop the loud, ringing laughter that tumbled from my lips. "Oh, forgive me, Mr. Basset," I said after taking moment to catch my breath. He was smiling down at me. "You are right, though, he is. Between you and I, he look's a bit like a common garden rat." It was his turn to snort out a laugh.

    "Your troubles are gone now," he said pointing behind me. I looked over my shoulder, catching the back of Lord Berbrooke walking away from us.

    "It appears so, but I wish not to leave. You have been, probably, the highlight of this evening for me. Thank you again, Mr. Basset," I curtesy again.

    "Nonsense, Miss Bridgerton, any man of honor would take the hint, or help a lady in distress. He, clearly is not one, and you clearly were in distress. It was a pleasure and and honor."

    "Sir, you said you knew Anthony?" I asked not wanting the conversation to end.

    Before he could answer, Anthony was shouting across the room, making his way toward us. "Basset?! Basset! Come here old friend!"

    "Bridgerton!" Mr. Basset said with the same gumption my brother had. I watch in amusement as they grabbed each others wrists and pulled each other into a manly hug.

    "I heard news of your father," Anthony said solemnly before something struck him, a revelation of a sort. "Deuce take it, you are no longer Basset." I look up at Mr. Basset confused.