The Viscount and The Traveler|| Anthony Bridgerton

4

Addison

I just arrived here at Mr. Hargreeves a few minutes ago and while I was tying Jacks up, I got a bit scared. It's one thing to be sneaking out, but in a place where high class men are and I could be spotted? I thought to myself. As I was about to walk away, I looked at Jacks and with my true accent, I said "Be a good girl" and in return she licked me. I walked into the house, and to my surprise a LOT of men were here, some of which I noticed were at the Queens residence on the day I was supposed to make my debut. I stayed to myself and listened to the men talk among themselves. I was just waiting on Mr. Hargreeves. 

"GENTLEMAN" I heard a loud voice say with authority as the men all stood still "Well, as you all know or heard, I'll be selling many of my possessions. In the upper corner are fields, on my left are my properties, and straight ahead are the lands that I have up for sale for now. Take your time, socialize and take your pick for what you want" He smiled and people did as told 

"Good evening sir, may I ask where are you from? I don't believe I've seen you around my part of town" A guy dressed like me said I looked him up and down and walked away. 

I walked as far away from the men as possible and I found myself in the kitchen. Looking around to distract myself from the chaos of running into people. "I do believe you're lost sir" I heard the newly familiar voice say 

"Sorry" I said with as much bass as I could turning around with my head down

"Young man" Mr. Hargreeves said before I could fully leave the kitchen

"Yes sir?" I asked while bowing 

"Look up at me" he said as I reluctantly did so. He stood with his hands behind his back looking at me from head to toe with a look I could not decipher "Where are you from?" he asked 

"Uhm f-far away?" I questioned 

"How far?" He asked 

"V-Very" I answered 

"How far away is very far young man?" He asked as I started to get annoyed unknowingly 

"Look, I said far away" I stated in my English accent clearly forgetting the bass

"Ahhh, so you're frustrated very easily... you must be a young lady" he smirked 

"And what if I am?" I asked 

"Answering back... hmm you certainly grew up with no proper training I assume" 

" I did grow up with proper training, I am just not from here" I sighed 

"So let me ask you, WHEN are you from?" He asked removing his glasses causing me to lose my breath 

"W- wha- uh -u-h what do you mean?" I questioned 

"Exactly what I asked you" he answered 

I began to shake really badly and my head started to swing. I don't know who this man is or what kind of trouble I'm about to get into. 

"A deer caught in headlights" He chuckled making me now raise my brow

"T-that t-term" I stammered "H-how do you know tha-that?" I asked 

"Traveler as well" is all he said brushing past me "Come along" he said walking straight with his hands behind his back

"Where?" I asked still following him 

"If I am correct, you must be here for land" He said causing me to nod my head "Then be on your way back home, this is no place for a young lady to be" He said opening the front door. He walked with me to Jacks as a man was there petting him 

"Viscount Bridgerton" Mr. Hargreeves said causing the man to turn around 

"Lord Hargreeves" He smiled 

"Lord?" I whispered earning a glance from Mr. Hargreeves 

"You know I don't go by that title any longer" He said to the Viscount 

"To me you'll always be a Lord" The Viscount answered "Who might you be?" he asked facing me

"I'm-" I started to say 

"Leaving" Mr. Hargreeves interjected 

I hopped onto Jacks back but forgot I didn't untie him. I angrily hopped down but ended up slipping down. Wrong time to be clumsy I thought to myself. I closed my eyes and laid there in embarrassment waiting to hear the foot steps get further away only for them to be getting closer. When I opened my eyes 2 pairs of eyes were bent over staring at me. I closed my eyes back as I was being pulled up. 

"Are you alright?" Mr. Hargreeves asked as I nodded 

"Nice pearl" The viscount said pointing to my earlobe "I've never seen a young man such as yourself wear a pearl before" he said looking at me questionably "Especially with hands as soft as a baby's bottom" He said with a disgusted look

I untied Jacks and as I was about to hop on her, Mr. Hargreeves said to me "My next auction is a closed one. I'll have something more suitable for you young lady" He said making me pause and look at him as the Viscount looked at me with pity evident on his face.

"It's very dark, hurry home before someone notices who you are" he warned and I did just that

When I got back home, the house was dimly lit. I carried Jacks back into the stable and I climbed back onto my balcony and slid the door open. I quietly changed my clothes and went to the bathroom to clean myself up. When I got back into my room, I lightly laid in my bed only to find a pair of white globes looking at me. 

"How was it?" She whispered 

"Well. I didn't get to buy any land, and I think I know why Mr. Hargreeves is strange" I said beginning to tell her the events of which happened tonight, ensuring to leave out the parts of both Mr. H and I being from different timelines. 

"You do know who it is that you've met tonight right?" Kathrine whispered 

"Who? Mr. Har-" I began to ask 

"No... the Viscount" She said cutting me off 

"Oh, yeah. He's rude and tends to look down on others" I told her 

"What makes you say that?" She asked 

"I've never seen a young man such as yourself wear a pearl before" I said mocking him making her chuckle "It's not funny" I sighed "I didn't take out one of my pearls by accident" I told her 

"It just sounds to me like he was harmlessly teasing you" She said 

"No, that was pure discrimination. I don't care I never want to see him again" I said

"I'm sorry but that is very unlikely Mistress" She said 

"Katherine, I'm never seeing him AGAIN" I said "Now lets get some sleep" I said to her

*************************

The next morning, Katherine was waking me up to get washed up for breakfast. At the breakfast table, Lady D mentioned that we would be having guests over for the weekend since the Queens Ball is tomorrow. 

"When will they be arriving?" I asked 

"They shall be here before noon" She informed me 

"Are the guests a surprise?" I asked 

"Something like that, I figured a familiar face would help you out for tomorrow" She smiled 

I am truly thankful for Lady Danbury, she treats me as if I am her own grand daughter. To say she shows tough love is an understatement, if I am being honest though I think I wrapped myself right around her finger because everything she does for me is out of the pureness of her heart.