Viscount Bridgerton

Chapter 20

Dear readers, it has come to This Author's attention that there have been attempts to thwart the distribution of my very colourful works. The individual remains unnamed but rest assured, This Author has every intention to uncover the truth and put an end to the sabotage once and for all.
LADY WHISTLEDOWN SOCIETY PAPERS 15th June 1814

Life was peculiar—humorous even, Nura thought as she stroked Anthony's horse. Jack was the name of the Scottish breed. There was something about the noble steed that calmed Nura. Life, she scoffed to herself. One minute it was happy and the next, well, everything could be snatched right out of your hand. Be it fair or not. It was something of that sort for her. Anthony was her everything. Anthony was her hope. Anthony was her freedom. Anthony was grounding. With him, Nura had everything and more in the universe. How foolish was she to believe it would be forever? How foolish was she to forget her uncles would not rest until they destroyed every speck of happiness.

Suddenly a heaviness invaded her heart and as she pet the horse, Nura wished everything could be different. She wanted nothing more than to be in the arms of her lover—her very reason for living. Footsteps, dragging themselves towards her. It was as if the person they belonged to were hesitant to approach her. Slowly Nura glanced in the direction of the soft footfalls. "Lilah?" Her mind raced, in search for answers as to why Lilah stood before her. Though confused, needless to say, Nura's curiosity piqued at noticing the scroll Lilah clutched ever so tightly in her hand.

Lilah sucked in a breath then quickly released it back out. "Your brothers and the Duke of Hastings...Lord Bridgerton...I-I caught them in my father's study and let us just say I had a slight inclination of what it was they were searching for."
Nura stood aghast, her mouth opening and closing and it took her a little time to form the words, but eventually she did. "I do not understand?"

Lilah extended out the hand that held the scroll. "Take it. You are the rightful owner...I'm not so good with this but, it will free you and your brothers from their clutches." Lilah gave a little laugh. It was more of a nervous laugh. It felt strange to her ears, to hear such a note leave her lips. Yet lilah had never felt this free in her life, so free and in control of her own actions. "I took it before your brothers could get their paws on it." She chuckled, humoured at that thought. Some things never change. Lilah smiled as she thought. "They probably think I am on my way to rat you out to my father but...." Lilah extended out her hand.

Nura took the scroll with shaking hands. She had what everyone she loved had been tirelessly searching for. Her freedom. Their freedom. Her mother's freedom. The will their father left for them. "Lilah....I do not know what to say..." tears welled up in Nura's eyes and she glanced up at her cousin.

"You saved me..." she grimaced. It is only right and just that I save you."
"After all this time?" Nura posed the question, shifting her body so she was facing Lilah better. Perhaps she was slightly dubious of Lilah's intentions, after all, Lilah had made it her life's mission to make Nura's life a misery. "You hate me?"

Lilah sighed. "I didn't hate you all the time—what I mean to say is, I do not hate you," she paused, fiddling with her hands, almost too ashamed to look her cousin in the eyes. "Father made me believe to be near you was to be plunged in darkness...that you were filth and," she took a sharp breath. "You are worse than the plague. If I remained in your presence, you would ruin me. It took a little time to see his words as truth, for when I disobeyed him, he would beat me. Eventually hating you was much simpler."

Nura covered her mouth with her hands, utterly horrified as Lilah continued to express her side of the story. To know the extent of the brutality of her uncles surpassed her nightmares. She felt abysmal. Her heart ached for Lilah as she continued to listen. Finally Lilah stopped, taking deep breaths with tears spilling out. "Im so very sorry cousin." She gasped.
Nura threw her arms around lilah. "Oh no, please don't apologise for it is not your fault. I was completely unaware of this! I couldn't fathom they would treat you in such a manner Lilah!"