Remarkably Obnoxious

Chapter 1

Let me be perfectly clear that it was not my fault.

It was a normal day, if you ignore the fact that it wasn't.

If we ignore the small important detail that everything that happened after the day I met Anthony Bridgerton was in fact meant to be, then we can say it all began at the end.

***~RO~***

It began at the very end of April with the announcement that Daphne Bridgerton had declined Prince Friedrich's proposal. It was a scandal and I somehow found myself in London to comfort my dearest cousin.

With the start of May, I was in one of the reception rooms in the palace, offering my condolences to Freddie.

"Did you love her Freddie?" I asked, peering at him over the brim of my teacup, ignoring Ernest as he chuckled and sent our cousin a pointed look.

"I assume he loved the look of her, Elspeth," Ernest teased, ignoring the glare I sent him.

"We do not need your opinion Ernest, if we did, I would have included you in the conversation." Whilst I loved my brother, he was far beyond the best person to face when talking about love. Especially after the loss of his dearest wife five years ago.

"Come now, Elspeth, let us leave our dear cousin to his moping and visit Simon."

It became so silent at the mention of Simon, I was sure you'd be able to hear a pin drop. Friedrich looked devastated at the mention of the Duke, for I now knew he was the one to steal Daphne Bridgerton from our dearest cousin.

"You have to start thinking before you speak, Ernie," I warned as we left Freddie in his room. "He must have loved her. Did you see how sad he was at the mention of Simon?"

"I doubt he loved her, Ellie, most probably lusted after her."

"You are such a rake, Ernie, it is disgusting" I muttered, smiling politely at one of the maids that scurried past, I was trying to ignore the flirty look Ernie sent after her.

"You love me, dearest sister, you cannot deny that." It was true. Out of my seven brothers, Ernest was my most favourite. "Let us leave before Aunt Lottie stops us."

***~RO~***

I was not surprised when Ernie rushed us into a carriage and we were away before he had even closed the door. I knew Aunt Lottie would stop us before we could leave the palace and go to Simon. I love Aunt Lottie, I truly did, but she was rather dramatic when she wanted to be.

"Where are we?" I asked twenty minutes later as the carriage came to a stop outside of a church.

"We are to see Simon, dearest sister, you do recall I said we were to visit him."

It took a moment for me to realise what Ernest had truly meant, and I understood why Friedrich was so upset.

"Are we at Simon's wedding, Ernest?"

Ernie dashed out of the carriage, chuckling as he avoided meeting my eyes.

"I cannot believe you, brother. No wonder Freddie was so distressed. You are a wind up."

"Come along now sister, Friedrich needs to be less green if he is to find a wife."

"Not every man is a rake like you, Ernest. Do you even respect women?"

"I respected Lydia."

I paused at the mention of his deceased wife and gave him a soft smile, placing my hand on his shoulder.

"Yes you did, brother and she loved you deeply."

"I do believe that is the bride's carriage arriving," he said, taking my hand and looping it over his arm. "Do you think Simon will be surprised to see us, sister?"