Ace of Spades//Anthony Bridgerton

❧seventeen

As I step into the drawing room of Hastings house I am almost knocked off of my feet. Daphne has me in a tight hug before I can even speak a word.

"I feel as if it has been weeks since I have last seen you," I tell her.

"I feel the same," Daphne tells me.

"I am sure you have been rather busy being a wife, and a mother, and keeping such a large house," I tell her.

"It is no excuse," Daphne tells me. "I promise you that I will be better about making calls."

I smile. "Good. I do not want to miss my closest friend."

Daphne laughs. "Now you must tell me all you know about Lady Danbury's house guests."

I laugh lightly. "Lady Mary is a very nice woman from what I can tell. Miss Edwina is a rather close friend of Georgie. And Miss Sharma is as sharp as a porcupine, but I get along with her rather nicely."

"And Miss Edwina is being courted by Anthony," Daphne says.

I nod my head. "She seems rather taken by him."

"I hear her sister is making things rather hard for Anthony," Daphne says.

"She is but I do not blame her," I confess. "You know as well as I that Anthony was a rake up until a few months ago."

Daphne laughs lightly. "You are correct in that."

A nurse walks through the door with a beautiful baby boy in her arm. "Ma'am. Augie is up from his nap."

"Thank you," Daphne says as she takes her son from his nurse. "Selina, I would like you to meet my son, Augie."

I head to the soiree at the Danbury House. I thought it was going to be anormal party but instead each eligible young man is showcasing a talent. So far, the talents have included flute playing, cymbal playing, magic, and a rather strange dance.

"At least it is the men who are making fools of themselves this time," Kate whispers to me.

"Was this your idea?" I ask.

"I wish I could take credit, but no," Kate tells me. "Lady Danbury encouraged a poetry reading. The men, thanks to their spirit and competition, concocted the rest of this farce on their own."

I laugh lightly. "Of course, they did."

Lady Danbury moves to stand in front of all of us. "Oh, yes. Marvelous."

A man with a yoyo starts to do a routine. It is rather strange to watch if I am honest.

As the man finishes Lady Danbury steps forward once more. "Yes. Yes. How about a pause."

I turn to my brother. "Will you be so bold as to perform tonight?"

Campbell laughs. "No. I am not courting Miss Edwina therefore I shall not be embarrassing myself like these men have. I do have some dignity."

I laugh as he walks towards the refreshments.

"Lady Downing."

I turn and see Kate walking towards me.

"This is all rather splendid," I tell her.

Kate laughs. "Lady Danbury does certainly know how to throw a soiree." She looks at me for a moment. "I wish to ask you something."

"Of course," I tell her.

"You and Lord Bridgerton seem to know one another rather well," Kate says.

"My whole life," I inform her.