Ace of Spades//Anthony Bridgerton

❧eighteen

We all know the great lengths a young lady will go in pursuit of a proposal. And apparently, she will travel great distances too. Lord Anthony Bridgerton appears to be inching ever so closer to selecting his viscountess, and to that end has invited our diamond to join him for an excursion at his ancestral home, Aubrey Hall.

My sister, brother, and I are in our carriage on the way to Aubrey Hall. My daughters and nurses are in the carriage behind us. I could not leave them alone in London for the week. And Lady Bridgerton insisted I bring them along.

"I am rather excited at the idea of playing pall-mall," Georgie tells me.

"It is not for the faint of heart," Campbell warns.

"I am aware," Georgie assures. "Our own family is vicious. I cannot imagine how the Bridgertons will play."

I laugh. "If one of us does not win you are both walking back to London."

Country air indeed clears the mind and invigorates the body. Might this be the final gust that pushes the viscount over the precipice of a proposal? Of course, the luckless souls remaining in town will have to find new diversions in the absence of their most precious of stones.

As the carriage pulls up to Aubrey Hall Campbell is the first to step out.

"Hello, Bridgertons," Campbell greets.

I give him a look. "Help your sisters down, Campbell."

I smile as Campbell gives me his hand and I step down from the carriage.

"I am sure you all remember my sister Lady Downing," Campbell introduces. Georgie steps down from the carriage. "And my other sister Miss Georgiana Gillingham."

Lady Bridgerton holds Augie in her hands. "Come say hello."

I smile as Georgie says hello to Augie.

Anthony steps towards me. "Ah. You're smiling. I see my plan to win you over is already working."

"I was smiling at Augie, which you are now blocking my view of," I tell him.

"Mark my words, Selina. By the end of your stay, your opinion of me will be much improved," Anthony insists.

"I have never known you to be such an optimist," I tell him. "Though it is not my opinion you need to sway."

Daphne walks over to me. "Selina."

I smile. "Daph. I am rather looking forward to Augie meeting my daughters."

"I am very glad indeed that you brought them along," Daphne tells me.

"I was glad to receive the invitation," I tell her. "My siblings and I are looking forward to spending time with you and your family."

"Well, now, you must be weary from your travels," Lady Bridgerton says. "Mrs. Wilson. Please show our guests to their rooms so they might get refreshed."

"And ready for battle," Eloise says.

I smile widely. "Mm, indeed."

"What can you mean?" Miss Edwina asks.

"Do not mind Eloise. She's always so spirited in the country," Lady Bridgerton says.

"Then we have that in common," I tell Eloise with a smile.

Country air indeed clears the mind and invigorates the body. Might this be the final gust that pushes the viscount over the precipice of a proposal? Of course, the luckless souls remaining in town will have to find new diversions in the absence of their most precious of stones.