Ace of Spades//Anthony Bridgerton

❧nineteen

I look up from the book I am reading as Campbell walks into the room I am staying in.

"Here you are," Campbell says.

I look at her curiously. "I have been here for the better part of the day reading."

Campbell nods as he throws himself down in a chair. "After you came back from the woods with Anthony Bridgerton."

I laugh. "After Colin Bridgerton hit my pall-mall ball into the woods after Anthony's."

"Should I have been worried I let you and Anthony go traipsing off into the woods alone?" Campbell asks.

"Why ever should you start worrying about Anthony and I now?" I ask. "I have known him my whole life."

Val smiles slightly. "I suppose I should be more worried about you hurting him than him hurting you."

"He told me he is going to propose to Miss Edwina," I tell him.

"Should we not be happy for him?" Campbell asks. "I feel as though we should be happy for him."

I shrug my shoulders. "I suppose."

"She is just to... good for him," Campbell states. I laugh. "Anthony needs someone who will put him in his place."

Daphne and I sit in the nursery watching over our children. It is still so strange to say. I am happy to be able to be by Daphne's side as she raises Augie. I know how hard it is to raise a child with little support.

"Miss Edwina did not seem to have much fun playing pall-mall," Daphne says.

I nod my head. "I noticed. I do not think she is as competitive as her sister."

"Or like yourself," Daphne offers.

I laugh. "Or like me. But then again, I have always appreciated your family's desire to be downright gladiatorial. It rivals my own family's competitiveness."

"As if the game can be played any other way," Daphne jokes.

"I was surprised she played for as long as she did," I confess.

"I think it was long enough to impress Anthony too," Daphne tells me.

"I think he plans on proposing," I inform her.

"Has he told you so?" Daphne asks.

I shake my head. "No," I lie. "I just think he desires this season's diamond."

"I cannot help but agree," Daphne confesses. "Though I worry his heart does not lie with Miss Edwina."

"I do not think them a good match," I confess.

"Neither do I," Daphne tells me.

Georgie is telling me all about the time Miss Edwina has been spending with Georgie. I think it is because there is no gossip from the Ton while we are at Aubrey Hall.

"Edwina says Anthony is funny," Georgie tells me.

"That statement is funny," I counter.

Georgie laughs. "Though Edwina is correct in thinking Anthony is intelligent."

"He must be," I reason. "He is the head of his household and has been for some time."

"But it appears to me that Edwina seems to be overlooking some rather large flaws," Georgie states.

I gasp. "Anthony Bridgerton have a flaw? You must be mistaken."

Georgie laughs loudly. "You truly have many issues with Anthony do you not?"

"I do not," I insist. "I just think everyone holds him in too high esteem."