𝙋𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨 || 𝘼𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙮 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙤𝙣

Chapter 5

A/N: I can't get the transcripts for the next episodes, nor Lady Whistledown's actual papers of this so I'm relying on recaps so I apologize!

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Once again, the Danbury estate is overflowing with suitors for Miss Edwina Sharma. Lavina has spent most of the day tending to the gardens outside, a routine hobby she loves. And of course, to avoid visitors to Edwina. Lavina sorted the slant-cut flowers in her basket, glancing at the second story window.

She could see Kate managing all appointments like a secretary. Finding a husband was an important thing, so was having dates, but wasn't this a bit excessive? Lavina keeps at her work, trying to free her mind of any societal thoughts. Thomas pops outside to bring Lavina a towel for her hands later.

"Miss Quintrell, I've counted at least a dozen of them, now I see Lord Bridgerton come in!" He tells her, glancing back at the garden doors.

"Oh Kate will not stand for that, she hates him." Lavina tells him, getting back down on her knees to prune the roses.

"Might I ask why?" Thomas inquires, always one for gossip.

"Most of it is quite private, not in a scandalous way, more embarrassing I suppose, but anyways she thinks he's a terrible man."

"But would the Viscount do all of this just for Edwina?"

"Men like him will do anything to check a box off the list, that's all." Lavina tells him, getting back up again with Thomas's help.

She had extended her time gardening by great amounts today, no appointments and no intention of entertaining gentlemen callers. She wouldn't be surprised if the bruises on her knees lasted weeks now. At least the garden looked better, and there were more flowers for the bouquets in the house.

"Lord Bridgerton, I thought I requested you to leave." Kate's voice comes into the parlor, following Anthony Bridgerton down. Through open French doors, Lavina and Thomas watch entertained, for they haven't been spotted quite yet.

"Yes, but I also came to see a friend, Miss Quintrell." Lord Bridgerton tells her, crossing his arms.

"She feels the exact same as me about you my Lord, so I would not advise bothering her." Kate scolds, slapping a hand on a near table, rattling a vase on top of it.

"Lavina is not being bothered, besides she must be tortured out of her mind with the amount of men clogging Danbury's estate." He argues with her, using Miss Quintrells first name.

Thomas gives Lavina queer look, as to ask about the first name basis.

"He has never called me that, it's just for show I bet." Lavina grumbles, not wanting to raise suspicions.

"Have you forgotten you are one of those men?!" Kate asks him, then goes back upstairs, clearly done with him. Anthony ignores her, finally seeing a peeping Lavina and Thomas outside in the garden. He walks out, still ignoring Kate's words to meet Lavina.

"Lavina, you have to talk some sense into her."

"Since when was I Lavina to you, Lord Bridgerton?" Anthony Bridgerton stops himself before another word can emerge from him, scoffing.

Closer than she preferred is where he stands, arms crossed and almost touching her.

"Just this once, side with me?" He asks in a whisper, eyes staring into her very soul.

Lavina would be fine to say yes, but it was one thing invading a ladies home. It just didn't feel right, like Artimis's anger for Actaeon's prying eyes on her.