Midnight Rain:

Chapter 47: Someone with Similarities:

The next morning.

"How was your conversation with the new viscountess yesterday?" Violet asked as she was adding flowers to the arrangements in the ballroom.

"She is certainly a diamond. Knows exactly when to smile and exactly what to say at all times." Daphne smiled, helping her mother. "It is just that... I've always imagined Anthony to be with someone more like him." Daphne said, furrowing her brows.

Violet let out a scoff at Daphne's comment. "Sharp, quick, a little too exacting?" Violet asked as the two of them both chuckled lightly.

"You know, every time I think my marriage has become simple, Simon and I find some new stone to turn over, a new foible that one of us needs the other to tease out and inspect. It is decidedly irritating," Daphne continued to say as Violet chuckled at her daughter's words. "Yet, incredibly gratifying at the same time," she added with a small sigh. "The princess is nearly perfect, but Anthony is a Bridgerton. Is there not something in all of us that requires a challenge?" She continued to ask, looking up at her mother.

"Indeed, there is," Violet smirked, leaning forward to Daphne, who began to think a bit.

Meanwhile, the Royal Physician arrived and examined the princess. Queen Charlotte had arrived, awaiting the news of whether she would have a spare to her royal line since George, the only one with a legitimate heir, had one daughter, who was now married and trying for a royal baby.

Evelina lay in bed, uncomfortable, looking at Anthony, who stayed in the room after Evelina begged him to stay. Anthony was checking his father's pocket watch while also holding his wife's hand.

"Well?" Charlotte asked, standing on the other side of the bed.

"She is with child." The physician said, removing his tool, which looked like a silver version of the plague mask in the 1400s. 

Evelina sighed in relief, looking up at the ceiling.

"Oh, this is wonderful! We are going to have another royal baby—a legitimate one at that!" Charlotte exclaimed, smiling brightly as she glanced at her ladies and Brimsley, who stayed by the door, making Evelina uncomfortable. 

"Are we done?" Anthony asked the doctor who was packing up his tools.

"Yes, my lord..." The doctor nodded.

"Then, I must be off to my study. I still have some accounts I must see to before the ball this evening." Anthony said, bending down to kiss Evelina's lips, who nodded. 

"Of course, my lord." Evelina nodded, moving to sit up in the bed.

"You have done it, my darling Evelina... You are giving us another royal baby. You are giving this nation further hope." Charlotte smiled, moving to kiss the top of Evelina's head.

"Brother!" Daphne called, making Anthony look up from staring at his father's pocket watch again.

"Sister." He smiled, putting the watch back into his vest pocket.

"Mama has her ball all set for you," Daphne said, walking over to stand on the other side of his desk.

"Just her? Are you to tell me you have had no hand in it?" He asked her with a look of disbelief.

"Well, we have both been planning, certainly. But our plans do not require yours to be set..." Daphne continued while Anthony took a sip of his whiskey. "Evelina, she is lovely. I am certain she will make a perfect viscountess..." Daphne began to say, walking over to the window where Anthony and Evelina talked the night before.

"Do you still not like her?" He asked Daphne, looking down at his papers.

"I never said I did not like her." Daphne scoffed at her brother, who looked at her with a typical elder brother look that said he did not believe her. "I only wonder if you truly know each other well enough," she continued, sighing to herself.

"Is that not what marriage is for? We have only been married a month at most."

"Well, yes, but it helps if you share similarities. Truly, Brother, is there really no one you share similarities with--" Daphne continued as Anthony shook his head, clenching his jaw.

"She is my wife, Daphne. My wife." He spat, tossing his papers down on his desk. "My wife, who is carrying my child, currently... It does not matter if we have anything in common now. I do not understand why you cannot understand that." He scoffed at her, sighing to himself.

"She is with child?" Daphne asked him in complete shock.

"How was your hunt with the elder Miss Sharma yesterday?" Lady Florence asked her nephew while she saw him on the sofa as she worked on her needlework. "You have not mentioned anything about it," she said, focusing on her embroidery.

"I certainly miss His Grace," Anthony said, looking back down at his paperwork as Daphne stood there in disbelief. "In the Duke's absence, you've become quite meddlesome, have you not?" He asked as he looked up.

Daphne went to say something but stopped herself.

"Do not concern yourself." He said, raising up his glass with a slight smirk.

"My lord..." Evelina said as Anthony and Daphne looked over at the door. "My mother is leaving for the palace again. Do you want to take a stroll in the garden once I bid her goodbye?" She asked softly, and Anthony nodded, getting up from his desk and leaving Daphne to scoff to herself.

"Mother was always right, my dear aunt... You are truly so meddlesome." James scoffed, adjusting his sleeves as he left the room.

Elijah just looked from his book, watching the door shut, before resuming where he left off.

"You are already off, Mama? Are you not staying for the ball?" Evelina asked as she walked out with her mother to her carriage.

"Yes, you know I cannot leave the palace long," Charlotte said in a whisper when she stopped to hold onto Evelina's hands. "How have you been? Any more episodes? You should be more careful; I will send for a doctor to be on standby until you return back to Mayfair--"

"Mother, I am fine," Evelina said, looking at her mother, who furrowed her brows. "My husband knows--"

"He knows?" Charlotte asked with fear in her tone.

"Yes... And he intends to stand by my side and care for me as a caring husband shall do." She smiled at her mother.

"That is wonderful news, my darling." Charlotte smiled, moving her hand to her daughter's chin. "You have found yourself a love match." She smiled at her.

"I have found a loyal and loving husband." Evelina corrected, smiling at her mother, who nodded.

"That is all I ever wanted for you." Charlotte smiled, kissing the top of Evelina's head.

"This is all I've ever wanted, Mama..." Evelina said, looking back to Aubry Hall and seeing Anthony waiting for her at the door. "He is all I've ever wanted," she said with a small smile.

~season 2, episode 4: "Victory"~

~1123 words~