My dearest readers! As a new ball approaches we are left to wonder what is to become of the rest of the season! The whole ton is buzzing with gossip and this writer simply cannot hear enough of it. The biggest event of the season thus far, I believe, shall be the engagement ball between Mr Benedict Bridgerton and Miss Amelia Ashgrove, and we are only just getting started. What fun.
"Father! Would you please enlighten me as to why you believe this to be a terrible outcome!" Edward yelled to his less than enthused father as they sat in his study.
"Because Bridgerton, as helpful as he may be, has gained a reputation of been quite the ladies man when he visits my studio. I've caught him with several women at least and I refuse to let my youngest daughter be a number on his list!" Granville sighed as he rubbed his hands over his face.
"So you believe it better she marry Lord Devon because that is her options father. She marries Bridgerton, where she marries into a loving family with a vast fortune and many handsome children! Or she marries a 68 year old man, who has bastard children to his maids he does not provide for."
"I will beg an audience with the queen and explain my reasoning. Explain what happened between myself and Devon. She is an understanding woman" Granville stood and paced the entire room as Edward stood still and confident at the window.
"She is the one who gave Amelia the ultimatum. She is an understanding woman but she is also headstrong and will not go back on her word. So the choice is yours father. Amelia marries Bridgerton and lives a least a comfortable life as a reputable wife, or she marries Devon and will be widowed and child less before she reaches her 30th year." Edward had nothing else to say as he marched towards the door, opening it to a prying Amelia and her twin sisters.
"I thought I told you to head to bed" he spoke sternly to Amelia who looked to the floor "You two, don't you have husbands to get back to!" The twins bowed their heads and made their way to the door.
"Edward, Lord Bridgerton asked if I may accompany Benedict to their house in the country side. He intends to invite lady Sharma and her daughters and has asked I attend. May I go?"
"You may not!" Granville shouted from behind Edward.
"Yes you may!" Edward confirmed. "Mother Intrusted me with Amelias future and I intend to look after it to my best ability. For now, until YOU decide her fate, she is to continue on as if she is marrying Benedict, therefore she will accompany him to the house in the country!"
Granville stayed silent. He knew he had the final say with the marriage but Edward was right, their mother asked he looked after Amelia and Granville stepped back, allowing Edward to do so so that he may have experience in being the Lord of the house should something happen to him!
The next day Amelia woke and hastily packed her things to go to the Bridgerton house, the carriage pulling up a mere minute after she had finished.
"Miss Ashgrove, Lord Bridgerton is downstairs!"
"Bened- Viscount Bridgerton, my apologies, I thought it was Benedict here" she bowed her head and in turn Antony bowed his.
"He is here also. Your elder brother informed me of your fathers...hesitancy to marry you into our family. We simply came to speak to Lord Granville and he asked to speak to Benedict alone. He's in there now." They both sat in silence.
"Antony may I ask you something?" Amelia asked after she could bare the silence no more.
"Of course!" He leaned forward, his arms on his thighs and his hands entwined.
"Why are you so desperate for me to marry Benedict? You went for the special license request, you are happy for him to marry me knowing it will not benefit your family any greater if I were to wed him. Now you come to speak to my father!"
"To be completely honest, I believe you are good for him. Benedict has always been a ladies man, I worried sometimes he would produce off spring with some of his...adventures. However since you came onto the scene, he has become more involved in his previous hobbies like his Art work. He is more concentrated, grown and all this in the last two weeks, ever since you. I think he cares for you as he would if you were a potential suitor. He is just skipping all the formalities and getting straight to marrying you because it will help you and he will get our mother off his back!" Amelia laughed.
"So I am a distraction!" She smirked. Remember how Benedict told her she distracted him when fencing Antony.
"A very welcomed distraction. You also have the attitude I would look for in a suitor. The Bridgertons hold a great amount of respect from the ton and anyone who marries into our family must convey the same attitudes we do."
The door to her fathers study swung open leaving Amelia no time to reply as Benedict came out, a small smile on his face as he saw Amelia sat with Antony.
"Not trying to steal my bride are you brother?" Granville walked out behind him and Amelia smiled.
"So the wedding shall happen?" Antony asked.
"It shall indeed. I'd have it no other way!" Benedict said as he looked straight to Amelia.
"Thank you father!"
"Shall we? I believe we have to help my useless brother catch a certain Diamonds attention!" Benedict held out his arm for Amelia as Antony walked passed them, swatting Benedict around the head.
"Amelia, he just hit your future husband.!" Benedict looked to Amelia with a sad face.
"He deserved it" she replied back to him.
YOU ARE READING
The second born Bridgerton
FanfictionBenedict Bridgerton was never the settle down type. His attention fully on his art or whores, it was nearly impossible for anyone to capture his loving gaze. That is,of course, until Amelia Ashgrove enters the seasons first ball with her family. Inv...
