Season's Feather

Chapter Six

Delilah was sitting in the Silvester Study when the door opened. She had only really had one visitor these days. And she was certainly content with her visitor. Anthony Bridgerton was keeping his promise to her that he made. He kept her health in check and forced her to stop working. Of course, Delilah wasn't fully relying on him though.

Over the days, she had grown to realize when she needed sleep or food. Having the Bridgerton family as a new support helped her a lot. Her mother's health was as good as it could be these days, and she was living on whatever time was left with her.

"Hello Delilah, how are you today?" Anthony asked as he came in.

"Oh very well. Everything is easier to manage now, thank you, by the way." She replied.

Anthony came to sit in one of two chairs located on the opposite side of the desk. "For what? We haven't done much."

Delilah laughed softly, dropping her quil and turning fully to Anthony. "No, no of course not. You have only made my life so much easier. For me and Mama." She explains, "And for that, to you and your family, thank you."

Anthony's eyes turned soft. He knew for a while that what he felt for Delilah was not friendship. It was not what he felt when he looked at his sisters or friends. It was different. Delilah was more beautiful than anyone in the room he walked into. She always stood out. Her silvery eyes and dark brown hair. Her fair skin yet pink lips. It was all there. He liked her, more than a friend, he liked her.

"Yes, well it is the least that my family can do. That I can do for you." Anthony thanked. Delilah felt herself blush. Anthony and her were closer, they were always near each other. His arm wrapped around her waist, or her hand enclosed in his.

"Well, might we go for lunch? I am just finishing up here anyway." Delilah offered, "You might even escort me to the new day of donning suitors."

Anthony nodded his head and stood up offering his arm out. "Miss. Silvester."

Delilah smiled in amusement, threading her hand through his arm. "Lord Bridgerton."

—  & —

A day of suitors it wasn't. There had been no one. Delilah had never seen Daphne so deflated before.

"Has anyone else read what Lady Whistledown has written of late?" Eloise asked.

Hyacinth turned in her chair, "Should anyone pay any heed to what Lady Whistledown writes of late? I certainly do not."

Delilah watched as her friend continued to pace back and forth in front of the mantle place. She didn't exactly know what to do. While she wanted to console her friend, she didn't know how considering it's hard to find hope when a future rides on marriage.

"Mama," Daphne spoke, "Perhaps we might attend the upcoming Salisbury ball by ourselves - and the Meriwether tea too."

Violet turned her head down, "I believe that Anthony has already replied on our behalf, dearest."

Delilah scoffed, "He has taken all of our social calendars and managed them himself."

"He's managed yours, Delilah?" Daphne asked.

"Through June."

Daphne sighed in exasperation, "He'll be there for an entire season?"

"Lady Whistledown has made her opinion of our dear sister's fortunes quite clear," Eloise spoke.

Daphne sat down next to her sister with annoyance rattling her features, "Enough about Lady Whisteldown!"

A small silence took over the room. Enough for Delilah to slip into her thoughts. About marriage. About her future. About her mother and taxes and certain Viscounts.

She was brought back out with the announcement of a caller for Daphne.

"The Lord Berbrooke."

Delilah felt her breath falter, Lord Berbrooke could not be Daphne's caller. It seemed she was not the only one in astonishment.

Violet stood in politeness and gave a tiny curtsy, "Lord Berbrooke."

The lord stood there for a moment.

"May I help you to some freshly prepared biscuits?" Violet asked, "Eloise, allow some room for his lordship, will you?"

Daphne grabbed onto her sister's hand with a pout. Delilah had to contain the smile at her friend's attempt to get away from - who she had to agree - was a rather repulsive man.

"Eloise, are you not due for a visit with Penelope this morning?" Violet asked.

Eloise shook her head with an innocent look, "I believe I should like to stay."

"I believe you should like to go."

Delilah smiled at Eloise sadly watching her walk out of the room. Her eyes glanced over at Violet's retreating figure to the side where Fransceca and Hyacinth sat watching respectfully. However, it was not long till Violet looked back at her with a raised brow.

She coughed lightly, "I may have a visit due back home with Mama. I'll see you later Daphne."

As she rode home, her mind wandered. She felt bad for her friend. Daphne was ready to be a wife. She was ready to have the social season she had been preparing for, for years now. Even though Delilah wasn't as steadfast about marriage as she used to be, even she couldn't playoff the nervousness of not finding a husband.

When her carriage stopped outside of her home, she exited and went straight to the study. She needed to go over some accounts before she could rest for the day. However, when she entered the study, there was a familiar face.

"Simon!" She stood shell-shocked in the doorway. Standing infront of her was the boy she had grown up with. Someone who was like a brother to her, someone she had pretended she didn't know out of childish fear. But he wasn't a stranger.

The Duke of Hastings smiled at her before drawing her in for a hug, "Look at you, my baby sister."

Delilah laughed, "Oh hush. I did not know you would be back in town."

"I have business," Simon answered, "But, I thought I might stay and enjoy London while I complete my duties."

Delilah walked around her father's desk and took a seat, "Well, I am glad you stopped by. I almost thought you had forgotten about me."

Simon scoffed, "I couldn't ever forget you, Lily. The girl I used to run around Clyvdon with? Please, even the people of the town still remember you."

Delilah smiled at the recollection of her childhood summers. How she and her Mama would travel out to spend time with Simon.

"So, you are a debutant?" Simon asked.

Delilah nodded her head, "Yes. Yes, I am."

"Do you have any prospects yet?"

"Goodness, Simon, it hasn't even been a full week."

Simon laughed at her statement and shook his head, "Forgive me. I forgot that you don't wish for a husband, you wish for Anthony Bridgerton."

"Simon Basset!" Delilah scolded, "I am keeping my options open."

"So you say."

"Mon!"