Season's Feather

Chapter Nine

Anthony sat in the Bridgerton study. After dinner, he had excused himself, and come to work on bills he had been stuffing away over time to help Delilah.

He was partly reeling from dinner as well. The fact that his mother was trying to match Daphne off to the duke. It sent him reeling with anger, protectiveness, and a need to find her the right man - damn what anyone else thought.

He was content to waste his night in the study and calm down until his mother walked in. She stood in the doorway.

Anthony was going to stamp on his temper, but the anger of his mother overriding his actions amplified the impulse to a point where he couldn't control it.

He stopped writing, but didn't lift his eyes, "You were a reasonable mother until your eldest daughter came of age."

"Anthony..."

"This matchmaking scheme you rather transparently concocted with Lady Danbury, will not work."

Violet stood there looking at her son, "I can think of worse matches for Daphne than a duke. I believe the two of you to be friends. Delilah is his friend as well and she had no objections, did she?"

"We are good friends." Anthony said, "Which is why I know he has absolutely no intention of marrying. As for Delilah, she is friends with Daphne, not related to her."

Violet scoffed, "You doubt Delilah when she has done more for your sister's success than you? Sister or not, she might as well be my child even though she is Mary's."

"I have done for Daphne as a brother should, and that means protecting her from unreasonable matches - like the duke."

"You must understand all men make that assertion." Violet argued, "Your father-"

"Do not bring Father into this."

Violet stopped.

Anthony put down the paper in his hand and looked up at his mother, "Even if he were in want of a wife, you would most certainly not have the duke anywhere near Daphne."

"I am most fully subscribed to the belief that reformed rakes make the very best husbands."

"He will not make her happy," Anthony said, "Daphne deserves better. And I know, I know, that you think you are solving the problem but you are not. And that is all I shall say about the matter."

Anthony diverted his eyes and looked down at the stack of bills in front of him. His shoulders sagged a bit at the tiny scribbles Delilah had left correcting his numbers. He knew his mother had not left the room yet. He couldn't focus on the numbers anymore.

"The duke will be joining us as our guest at Vauxhall tomorrow evening. I admit, it was not easy to convince him to come."

Anthony looked up at his mother again, "You overstep."

"She is my eldest daughter," Violet spoke, "And what is so different from the duke than Delilah, who I assume, is also our guest to Vauxhall tomorrow."

"The difference is Delilah is a family friend. Besides, Daphne and the duke aren't even courting."

"They will be courting."

Anthony sighed, "Might I remind you that Daphne is my responsibility, as are you."

"Responsibility?" Violet scoffed.

"Do not make this any more difficult than it already is."

"I wish to know something, Anthony. Are you making a show out of Delilah because of Daphne's concern or because you use her to divert suspicion from a certain soprano-"

Anthony gave his mother a sharp look, "Do not defile Delilah like that."

"I am merely making sure you do not ruin another one of my daughters' seasons," Violet replied,  "Blood or no blood. You already started rumors by having her host her season here. You do not need to exile her attempt to find a reasonable match."

"Her future means everything to me the same way Daphne's does. I will not have you question my intentions for avoiding rumors about her mother's health by having her partake in the season here. I know exactly who she is and you will not speak of her as if she were a tool. Delilah is not a tool. She has never been a tool."

Violet stood there for a moment studying his eyes. Looking for any lies. When she found known she sighed again, "I sit with Daphne in that drawing room, do you know what I see? A young woman who is terrified because she knows what kind of life, what kind of future, awaits her should you continue to get in her way.

"If your father was still here, Daphne would already have been matched. The man would have made an arrangement with an old friend. The man would have done what was necessary. So you must ask yourself are you merely an older brother, or are you the man of this house?"

Anthony didn't reply. It was a question that rang through his mind many times. He couldn't count on his hands how many nights he spent wondering if he made his father proud. His silence was the end of the conversation.

Violet didn't stay a moment longer

"Be it shame or slander. Seduction or smear. There is one thing that continues to humble even the most highly regarded members of our dear ton: A scandal."

Anthony walked into a room where Siena, the opera singer, lay on a four-poster bed in a rather nice apartment. He looked at Siena. No feelings, no lust, no love, nothing. Just a woman in front of him," I cannot see you anymore."

"I do not understand," Siena responded looking at Anthony. Confusion dripped over her features. He loves her, he wants her. He still did, right? What changed?

"It is not for you to understand that what I must do is necessary." He says. He still cared for her, but not in the way she wanted him to. He saw her as a friend, nothing more. She could no longer compare to Delilah.

"You said you would always protect me. You promised to care for me, my lord. And now... what shall I do now?" Her tone contained confusion and anger.

Anthony holds her pleading and angry stare. But nothing came out of him. "You shall leave." He said firmly.

Well, dear reader, it should seem that all of Grosvenor Square has been left to ponder a rather scandalous question, indeed. Might on former diamond's recent fall from grace turn out to be the most damning scandal of all?"