Season's Feather

Chapter Twenty-One

Dice rattles. The gentlemen's club, where Simon and Anthony are gambling, as men do. "Here we go. Come on." Anthony pleads with the dice in his hand. They land, "Me again!"

"Indeed." Lord Feathering frowned, "I am inclined to investigate the provenance of such lucky dice,"

Simon looks up at the lord, "They did not land the same way when you were casting. Perhaps the common element is you. Might it be best to show some restraint?"

Anthony looks up at Simon, "Restraint is not among Lord Featheringtons skills."

"Well, then, neither is gambling."

The two of them watch as Featherington snatches the due out of Anthonys' hand and the two share a laugh.

"I seem to have done it Bridgerton."

Anthony looks at Simon, "Done what?"

Simon shakes his head just a bit, "Proved you remain capable of laughing again in my presence. And not just Delilah's."

"You cannot fault me for being doubtful of your intentions," Anthony replies.

"Indeed, I can," Simon argues, "For all the mischief you've witnessed me make, you'd also know I would never make a fool of a young lady. And certainly not one such as your sister." He adds.

Anthony looks up at Simon with a curious look, "You confound me. You are respectful, and yet I know you have no intention of marriage. Has that changed?"

Simon shakes his head, "I cannot claim so."

"Then what could your intentions be?" Anthony presses further.

"Respectful. Can we leave it at that?"

— & —

Delilah had stayed the night at the Bridgertons when she had fallen asleep in Daphne's bed. The family let her stay, but when she woke up Daphne wasn't there. So she trudged down to the kitchen for a glass of milk.

But, when she walked in, Daphne was there.

"Daphne? Whatever are you doing?" Daphne turned around quickly at the sight of Delilah, but she calmed down quickly.

"I could not sleep. I thought a bit of warm milk might help matters."

Delilah nodded her head and walked over to a bell line, "Should I ring for a servant?".

Daphne quickly shook her head and drew Delilah away from the bell, "No. No, do not wake them."

Delilah nodded her head.

The two stood in silence for a moment before Daphne turned back to her, "Would you like to join me?"

Delilah nodded her head with a smile. The two stood infront of the oven looking. Delilah could hear the wind blowing outside. How long were the going to stand there? Surely Daphne knew how to work the oven, right?

"We should light it." Delilah motioned to the stove.

Daphne nodded her head, "Excellent idea."

Again, they stood in silence. Daphne turned to Delilah, "Well, go on." She urged.

Delilah turned to her best friend with a confused look, "Me?"

"I should not know how to do it."

"And you believe I should?".

Daphne gave her a good look, then nodded her head. She stepped back from the stove and poured a glass of milk, "Cold milk, then."

Delilah nodded her head and leaned against the counter across from Daphne. "Most refreshing, given the heat."