Season's Feather

Chapter Fifty-One

Delilah later came back around to Simon's side. And was more curious at the fact the married couple was not together, but rather on opposite sides of the room.

"Pride, Simon. It will cost you everything and will leave you with nothing. It happened to your father, do not lose her. Do not separate with her please." Delilah said.

Simon kept quiet.

"It is different for you, men, to know whether they are in love?" Delilah asked. She smiled as her eyes caught Anthony, "Everything else seems different to you."

"Do you love him?" Simon asked.

She tore her eyes away from Anthony and looked up at the duke, "Pardon?"

"Anthony," Simon said, "Do you love him?"

Delilah stood there for a moment. Then she nodded. Didn't let herself think or try to understand, she just let herself feel. The silence was enough of an answer for her brother.

"We agreed to one dance tonight, a waltz." Simon remarked.

"I miss dancing with my father. The very last time I danced with him was at a ball. There were peacocks present. Real ones, I believe." Delilah chuckled.

She turned her head to Simon and the two erupted into a fit of quiet laughter.

"I suppose I miss everything about him, and mama really." Delilah confessed.

Simon nodded his head, "The two of them loved each other."

"It is a rarity," Delilah said, "I have come to realize that. But, that is not to say they were without trials. I assume they faced many difficulties, but they overcame them. Mama told me they had made a decision early on to do so."

"Delilah, I do not think-"

"They chose to love each other every single day. It is a choice, Simon, one that is never too late to make. My mama may not be able to see my father again. But, knowing that the two of them made the choice to love and to do all that they could, she could not tell me how much peace that brought to her." Delilah said.

Simon sighed. "I wish there was something, Delilah. I wish I could do this."

"You are my brother and the Duke of Hastings, but most importantly you are Simon Basset. And Simon, there is nothing you cannot do."

— & —

The third Waltz of the evening had played. And Anthony pulled Delilah to the dance floor after watching her eyes flutter to it throughout the night.

Coincidentally it happened to be the waltz that Daphne and Simon had chosen to dance to as well. So of course, the dance floor was deserted. Because the eyes of everyone were on the two couples of the season.

The diamond of the season, and the gliding feather together with their matches dancing. It was the first and most likely last time it would ever happen.

"It has certainly been a season, love." Anthony said as they spun around the floor.

"Whatever do you mean?" Delilah asked.

"Well, I think it is because I have found something I did not think I would ever come across," He commented.

"What?"

"Love. Delilah, you are the best thing that has happened to a man like me. There is no where else I would be, but beside your side. Unlike easy relationships we have both suffered losses and trials but everyday I find myself learning new things about you that remind me why I love you." Anthony explained, "It is, tranquillity."

"You love me?" Delilah whispered.

Anthony nodded his head, Delilah hadn't realized they had stopped moving. Anthony was all she could focus on. The man infront of her, who she loved so desperately.

"I love you, Delilah Silvester."

"I love you too," She breathed, "I love you so much, Anthony Bridgerton."

He smiled. He smiled and he kissed her and he whispered the word tranquilty over and over again on her lips.

Peace, Delilah thought to herself, He finds peace - tranquility - in me.

She blushed at the thought, "Tranquility. How peculiar." She smiled.

"Peculiar indeed." Anthony nodded.

And that's when Delilah heard the rumble of thunder, and then the immediate downpour of rain. It came quickly and strongly. Suddenly the two couples on the floor were soaked. But it was a beautiful moment.

Delilah laughed. Anthony looked over at her, and that's when he saw the meaning of true beauty.

Delilah was laughing in the rain, her hair was a mess of wet curls against the top of her head, but the tiara and pieces of jewelry were shining. Her dress was slowly flattening against her curves but because the dress was made up of silver incresants, it was glowing. And her eyes, they were always bright. But they shined a flawless silver in that aspect of the moment.

Delilah looked at Daphne. And she smiled hearing the conversation.

"It is better." Daphne said. "I know why you made that vow to your father. I found the letters you wrote to him as a child, and I read them." She explained.

"Daphne-"

"Just because something is not perfect, does not make it any less worthy of love. Your father made you believe otherwise. He made you believe that you needed to be without fault in order to be loved, but he was wrong. Should you need any proof in the matter, then, just look here." Daphne took a breath motioning to herself.

"I cannot continue acting as if I, as if I do not love you. Because I do. I love all of you. Even the parts that you believe are too dark and shameful. Every scar. Every flaw. Every imperfection. I love you. You may think you are too damaged and too broken to ever allow yourself to be happy, but you can choose differently, Simon. You can choose to love me as much as I love you,"

"That should not be up to anyone else. That cannot be up to anyone else. That can only be up to you." Daphne finished.

Delilah smiled, she felt Anthony come up next to her as they watched the rediscovery of the Hastings love.

"Promise me, Anthony Bridgerton. That you will be there when I need you. That I will be there when you need me, and that together we shall face our problems instead of alone." Delilah said. "Promise me."

"I promise." Anthony said.