We Can't Be Friends (Bridgerton Fanfic)

The Pact

Art lifted his head back up and turned towards his mother, there was a slight look of pity in her face.

"Is it not to late to go back?" He asked as a last resort. She did not reply and only gave him a shake of the head and a sad smile.

Well if he was going to be here he might as well have a bit of fun. He pranced down the staircase into the room. He tried to ignore all of the whispers and lingering eyes that followed him as he walked. If the night couldn't have gotten any worse his back up plan, Francesca that is, was spending her time with Daphne and her groom.

He quickly rushed to the table with food. He was going to be laughed at so he was at least going to get his pastries worth. Occasionally other men would come and ask him for a dance however halfway through the song they would ask questions about the duke and all hopes of courtship would be lost.

He had one more slot on his dance card. Finally he thought. This would be a good enough reason for his mother to take him home, what's a ball if you cannot dance?

Though as he thought about how close he was to freedom someone snuck up on him. Anthony Bridgerton. If that wasn't surprising enough he had been the one to come to them. He had snuggled into his corner so much so that if Art was to move the two would probably fall over.

"You are Mr. Green? Are you not?" The man said in such a way that Art could not pick up on his tone.

"Yes I am. Is there a reason you have come over here? Did Simon send you?"

"No I came fully of my own accord."

"Hmm really?" Art had no idea why a Bridgerton of all people was taking interest in them.

"Yes. Is that so hard to imagine?"

"It is actually. I'm not exactly the first choice when it comes to dances. Especially for a future viscount."

"There were many other men who came to ask for your hand to dance. I can see your dance card it's practically full!" Anthony gestures towards him and gave him a huge smile. Art did admittedly blush a little.

"That would be impressive if the reason for their infatuation was me instead of a scandal." He pulled back a little.

"Well I can promise I just want a dance. And maybe something more?" The man held out his hand before once again giving a quick smile. Art thought about the implications before accepting defeat and taking his hand.

A beautiful song played as the two walked slowly to the dance floor. If Art wasn't being watched before he sure was now. He swore he could see every person their locking eyes with him and his dance partner. Some seemed to look happy for him while others showed obvious signs of disgust. His eyes accidentally locked eyes with Simon once and he swore he could see the slightest glimpse of sadness in them. Not that he had the right to be sad.

"So", Anthony said his eyes fixated on Arts, "Is this dance better then the others?"

"Much!" Art gave a big smile, the had not been genuinely courted in such a long time. While he wasn't one hundred percent sure this was a genuine courting it was definitely the closest he had gotten in a long time.

"I have an idea to propose."

"Go on."

"You are looking for a husband are you not?" Art nodded their head. He continued, "Why don't we help each-other out. I know all about what happened with the duke. He is one of my closest friends after all."

There was a pause as if he was trying to figure out the right way to word his next question. Art was quite confused. There were many ways in which this could go. The craziest Art could think of was Anthony giving him money to never wed and live sad and alone forever cut off from society and his family. This was not likely the case.

"He isn't always a gentleman. In fact right now he isn't exactly on my good side.", Art had never thought the two were fighting from what he could tell they had been quite close at the beginning of the ball. "He will always be my friend however he left a poor man at the altar only to force his own hand and marry my sister. I need a Partner. My mother is pressuring me to find love this season and I agree that that is the best course of action. Why don't we kill two birds with one stone. You will get financial security and I have no expectations other then you come to a ball with me once and again and act like we are in love. Plus we both get to mess with the duke."

Anthony said this in such confidence that Art almost said yes on the spot. If the idea was so bad how was he able to convey it in such a good way! Quickly that idea left his head and he thought about the implications of this agreement.

"You want a marriage of convenience, with me? I pity those in such marriages. I'd rather be a spinster then never have any hope of love."

"I will let you have a paramour, someone other then me as long as you keep them out of sight. I will do the same." This made Art even more confused. They could take a lover? But how would this work in day to day? Would they have to sneak around?

"Will we live together?"

"Of course that is only natural."

"Will I still be free to do what I want. Read? Write?"

"Yes."

"Can I bring my mother with me?"

"If you wish."

"Will anyone know about our true motives?"

"I would prefer them not to."

"Then yes Mr. Bridgerton. I will marry you."