The Bridgerton Who Loved Me; An Anthony Bridgerton Love Story

Off to the Races

Y/n's POV

"Dearest reader. It has been said that competition is an opportunity for us to rise and stand ready before our greatest of challenges. Well, if what this author hears this morning is true, then a great challenge concerning this season's diamond has been set forth, indeed. Any suitor wishing to gain an audience with Miss Edwina Sharma must first tame the rather prickly spinster of a beast otherwise known as her sister. Of course, the only competition that compels my attention is the game of courtship. So best of luck to this year's players. Do try not to stumble on the starting line."

"Is that a copy of Lady Whistledown?" Penelope questioned and sat down with Eloise and I inside of the Bridgerton family sitting room. "I thought we were done with her."

"Do not discourage her, Penelope," Violet instructed. "If she has taken an interest in Lady Whistledown again, perhaps she's interested in what she has to say about the season's available gentlemen too."

"I cannot think of any cleverer way to say this, but no," Eloise put forth. "Her latest is not exactly the philosophical treatise on the rights of the fairer sex I was hoping for, but..."

"I do not think Lady Whistledown has changed her style of writing since her last issue. Besides, perhaps she does not want to. Perhaps she is quite content. And if she's even sparked your renewed interest, El, then perhaps whatever she is doing is working," Penelope pointed out.

"I, for one, and quite intrigued by Lady Whistledown," I comment. "How could one woman know so much gossip?"

Eloise scoffed. "Please. You're only intrigued because she mentioned you in one of her issues."

"That is not why," I argue. "I'm just saying that she seems like a woman of great intelligence. And any woman of great intelligence deserves to be praised.

"But she could do so much more," Eloise continued. "I know I could convince her of it. If I were to find her this time-"

"What you must find, my dear, is happiness," Violet interjected. "Penelope, Y/n, assist me here. Eloise could find that with someone else, could she not?"

"I believe she could," Penelope admitted. "And not Lady Whistledown, but someone more like... Colin."

Eloise frowned. "My brother?"

"No, not Coli... Colin!" Penelope stuttered out and pointed behind the two of us.

I turned around and caught sight of one of the only Bridgertons I had yet to meet since coming back to London, and that was Colin. Him and I were the closest in age growing up, so we had always been good friends. Obviously, he had grown since then, but he still seemed to be the same Colin I remembered. I had been told he'd been travelling Europe, so I was eager to hear about his adventures.

"Glad to see things have not changed," Colin said and caught my eye. "Wow. Y/n L/n. You've grown."

"And so have you. I'm so glad to see you!" I chirp and stand up to embrace the gentleman. "You have to tell me everything about your travels. And don't leave one detail out."

"I did not expect you to return so soon, dearest," Violet mentioned.

"Well, I missed you all," Colin confessed. "What can I say?"

"I believe we must get you to the doctor post-haste. This strange, fuzzy growth on your chin is no doubt some kind of disease," Benedict noted.

"I think he looks very handsome," I convey and smile at the third eldest Bridgerton.

"Thank you, Y/n. Now, where, may I ask, is our intrepid viscount?" Colin asked.

"He is..." Violet trailed off as Anthony entered the room. "Back from courting already."