Second Chance Love // A. Bridgerton

1.02

Act 1

Pre Bridgerton

Staring at herself in the mirror made everything seem surreal. Her gown is more elegant than she has ever worn. The floor length dress sits upon her waist like a glove. The lace pattern on the skirt intertwined with beads making it shine in the sun. Her veil draping down her back, traced with beads is placed securely into her hair. She doesn't even recognize herself and she's starting to wonder if that's a good thing. Looking at herself in the eyes she does not know the person that is looking back.

"You look lovely Ma'am" Amelia murmured, breaking Evelyn out of her pitiful thoughts.

"Do you truly think so, I feel as if I move either the corset will kill me or my mother will kill me for ruining the look" A saddened smile came across Evelyn. "Is it so wrong to want the corset to get to me first"

"Do not worry you shall do great. Have Faith"

"I am trying I promise you however one thing I am most worried about is the wedding night. I know the basics but even thinking about it with that man sends my body into a state of repulsive shock" Now Evelyn is getting quite worried. Her mother had sat her down a few evenings ago to discuss what is to be expected of her on her wedding night. She has been repulsed ever since

"I know you shall be fine" adding finishing touches to Evelyn's hair Amelia whispered out "Besides the viscount is quite old. With any luck on your wedding night he might get so excited he dies of a heart attack" Shocked Evelyn turns to face Amelia with a grin

"Be careful, someone may hear you" Evelyn says giggling, stopping when she hears the door open.

"I hope you are not encouraging improper discussions miss Amelia" Lord Raines asks chuckling while taking long strides to reach his daughter. "Of course not my lord I am merely upping her spirits" Amelia takes a step back and lets the father approach his daughter.

" Stunning, absolutely stunning my dear" Lord Raines takes in the sight of his daughter unable to believe how grown up she is.

Brushing past her father Evelyn remains quiet making her way down the chapel hallway standing behind the doors that lead to the aisle. She felt a soft touch on her arm and found her father had caught up to her.

Letting out a sigh she grabs the sleeve of his frock coat trying to keep the tears at bay. Waiting for the doors to open her mind runs wild. The feeling of being a scared little girl not ready for what the world has to offer, however not much has changed. She's not ready to lose what little freedom women do have, her intellect, her opinions on subjects she excels in won't matter. She will become a doll only shown when it makes Lord Hughes look good. This is not how she believed her life would go, she imagined a love match with a man who was smart, and would challenge her while caring for her, not a man who only wants a caregiver and an heir.

Taking a breath and glancing at her father one last time to see a twitch on his face almost holding back a frown. Locking eyes he lets a frown take over while whispering "I am deeply sorry". Looking away she can't seem to find it in her to care. He was the reason she was in this position and her sympathy ran out. He wasn't thinking of her when he willingly gambled away her hand in marriage or when he hid it away for years while manipulating her to be the perfect wife.

Doors opening, she caught a glimpse of her soon to be husband. Disgust ran through her causing a shiver. The look in his eyes was enough to scare away the devil. Taking slow strides as if to prolong the inevitable was no use because in what felt like 3 seconds her father was placing her hand in Lord Hughes rough calloused one. The hands of a working man she was told, based on his looks, the only thing he worked on was his second bottle of whiskey.
The beginning of her own personal hell starts now.

6 months later

Relief and excitement ran through the veins of Evelyn Hughes or Viscountess Hughes as she stared at the body of her now late husband. The tears were streaming down her face were easy to fake all she had to do was think about the times her "beloved" husband threw a glass across the parlor secretly aiming for her or the times her husband would leave her isolated for weeks at a time hoping to make her more obedient while he got with other women or men she really didn't care to ask. On the outside it looked as if she was a grieving widow which she supposed she was. But to Lady Danbury, a woman that was very knowledgeable in the subject of unhonorable men she saw a little bit of the old Evelyn shining her eyes. Almost like staring at a younger Lady Danbury.

"A stroke the doctors predicted, such a shame" Lady Cowper strided up to Lady Danbury, her nose high in the air trying to gain some gossip to share with the ladies of the ton.

"A shame it is indeed" Trying to keep the conversation short however the next words out of Lady Cowper's lips had her stopping short. "I wonder what should happen to Lady Evelyn now that she is with child" Now Lady Danbury seemed to know everything about everyone... except that. "She shall do what every mother does and that is take care of her own, she is a strong woman she has my complete faith" With that Lady Danbury exited the Hughes house.

Overhearing the conversation Evelyn glanced at her swelling stomach with pride knowing she will do whatever it takes to give her child the best life possible.