Season's Feather

Chapter Four

The first ball of any season was remarkable. It would be hosted under Lady Danbury and Delilah could not wait. She rushed into her mother's closet the afternoon of and went through the many dresses before settling on a nice royal blue with silver embellishments over the dress.

Getting ready she spun her hair up nicely and coated her skin in her mother's accessories. She could still feel her mother's warmth around her as she walked. She knew Mary was with her.

Her mother. She missed her mother greatly. She missed her eyes, her smile, and her touch. Delilah had spent the summer season mourning, grieving, and then remembering. It was hard, Anthony had to stay with her at all times in the beginning. Slowly, however, she knew she had to move on.

She had lost both of her parents, but she would not lose herself. She could not lose herself.

Lost in her thought she sat staring blankly at the mirror until a knock rang softly.

Delilah snapped out of her trace and went over to the door in confusion, nobody else was staying in the house. But, opening the door, she realized that was no longer true.

"Lady Silvester." Lord Aevery greeted.

"My lord. How can I help you?" Delilah responded.

Aevery sighed before rubbing his palms nervously, "I was wondering if perhaps we may keep the arrangement secret. I hope I made myself perfectly clear when I said I do not wish to marry you-"

Delilah held her palm up. "I consider the arrangement canceled. If we do not wish to marry each other, and as I am courting another, I do feel it is safe to say the arrangement is off."

Aevery let out a sigh of relief, "Wonderful, now I must say we did get off on the wrong foot."

Delilah smiled, "We did, it is nice to meet you Lord Aevery, I hope we do become family as I shall be hosting your season here."

Williamson smiled down at her, "I would very much enjoy that."

"Do be aware though that Anthony should be coming to escort us. And as of right now I do believe he is not happy with you." Delilah stated. Giving one last smile, she closed the door behind her and began to make her way down the foyer with Williamson following her.

"Yes, I assumed so."

— & —

Delilah walked in with Anthony, but Lord Aevery followed close behind the couple. On the way to the ball Williamson had explained straight to Anthony the situation, and even though Delilah could not lie how Anthony had seemed hesitant to believe him he did nod his head in the end.

Williamson had accepted Anthony's nods, knowing he was most assuredly still shaken from finding out the deal had still been on at the time.

However, once tensions had been settled slightly Delilah, Lord Aevery, and Anthony had walked in gracefully with the Bridgerton's. And Delilah noticed the amount of looks the new Lord had received.

"Stop fussing with your dress," Anthony said.

"You look lovely, dear." Violet complimented.

Delilah looked over at Eloise. She had not been excited to attend tonight. But it seems the dresses did not suit Eloise's fiery personality. Though, she looked beautiful in the Bridgerton blue.

"I look like a prize calf, trussed up for auction." Eloise scoffed.

Benedict came up beside her ear and gave a mock 'moo'. Delilah laughed quietly into Anthony's shoulder. However, she regained her breath quickly and looked at the next Bridgerton debutante.

"Eloise." Delilah said coming around her other side, "Daphne and me felt apprehensive at our first official ball-"

Violet spoke up adding other words, "And look how well both of their seasons turned out."

Delilah's eyes caught Anthonys. The two shared a small smile.

"Oh, right." Eloise mumbled.

"Oh, I am sure there is someone here who will charm you. And, on another thought, there is the new Lord Aevery who intends to find a wife." Delilah said louder than usual.

Anthony pulled Delilah in closer by the waist before showing her an amused smile, "You honestly just did that?"

"Lady Silvester-" Williamson protested.

"I believe I did." Delilah smiled.

She watched as Williamson quickly got swept away by the crowd. Mamas and all their daughters wanted to get a good look at the new spectacle in town. Truly Delilah didn't think it would work, however, Simon had appeared out of nowhere and was hit. Why couldn't Williamson be a hit as well?

"How interesting," Delilah smiled, "He is a hotspot for ladies."

"Yes. Well, he may be a hotspot for everyone but you. You are mine.." Anthony whispered.

Delilah shook her head before walking the opposite direction with Anthony on her arm, "I do believe I am."

That is when Anthony and Delilah began to make their rounds. Talking to old friends, making new acquaintances.

"The Featheringtons' are here." Anthony commented.

Delilah glanced over at the bundle of Featherington girls with their mama. Delilah nodded her head looking at them, "Seems they have come out of mourning as I have."

Anthony nodded, glancing down at her. Delilah squeezed his arm to let her know she was okay. After a while of socializing, Delilah's eyes searched the crowd before stopping on a woman who she had only seen twice.

"Is that Lady Mary Sheffield Sharma?" Delilah gasped. "Goodness, I can't believe she's back."

Anthony turned his head in interest, "A scandal, dear?"

"Lady Mary was the incomparable of our mama's season. Until she fell in love with and married some kind of clerk, I was told. The two of them left for India thereafter."

"And why was it such a scandal?" Anthony questioned looking down at Delilah's eyes.

Delilah looked up at him, "The man was no more than a common worker who already had a child. That must be her, the older one."

Anthony turned his head again, she did seem to be of his age, "Lady Mary's parents, the Sheffields, never lived down the shame, did they?" He asked.

"Too ashamed to show their faces in London. If only every family were as respectable as yours." Delilah nodded.