Season's Feather

Chapter Twenty-Four

Delilah looked over at the little wooden bench and then gently placed her arm on Anthony, "Darling.."

Though he shook his head. In the back, she could hear applause at Daphne's new win. But, that was far from her concern. Anthony could not look away from the bench. Delilah frowned. The bench in honor of his father, the one next to his grave. Now that she knew where she was exactly, she could walk not far from there and reach her father's grave.

If you walked around the tree you would stumble upon the marker that was the late Viscount Edmund Bridgerton. Twenty paces away facing the marker was the late Lord James Silvester. A wish from their mothers that the two not be separated in death.

Anthony wrapped his arm around Delilah and clutched her, dragging her away, "The game is over." He whispered.

— & —

On a stormy night, Violet was yelling loudly as she gave birth. Mary Silvester was beside her in the delivery room. It seemed so macabre that this night was so much like Sarah Bassets. She just hoped she would not lose her friend.

It was the first time she had been able to focus on anything besides the grief that overtook her at the loss of her husband.

"You cannot do this!" Violet moaned, "You get him back in here now."

"He is just a boy," Mary called.

Outside of the room, Anthony was pacing in the hallway. Delilah was standing in what became her and Anthony's window, listening to the screams. It was easier than dwelling into her mind. Easier then remembering her father. Easier than trying to figure out how to run an estate.

As Delilah focused on the sounds around her, she heard Daphne singing. Her best friend was probably comforting the younger Bridgerton siblings. She locked eyes with Anthony.

"My lord," The doctor called, "You must come in."

Anthony broke eye contact and looked over at the doctor, "Me?"

The doctor nodded his head, "It is imperative."

Behind them Violet moaned in pain again. He looked back at Delilah with pleading eyes. She didn't need words to understand what he was asking. She walked over quickly and took his hand.

The shared one look before walking in slowly to Violet squatting beside the bed, Mary was right next to her.

"All is well." The doctor said, "Please. You must not be standing."

Violet sobbed as she looked at the doctor, "All is not well. I have done this seven times. I know what well is, and this is not well. He cannot do this."

"Violet," Mary whispered.

Violet looked over at the doctor, "I will not allow it. You stop him."

Delilah clutched onto Anthony's hand tight. He gripped hers with the same strength. They were each other's rock. They had spent every night at the window, somedays waking up there together in the steady sunlight. Now it was no different than before, they were supporting each other.

"The baby is not in position," The doctor said to Anthony.

The young viscount looked at the doctor, "What does that mean?"

"It's turned the wrong way." The doctor answered, "I need to know what you'd like us to do."

"How is he-" Delilah tried to say, but she was cut off.

"I'll do my best. But, there may need to be a choice made. Who would your lordship prefer?" The doctor asked.

Delilah felt her temper flare. How dare he. How dare he! Anthony was only a boy still, how could he be expected to choose between his mother and coming sibling. Mary looked at the doctor in outrage as well. He had just lost his father and now he was expected to choose? This was outrageous.

"What?" Anthony asked.

"What are you saying to him?" Mary spoke up, "Violet - your Lady - told you, you may not speak to him."

"Speak to me-" Violet cried as another wave of pain came over her. But she was ignored.

"It is a conversation for his lordship."

Delilah looked the doctor in the eyes, "His lordship is a child!"

"He is my child," Violet cried, "He was born in this very room, from this very body. It is no matter to him."

The doctor ignored Violet again however, "Let us speak in the hall,"

Anthony followed the doctor out, pulling Delilah with him. They walked out despite the protests of both Mary and Violet. Though Delilah turned around before she exited the arch, "Violet, please. Lie down and calm your mind. We will find out what the doctor wants and then return-"

"He is asking him to decide which one of them should live," Mary said, "Violet or the baby. You kill the baby, you save the mother. You cut the mother, you save the child. It is not his decision to make. It is Violet's."

"It is his lordship's choice." The doctor argued.

"Edmund is his lordship!" Violet yelled. She sobbed more, "The choice is Edmunds, it could only be Edmunds because he loved me. He loved me so much. This wouldn't even be a conversation. Because that kind of love..."

"The answer, the choice is obvious." Mary looked at the doctor, "She should not have to explain this to anyone! Her husband should be here."

Violet wailed.

Anthony clutched onto Delilah, pulling her away from the room, "Do what she wants. Whatever she choses." He spoke.

He walked out with the Silvester's daughter. Those screams would haunt them both.

— & —

Delilah stood in the window of Aubrey hall. The one she had spent so many nights in summer at. She had difficulty bringing herself back here. She had avoided it for a time, but she couldn't avoid the place she had truly first met her fiancee.

She took a breath and turned from the window. Memories flashing through her head, and went to find Anthony. The one rock she always had.

When she came across him in the study, staring at his fathers portrait, she sighed. Walking over and gently placing her hand on his arm, she caught his eye, "I hope I did not cause you much distress, I know it is hard."

"Not at all, my love." Anthony smiled, "It is just easier to remember when we are here. But, remembering means reminiscing about the better parts of that summer. In our window."

Delilah smiled sadly at him and gave him a small kiss on the cheek, "I know."