What might have been

It is high time you made your decision.

The Bridgerton drawing room was often synonymous with chaos. Colin could hardly remember a time when it wasn't, except perhaps when his father passed away. This made the current quiet even more unusual—not just the silence, but also the absence of several of his siblings, and the unexpected presence of Lady Danbury. Was it not too early for visitors? Colin was certain calling hours did not commence for another three hours, as he was still deciding how to spend his time before visiting the Featheringtons to formally offer his condolences.

"Well, this is unexpected," Colin exclaimed.

"Clearly not as unexpected as your wife's pregnancy," Anthony snorted.

"Anthony!" Violet scolded.

"Well, Mr. Bridgerton... circumstances were not in your favor," Lady Danbury remarked, her tone devoid of sympathy. "We are aware that you were taken advantage of, but one must agree that marrying a lady who was new to the ton, and clearly a stranger, was rather idiotic." Though her words lacked warmth, her gaze held a clear sense of pity as she looked upon him.

"Well, we can't turn back time, can we?" Colin attempted to find his footing, seeking to say the right thing and do what was right thing. "There is nothing else to be done but to accept the situation. I have been told that taking responsibility for what I have done is a start." Each word felt like another stab into a bleeding wound, particularly in light of Anthony's earlier words. But what can one do when what he believed to be right turned out to be so wrong?

"Colin," Violet said, her voice filled with concern, "son... I know you have a good heart. I know you were eager... eager for love, marriage, a purpose. But she is wrong... wrong for you."

"We have consulted with a trusted solicitor," Lady Danbury said, her tone decisive. "The chances are limited, but with the right contacts—of which we possess—we will be able to procure an annulment."

"And you deemed it right not to discuss it with me first?" Colin felt a wave of helplessness wash over him, as if he were a child once more, devoid of control over his own life.

"Well, you found it fitting to elope, despite our collective objections," Anthony retorted, his tone laced with sarcasm.

"Why are you so bitter, brother? Is it because you didn't get to be the one to elope?" Colin's words dripped with intent, aimed to inflict upon his brother the same pain Anthony was causing him.

Anthony ground his teeth. "You know nothing," he hissed, rising to his feet, poised to throw the first punch. But Colin was equally prepared. Both women, their mother and Lady Danbury, intervened, each restraining one of the brothers to prevent them from coming to blows.

"Enough!" Violet shouted, her voice cutting through the tension. "Can you both cease provoking each other? You are both wounded... it doesn't mean you have to inflict further harm upon each other."

"I am not pursuing an annulment, Mother," Colin declared, his tone resolute.

"Why the devil not?" Anthony demanded with his frustration evident in his voice.

"An annulment will bring undue attention to our family name, even more so than the scandal caused by my elopement," Colin explained calmly, his words measured. "With younger sisters soon to be out in the upcoming seasons, I don't believe we should risk it. Moreover, there are children involved—unborn children who didn't ask for any of this. They don't deserve to bear a negative image simply because of ..."

"You are young, Colin. You have your entire life ahead of you. You could find love, a genuine marriage..." Violet's voice faltered, breaking with emotion.