Reflections of the choices

Chapter one

"I'm never gonna let you close to me, even though you mean the most to me.

Cause every time I open up, it hurts, so I'm never gonna get too close to you."

Sam Smith — "Too Good at Goodbyes"

Anthony Bridgerton stood by the window of his study, gazing out at the impeccably maintained gardens surrounding the family estate. His eyes were focused, but his thoughts were far away. The responsibility for the family had long since fallen upon his shoulders, and with each passing day, it grew heavier. He understood that, despite all his efforts, managing such a large and diverse family on his own was an increasingly difficult task.

After everything that had happened with Colin and Marina, Anthony felt compelled to take the next step. In his opinion, his younger brother had acted nobly but too hastily. Colin was not ready to become a husband, much less a father. But despite his doubts, Marina was now part of their family, and Anthony had to accept this as inevitable.

His mother, Violet, though she loved all her children unconditionally, also needed support. Anthony could see the weariness that occasionally flickered in her eyes, as she tried to be strong for everyone, but he could not help noticing that she too needed help.

His thoughts were interrupted by a gentle knock at the door. Violet entered the room, her gown of soft blue silk swaying with each step, and her eyes full of warmth and care.

"Anthony," she said, taking a seat opposite her son, "you're lost in your thoughts again. I can see something is troubling you. You've always taken on too much, but perhaps it's time to share some of that burden?"

Anthony averted his gaze from the window and looked at his mother. Her words struck a chord; he knew Violet was right. But admitting his doubts was not easy. He sighed and looked out the window, where the mist obscured everything beyond the gardens from his view.

"Perhaps you're right," he finally replied. "The season is in full swing, and time waits for no one. I need to focus on finding a suitable wife, a woman who can be a support not just for me, but for our entire family."

Violet smiled at his words. She knew her son was strong, but she also knew he needed someone who could stand by his side, support him in difficult times, and share with him the joys and sorrows of life.

"Anthony," she said gently, "I believe you'll make the right choice. But remember, sometimes the heart knows better than the mind. Don't dismiss its counsel, even if it seems unreasonable."

Anthony nodded silently. After the painful breakup with Siena, he had decided never to let anyone into his heart again. He would choose his future viscountess based solely on reason and practicality. Love, passion—these all seemed to him unreliable and unnecessary emotions, capable only of complicating life. Emotions he no longer wished to feel.

And so he acted.

Anthony began showing interest in one of the debutantes—Edwina Sharma. Young, beautiful, and romantic, she seemed like the perfect candidate for pragmatic and level-headed Anthony. But his younger sister Daphne sensed that Edwina was too delicate for her brother, that her sensitive nature would not withstand the harshness and decisiveness inherent in Anthony.

It was then that Daphne met Kate Sharma, Edwina's sister. Kate, with her strong character and independent spirit, immediately caught Daphne's attention. She saw something in Kate that reminded her of Anthony himself—the same iron will and unwillingness to yield under any circumstances. From the start, it was clear that a special connection had formed between Kate and Anthony, one they themselves could not explain. Yet it seemed her brother still ignored all the signs from his heart, listening solely to the voice of reason.