Silent Wars: A Bridgerton Tale

F O U R

My dearest readers,

It appears that the Bridgerton sisters are keeping suitors on their toes with their elusive charms. While Miss Daphne Bridgerton graced the ballroom with her presence, Miss Amelia Bridgerton remained conspicuously absent, opting instead to share a quiet moment with her brother, Benedict, amidst the tranquillity of the garden.

Despite Lord Berbrooke's keen interest in both young ladies, it seems that Miss Amelia has chosen to evade the bustling ballroom scene, perhaps preferring the company of her dear sibling over the prying eyes of society.

-Lady Whistledown

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The morning light streamed softly through the large windows of the drawing room, casting a warm glow across the elegant furnishings. The atmosphere was tense, with a palpable sense of unease that contrasted sharply with the room's serene beauty. Anthony stood near the fireplace, his expression stern and unyielding. Daphne was seated on a delicate chaise, her posture rigid, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. Violet stood nearby, her face a mixture of concern and helplessness.

"The Duke is not a serious suitor," Anthony began, his voice firm, leaving little room for argument. "He will never marry. I have known this since we were boys. It is not bravado or denial, or even immaturity."

Violet, standing by the window, glanced at Anthony with a furrowed brow. "It appears that way to me," she replied, her tone laced with a mother's quiet defiance, though there was a hint of uncertainty in her words.

Daphne, unable to remain silent any longer, finally spoke up, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and desperation. "I will not marry Nigel Berbrooke," she declared, her eyes flashing with determination.

Anthony's expression remained stoic, but there was a slight softening in his eyes as he looked at his sister. "I have acted in your best interests, sister. One day you will understand. One day, you will be most appreciative."

He then turned to their mother, his tone growing more resolute. "The contract to Berbrooke will be drawn up," he stated with finality, before shifting his gaze back to Daphne. "You shall marry him."

For a moment, the room was silent, the weight of Anthony's words hanging heavily in the air. Then, for the first time, Amelia, who had been quietly observing the exchange from her seat, rose to her feet. Her expression was calm, but her eyes held a quiet resolve that startled both her brother and sister.

"You shall not," Amelia said, her voice steady as she looked first at Daphne and then at Anthony. "I shall marry him."

Without another word, she turned and walked out of the room, leaving behind a stunned silence. The door closed softly behind her, the sound echoing in the stillness of the drawing room. Daphne stared after her, her eyes wide with disbelief, while Anthony stood frozen, his mind reeling from the unexpected turn of events.

Violet, who had watched her daughter leave, finally let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She looked at Anthony, her expression one of quiet reproach, and then at Daphne, who seemed on the verge of tears. The morning light continued to pour into the room, but it did little to dispel the shadows of uncertainty and fear that now lingered in the hearts of the Bridgertons.

---

"Mama, I shall go to the Duke's house with Benedict," Amelia said, her voice steady but carrying an undertone of urgency.

Violet looked up, her eyes filled with concern. "Amelia..." she began softly, as if trying to dissuade her daughter from a course of action she deemed too bold. But before Violet could fully articulate her thoughts, Amelia had already risen from her seat, her resolve unshaken.