Bridgerton One Shots

Anthony Bridgerton- So Long, London

A sour look was worn on Evelyn's normally bright and cheery face as she made her way in her carriage to the Bridgerton household. The overcast clouds and cold weather perfectly represented the news she was about to deliever to her best friend since birth and the love of her life that could never be....Anthony Bridgerton.

When she arrived she got out of the carriage, sighed, and knocked on the door. The Bridgertons' maid Rose answered the door.

"Ah Ms.Evelyn...Anthony is in his study"

Evelyn laughed to herself. She had been here so many times, the maids knew who she was looking for....she would miss that.

"Thank you Rose" she smiled sadly as she walked in

"May I take your coat?" Rose began to walk over to her

"That....that will not be necessary Rose...this is a quick stop by"

"Oh," Rose stopped in her tracks "if you were to change your mind you know where to find me"

"Thank you Rose...for everything" she whispered the last part as she walked up the stairs to Anthony's study

When she finished climbing the stairs, she was et with the dark, wooden, doors of the study. She took a moment to collect her thoughts, then knocked on the door.

"Come in" Anthony's voice called out

When she walked in she saw him look up from his hundreds of papers skewered around his desk.

"Evelyn?" His face lit up "what are you doing here?" He got up and hugged her.

She hugged him back tightly knowing this may be one of the last times she would have the opportunity to do so. She took in his scent, the way his arms felt around her, and the way his heart beat raced when they embraced. When they separated Evelyn sighed

"I am afraid I come baring bad news"

Anthony's facial expression changed form one of happiness to one of concern

"What is it Ev?"

That nickname was also something she would miss. He was the only one who called her that and frankly the only one she would allow to call her that.

"I- um I am leaving London...for good" she managed to say without allowing the tears that had been building up since she found out she was to leave London to fall

Anthony's face fell

"Why?- How?-"

"After the latest Whistledown, my Mama has deemed it impossible for me to find a respectable man in London...So she is sending me to live with my Aunt in France. I will debut there next season."

The latest Whistledown had claimed that Evelyn had been madly in love with Anthony....but he had rejected her. This made every Lord, Duke, and Viscount see her as damaged goods. No man would dance with her...let alone marry her.

"You are perfectly suitable to find a man here! I will find you someone! I will talk to every Lord in the Ton! I will-"

"Anthony! There is nothing you, nor I, could do...Lady Whistledown's word is golden...ours is not even bronze"

"This is all my fault...I should have just courted you, rather than lying- I should have never allowed it to occur this way" Anthony placed his head in hands

"This is not all your fault Anthony, I encouraged you to tell that lie to maintain our look to society....Neither of us could have dreamed it would go this far"

Anthony did not listen to her and continued to spiral

"I allowed you to waste your youth with me. You should have been promenading with Lords and their sons"

"Anthony will you stop this?! I never wanted to promenade with Lords and their sons...I wanted to be with you! I wanted to fence instead of learning French, I wanted to play Pall Mall instead of balancing books on my head and walking a line, and God Dammnit if I did not want to be your intended rather than some sleazy man with money's!"

When she had realized what she has said it was already too late. Anthony looked up from his hands.

"You- wanted to be my intended?"

"That matters not now....I am to leave for France in a matter of-"

Before she could finish her sentence his lips attacked hers. He kissed her like her lips were the oxygen he needed after drowning for years. Evelyn could not help herself but kiss back. This was a moment she had dreamed about since girlhood. Even if this was wrong, it felt anything but. When their lips separated, their foreheads stayed together as if a magnetic force would not allow them to separate quite yet.

"You are not going anywhere" he stated

"My carriage is awaiting me, I cannot just-"

He quickly connected and disconnected their lips again; This time he disconnected their foreheads and rung a bell hanging by Study door.

"Anthony what are you doing?"

Rose opened the door

"Viscount Bridgerton what may I assist you with?"

"Please inform Ms.Evelyn's coach that the drive scheduled will no longer be necessary and please send out men to bring her luggage into my quarters"

Evelyn's jaw was on the floor as Rose nodded and shut the door behind her. She opened her mouth to speak but Anthony spoke before she could even begin.

"You shall live with me, you need not go to France to find a Lord to marry when there is one directly in front of you; Evelyn....will you be my Viscountess?"

She gasped as he dropped to one knee, "This is all moving so fast I- I do not know what to say"

"Eve, I know I do not have a ring in my hand, but I am hoping the love I feel for you...and have felt for you since I was merely a child, will be enough for you to say-"

It was her turn to cut him off.

"Yes"