Bridgerton One Shots

Anthony Bridgerton- Speak Now

News spread like wildfire:

Viscount Bridgerton is engaged to be married tomorrow!

This was exciting news for most people, except for Della....well and the Viscount himself. Della and the Viscount had been friends since they were children....and secretly dating for years. However, Violet Bridgerton did not know of their secret relationship. So she forced him out into the social scene and eventually after courting the same girl for a couple of weeks; Anthony was forced to propose. Now he was set to marry and Della could do nothing but stand back and watch...or at least that is what she told herself. Della had picked out her most beautiful gown for the Viscount's wedding and had made sure to leave early....4 hours early to be exact.

"You are only here to help Violet with whatever preparations need done for the wedding Della"

She attempted to convince herself as she exited the carriage. She walked up to the doors of the church and felt a twinge of sadness and anger. It should be her preparing to be the Viscountess not some random lady. She grabbed the handle and pulled open the door. She was greeted by Violet and Daphne who were setting out flowers.

"Della! You are so early my dear!" Violet exclaimed

"Yes well, I figured that you may need help with the preparations"

"Oh dear you certainly do not have to-"

"We would love some help!" Daphne Interrupted "why do you not take these to the men to put in their jackets, they are in the back room"

Daphne handed her a box filled with a dozen blue flowers and pointed to the back. Della nodded and began to walk toward the back room when she heard yelling

"NO, NO, NO!!! YOU IMBECILE!!! MY TIARA IS CROOKED DO IT AGAIN! MAMA MAKE HER DO IT AGAIN!"

It was Anthony's lovely bride to be yelling, no screaming at a bridesmaid with all of her family (in the worst pastels anyone has ever seen) and some of Anthony's groomsmen watching. She decided to just keep walking towards the back room and muttered to herself

"this is surely not how he thought this would be"

And as she continued her decent she lost herself in a daydream where the preacher said "Speak Now or forever hold your peace" And Della replied "Don't say yes run away now, I'll meet you when you're out of the church out the back door. Don't wait or say a single vow, you need to hear me out!"

She was released from her daydream when she bumped into something...or rather someone sending her flowers all over the floor.

"I am so sorry-"

"Della?"

When della glanced up she saw none other than Benedict Bridgerton himself

"Hi Benny, I was actually on my way to give these to you guys but I lost myself in my thoughts"

"It is quite alright...to be honest this whole day has been a disaster" he said as he helped her pick up the flowers "I think he would prefer someone else at the end of that aisle...as we all would"

he looked up and saw tears welling in Della's eyes

"Well I must go help your mama.." she said avoiding his eyes "I shall see you after the wedding. Give Anthony my best."

Then walked away.—————————/—————————-A couple hours later it was time. She was sat in the front row with his family as she heard the sound of a piano begin to play. She watched Anthony's face go through all of the stages of grief till she could not bear to look at his face anymore. She decided to focus on the music It sounded less like a happy song about marriage and more like a death march. Finally she looked at his Fiancé...the future Viscountess Bridgerton. She floated down the Aisle like a prim and proper royal. Della gained the courage to glance at Anthony one more time and saw that his gaze was on Della. His eyes were pleading for help, but the cries would have to go unanswered. Little did Della know at that exact moment Benedict leaned to his brother.

"You wish it was her, don't you?"

Anthony responded only with sad eyes, which gave Benedict all the answer he needed.————————————————————-After what felt like hours to Della the preacher finally said the golden phrase:

"If anyone has reason that these two should not be wed, Speak Now or forever hold your peace"

'There's the silence' Della thought to herself 'this is your last chance'

In that moment, she lost all control of her body and stood up. Gasps were heard all around the church but Della could not hear them because when she looked in Anthony's eyes everything else melted away.

"I am not the kind of girl, who should be rudely barging in on a white veil occasion...but you are not the kind of boy, who should be marrying the wrong girl....so don't say yes, run away now! I'll meet you when you're out of the church at the back door. Don't wait or say a single vow; you need to hear me out." Della began to ramble out

Anthony still in shock looked at his Fiancé and then at Della. He opened his mouth to say something but before he could his Fiancé screamed.

"GET HER OUT!"

"WAIT!"

The entire room, which was once filled with outraged chatter, went silent.

"Della, let's run away now. I'll meet with my carriage at the back door" he grabbed her hands in his and said "I did not say my vows...so glad you were around when he said 'Speak Now.'"