A Gamble // Benedict Bridgerton

Chapter Fifteen

Word Count: 2,215 words. 

Warnings: None. 

Pall Mall was a success for everyone; everyone but Evelyn. She had spent her time with Eloise and Colin, deftly using her years of experience to attempt to best the pair. It had proven fruitless.

Evelyn had to admit that she had not expected the game to be so exhilarating. She had played before, of course, but never with the competitive streak that the Bridgerton family seemed to have. There were sabotages, fights and arguments on that field that make her Royal Highness smile.

She had not paid much attention to that of Anthony since beginning the game, but Evelyn noted that she should have when she watched him stomp back up to the house covered in mud.

"What did I miss?" she asked Colin, gesturing to his brother.

"I have not the faintest idea," he replied with a heavy sigh.

"I shall find out," the princess countered, pulling up her skirts and heading after him.

The others remained on the field, Eloise the only other Bridgerton that noted her absence. When Evelyn hurried inside, she spotted the Lord Bridgerton slamming the door of his study.

She approached slowly, knocking politely. "Go away," he ordered. "I do not need you prying into my business Daphne."

"It is not Daphne," she told him.

There was a small silence from the other side of the door before Evelyn heard his footsteps approach. Anthony opened it slightly.

"Is everything alright Evelyn?" he posed, attempting to brush away the subject.

She pushed open the door, sauntering inside before he could argue. Anthony closed it quietly, allowing the lock to click as he faced Evelyn.

Sighing, the princess placed a hand on her hip. "What are you doing Anthony?"

"I do not know what you are talking about," he dismissed, eyes focused on the ground. The mud on his clothes was drying.

"I may have missed whatever it was that happened out there, but I know that there is something bothering you. You clearly have things on your mind – "

"I plan to propose to Miss Edwina," he cut her off, taking a deep breath. "That is what bothers me."

Evelyn hesitated, taking in his adverting gaze and his small flinch from the bruise on the side of his face. He way lying. His feelings for Kate were overwhelming him.

"Very well."

He looked at her then. "Very well?"

"If you say that it is your impending proposal, then it is. I must take you at your word," she explained.

"Why?"

"I like to think of you as my friend," Evelyn countered, licking her lips. "If you do not wish to tell me of what is truly bothering you, then I respect that."

Evelyn smiled then, tapping the side of the Lord Bridgerton's desk before making for the door.

"Your Highness," he attempted, touching her arm slightly to stop her.

"Yes Lord Bridgerton?"

He paused, thinking about his answer for a moment. "What do I do with feelings that I do not wish for?"

Evelyn sighed, knowing what he spoke of. She had seen the looks between Anthony and Kate and the lack of such between him and Edwina. He had fallen for the wrong sister, and Evelyn had fallen for the wrong man.