Fₐₙdₒₘ ₛcᵣᵢbbₗₑₛ

ᴀ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴄᴏɴꜱᴜᴍᴇᴅ (ʏᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇ ʙʀɪᴅɢᴇʀᴛᴏɴ)

Olivia Gray might not come from noble stock, and she certainly doesn't have a grand fortune or a glittering dowry to boast of, but what she does have is something far more valuable—an abundance of love and protection from her family. The only daughter born to the Gray family in generations, Olivia has been the centre of her father and older brother's world since the day she arrived, albeit under difficult circumstances. Her mother, Diana, passed away shortly after giving birth, leaving Olivia to be raised in a household filled with the quiet ache of grief but also the fierce devotion of two men who would do anything to see her happy.

From the moment she was born prematurely, Olivia's delicate health has shaped her family's every decision. Her frailty made her seem even more precious in the eyes of her father, a successful hotel owner in London, and her brother, Oliver, a renowned lawyer. Together, they cocooned her in layers of care and affection, shielding her from the harsher realities of life outside their home. The Gray family lived comfortably enough—not wealthy by the standards of the ton, but far from poor. Their fortune may not have sparkled in society's eyes, but to Olivia, her home was a sanctuary. She had no need of the grand balls and social seasons that occupied the lives of other young women her age.

For years, her family had gently encouraged Olivia to avoid making her debut into society, fearful that her delicate health would make her vulnerable to the pressures of the marriage market. They feared that the wrong suitor might take advantage of her innocence, or worse, see her as nothing more than a fragile flower to be locked away. Olivia herself, aware of her limitations, had agreed. She had no desire to be paraded before eager young men whose only interest would be in her dowry—or worse, in the novelty of her delicate appearance.

In truth, Olivia found comfort in the familiarity of her quiet life. She adored the time spent with her family, and while she sometimes longed for the excitement she read about in the novels stacked by her bedside, she never regretted her choice to remain outside the ton's scrutinising gaze.

Anthony Bridgerton, however, was not quite so pleased by this decision. As one of London's most eligible bachelors, he was well-versed in the rituals of society's marriage market. But where others saw a parade of potential brides, Anthony saw only one. He'd known Oliver Gray since their university days, and the two had struck up an easy friendship, bonded over shared values and aspirations. It wasn't long before Oliver spoke of his sister in their conversations, always with a fondness that piqued Anthony's interest.

Oliver often described Olivia with a mix of pride and protectiveness, sharing how she had been born prematurely and had struggled with her health for years. But he also spoke of her beauty, her kindness, and her wit—traits that Anthony found more and more intriguing as time went on. He began to wonder about this mysterious girl who lived in the Gray household, tucked away from the bustling streets of London's high society.

The first time Anthony saw Olivia in person, he was struck by how effortlessly she captured his attention. It had been a chance encounter at the market during his first year out of university. Olivia had been with Oliver, walking slowly as she marvelled at the fresh flowers on display. Even from a distance, Anthony could tell she was special. Her beauty was undeniable, but it was something more than that—it was the quiet grace with which she moved, the way her eyes lit up as she spoke to her brother. For the first time in his life, Anthony felt something stir within him that he couldn't quite explain.

He had masked his interest, of course, engaging in casual conversation with Oliver while sneaking glances at Olivia whenever he thought he could get away with it. It was then that Anthony knew—she was unlike anyone he had ever met. And from that day forward, he couldn't stop thinking about her.

But Anthony's frustration grew when he learned that Olivia would not be making her debut into society. The news, shared by Oliver one evening over drinks, struck him like a blow. How was he supposed to court her if she wouldn't even be part of the marriage market? On one hand, it meant there would be no other suitors vying for her attention, which was a relief. But on the other, it meant that Anthony had no legitimate avenue to pursue her. He could hardly waltz up to the Gray household and declare his intentions without causing a scandal.

Still, Anthony was resolute. Olivia Gray was meant to be his wife—he was certain of it. Her absence from society only made her more desirable in his eyes, like a treasure hidden from the rest of the world. He began to devise ways to insert himself into her life, using his friendship with Oliver as a means to get closer to her. He would accompany Oliver on visits to the Gray family home, always finding some excuse to linger just a little longer, hoping for a glimpse of Olivia or a few stolen moments of conversation.

Each time he saw her, his feelings grew stronger. Her beauty, her quiet strength, and the way she seemed to light up any room she entered—all of it confirmed what Anthony had known from the start. Olivia was special, and he was determined to win her heart.

But Olivia's world was not one easily breached. Her father and brother, while polite, remained wary of any man who might seek to take Olivia away from them. They knew all too well how fragile she was, how easily her health could turn, and they were fiercely protective. Anthony, however, was not deterred. He had never been one to back down from a challenge, and in his mind, Olivia was already his in every way that mattered.

As Anthony continued his pursuit, Olivia began to notice the subtle shift in their interactions. She had always admired Anthony from afar, recognizing the warmth he shared with her brother and the respect he showed her father. But now, there was something different in the way he looked at her, something that made her heart beat a little faster. She wasn't sure what to make of it—was this the beginning of something new, or was she simply imagining things?

One thing was clear: Anthony Bridgerton had no intention of letting her slip through his fingers. And as far as he was concerned, no other man would have the chance to try.