Linger in love

(54) One Day

Lord Andrew Fife, sat at his desk in his study. The wind was blowing outside and he was starting to feel isolated in his family estate. He didn't tend to have a lot of visitors, and he was content with that. He would want to be here if he had the choice either.

His father was a brute, an issue sadly that he seemed to inherit. Although as similar as they were in facial features, they were opposite in kindness. Senior Fife, Andrew had the misfortune of being named after, was a bully. One thing Fife could not stand was a bully. Sure, he could pretend to be like his father. But did the members of the ton truly deserve his scowl.

He would joke and poke at others in company, certainly. Although he did not enjoy it. Recent events had caught him off guard. Miss Cowper for instance.

Cressida has always interested me to an extent, it was only her candor attitude to being rude I could not quite stomach. It was the reason for gentleman fleeing after only one dance with the poor girl.

That day in the park, something had struck me. How earnest she seemed in asking for my assistance. She must know of my reputation as much as I know of her cruel one. Passed down from the irritating Lord Cowper and terrible mama I presume.

It takes a strong person, lady or gentleman to ask for help. Those pleading eyes, something quite came over me. The inability to get Miss Cowper off my mind. She had been so insufferable for years. Yet, that night I hadn't seeked another woman's bed. I sat with other gentlemen with a drink in my hand wondering if this all life is expecting of me. Perhaps, I am meant for more.

It is strange, is it not that in one short day. In only one short hour my perception of Miss Cowper turned the opposite way. Her vulnerability, her asking for assistance, that natural smile that I did not recognised. Who was she. I thought I know. How blind have I been all these years.

The next morning I visited my nana Rose, it had become more frequent than in the past. After she had gotten ill and frail, I had done my utmost to seek her out for conversation. To keep her company. Read to her to keep her spirits up, which never seemed to fault no matter her illness.After my mother had died long ago, it was only my aunt who cared.

Many a time, my father had taken a hand to me, or other things that would cause me pain. I kept that information to myself. I would not want the men at the ton to think I was weak.

Rose had something gentle about her. She would always look at me with love and respect.

"I do wish you would settle down, Andrew. So I may have a lady I can talk to" she would always say. Secretly I believe she wants me happy before she leaves this world.

She is the only person in this world, I would truly miss.

The Cowper Residence

"Miss Cower, you have a visitor"

Cressida thought it was perhaps Eloise, it would be rather daring of her to come to her home. Knowing my father's detest for all the Bridgerton's.

In the library, Lord Fife sat, quite awkwardly. He had only visited a lady once for courtship but she found another man, the same day of which to share her life. He was happy for her. She was a lovely girl, but he had to admit, she was rather boring and always spoke sweetly and proper. As ladies did, but she had no hobbies which Fife found terribly underwhelming.

His eyes shot up to Cressida, he stood fast and gave a curt nod "Good day, Miss Cowper. I hope you are well"

His eyes trailed down her frock, she wore something less outlandish than usual and it was refreshing to see he in a slightly different colour fabric. Fife hated pinks, they were much too feminine, and they did not do Cressida justice. But this pale blue was beautiful. He wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked, but thought better about it.