A Forced Promenade

[Deleted]

Anthony Bridgerton
♡

She had finally secured a Bridgerton — Lord Bridgerton, in fact!  At least that was what she had been telling herself and anyone who dared listen in the ton since her mother had arranged a promenade for the two of them this afternoon. (Accosted was probably a more accurate word, but that was just how the Cowper women operated after all.)

Today, in honor of this exciting endeavor, Cressida was dressed to the nines. They had rushed Madame Delacroix to put together an entirely new dress for her with the finest fabrics and patterns in the softest of pastel pinks. One might even think she had been heading to a ball instead with her over-sized headpiece sat atop her head like a floral arrangement. However, she had herself convinced that if she just played her cards right, she could be Lady Cressida Bridgerton. That would certainly get Daphne and Eloise to be quiet. Best of all, she'd feel like she was proving the entire ton wrong about her.

The very thought of all of this, made Cressida smirk. She tried to play it off like she was just very pleased to see Lord Bridgerton, and frankly, she was. She kept her smile demure, she allowed her cheeks to flush slightly and she fanned herself in a way that drew attention to her bosom. Everything she had ever learned, she was going to throw at Anthony. She just had to start small first.

"Wonderful to see you, Lord Bridgerton," she offered. She kept her gaze low and smile ever present to keep up the demure façade.

ooc: hope this is okay!! i can't wait for this chaos

☽LIA☾

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: @cressidacowper

i am a viscount

IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY

Anthony was not sure how he had gotten into this situation. Ah yes. It was most likely when he told his mother he was intending on finding a wife this season. Ever since that moment, his mother spared no moment to introduce him to someone. Or, announce his intentions rather loudly so that every woman within ear shot -- and somehow miraculously beyond -- came to make an impression. So when the opportunity to promenade with Cressida came up, it all seemed to fall into place rather quickly.

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He was fairly certain he had not said a word until the arrangements were made and all eyes were upon him to agree. And, well, what sort of gentleman would he be to deny a young woman . . . without sound reason. Anthony was not deaf to complaints about Cressida -- her name after all had come up in regards to why Simon and Daphne had to wed. But truly, there was nothing wrong with the woman. She was pleasant to look at, had a strong and wealthy family, and seemed to know her place in society. She like him, knew where they fit in. Or so Anthony thought.

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So when the afternoon was upon them, he with his family -- minimal in number thank God -- made their way to the park. He politely smiled at Cressida's mother before focusing his attention on Cressida. "And you Miss Cowper," he returned and greeted with a small nod. "You look lovely this afternoon." An honest statement. After all, as he previously established there was nothing evidently wrong with her. Perhaps he should give her a chance. Many women had failed to fit all his criteria thus far . . . while he held no expectation as to whether she would fulfil his requirements, there was certainly no harm in finding out. "Shall we?" He gestured politely, expecting his mother to fall back a few steps so that he may speak to Cressida during their stroll.

[Deleted]

A Forced Promenade

Anthony Bridgerton & Cressida Cowper

Hearing her name fall from his lips felt sweet like honey and had her heart skipping a beat. It made her foolishly imagine a false future where she could be Mrs. Bridgerton. Sure they were a long way away from that now, and his sisters would likely get in the way, but Cressida had hope. How could she not as he stood before her tossing her a compliment? The very compliment caused her cheeks to flush slightly and instinctively she brought her fan up to sheepishly cover part of her face. For once, it wasn't an act. She was truly flattered.

"You look rather handsome yourself, my lord."

She offered a surprisingly soft smile in response and bowed her head to try to collect herself. It wasn't that she wasn't used to such compliments. She had received her fair share of them in her time out in society, especially considering how extravagantly her mother dressed her, but never like this from a Bridgerton. She would have assumed his sisters would have gotten to him by now, but Anthony, as head of the house, always did seem more independent. She liked that.

So many of the Bridgertons seemed so independent. Sure she could chalk it up to him being a man, and of course that come with the territory, but another part of her fault like it was something else. Even Daphne, and certainly Eloise, were so independent. Perhaps, that came with having siblings. She wouldn't know and the very thought sent a twinge of sadness through her. Her gaze faltered even more and her smile in turn, but she quickly caught herself and remembered that perhaps she could be one of them soon enough, so she let her smile grow and gave him a small nod in response. She couldn't wait to hear everyone talking as they walked amongst the ton. Maybe she'd finally catch the attention of Lady Whistledown, too.

Anthony Bridgerton

► kaigra ◄

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: @cressidacowper

i am a viscount

IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY

Anthony gave a polite smile at her response, returning the flattering statement by calling him handsome. "Thank you," he responded and with sincerity. Once she was ready he extended his arm so that she may -- if she was so inclined -- loop her own through it. Despite this being a force arrangement, the Viscount could not help but think that Cressida did often play the part quite well. The part of who was in society. Knowing what to say, how to say it, the actions, gestures . . . perhaps this arrangement was not a complete waste of time after all.

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Had this been simply a causal promenade prior to Anthony's stating his intentions to marry, then he would have merely stuck to pleasantries to squander the time. But now that his intentions had shifted, and he was looking for a wife -- a Viscountess -- he had to be far more direct in his conversation. Though, avoiding crossing that line of being rude. "What are your greatest skills, Miss Cowper?" He needed to find a wife who would fit the role of Viscountess. She had to be intelligent, and well put together. While upon appearance Cressida fit the latter criteria -- at least physically, he was uncertain about the first.