How To Break A Rake

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Derrick Kenworthy
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony was currently slouched comfortably in a chair at Simon's London estate, a glass of brandy cradled in his hand. The Viscount certainly had to admit . . . it was rather nice to set the past where it was and move on from most, unfortunate incidents that took place between him and one of his dearest friends. The entire last season had certainly strained their relationship, but now the man was part of their family and in that knowledge, Anthony knew that he could not be angry with him forever. Besides, Daphne seemed happy. Very happy. So really, he supposed there was no reason to dwell on that would continue any further tension in his relationship with Simon.

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It was almost as if the past had not even happened; as if Anthony had not challenged him to a dual and shot at him, or that the two had not thrown fists at one another. Instead, the air between them was comfortable, finding that rapport of strong friendship that had formed during their Oxford years together. "The entire concept is absolutely unheard of," Anthony stated with clear irritation in his voice. "An older sister should not be involved in sifting through suitors for her younger one." Oh how he loathed Katherine Sharma.

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Anthony had decided to marry Edwina before he had even seen her, discovering she was this season's Diamond of the First Water. But Kate. Kate was another matter entirely. "An utterly aggravating nuisance," he grumbled, taking a sip of his beverage to help calm him down. Damn her. Damn Kate for creating such an obstacle in what otherwise should have been a perfectly simple and straightforward affair. The news of the Viscount's intentions had been shocking enough. But now, it would have to be dragged out all because of a meddlesome sister.

[Derrick Kenworthy]

Simon was not a petty man (at least when it came to people who had not sired him) and yet he was rather enjoying this conversation with his friend. Upon seeing Daphne well settled, Anthony and Simon had began rebuilding their friendship. Though it had never broken in truth, but they had put a dark weight on it, thus tested the bonds they shared.

Now, it seemed Anthony was in turn feeling like Daphne's suitors had once felt. While Simon was grateful for the events that led him to wed--they had not been fun at the time. "Very odd indeed." Simon agreed trying to hide his mirth, behind his drink. "One would think the younger one will have no suitors before long."

Which had in true led to Simon and Daphne needing to pretend to be courting to draw in the men, and ward off the women. It had worked, until they had fallen in love and it became less about the ruse and more about how much he utterly enjoyed a conversation with her. Something he said about so few people in his life.

^{Anthony Bridgerton}

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Derrick Kenworthy
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony was quite irritated by the entire situation and had he been paying better attention to Simon, then perhaps he would have recognized his friend's tone. But as it was, he was merely too distracted by the annoyance that was Katherine Sharma. "Should her sister continue to act in such a way, then that may very well be the case," Anthony agreed.

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"Though it seems she has more issue with me above anyone else. Credit can be give to bloody Whistledown for her columns about me." Unlike others -- especially women -- Anthony found no flattery or enjoyment in being mentioned in Lady Whistledown's columns. It was a downright nuisance. "Apparently, I need only win her over in order for her to approve of my proposal. Surely, that should not be an impossible task. How difficult can it be to gain the approval of an overprotective, elder sibling." His question was only somewhat rhetorical, but what was missed completely on Anthony . . . was the sheer irony of it all.

[Derrick Kenworthy]

Simon felt his lips twitch in a sly smile, as Bridgerton vexed on about the older sister. It left Simon feeling very satisfied with karma and life. Not that he blamed Bridgerton for his actions during the courting of his sister--it still was enjoyable to watch him struggle with the same thing.

"How hard indeed," Simon agreed, trying (and failing) to keep the amusement out of his tone. He knew whistledown loved to talk about rakes, but with Simon she had painted him as a target to be won and he had hated it. Every Mama had her daughter thrust into his path, and fawning over him. Now, Anthony was dealing with the woman.

"Doesn't the girl have a mother? Why would he elder sibling need to be won over?" Simon asked, enjoying the irony. "How ever will does one win over such a unreasonable older sibling, when they are so against your courtship?" He had not been able to feel more normal with Anthony until after his marriage's happy turn with Daphne.

^{Anthony Bridgerton}

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Derrick Kenworthy
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

"Indeed!" Anthony vehemently agreed. It was hard, and needlessly so. A meddlesome sister was infuriating! "She does! It is absolute nonsense that she be so involved in her sister's affairs. When one has a parent to handle such matters. Should it be a father or brother, perhaps it would be more reasonable. But a sister?! Whoever has such of such a thing." His frustrations were truly being unleashed, for it seemed like someone finally understood what he was enduring.

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And yet . . . Hastings said it in such a way that caused Anthony to pause and slightly raise an eyebrow as he looked at him. Of course Anthony was inclined to agree with what he said . . . but there was something in the way that he said it that caused him pause. And decided to vocalize it. "Why do you say it in such a way?" He questioned, knowing he had a good enough rapport with the man -- counted as his best friend despite all they had been through -- to make such an inquiry with accussation in his tone.