Three Times The Charm

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: @francescab
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

One would think Anthony ought to have gotten used to this by now. Francesca was the third sister and thus, reach the inevitable age of coming out for the season. Though Eloise was not yet married, and had even delayed her coming out . . . Anthony had still experienced it. That, concern. That, distrust he had for practically every man that let one of his sister's capture their gaze. He knew the minds of men, and he hated to think what they thought of when looking at a beautiful woman. But alas, the time was upon them.

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Tonight would be a ball. While Anthony had eased a little -- as he liked to think -- thanks to his own marriage and even children, his priorities were more divided. Though, he would never neglect his duty as Viscount. Francesca had been so young when dear Edmund had passed away and Anthony knew there were times where he had been more like a father to her and the other younger ones. In all honesty, there were also times where he longed to be nothing more than a brother. But, his duty came first and so he was set to find his sister a suitable match. Despite his thinking that no one was ever good enough for any of his sisters -- or brothers if he was being quite honest.

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It was early afternoon and Anthony had a fairly relaxed day, for most everyone was out running errands or making visits, including Kate and his children. There was some sense of relief however when he entered the drawing room to see Francesca sitting there. He supposed he should have a talk with her, wonder what was going on in her mind as the season started. "Francesca," he greeted with a nod. "Did you already have tea?" He asked, deciding that if she had not, he would join her for a cup -- should his company not be left undesired of course. He knew through no subtlety of anyone in his family, when a sibling's presence was unwanted.

[Deleted]

Sitting in the parlor alone Frannie had a moment of peace, she was the first one ready and as thus was used to having to wait for everyone else to be ready to leave. Maybe she should have spend more time fusing over her appearance she worried but that worry was quickly forgotten when her eldest brother walked in. She greeted him with a fond smile, he was so much more than just a brother to her, he was the only father figure she had ever known or trusted. He would have laid down his life for any of them just as they would for him. If she followed his lead, she knew that she would be steered in the best position to a happy marriage. She was so hoping to make a love match as everyone before her had done. They were all so happy and that was what she wanted too.



Frannie gave him a nervous nod when he asked about tea.  I think that I am too nervous to drink a drop.  Is it normal to be so nervous?

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: @francescab
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony returned the expression, offering a smile of his own as she spoke of being nervous, inquiring as to whether it was normal. He moved towards her, taking a comfortable seat on the empty spot on the sofa beside her. "Incredibly," he answered, the response filled with ease to indicate its normalcy. "It would be far less normal for you not to be nervous," he added on with a continued smile.

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"But you need not carry the burden of this on your own. Perhaps it would help to share it, and tell me what is most on your mind about the days to come." He knew it was a heavy question, for he was certain there were indeed many a reasons. But he wanted to be there for her. Offer his emphatic and unwavering support. When they were younger the needed support had been for such smaller things. A small cut, a disagreement with a sibling, a bad dream. But now . . . the weight of her troubles and cause of her nerves was that of a mature young woman. How Anthony felt as if he had blinked, and she was suddenly grown up. When, had she become so grown up.

[Deleted]

Frannie let out a breath that she had not realized she was holding in at his answer and then took a deep breath in.  Your words  comfort me, I am glad that my nervousness is normal.  She sat back a bit relaxing as she glanced over at her brother.  Once he had been known as a rake, a man that would probably never marry but yet he had been there guiding his sisters into perfect matches.  No other man she had ever heard of was so dedicated to his sisters, it left Frannie feeling safe and very loved.  I do not know what it is that makes me nervous.  There are so many things!  What if no man asks me to dance or what if I am sought after by them and thus creates a scandal!  What if I make a mistake and tomorrow Eloise is reading it out to us from Whistledown.  She found herself rambling on and on then she forced herself to stop.  I am sorry, I am a bit overwhelmed by all of this.  Perhaps I should remind myself just to breathe?

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: @francescab
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony was glad that he could offer her at least a little comfort when it came to normalizing how she felt under these circumstances. As she went on to list all the different possible scenarios, the Viscount listened quietly. Attentively. Taking in each and every word. How he longed to rid her of any feelings that caused her discomfort or fear. How he wished he could protect her from any pain and sadness the world inevitably caused. While he knew that was an impossibility, to spare his family of any pain . . . it made him wish it no less.

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He waited for her to finish, allowing a moment of silence to linger before addressing all that she had shared. He reached out for her hand, taking it in his and giving it a gentle squeeze as he held it. "I have watched you grow up Francesca, into a wonderful young woman," he began to say. "One who is kind, intelligent, and compassionate, only to name a few qualities." For he knew there was much more to her. "And one who is ready. Ready to face society as you will undoubtedly flourish in it." How proud of her he was; the mixed pride for he held that of a father and that of a brother. "You are a Bridgerton," he further reminded, as that in itself encompassed so much.

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"And you should trust in your judgement, as I trust in you." It was never distrust he held for his siblings that caused him to be rather involved in the process of finding a suitable match: it was his distrust in everyone else. "And of course, should any man be unwelcome company or dare do anything to cause you discomfort, I will have his head." Which, perhaps sounded like a joke but if there was one thing that others knew of Anthony Bridgerton . . . it was his protective nature towards his family. Hell, he had been willing to shoot his best friend after what he did to Daphne. Water under the bridge, yet indication of the lengths he would go to. And Francesca, was no different.

[Deleted]

Just sitting here with Anthony had already made Frannie feel more at ease and being able to freely address all her concerns with him gave her a peace of mind that she had realized she needed until she had it.  She felt him take her hand and she smiled at him.  You know how special you are to me I hope, you have always been there for me and you will never be just a brother to me Anthony.  Having you by my side is all that I need to feel perfectly safe and secure.  Thank you for always being here when I needed you even if I didn't know I needed you, you are the only father I have ever known.  With her free hand she quickly reached to brush a tear from her eyes.  I am a Bridgerton, I shall always be proud of that fact for there is no greater family that I could have been born into.

She laughed when he spoke of taking heads off but she knew that he spoke the truth.  Just as with all of her and her siblings, there was nothing that would stop them from protecting each other.  I will trust in myself because you taught me so well, just do not tell Mother that.  I think she fancies that I learned more from her.  Playfully she winked at him.  So what shall I expect of this evening?