The next day, the Bradfords sat in the drawing room, anticipating the arrival of Lord Bradford and the eldest Bradford boy. Much to Aurelia's dismay, Lady Bradford had insisted that her daughters refine their embroidering skills whilst they waited. She had never been talented at needlework, her talents lay with the piano, but her mother believes the instrument to be too loud and clunky for a lady to play. So, she was stuck sewing patterns into cloth.

"Shouldn't they be here, by now?" Evelyn moaned, growing excessively bored.

Lady Bradford scowled at her unladylike behaviour. "Your father and brother will get here when they get here. Now, focus on your work."

Thankfully, Evelyn's skill with a needle was about as good as Aurelia's, so they never had to compete in that department. The eldest Bradford daughter would rather stick the needle in her eye than suffer the depression that came with sewing, she couldn't think of anything more intolerable.

"Father did say they would be back by mid-day, Mama," Aurelia pointed out, "and it's now noon."

If Lady Bradford had deemed it ladylike, she would have rolled her eyes at her daughters' persistence to irritate her. "They will have lost track of time with business, leave them be."

As she took a sip from her teacup, Aurelia and Evelyn shared a concerned glance. Their father was never late, not even by a minute, yet hours had past his arrival time. A sinking feeling dropped in their stomachs, something didn't feel right.

With a knock at the door, the butler entered the room and bowed. "Mr Bridgerton has called on Miss Aurelia, my lady."

Aurelia needle froze mid stitch. Had she heard him right? A Bridgerton was calling on her?

Delight burst onto Lady Bradford's face, thrilled to hear the news. "Let him in."

Aurelia felt like she was going to be sick. Had Anthony called to chastise her about the reason he stormed out of the ballroom? Surely, even he would regard it as unbecoming to scold a young woman in front of her family. Then again, he'd shown no sign of good manners, so far. Maybe, he would.

The butler opened the door and gestured for the guest to enter. Aurelia held her breath, praying for any mercy she could get.

To her relief, Anthony Bridgerton did not walk through the door. Instead, it was his brother, Benedict.

Lady Bradford would have still been pleased if it was the young Colin Bridgerton who'd shown up at their door. "Mrs Bridgerton," She sang, "you are a pleasant surprise."

Benedict bowed. "Thank you, Lady Bradford. Though I do hope I am not interrupting." He tried his hardest to stop his eyes darting to the mess in Aurelia's hands, but he'd never seen such an ugly pattern in his life.

"Not at all," Lady Bradford dismissed his concerns, "Evelyn and Aurelia were just keeping themselves entertained with some embroidery."

"I see," Benedict nodded, certain that what the two Bradford girls were working on could be considered as such. "I hope you don't think it rude of me to ask on such short notice, but I was hoping Miss Bradford would join my family and I on a walk through the park."

Lady Bradford's jaw dropped in horror. "Now? But she's not dressed."

"I have clothes on, do I not?" Aurelia protested. It may be a dress she'd had for years, but it was still pretty enough to be seen in out in public. If she was being entirely honest, she'd leap at the opportunity to run through the streets of London naked if it meant she had an escape from her mother's company for a few hours.

"I think you look beautiful, Miss Bradford," Benedict agreed, backing Lady Bradford into a corner so she couldn't refuse. She didn't want to insult a possible suitor by disagreeing with his opinion.

"Well," She fought against every instinct in her body, "I suppose I can allow it."

Aurelia beamed, happily throwing her needlework on the sofa and standing to her feet.

Jealousy blazed in Evelyn's eyes as she watched the Bridgerton boy offer his arm to her sister, before her mother escort the pair out of the front door. Regret filled her chest for not making more of an effort to dance with the other members of the ton. If she had, she'd be the one feeling an afternoon of torture.

The Bridgerton hord were waiting outside for Aurelia and Benedict to emerge from the house - and much to Aurelia's delight, Anthony was nowhere to be seen - as a carriage stood behind them, ready to whisk them away to hyde park.

The sun was out and burning bright, a rare occurrence for London indeed, making it the perfect afternoon for a promenade.

Aurelia and Benedict were left to their own devices, strolling arm in arm around Hyde park - under the watchful eye of a chaperon, of course - allowing them a proper chance to catch up on the past six years.

"I can't believe your parents had another two children," Aurelia stated, watching both Gregory and Hyacinth playing together in the distance, "and how much Eloise has grown."

Benedict laughed. "I'm more shocked by Athos. I always got the impression your mother hated children."

"She does," Aurelia assured him, "Athos was a surprise to all of us. I wasn't even aware my mother was expecting until a few weeks before he arrived. Evelyn didn't return from school until a month after he was born."

The secrecy around Athos' birth had always played on Aurelia and her sister's minds. From a young age, they were both taught that a child is a gift, so they'd never understood why their parents had wanted to hide it. Evelyn once suggested that it was because the baby wasn't their father's, but at the time Aurelia was clueless about how babies were conceived, so she paid it no mind. Then, as she got older and wiser, she finally understood the implication, but still couldn't believe her mother would do such a thing - no matter how cold-hearted she could be.

"I'd heard rumours of your sister's time in finishing school," Benedict admitted, "did you not want to attend?"

"No," Aurelia instantly replied, repulsed shivers shuddering down her spine, "it was bad enough I was living in another country, I didn't need to be educated there too."

"Not many girls are offered the opportunity," He pointed out.

"And thankfully I will never be offered it again," She chirped in response.

Any lessons her governess had given her, Aurelia despised. History bored her, mathematics was pointless, and science...well, she preferred to forget about the whole ordeal. Once she learnt how to read, she felt she could teach herself anything she wanted, without the need of a governess. Her parents disagreed, but allowed her to continue her studies at home.

"What about you?" She swiftly changed the subject, "Have you applied to any art institutions?"

Benedict hung his head in shame, giving her his answer. "I'm not ready yet. I need more time to perfect my technique."

With an arched brow, Aurelia said, "You do know that is what art institutes are for? To develop your skill?"

"I don't think my family even know that I paint," He confessed.

"Your father does," She reminded him, her ignorance showing once more, "he bought you those art supplies for your birthday, years ago."

Benedict halted in his tracks, nearly tripping Aurelia up. Sadness consumed him, but unlike his older brother, he wasn't embarrassed to let it show. "No one told you."

Aurelia frowned. "Told me what?"

Clearing his throat, Benedict struggled to say, "My father died five years ago."

Aurelia's stomach dropped, causing her to feel sick. The words refused to sink in, she couldn't believe what she was hearing was true. Tears stung the backs of her eyes. "Oh Benedict," Her voice was shakey with grief, "I'm so sorry."

Whilst he was grateful for her concern, it felt a little late. He missed his father everyday, but after five years the pain had started to subside. "He wouldn't believe his eyes if he had seen you and your family return to London. He was certain you were gone for good."

Aurelia tried to force laughter through her hurt expression, but it came out as more of a muffled exhale.

Benedict asked, "Are you alright?"

She winced, ashamed of how easily she was letting her grief show. "I upset your brother last night."

He had to confess he was a little puzzled by why she was so troubled by the fact. "That's never bothered you before.

"Your father was alive before," She clarified. "I mentioned him whilst we were dancing and he stormed out of the room."

The situation became clear to him now. "Ah, yes. My brother has never truly dealt with what happened. He doesn't like to talk about it."

Anthony's reaction was starting to make sense, she couldn't believe she had been so careless. No matter how much she despised the boy, she'd never use his father's death to hurt him. "I feel as if I should apologise."

"Why?" Benedict frowned. "It was an honest mistake."

Aurelia sighed. "One that caused him a great deal of pain. If I had known about your father, I would have never brought him up."

Benedict was left confused by what to say. On one hand, it was a kind and brave gesture on Aurelia's part to admit she was in the wrong, yet on the other hand, Anthony was the most difficult person to walk the planet and would only take insult to her pity. Dealing with him was like fighting a battle you already knew you were going to lose.

"Maybe wait until he has had time to calm down," He suggested.

As Aurelia's face dropped in horror, he realised his words had been a mistake. "He's still upset?"

"No," Benedict tried to correct himself before she had the chance to hyperventilate, "he is just stressed out all the time now he is Viscount."

Obviously, his statement only made matters worse. "I upset a Viscount." Her voice shook with distress, "My mama is going to kill me if she ever finds out."

Benedict wished he'd kept his mouth shut. "She'll never find out because Anthony doesn't open up to anyone. No one will ever know."

It took a few seconds for his words to take effect, but after a while, Aurelia regained her composure. "Are you sure he's alright?"

"He is no moodier than he was before," Benedict nodded, "I promise."

She would have to take his word for it.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me," She excused her behaviour, "I hope I haven't ruined your afternoon."

"Nonsense," He dismissed her worries, "an afternoon with you could never be ruined."

Aurelia smiled, delighted she was still in his good graces. Many a man would have not shown her the same kindness. "I'm happy to hear it."

Benedict was so swept away by her smile, he almost forgot the real purpose he'd invited her out to promenade. "You might not be so happy to hear this," He informed her. "My mother wants to invite your's over for a feast tomorrow."

Aurelia wasn't entirely sure why she would be so horrified by the gesture.

Benedict nervously coughed. "She wants all the children to be there, too."

The horror settled in, heavy and fast. She was going to be forced to endure yet another evening in Anthony's company.

When his mother had brought up the idea, Benedict had done everything in his power to persuade her to reconsider. The ballroom was barely enough to contain the obvious tension between his brother and his friend, and even that ended up with his storming out like a child, their dining room stood no chance. Maybe, he should suggest the gardens?

"I am certain I can avoid your brother's company if I try hard enough," She attempted to sound convincing.

"You are deceiving yourself if you believe you can control your temper around him," He informed her.

A sly smirk rippled across Aurelia's lips. "Unlike you brother, I grew up. I have no doubt I can handle myself."

That was exactly what Benedict was worried about. "He's sharpened his wit since you left," He warned her, "he's an equal sparring partner, now."

Aurelia was inclined to agree. The night before, Anthony had managed to throw back a few punches, instead of dragging himself away to sulk. Well, he did at first.

It might actually be entertaining to get a rise out of him.

"My mother will be thrilled to hear about the invitation," Aurelia stated, concealing her true intentions, "I for one, can't wait."