Anthony Bridgerton held Roman at arm's length by his shoulders, with the biggest grin consuming his face. "I thought you were on your extensive tour of the world."

How shocking, Anthony Bridgerton doesn't know absolutely everything about absolutely everyone.

"I was," Roman replied, "but my father called me home."

A sly spark glimmered in Anthony's eyes, one Aurelia had seen quite frequently since she returned to London, as he lined up his next taunt. "And you ran to his beck and call like a little puppy."

Puffing out his chest, Roman responded. "I ran for the money."

"Oh, of course," Anthony sarcastically agreed, laughing at his friend's expense.

It wasn't until this moment that he realised that the pair were not alone. His eyes drifted to the figure who stood next to him, preparing to introduce himself, when he realised who it was. The amused expression dropped from his face. "Miss Bradford."

"Viscount Bridgerton," She bowed her head, her distaste for the man still firmly imprinted onto her face, "I was unaware you were so highly acquainted. I'm surprised."

Though he tried to fight it, he couldn't conceal the twitch of anger of his lips. "We went to Oxford together."

"Yes, I realised that," Aurelia smiled so sickly sweet, leaving a bad taste in Anthony's mouth, "Roman wouldn't be friends with you if it were not out of convenience."

The tension between the pair was as plain as day, and Roman had suddenly found himself caught in the middle of it. He opened his mouth to intervene, but Anthony cut in before he got a chance.

"How did you two meet?" He asked his old friend.

"My summer in Italy, actually," Roman replied cautiously, worried that he would somehow be dragged into the conflict.

"Oh," Anthony nodded his head, before a flicker of a memory danced across his eyes, pulling his mouth into an arrogant smirk. "Oh."

Aurelia narrowed her glare. "What?"

The smirk grew into a smug grin as he shook his head. "Nothing."

Aurelia knew it had to be something. Anthony's whole demeanour was built on pure arrogance, but it usually manifested itself in anger. When he smiled, something was up, and it typically meant it was going to come back around and bit Aurelia on the neck in their next argument. It was always something to Anthony Bridgerton.

"I must introduce you to Miss Rowena Smith," He said, turning to wave over a young woman in a red dress. She smiled and sauntered over with such grace and poise, that if it wasn't for the moth-eaten shawl around her shoulders, you could mistake her for a Lady. "Miss Smith, this is my friend Roman Yaxley, and his..." His words trailed off, pretending to elude to an unsavoury relationship between Aurelia and Roman.

"Friend," She finished his sentence for him.

"Miss Bradford."

Rowena bowed her head. "It is lovely to meet you both."

"Miss Smith is an opera singer," Anthony informed them, aiming a smug grin in Aurelia's direction.

"Really?" She beamed, pretending to be interested in the conversation. "Well, you and Mr Yaxley will have an abundance of things to discuss. His family owns an opera house in Prague." Aurelia returned a mirror image of his arrogant gesture.

"How lovely..." Rowena started, but was sharply cut off by Anthony's next brag.

"Miss Smith had toured the country singing in various shows."

"Not exactly the whole country..." She attempted to speak again, but this time it was Aurelia who interrupted her.

"Roman has toured the world."

"Well, Miss Smith..."

"Mr Yaxley," Rowena cut in, growing tired of her life being used as a weapon in their strange verbal conflict, "would you like to fetch a cup of tea with me? I fear this argument is far from over."

"Of course, Miss Smith," He quickly agreed, happy to have been given an escape.

Anthony and Aurelia both politely smiled at the pair as they strolled away, waiting for them to be out of earshot before their battle could recommence.

"Do you enjoy tormentening me or are you just bored?" Anthony spat in a low voice so no one in close range could hear.

"Bored?" Aurelia scoffed. If anyone should be bored, it would be Anthony. Other than Rowena and Roman, Aurelia hadn't seen him talk to anyone but his family. His social life was obviously lacking. "What exactly do I have to be bored with?"

"Your life, perhaps," He instantly replied. "It must be so tiresome having no interest from any suitors at all."

Aurelia's glare narrowed and turned firey. "I have suitors."

Anthony mocking surveyed the surrounding area. "Where are they?"

"You just scared one off," Aurelia informed him, gesturing in the direction that Roman and Rowena had just left.

"Ah yes," Anthony chuckled to himself, amused by his own thoughts, "I've heard all about your summer in Italy with Roman."

Aurelia's jaw clenched. She scanned every inch of his face to figure out if he was lying or not, but his wall of arrogance was too thick to see through. For now, she'd have to assume he really did.

"And the ton has heard about your escapades with all your other opera singers," Aurelia casually replied, pretending not to be phased by his revelation.

For a moment, Anthony remained silent. Not because he was hurt by her remark, but because he saw something he had never seen before within her. A coy smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Do I sense a hint of jealousy, Miss Bradford?"

Aurelia's jaw dropped wide open, but words failed to come out. "Jealous?" She huffed, unable to look him in the eyes. "Now I know you are delusional."

What on Earth did he possibly think she had to be jealous about? Whilst she was certain the life of an opera singer was glamorous, it isn't one she'd ever dreamt of living. No matter how many adoring fans Rowena Smith may have.

Even with her denial, Anthony held a tight grip on his theory. Plus, he rather enjoyed winding the young woman up. "One night in an office and you've gone mad."

Turning her head towards the crowd, she began to search for Roman. "I don't know what you mean."

Anthony stepped closer to her, the distance between them scandal worth indeed. "I bet you've not stopped thinking about it."

Aurelia jumped when his voice hit her ears, unaware he had moved into to such close proximity. Fighting against her instincts, she took a step back. She wanted to stand her ground, she wanted to prove to him that he couldn't intimidate her in any way, but her fear of the ton was far greater than her distaste for Anthony. His actions could shame her family, but the ton were the ones who would prosecute her.

"I haven't spared it a single thought," She glared up at him, an inferno ablaze in her stare. "You are so very confident in your ability to seduce anyone into bed, aren't you?" Anthony's face didn't falter, but she could feel his eyes weighing down heavy on her skin. "I do hope you enjoy your opera singer, Viscount Bridgerton. I hear she is very talented at pleasing her audiences."

The smirk fell from his face and shattered across the floor. "What exactly are you referring to?"

"Opera, of course," She smiled sweetly at him, protesting her innocence, "What else would your relationship with Miss Smith entail?"

Anthony opened his mouth to deny what she was implying with her 'polite' grin, but was swiftly interrupted by Lord Bradford. "Aurelia, where have you..." His words trailed off once his sight landed on Anthony. "Viscount Bridgerton."

"Lord Bradford," He nodded his head in return, "it is good to see you home."

Lord Bradford shifted uncomfortably in his stance. "It is good to be home. I hope Aurelia has been behaving herself." His words were a threat to his daughter, purely concerned she wasn't bringing the family name into disrepute.

Anthony smiled - the same smile every young Lord perfected when in the presence of an elder. "She's been splendid."

Aurelia cringed at the word. She would rather be anything else in the world than 'splendid' to Anthony Bridgerton.

"We must have you over one afternoon," Lord Bradford stated, his tone suggesting he would rather stick pins in his eyes than endure the boy's company. "Marcus has taken up shooting. No doubt he will want to show off."

"That sounds grand," Anthony replied. "My brothers and I would be happy to attend."

Lord Bradford nodded his head in agreement. "I'm sure my wife and your mother could arrange the finer details."

Aurelia was unsure of what she was witnessing, but she had never seen a conversation so stiff and awkward. Maybe there was something deeper behind his dislike of Anthony Bridgerton, something to do with the business in Manchester, perhaps? If so, he could be the key to finding out what her father was hiding.

"Come along, Aurelia," Lord Bradford said, holding out his hand. Aurelia didn't take it, but she agreed to walk alongside her father and away from Anthony Briderton. Though, it seems every time she makes a lucky escape from the man, they always find a way back to each other.

Hopefully, one day, it will be the last.