The next morning, Aurelia woke up tired and every inch of her body ached. Once she returned home, her father insisted that she go straight to bed to get some sleep. Convinced there was no chance of that happening, she, instead, went to the library outside her father's office to try to distract her mind from worry. She only made it two sentences into the chapter of her book before she passed out on the sofa arm.

The sunlight breaking through the curtains and landing on her eyes was the first thing that stirred her from sleep, quickly followed by her father's voice booming in his office. "What do you mean they got away?"

Clearly, Dominic had not been as successful as Lord Bradford had hoped.

His rant went on and on, poor Dominic only just being able to withstand the force of it, and it was so loud Aurelia was able to sneak out of the library and back into her room without her father even noticing she'd been there.

The second she shut the bedroom door behind her, her eyes were drawn to a box lying on her bed. It was from the modiste. Hesitantly, she strolled over to the box and opened it, her eyes filled with suspicion. A new dress could only mean one thing - they were going to a ball.

Bright blue satin shone up at her, with tiny little gems sewn into the bodice and lace trim around the neckline.

She could not believe her parents. Attending a ball when they should be out looking for the youngest son was unimaginable, and she wouldn't stand for it.

Barreling back down the corridor, she headed straight for her father's office, not phased in the slightest that Dominic may still be in there and she was wearing her nightdress.

She swung open the door. "Why are we attending a ball when we should be looking for Athos?" She barked at him, a scowl so firmly imprinted into her face that it threatened to never go away.

Dominic's eyes grew wide. He took Aurelia's presence as his cue to leave.

"Aurelia," Her father sighed, not happy with the interruption, "I do not need to explain myself."

"Yes, you do," She scoffed, clamping her hands onto her hips, "if you expect me to understand it, you will."

Lord Bradford dragged his hand down his face, irritated by his daughter's defiance. "We have to keep up appearances," He stated, as if that justified any of his actions. "Only we and the Bridgertons know the truth, and I would like to keep it that way. I will not have the ton believe we are weak enough to let one of our own be stolen from right underneath our noses."

Aurelia's jaw hung agape, unable to believe what he was implying. "So, your reputation is more important than Athos' life?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Her father snapped.

"You are the one being ridiculous," She protested, "Your son is missing, and you want us to attend a party."

"Aurelia, I have made up my mind. We are going. End of discussion." He insisted, as he walked behind his desk and took a seat. "I have talked to your mother, too."

She folded her arms across her chest. "I bet that was thrilling."

Ignoring her sarcasm, he continued, "We both agree it was about time you and Evelyn began to take the season seriously. You are twenty-one years old, you should be married and starting a family of your own, by now. The older you get, the less desirable you will be to potential suitors."

"God forbid," She huffed. Aurelia didn't care about being desirable. At that moment in time, all she cared about was getting Athos back and finding who took him. If her father wasn't going to take the task seriously, she'd do it herself.

"I have talked to friends and organised dances with their sons, for the both of you. The ones that still remain unmarried, at least," He informed her in a stern tone. "You will make an effort with them, do I make myself clear?"

Aurelia narrowed her glare. "Crystal." Whilst she would dance with the young gentlemen of the ton, she had no intent on sticking to her father's plan to marry. Athos was her only priority, and he would remain so.

"Good." Lord Bradford sharply nodded his head. "You are dismissed."

Aurelia bit her tongue at the insult that lingered on her lips. Her father had never dismissed her before, and she found it difficult not to take offence.

Without saying goodbye, she spun on her heels and marched out of his office, cursing at him under her breath.

----

The Berbrooke ball was as dull as the family itself. Aurelia and her sister endured many a dance and conversation with men who lacked the ability to do either. At one point, Aurelia completely zoned out whilst discussing the recent burst of lambs on a farm owned by Lord Branston and his family. She didn't find sheep interesting, at all.

Three hours in, and several agonising dances later, Aurelia was able to hide on the sidelines and watch the evening's celebrations in the comfort of the shadows. If her father found her, she had no doubt he'd be furious, but he was too busy speaking with business associates to pay her any mind.

She was completely alone. Or, she was, until Anthony Bridgerton managed to snuff her out.

"I would like a word," He said, as he stood by her side. They both stared out onto the dance, the shoulders almost touching, refusing to look at the other. "Last night, it cannot happen again."

"Agreed," She abruptly replied.

"We had a moment of weakness."

"Delusion," She corrected him.

"And you were overcome by grief and didn't know what you were doing," He added.

A deep frown cut into her forehead. "I didn't know what I was doing?"

"You did kiss me, Aurelia," He reminded her.

Aurelia pursed her lips, and without caring who saw, she grabbed Anthony by his upper arm and dragged him out into the corridor where no one could hear them. "I distinctively remember you kissing me back," She stated, refusing to take all the blame.

"It was a mistake."

"A huge one."

"That never will be repeated again."

"Not even if you were the last man left in London."

Their willpower lasted all of about two seconds. During their bickering, they inched closer and closer, their lips practically touching, until Anthony hooked his arm around her waist and pulled them together.

The kiss was hard and warm - electrifying, nothing like the one back at the farmhouse. There was an urgency, as if they had to make every second count in case someone were to interrupt.

She knew she should pull away, but her instincts were unwilling to give into reason. The pair stumbled backwards, Aurelia's back hitting the wall behind her, as she raised her hands to either side of his face. The thrill that they could be caught at any moment excited her, even if the consequences were life-ruining.

Her common sense would kick in soon, and she'd realise what a big mistake she was making. But for now, they hadn't.

"Aurelia?" A voice called from the ballroom doorway.

Aurelia pushed Anthony off her at the speed of light, and gasped, "Roman," She tried to straighten out her dress so she could at least pretend he hadn't seen anything, "I didn't expect to see you tonight."

"Your father invited me," He was only just able to mutter as his jaw hung gaped in shock. His eyes darted from Aurelia to Anthony, and then back to Aurelia, unsure if he had just imagined the sight.

"To another Lord's party?" She dramatically laughed, hoping he'd play along with her pretence. "How un-guestly of him."

She shot a glare at Anthony, instructing him to laugh along. All she got out of him was an awkward smile.

"I was wondering if you would like to dance," Roman asked, though his request didn't sound so convincing.

"It would be my honour," She smiled, before turning to Anthony. "Please excuse me, Viscount Bridgerton."

Anthony bowed his head.

Roman held out his hand and Aurelia graciously took it, allowing him to guide her back into the ballroom. As she walked through the doors, she glanced over her shoulder at Anthony who remained in the corridor.

She couldn't be certain what Roman had seen, but judging by his expression from before, it was enough that would land both her and the Viscount in trouble. This dance could either make or break her reputation, she had to make it count.

Her future depended on it.