Aurelia had no idea what to expect when she walked back into the room. Lord Harrington had kept a distance from the season, understandably since his father had just passed a few months prior, but that still didn't help to make clear what he was doing in the Bradfords' living room.

Whatever the reason, it had put a rather annoying huge grin on Lady Bradford's face. Aurelia could only pray that she didn't try to intervene during her investigation of the young lord's visit.

"Lord Harrington," Aurelia greeted him when she walked through the door.

"Miss Bradford," He smiled at her, turning his attention away from the window. "How are you?"

He's definitely grown up. The last time she'd seen him they could have been no older than nine. Golden hair framed his face, like a perfect portrait that Lady Bradford would waste hundreds of pounds on, just to hang in their dining room for guests to fawn over. His eyes were the deepest blue, a shade that would turn the sea green with envy, and his cheekbones would have put every woman in the ton into a jealous rage.

The years had been very kind to him.

"I'm a little surprised, to be honest," She informed him with a pleasant smile. "I hadn't expected your visit, since you have not been present at any social events."

A small laugh passed his lips. "Parties aren't my favourite pass time."

"Apparently."

Lady Bradford gasped in horror. "Aurelia."

"It's okay, Lady Bradford. She is only speaking the truth," Lord Harrington assured her. "May we sit?"

"Of course," Aurelia said, sneaking a sideways glance at her mother, silently instructing her to leave the two of them alone.

Lady Bradford responded with a glare of warning, reminding her daughter how important the conversation was, before taking a seat on the other side of the room. Not completely out of earshot, but far enough that she'd struggle to hear every word spoken.

Lord Harrington cleared his throat once Aurelia and he had taken their seats on opposite sofas. "I see the season is treating you well."

Aurelia's eyes flicked to the bouquets around the room and blushed. "It has grown a recent fondness of me." 'Recent' was the understatement of the season. "Is that why you are here?"

A nervous smile danced onto his lips. "Flowers didn't seem appropriate as we hadn't met yet."

"Oh dear, your memory appears to be fading, my lord," Aurelia stated, dramatically acting concerned. "You have forgotten Lady Danbury's summer festival when we were nine."

"Of course," He gasped, his memory sparked, "with the lake disaster. How could I forget?"

Aurelia allowed herself to laugh a little, in the most ladylike manner her mother had ever seen. "A repressed memory perhaps. Nearly drowning is never a pleasant thought."

Aurelia would never forget the day she saw the boy flailing about in the lake, his head bobbing in and out of the water as he gasped for breath. She didn't know what took over her, but one minute she was standing on the edge of the lake with her family, and then the next she was sprinting into the water to save him.

Everyone proclaimed her a hero that day, everyone but her mother who said a lady should never go swimming in public - and at a party, no less.

"Your heroics were legendary," He nodded his head. "I still owe you for saving my life."

"Maybe requesting a dance at the next ball will do," She suggested.

A small, yet noticeable frown cut into Lord Harrington's forehead. "Is that what you truly desire?"

Aurelia was impressed he was so perceptive. "Not really, but I have had my fill of promenading around Hyde Park for the year...possibly even a lifetime. I fear my feet will wear away if I do much more."

He laughed at her remark. "Do you ride?"

Quickly checking that her mother was not paying attention, she leaned in and whispered. "Not to my parents' knowledge."

"Then we'll tell them we are going to Hyde Park for a stroll," He said, matching her volume.

"Unchaperoned?" Aurelia pretended to gasp. "You are testing their boundaries."

His smile widen, pleased by her sense of humour. "My older sister and husband will accompany us...from a distance, naturally."

"Of course," Aurelia bowed her head in agreement.

She had to admit, she was quite shocked by how well their little meeting was going. He was so easy to talk to, funny as well, and not to mention rather good-looking. He put a lot of men in the ton to shame. She didn't want to get her hopes up yet, but this could be the start of something she'd been dreaming of for years.

The only thing bugging her was why he wanted to meet her in the first place.

"How did you know to pay me a visit today, my lord?" She questioned. "If you haven't been attending any balls, I can only assume your motivation to pursue me originated from the gossip of my recent success."

"I don't pay much attention to rumours, Miss Bradford," He informed her.

"Every man says that," She replied, keeping a playful tone.

"And every woman knows it is an outright lie?" He questioned.

Aurelia couldn't quite make out if he was being serious or not. "We are a lot more intuitive than we're given credit for."

"I'd hope so." He nodded his head, understandingly. "I'll arrange our outing with your mother before I leave, is there a particular date you have in mind?"

"The sooner the better. No point dilly-dallying," I replied. Men like Lord Harrington didn't come around that often, not for Aurelia at least. Whilst she did have choices now, she wasn't going to waste a good one by making him wait.

"My thoughts exactly," Lord Harrington agreed.

Aurelia expected him to say his farewells, and leave her and her mother to discuss everything they'd spoken about. However, he remained seated instead, as if he had something else to say.

"Is everything alright?" Aurelia asked, trying to hide her nerves.

For a moment, he said nothing. He just stared at her as if doing so would answer the question that was burning on his tongue. "I know I said I don't pay much attention to rumours," this was not a very good start, "but one did pique my interest."

Aurelia dreaded to imagine what he had heard. The ton wasn't exactly known for its kind words concerning other members. Whatever it was, it couldn't be good.

"Your relationship with Viscount Bridgerton," maybe they hadn't been as secretive with their kiss as they'd thought, "you are..."

"Just neighbours," She interjected, before he could jump to his own conclusion. "Nothing more."

"Of course, I thought as such," Lord Harrington shifted in his stance, clearly uncomfortable with having to bring up the subject, "Until we meet again, Miss Bradford."

"Lord Harrington," She curtseyed.

He said goodbye to Lady Bradford before making his way out. Aurelia had hoped that the conversation would have left her giddy with excitement, and it would have if it hadn't been for the ending.

What rumours were floating about the ton regarding her and Anthony Bridgerton? They had to be demeaning enough for Lord Harrington to bring them up, otherwise, he would have paid them no mind.

She needed to find out what they were and fast, the quicker she could put an end to them the better.