Chapter Twelve - Aubrey Hall

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Lady Whistledown's

SOCIETY PAPERS

We all know the great lengths a young lady will go in pursuit of a proposal. And apparently, she will travel great distances too.

Lord Anthony Bridgerton appears to be inching ever so closer to selecting his Viscountess, and to that end has invited our diamond to join him for an excursion at his ancestral home, Aubrey Hall.

Country air indeed clears the mind and invigorates the body. Might this be the final gust that pushes the Viscount over the precipice of a proposal?

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Francesca is the first to jump to her feet at the sight of Daphne and baby Augie. "Sister!"

"Oh, I am so pleased you were able to come," Lady Bridgerton says, grinning at her daughter and grandson.

"As if I would allow dear Augie to miss out on watching his mother win this little family tradition," Daphne says, "second year in a row, if I might add."

"Charming words from a Duchess," Benedict says sarcastically.

"A Duchess who is still a Bridgerton," Daphne corrects smugly.

"Oh, come and see the baby, Eloise," Francesca says, turning to look over at her sister with pleading eyes.

"Why?" Eloise closed her book and sat up in her spot on the couch. "Has he changed since I saw him last?"

"He's grown at least an inch," Daphne says proudly, looking down at her son with fondness. "Haven't you?"

Daphne played with him for a few more seconds before passing him off to Violet, who greeted her first grandson with a tender kiss on the cheek and a chuckle. "Oh, my lovely. Here we go. There we are."

She passes him off to Eloise, whose eyes were wide with horror as the baby was suddenly passed to her. "No..."

As soon as poor Augie touched her hands, he started to wail, his eyes scrunching shut as he let out a few heartbreaking cries.

"Aw... there there little Augie," I say, stepping beside Eloise and taking Augie from her grasp, "it is all alright."

"Do not mind your Auntie Eloise," Colin says softly, leaning down and peering at the child's face in wonder, "she's too busy reading to notice anything else, as usual."

I chuckle and rock Augie for a few more minutes before passing him off to Colin, who happily takes him from me.

"Is it not nap time?" Eloise huffs, glaring at her brother, "perhaps Uncle Colin will lull you to sleep with his many many tales from his travels."

Colin gently rocks Augie in his arms as he watches his sister with narrowed eyes, "yes. I seem to be missing the peace and solitude of the Greek isles already."

"Are you ready?" Daphne asks, stepping over to me with a raised brow. "For a baby of your own? I saw how you were with Augie there..."

I chuckle and smile over at her, "I am not sure... I think that Frederick is willing to wait for a little bit- much to the Queen's displeasure- but we just want to experience some time together, just the two of us."

Daphne nods her head and loops her arm with mine, dragging me over to where Eloise and a few of the other siblings were by the couch.

"Enjoying your brief respite from the ferocious packs of marriage-minded young ladies, Brother?" Daphne asks, looking over at Anthony with a small smirk and raised brow.

"Quite the opposite sister," Anthony says, settling down onto a plush chair. "I have invited one such young lady and her family to join us today."

Daphne's eyes widen with shock, as she turns to look at her family, "Anthony has invited a young lady to Aubrey Hall?"

"Yes, and she is quite lovely," Lady Bridgerton says, walking over to us with Augie resting on her chest.

"My word! Well, I cannot wait to meet the woman who has captured your heart," Daphne says, grinning over at her brother. "Tell me, what is she like?"

"Miss Edwina," Anthony starts, "is the picture of grace, beauty, and charm. Unfortunately, she has the most annoying sister who has styled herself as something of a gatekeeper. I'm afraid you must all help me win over both sisters, if I am to find my bride."

"And now you appeal for help," Daphne notes, "my, you must be smitten by this miss."

"Or the sister is a formidable obstacle, indeed," Benedict adds in.

Daphne bites back her smile as she turns to look towards Anthony. "Well, fear not, Anthony. Seeing as though you were such a help to me last season, it would only be fair of me to return the favor."

"Is that a promise or a threat?" Anthony asks, glancing over towards Daphne.

Daphne hums and shrugs her shoulders, a mysterious smile appearing over her face.

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Of course, the luckless souls remaining in town will have to find new diversions in the absence of their most precious of stones.

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At the announcement of the Danbury carriage arriving, we all make out way out onto the entrance of Aubrey Hall, watching as it comes to a stop in front of the Hall.

"Now," Lady Danbury draws out, a grin appearing on her face as she steps out of the carriage, "the only reason to endure such a journey is to see my great-godson. Hello!"

She reaches for Augie and holds him up for a moment before wrapping her arms around him and pulling him close to her.

"Well, it is a joy to see you as well, Lady Danbury," Daphne says, grinning over at the woman and chuckling softly.

"Oh, Your Grace," Lady Danbury sighs, and offers Daphne a grin while curtsying to her.

"Lady Mary," Lady Bridgerton greets, reaching out for her hands and offering the woman a warm smile. "So pleased to have you."

Lady Mary chuckles and squeezes her hands in return, a grateful smile appearing across her face. "Thank you for having us. This is my daughter Edwina, you remember."

"Lovely to see you again," Lady Bridgerton says kindly, nodding to her, "I do."

"And of course, Kate, my eldest," Lady Mary continues.

Kate offers Lady Bridgerton a small curtsy and smiles as she looks at the house.

The sound of a dog barking brings me out of my conversation with Colin, causing me to stroll over to where Kate and Anthony were standing.

"Is that Newton, I hear?" I ask, stepping over to the dog and allowing him to sniff my hand before beginning to pet him. "Oh, I have missed him!"

"Newton is an excellent judge of character," Kate says, taking the leash and looking down at Newton fondly.

Anthony hums and reaches down to pet Newton but quickly pulls his hand away when Newton barks at him.

"Oh, see," Kate chuckles and looks over at Anthony with a raised brow.

"It seems you have found a new enemy, Anthony," I joke, petting the dog and giggling when I watch him start to do circles beside me. "Oh, yes, Newton! I have missed you!"

Anthony huffs and playfully glares down at me before turning to Kate and taking a step closer to her, "mark my words, Miss Sharma. By the end of your stay, your opinion of me will be much improved."

He pauses, glancing down at Newton and pursing his lips. "As will his."

Newton stops spinning and turns to growl at Anthony, his teeth ever so slightly bared at the sight of the man.

I chuckle and quickly steal Newton's attention away from Anthony with a few more pets, causing the dog to, once again, go around in circles, his tail wagging.

"I did not think you such an optimist," Kate notes, "since your schemes to manipulate me are now out in the open, I suppose it would be an improvement, indeed."

Anthony's eyes narrow just slightly at her words, but right before he could reply, Daphne walks over and smiles warmly towards Kate.

"And you must be Miss Edwina."

"No," Anthony is quick to correct his sister, "this is her sister. Miss Kate Shama."

Daphne nods her head as she turns back to look at Kate, "ah. Forgive me, Miss Sharma."

Kate offers Daphne a pleasant smile, as she drops into a small curtsy. "I'm entirely flattered, Your Grace. Allow me to introduce my sister, Miss Edwina."

Kate looks over towards her sister, who smiles over at Daphne and falls into a low curtsy.

"It is an honor, Your Grace," Edwina says kindly, she glances over at me and nods her head in greeting before falling into another low curtsy. "Your Grace, it is wonderful to see you again."

"Always a pleasure, Miss Edwina," I say, smiling over at her and standing up and stepping away from Newton, who whines at the action.

Anthony, who had slid next to Edwina when she stepped over to us, offered her a smile. "Miss Edwina, I am pleased to introduce you to Aubrey Hall."

Edwina looks up at it with wide eyes and chuckles softly. "It is a beautiful home. Thank you so much for inviting us. I very much look forward to spending time with you and your family."

"Well, now, you must be weary from your travels. Mrs Wilson," Lady Bridgerton calls, turning to her housekeeper, "please show our guests to their rooms so they might get refreshed."

"And ready for battle," Eloise says, grinning as she falls into step with Daphne.

Daphne smiles towards her sister, "indeed."

"What can you mean?" Kate asks, her brow furrowed as she looked between Daphne and Eloise.

Lady Bridgerton let out a nervous chuckle as she grabs Eloise and quickly pushes her in front of Kate, using herself as a block between the two women. "Do not mind Eloise. She's always so spirited in the country."

"Then we have that in common," Kate says, looking over at Eloise and sharing a grin.

"I wish you the best of luck, Anthony," I say, sighing as I watch everyone step inside. "As Daphne said, you shall certainly need it."

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y'all... pall-mall is next. get ready.

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-T