After returning the horses to the stables, Athos and Aurelia entered the house via the back garden. There were no lights flickering in the upstairs windows, nor any servants roaming the corridors, leaving her to conclude that their family were asleep or loitering about in the front rooms.

Aurelia had not given much mind to what she was going to do when she returned home. Did she wake her family up and demand answers or did she surprise them in the morning at the breakfast table? She'd love to see their faces as Athos walked into the room whilst her parents dug into their bowls of fruit or toast, the relief and horror that would spread across their faces as they realised what she'd done, she could only imagine the drama that would cause. However, she wasn't sure she could keep the news to herself until morning, nor did she want to wait any longer for answers about why they kept such a huge secret from her.

She would drag them out of bed if she had to.

As the pair stepped into the foyer, they bumped into one of the maids, who gasped, "Miss Bradford, you've returned. Your parents were worried sick."

"Are they awake?" She asked. "I wish to speak to them."

"Of course," The maid nodded and raced up the stairs to announce her return.

It didn't take long for both her parents to come barreling down to the foyer in a rage. "Aurelia Bradford," Her father shouted at the top of his lungs, "what on Earth were you thinking? Your mother and I have been -"

His sentence was swiftly cut off by Lady Bradford when her eyes landed on the small figure hiding behind her daughter's back. "Athos!" She pushed both her husband and Aurelia aside and pulled her grandson into her arms, squeezing the air out of him.

Shocked, Lord Bradford was lost for words. "How did you..."

"The Ashworths had him," She replied harshly, staring him down with a firm glare. "We need to talk."

"Tomorrow," He dismissed her.

"No," She snapped, not letting him weasel his way out of an explanation so easily. "Now."

"Aurelia, whatever it is, it can wait until - "

"It's about my nephew," She bluntly interrupted him. Lady Bradford gasped, as all the muscles in her husband's face tensed up beyond recognition. "I want to talk to you about my nephew."

Leaving him with no other option, he was forced to accept her request. "Very well."

-----

Aurelia and her father sat in his office in complete silence, staring at each other, as if playing a game to see how long it could be before the other would break. This was the first time she had seen her father nervous. He was always so in control of every situation involving his family that he didn't know how to react when he lost it. It was invigorating to be the one in power for a change.

After a while, Lord Bradford cleared his throat. "I assume Evelyn was the one who told you."

"Yes," Aurelia replied, keeping her answer blunt and to the point.

Her father shifted in his seat. "She promised to keep it a secret."

"I didn't make it easy for her," She jumped to her sister's defence. He must have known the second his youngest daughter sensed there was something wrong, she wouldn't let it go so easily.

"I can't imagine you did," He nodded his head, as if he was in agreement. "What do you want to know?"

Aurelia was shocked by how willing he was to discuss the matter, she'd been prepared to drag it out of him if needs be. Then again, there was nowhere for him to hide. He had no choice. "Why couldn't you tell me?"

"You know why," He stated, surprised she could be so naive.

"I'm not a child, father," She reminded him, "I deserved to know the truth."

At least they could agree on one thing, Aurelia Bradford was a child no more. Lord Bradford had believed Italy was the best move for his family, it was the only way he could keep them safe, but everything he'd been running away from had apparently been waiting for them to return.

"Evelyn was a young woman, unmarried, expecting a child. It was preposterous," He huffed, the very thought sending shivers down his spine.

Aurelia narrowed her eyes. "Which part?"

"All of it, Aurelia," Her father sighed.

"It doesn't appear to be. If it were just the child, you would have given up Athos the second he was born," She stated.

Lord Bradford's jaw dropped, horrified she would even suggest such a thing. "Don't be ridiculous."

"I'm not being ridiculous," She fired back. "You were so concerned about what everyone in London thought, you moved your entire family to a different country to hide your embarrassment." Her father wanted to argue, but she didn't give him a chance to speak. "Your own daughter was an embarrassment to you, you made her keep a secret from her family because you were ashamed of her."

"I made her keep it a secret because I didn't want you to think it was acceptable behaviour," He corrected her, as if that was going to be the solution to the entire predicament.

"Having a baby unmarried or having sex?" Aurelia questioned, her bold accusation even taking her father by surprise.

"Aurelia!"

"If you expect me to believe Mama was the first woman in your bed, you clearly think me stupid," She claimed, "and if you think Mama didn't -"

"I will not have you slander your mother's good name," Lord Bradford instantly cut her off.

"No, you'd rather keep hundreds of secrets from me. The two of you have gotten rather good at that," She spat, unleashing all her anger. "No doubt Marcus is under strict orders to keep the truth about the business in Manchester hidden too. I dread to think what that could be. Maybe I have a niece."

She couldn't stand to be in the room a second longer. Turning on her heels, she began to march towards the door.

"Aurelia -"

"At least you don't have to worry about me thinking Evelyn's behaviour was acceptable," She glanced at him over her shoulder, "I already have my own opinions on the matter."

And with her closing statement, she slammed his office door behind her as she left, leaving her father frozen with horror.

-----

At first, she thought she'd run to her room, but so much rage raced through her veins that she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep. Instead, she abandoned her home entirely and found herself standing outside the door belonging to no other than the Brdigerton's estate.

The butler was shocked to see her at such an hour, but she had no time to explain herself. "Is Lord Brdigerton home?"

"Yes, Miss Bradford, he arrived back about half an hour ago," He answered, all in a fluster. Aurelia was relieved he'd managed to return home safely.

"I require an audience with him," Aurelia stated, trying to maintain a face of confidence.

"Now?" The butler frowned.

"Yes, that is why I am here," She replied, sounding harsher than she intended. "Tell him I'll be waiting in the library."

Not giving him a chance to protest, she barged past the man and headed up the stairs, with no need for his guidance. Her body had taken over, rational thought completely fleeted her mind as she marched up the stairs of the Bridgerton estate, knowing precisely how she intended the night to end.

Her father would be furious if he ever found out, and her mother...well, she'd likely die of a heart attack. But her parents wanted to keep secrets from the family and break the rules of London society, it was only fair that she do the same.

The Bridgertons' library was smaller than she remembered, as a child, it had engulfed everything that stepped foot in it. Now, it was simply a room full of books, that likely remained unread, wasting away in a household that rarely visited it.

Aurelia stood awkwardly in the centre, unsure what to do with herself. Her goal of the night was apparent, but how she would reach it still remained unclear. She was starting to question whether or not it was still a good idea, yet, she pushed those voices to the back of her head and waited for Anthony to make his arrival.

She'd say 'thank you', of course. Not many gentlemen in the ton would have been willing to break into another member's house in the middle of the night, rescue attempt or not. It was rather selfless of him, entirely out of character for the Viscount, and he deserved her family's gratitude - even if she solely delivered it.

Minutes felt like hours and she was starting to question whether Antony was aware of her visit or not. Maybe the butler had informed him and he refused to humour her bold move to invade his home and give in to her demands to meet in the library in the middle of the night. Then again, she was dealing with Anthony Bridgerton, she doubted he would be able to resist meeting any women after the sun had set.

Growing bored of waiting, she strolled passed the bookshelves to find some form of entertainment, running her fingers along each spine and skimming over the titles. Her mind wandered aimlessly, not paying attention to anything going on around her, completely devoured by her own daydreams. So much so, she didn't even hear Anthony Bridgerton walk through the door.