Another Bridgerton

12 years ago

I was long asleep, I knew there was always someone in the room with me, I could sense it… I was unaware of the amount of hours I slept through. There was light in the room, out of the blue. I groaned as I opened my eyes in order to spectate the sudden change of brightness in my surroundings.

"Good morning sleepy head" Daphne's melodic voice sounded I smiled immediately at her tone, I missed joy in this household.

"Hey… what are you doing here?" I asked her, smiling, I made a move to sit up and flinched, this landed me in reality.

"Now be careful" Benedict came in with a disk of breakfast, it had way too many delicacies and appetizers, I smiled at the sights as Colin followed with plates and cups.

"Yes, I should" I nodded, maintaining my body. "What are you actually doing?" I chuckled loudly while they were bringing the whole kitchen inside my room.

"Well we thought we should all take breakfast together, mama had some social calls… she finally got out of the house" Anthony came in with another disk full of stuff, both my eldest brothers placed it upon my bed as Collin started giving out plates. This moment Eloise and Fran entered the room rolling the cribs with the two babies.

"I am going to take the baby bottles, Mrs Wilson must have them prepared" Daphne smiled and left as Colin helped the girls up the bed and Benedict and Anthony got themselves a baby each.

"Thank you so much…" I smiled as I leaned in to look at Hyacinth, I felt as if I hadn't seen her in ages. "How long am I sleeping?" I asked looking between my eldest siblings.

"It's been more than 24 hours… How are you feeling? The ribs?" Anthony asked as Benedict was playing with the baby and the girls.

"Refreshed but soar" I explained briefly as soon Daphne returned and we all started off eating up, I was really hungry and felt as if I hadn't eaten in quite a while. It was fun and refreshing. Daphne was singing and Colin danced with Eloise as we managed to have Gregory take his first steps, we spent the whole day in my room as in the end I was laying down while the four eldest except me were taking away the stuff they brought for meal and the babies to the room. I was alone with Eloise and Fran.

"Eva, why are you laying all day?" Eloise asked me as she was at my left side.

"Because I slipped and I hit my back" I unriddled simply and kissed her forehead as both her and Fran were looking at me.

"Can we hug you or you will be aching?" Fran asked me softly she was looking at me, they were both hesitant and that hurt me more

"I will but we can lay here and tell stories."I suggested holding their hands. "`What do you want to hear?" I asked them

"About dad" Fran immediately suggested and Eloise agreed.

"Hmm, do you know that mother wasn't supposed to marry papa. He won her over and almost stole her from grandpa" I smiled and kissed each of their heads. "Young Violet was to wed a lord… the richest back then. Lord Bailey. Therefore papa loved her truly, he wasn't interested in her name and prestige. He was making efforts in convincing her family to choose him over the other lord but it seemed effortless. It seemed to have no results. During the wedding preparation he appeared and took her away announcing to her parents that she would only marry the viscount because she loved him endlessly… lord Bailey tried to break the wedding and sabotage them enough to destroy them but he never made it" I narrated as they both fell asleep on either side of me, I was supposed to be filled with energy. However, my eyelids felt heavy.

Today Eva's POV

I had fallen asleep. It was an empty, bad, hourless sleep. I was still worrying about him. I anticipated the moment he would always lay next to me after a difficult work day and hug me to sleep, but this night it never happened. I opened up my eyes and looked around, the heavy curtains were still pulled over the window, the servants were told to not wake me up this morning, I guessed. I stood up and wore a proper dress, and simply tidied my hair without further formalities. I had no idea what time it was, everything seemed a blur.

The house seemed pretty quiet as if no one was awake, so I moved to the library, I needed something soothing and a book would certainly work for it. I spectated the shelves and picked a romance story sitting to the window coach pulling the blanket that was thrown there over me.

"And what you be doing so late in my kingdom" I heard Benedict, he made his voice heavy as if he was some dragon defending his castle or something. He was smiling as he walked towards me.

I jumped startle at the sudden intrusion, but it was a happy one, I pulled my legs closer to my chest to make space for my brother as henrouted next to me. He sat down and pulled my legs against stretched, mama would say how improper this is but we were siblings. "What are you doing up at six in the morning?" Benedict asked "or maybe you didn't sleep?" He asked me.

" One better wonder is where have you been until six in the morning?" I asked softly and turned to look at him.

"If the rest of the girls were here I would say I was assisting madame Delacroix with some designs… However to my married sister I will only say we were… knitting" Benedict joked and it made laugh.

"Wow, I am glad you extended your art knowledge as long as you don't actually have an income with it" I remarked and ruffled his hair.

"Oh no no, I am extremely careful. Last thing I need is mama and Anthony over my head highlighting all the spots I was mistaken and shouldn't do" he sighed and I smiled. He had his own concerns and I was glad to be the one he shared them with, I simply took his hand.

"You needn't concern yourself, even if that happens, I am with you…" I assured him. "Are you in love with her?" I asked him gently

"Love is a strong word Eva, I cannot say it is this. Therefore I certainly have great feelings for her." Benedict confessed and looked at me "part of me puts walls over that word. I do not want to cause social issues to mama and Anthony, as far as my future debutante is concerned." He explained.

"Shall I remind you who my husband is and how my marriage was?" I asked him.

"You had Anthony's favor, Owen is his best friend too. I think we've reached a point as a family where if you do something to Owen you'll be yelled at as it would happen vice versa. You really did live up to two souls live as one" Benedict smiled at me blinking slightly, as in realization."Where is he speaking of which?"

"I-i do not know. He is not in the room, Benedict" I spoke and turned to look at him. " Anthony returned without him and then went out to find him and I don't remember him returning, he was supposed to find him, he or that Duke must have upset him, you know how he is…" I spoke breathlessly, I must have been panicking as my brother held my shoulders up straight so I would look at him.

"Hey hey hey, now how about we go find Anthony?" He asked me and I nodded with a deep breath, he took my hand and escorted me out of the room, we paced to our eldest brother's room. "I am going to enter, and call you in." He told me and walked in the room as few seconds later he came out. He was quiet.

"What is it?" I asked him

"He is not here… That's it" Benedict composed his words and made a move to walk away along with me but I pulled my hand from his grip.

"You dear brother are an awful liar" I spoke up and looked at him before turning my back and went into the room, at first I noticed nothing but the viscount's awfully messy bed. I took a few steps further. I saw a pile of clothes, they were bloodied, quite the amount of them. "Those are the clothes- those are Owen's and Anthony's…" I realized and looked at Benedict who rentered after me… I was scared, shocked and angry. I simply walked out of the room and run to the office, behind me Benedict who caught my wrist before I would burst in the office.

"He may not be alone" Benedict reminded me and I growled under my breath leaving him to enter first just in case, the last thing we needed was foreigners in our personal issues. He knocked on the door and there was no response. He opened the door and it was empty. He looked at me, I knew I was frustrated when I had another bright idea.

"Colin, I was with Colin after Daphne went to sleep… he was there after I fell asleep" I explained and I started going to the other side of the house. "Try him" I signed at Benedict who sighed and walked in closing the door behind him.

Owen's POv

I blinked my eyes open as the painkillers were not effective anymore, I groaned. My gaze scanned the room, it wasn't used in quite some time, I could tell due to the dust floating around the curtains and the furniture. I let out a sigh and tried to move, therefore the stitches had other plans. I shrieked lowly and grunted, causing Anthony to shoot up. He must have fallen asleep in the armchair.

"Good morning" I greeted with a sigh, I wasn't in a great mood, I bet he could tell.

"Good morning" Anthony sat better on his seat, he looked at me with a sigh rubbing his forehead softly. "How are you feeling" he asked me

"Well… unwell, numb, exhausted" I signed "Did Eva wake up?" I asked as my brain rung loudly, she didn't know anything, I couldn't imagine how worried she must have been.

"I don't think so, the guards outside would have told me, and so wouldn't he driver" Anthony stated and sighed "I should get her before kids wake up." He thought and stood up surveying my situation. He took off the blanket to see the stitches and the bandage. "They seem well Owen, we will call the nurse later alright?" He suggested and I simply nodded.

"Anthony, wake Benedict as well… they have their own bond you know it" I suggested looking at him he gave me a nod.

Ev's POV

I sighed as I waited for Benedict's approval to enter the room as Anthony walked by the corridor "Anthony!" I exclaimed and jogged to his place stopping him "where in the bloody world were you? Where is Owen?" I asked, looking at his eyes, he was standing rather speechless. His eyes were tired and he was wearing some crappy clothes.

"What- what are you doing up so early?" He asked me my hand slowly removing it from his collar while Benedict came out of the room with Colin. He turned his gaze from me to our brothers that were looking at us, Anthony shook his head. I don't know what this meant.

"Will someone say something?" I exclaimed loudly and pushed Anthony away looking at the other two. My heart was pounding heavily, my eyes stung with tears.

"Eva, Owen had an accident" Benedict announced "from what I got it isn't serious" he added elbowing Colin abruptly

"True, it looks bad but it is not, he just needs time to calm" Colin added and attempted to smile. As I turned to Benedict, ignoring the other two. I slapped him across the face.

"Ow Eva! What was that for?!" He yelled, stroking his jaw with a frown.

"You knew and left me hanging" I yelled back pushing him and turning to the other two "where is he?" I asked in general.

"Great guest room" Anthony announced and I jogged from where he came and he was behind me.

I opened the door to see my husband on the bed. He looked pale and tired, it seemed as if the color of his eyes was drained.ci jogged there and climbed to the bed next to him carefully unaware of where he was hurt or how. "What happened you got me worried sick" I whispered, cooing my head on the crook of his neck.

He stroked my hair and kissed my cheek gently. "I am okay. My knights wore their shining armor and came to my rescue" he joked and I sobbed a laugh.

"Where are you hurt though? Did you see a physician, you look white as ash" I noticed stroking his cheek gently.

"It is only a stab wound, right here" Owen spoke and flinched as he lifted his shirt, there was a bandage over his body, I touched the area of the injury and kissed it softly as I heard a clearing of a throat

"These are acts that should take place in privacy sister" Anthony sighed and looked at me amused, he didn't mean the remark, he just had to point out.

"Oh to be honest Viscount Bridgerton, you are invading our privacy at this point, therefore I shall make an exception only this once for you" Owen chuckled and giggled as well,he took my hand and kissed it.

"What happened?" I asked him and sighed.

Owen's POV

I couldn't help but smile and joke as my wife appeared. We all were scared of her reaction but she seemed calm and just the right amount of worry. She was side eyeing Anthony the moment she wondered what had actually happened last night. to be honest I was bothered by Anthony's words but he always speaks things he shouldn't and that he doesn't mean. I wouldn't peril his relationship with Eva, she gets infuriated when someone speaks wrongly of me as I usually don't really see a reason to pay attention on false words or high pressured ones.

"I was on the way to the carriage and two men robbed me and threw me in the alley… Anthony and Basset came after me, they were wearing those shiny silver armors, just like in the medieval ages, I felt like a princess. I would almost leave you to marry one of them." I joked and she laughed, music to my ears, she leaned and kissed my cheek, and nose. I was holding her hand close to my face taking in the scent she had.

I could see Anthony breathing again. "You are just not my type dear" he joked back, relieved "and another collateral damage is the misplacement of our painters jaw… he indeed wasn't aware" he added, we made an eye contact and I nodded back discreetly.

"Indeed, I filled him I when he invaded my personal space…" Colin confirmed it gently patting Benedict's back who huffed.

"I am sorry for the punch" Eva apologized and sighed he shook his head

"Well apology accepted… but next time, chat first punch later." Benedict chuckled and I turned at my wife, raising eyebrows as in why.

"Well they all seemed to know and I thought his " she excused herself. "But now that everything is settled and you have accepted my apology, we have a ball to attend, and I have no escort, I cannot leave Daphne alone, I promise though I will be gone for a while." She spoke and turned to look at me at the last part

"Of course you will attend and Benedict will escort you" I looked at him and winked.

"Just what I was about to say" Benedict nodded

"Okay so how about you bring over some breakfast? See if the kids are awake too, it would be a shame to leave Owen eat up alone"Anthony suggested and I was about to protest.

"Yass that's a brilliant idea" Eva exclaimed and suddenly she was ten years old. "Colin and Benedict can get the food and plates and once the others are awake we can help too" she smiled and got out of the room immediately.

"That was… quick…" I was shocked at how into the idea she was.

"Exactly come on kids you heard the boss chop chop" Anthony spoke and soon we were left alone "thank you for not telling her anything… I was scared too last night. Not only of how I would tell my sister if anything happened to you but of you not being alright, Bassett was as well…" Anthony explained and I frown

"Look Anthony I know. And I know you. Words can hurt but they aren't always coming from the heart, they are driven by anger." I explained "I have been in your shoes and you know that best" I added and smiled as soon Hyacinths and Gregory came zooming in the room. I laughed at the scene of them pushing Anthony around, they were asking if I was okay, I was still making jokes as soon the rest arrived with plenty of stuff, Daphne, Eloise and Eva were serving everyone.

"Wish Fran was here" Daphne sighed as she took a sip of juice. Eva was feeding me.

"Me too,she could play something for us" Eva spoke and looked at her with a smile and that moment was when Daphne started singing. The time passed by prettily as Daphne was singing. Violet interrupted as she burst into the room.

"What is going on here? Daphne tha ball!" Violet exclaimed as she saw the mess in the room, her as she saw all around the place her kids. "What are you all doing in here with the food?" She asked as her gaze fell on me "Owen sweetie are you alright?" She asked me approaching.

"I had a small accident." I smiled reassuringly, I didn't want her to be worried too.

"And we thought he shouldn't eat breakfast alone." Colin spoke and removed Hyacinth from the bed and started tickling her playfully.

"Yes mama, it was such pitty for them to eat alone here" Daphne added

"Besides this room is ghastly" Gregory added with a grimace making Eva to pinch his cheek.

"I mean who decorated it" Eloise shook her head.

"Then where is my plate, kids?" She asked and Anthony laughed slightly offering a plate and glass of orange juice kissing her cheek. She waited until the girls were off to prepare for the event of the night and for the boys to assist me to the room I shared with my wife to ask me what happened. I told her and she advised me to always come to her when something like this happened, calling herself my mother actually made me to tear and I wasn't ashamed of it…

Eva's POV

It had been about three hours before the ball that I decided to bail out, Anthony and Daphne understood, I didn't want to leave Owen alone with the servants as none of the family other than the kids would be home that night. I laid next to him after I aided the nurse to change the bandages in order to avoid further infections.

"Are you hurting?" I asked as I was laying on his shoulder his good hand around my figure framing me gently.

"No, not at all. On the contrary. I missed you love" he sighed and looked down at me, he still looked pale but his mood was very well. This was the best sign for his psychology. He leaned down and kissed my lips softly. I covered myself with the blanket better.

"I missed you too, although I am not exactly convinced of your small accident, I feel like it was more of a cover up for my brother" I started off

"You think Anthony stabbed me! That's absurd" Owen exclaimed and looked down at me "my love, I simply walked away and found myself in this unfortunate situation… there is nothing more to be implied here, I promise you… " he smiled at me and turned the light off. "We should sleep, love. We both need rest" he spoke sweetly kissing my forehead and not leaving any blank space for the discussion I had in mind, which only confirmed that I was right… He was right too though, my eyelids fell heavy seconds late as I was under deep sleep within minutes.

I felt a hand shake me "Eva" a whisper stroked my eardrum and I slightly jumped only to see Daphne sitting next to me. I sat up carefully not to wake up Owen, I covered him better with the blanket and walked out of the room, I had no idea what was going on.

"What happened?" I whispered lowly and looked at my sister, she had been crying, I wiped her tears softly with my hand leading her to a place where no one would hear us.

"Anthony will duel Simon at dawn, I mean in a few hours" she spoke breathlessly shaking her head, she cried. She had been, I wasn't aware of what had occured during my absence in the ball but it seemed like a lot

"Why would that happen? Daphne please begun from the beginning" I asked her wiping her tears with a napkin in the pocket of my robe, I tugged some hair behind her ear.

"I- the Duke and I kissed, in the gardens of the event" she revealed and I was shocked.

"Did he kiss you, did he attempt anything more or- or you gave your permission?" I asked her softly, taking her hand into the cup of mine, squeezing it assuringly. I could see she was in love with the Duke despite the fact that the offer of the prince seemed tempting, although I believe it was only an explosion of enough enthusiasm at the hearing of the word "princess".

"It was mutual, although he kissed me first, this is not the substance of this. Anthony appeared and beat him and ordered him to marry me after jeopardizing my honor and innocence and all that he keeps repeating… He refused Eva, he prefers to die other than marrying me." Daphne's tone was rising and her voice broke in a sob, I pulled her in tight embrace kissing her hair, they were messy, it was unusual for her to be imperfect.

"One step at a time. We need to stop them" I realized and she agreed as she was laying her head on my shoulder.

"We are unaware of the location, Evangeline" she reminded me. She used my full name, it was rare and it sounded bizarre. It was usually used when I thought I was right it wasn't, she clearly couldn't think.

"No no don't do that, we can find. Benedict, he will tell me, he will be present, he is the next viscount in line" I out the pieces together and blinked for some moments, go and wait in your room, I am invading his space to catch him off guard. I jogged to his room and knocked therefore there was no one… he already had left. I returned to Daphne's room.

"Empty… Do you know where Colin is?" I asked her immediately and simply shot up, racing down stairs I was right behind her, I didn't know what she had in mind. She barged into the office running to him.

"Tell me where the duel is to take place" She demanded. Daphne was no joke when she had something in mind. I was right behind her, Colin sighed looking both of us, he knew who I was supporting on this one just by looking at me.

"Why would I do that?" Colin responded, his gaze focused on our sister. I cannot believe he really asked that.

"Shall I start counting?" I asked him as Daphne spoke at the same time. "So I can prevent it from happening" She stated, her glare completely serious.

"Hastings has done you gravely dishonor. Sure you wish him to pay" Colin spoke, he was sweet for trying to be the eldest brother and protect her. I would have probably done the same if I were him, thankfully though I am not.

"Not with his life" Daphne spoke up in disbelief.

"I will not tell you. The duel shall remain secret, let's hope that the Duke will remember his honor when he finds himself in the deadly end of the pistol" Colin replied calmly. It was really annoying to see how he was not panicked. I know he showed trust on Anthony… but I could think of at least six hundred ways that this plan would not work out.

"And if he does not?" Daphne asked

"Let's hope they will both do the gentlemanly thing of shooting their pistols wide" Colin spoke up trying to conclude this aggressive comprehension. "No please let the men business to conclude themselves" he added making our sister sigh loudly.

"Do you know how many times we have heard that said? To leave the men to their business and to not concern myself with such weight" Daphne exclaimed lowly and I sighed heavily.

"Colin, it is her life, it is her honor… shouldn't she be the one to decide?" I tried to ease the spirits.

"Those affairs are my future" she added and looked at me and then back out our brother.

"It is also our family… our mother who is to lose a son one way or another… our brother planning to do something extremely idiotic" I reminded him approaching Daphne.

"Anthony is too angry to fire wide and Simon is to stubborn to yield, you did not see them in that garden" she tried to ease a bit with a sigh, he seemed to understand and break to our arguments.

"No, I did not" he replied, surveying both of us. "And neither did anyone else, you should be happy, that nocone saw anything"

"I sincerely can't believe you!" I exclaimed and pushed his shoulder slightly "you are letting Anthony die or flee as a wanted man by the country accused for a duke's murder, you want mother to sink in twice as much years of grieve; Benedict setting his wishes and plans aside to take over the viscount title and all the responsibility that tugs along. You want Hyacinth, Fran and Eloise to be the murderer's sisters, the murderer of the potential groom? Ponder the consequences you men are putting us and yourselves through." I didn't realize I was yelling and instill had plenty to say when I heard Daphne's voice speak over mine, I didn't hear what she said "What?" I asked the same time as Colin.

"I said,someone did see…" her gaze staring blankly on the floor "Cressida Cowper" she spoke, the worst name she could find.

"Are you certain?" I asked as that girl was a little devil…

She nodded and turned to Colin… "you must tell us…"

"Oh… he won't just tell us, he will take us there" I simply stated walked out, Daphne was faster than me she simply run fast to a horse, me right behind her, Colin sighed and went to a second as I helped Daphne up the horse and she pulled me.

I was behind her hugging her waist, she was going fast speeding behind Colin who led the way without further discussing he was mad I was sure but this was important.

"Are you alright behind there?" Colin asked me as I was holding on Daphne for dear life. The rain wasn't making it easy

"Yes, just keep going" I replied and heard one of them say they saw them, I wasn't sure what happened. The horse stood on its two back and I slipped letting Daphne go so I wouldn't drag her down with me, but it was too late she fell half of me and half on the ground, and that is when the blur begins...