viii
Owen's Pov
I was only able to clean up the blood off my nose once my mother walked in my room, my gaze fell on her exhausted figure, she had lost more weight now that i was observing her. Her skin pale with red spots from crying. I smiled. "At least now that i am leaving in Oxford i won't have to put up with this behavior" i smiled at her and stood up.
she stopped me, taking the napkin from my grip. "i am trying to stop him every time Owen… to protect you but…" her voice broke and i smiled again.
"I am not a child mama… maybe this is for the best…" I exhaled, it ached me to see her in this state. It was more rare the past three years.
"I know Owen, and i am proud of you" she voiced lowly, her glare staring around my room as her hand cleaning the last drops of blood i had on my face. "We have to get your things ready" she reminded me and I nodded slightly.
"Let's" I nodded and kissed her cheek before moving to open up my luggage box. I didn't like bothering maids for such things. neither did my mama.
Eva's POV
"And for how long will you be gone, brother?" I asked him as I was sitting upon his bed, while he, with the assistance of an employee, was preparing for his university in Oxford.
"I do not know sister, therefore i will be back on Holliday's, easter christmas and summer" he smiled reassuringly and I nodded in agreement although i couldn't help but grimace sadly.
"Eva, you know you can always write letters, I will always respond"Anthony sat next to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, i felt as if I would break compared to his physique. I soundlessly nodded again and buried my face in his neck. "Come on now sister" he placed a kiss on my head.
-Present
I wasn't usually eavsdropping, therefore I passed by Daphne's room, I could listen to her trying to speak with our mama. However it ended up in an awfully blank dead end.
"Good morning mama" I greeted with a bright smile and she leaned in kissing my head.
"How are you feeling darling?" She asked me to stroke my cheek gently with her palm. I was still shorter than her, even Hyacinth proved to be taller than me.
"Very good actually mama, nothing hurts, not even a bruise" I smiled at her.
"And Owen, i haven't seen him those days he has been laying inside" Mama asked and waited for a reply.
"Well he has a bruise or two, today he went out with Anthony, he can walk, the wound is almost gone, i didn't agree but whoever listens to me"I shook my head and exhaled with a small complaint.
"And who do you listen to?" My mom wondered, her smile glistening as I realized she was right. I was aware of my stubbornness therefore i wasn't the one stabbed.
"Oh no one but that's not the substance" I giggled and kissed her cheek before entering my sister's room.
"Hellu" I walked in and found her sitting on her boudoir, I leaned in kissing her cheek loudly.
"Evs" she tried to smile
"I heard you, mama, is there anything you wish to get of your chest?" I asked her, i paced next to her and sat down. I cupped her hands into mine, i was aware that possibly she was trying to reveal how her and Basset had moved on before the wedding, and such experiences are something a girl should be warned off. Unfortunately society had different opinions on the matter.
"That is true, therefore I do not think there is much point since me and the Duke are to be wed… I am only trying to not ponder such negative collections." Daphne pulled on a small monologue, quite convincing I must admit, nevertheless I was neither Anthony nor Benedict. Daphne looked at me after she paused her speech and I smiled sweetly at her, caringly. "I will tell you, promise me though, do not comment on anything" she sighed and let out a small laugh.
"When do I ever comment?" i wondered rhetorically, with s bright smile.
"I wonder" Daphne offered me a side eye and let out sigh get in back on subject. "Me and Simon, we weren't in an actual relationship all the time, actually we weren't until the night at the gardens, where we kissed, and i knew then our feelings were mutual no matter how much he denied…" She spoke and I frankly wasn't expecting to hear this.
"So… when Berbrook…" I asked, i was seriously looking at her no, all jokes aside.
Daphne nodded with a frown and a sad face, I shook my head "So? its alright now though… You will marry him after the hearing to the queen and everything shall go smoothly" i smiled gently rubbing her back assuringly, i kissed her cheek when Mrs Wilson entered the room.
"Prince Friedrich would like to speak with you, privately" She announced and i looked at my little sister who gave me a nod and I stood up.
"Hello your highness" i smiled brightly and bowed softly.
"Hello Lady Bailey," he smiled. He was indeed pretty and kind. I walked down stairs to find Hyacinth and Gregory dancing around on the piano tones Collin was playing while Eloise and Benedict were playing chess.
"enough with the noise Collin!" Eloise whined as she was resting her jaw on her fist unladylikely as mama would remark.
"why, its rather enjoyable and easing '' I smiled gently as I approached the piano, my voice harmonizing with his tones, he turned and winked at me as i placed my hands on his shoulders and started massaging his shoulders.
"You are sleeping only when someone is stroking your head"She argued, annoyed , making me chuckle. She made a move that made our eldest brother huff in annoyance. He remained silent.
"You only say that because Hyacinth dances so much better than you" I smiled and went on singing again, spectating them .
"Lies"Eloise shook her head pretending to be annoyed.
"Not so much, you always step on my toes"Gregory commented with a tiny laugh as he was swaying with Hyacinth around the living room.
"Its okay i am not much good of a dancer, but i am an exceptional chess player." Eloise boasted and Benedict shook his head.
"Benedict, have you ever sketched me?" I asked my brother as i moved around and patted his head softly.
"The truth is I haven't. Yet again, I am still studying anatomy."He tried to avoid it by excusing himself from my fishing net. It was some sort of verbal hide and seek me and Benedict always had when he was feeling unwell. I was easy to read on many subjects therefore he was mostly trying to avoid it, despite the fact that he knew that he would feel lighter after talking about it.
"Alright then maybe we could take a small walk, it would be scandalous for a lady to be walking around on her own brother. I suppose it is your duty to escort me…" I smiled and leaned in to kiss his cheek gently.
He stroked my hand gently "Go get your stuff" he sighed, acting unwilling and bored. I did as I was told, soon returning with a small coat and a bag. He stood up offering me his hand as we moved to the carriage.
"Madame Delacroix's" I instructed and smiled at my brother who was looking at me with his expression searching mine for any clue of what i was up to, what i knew.
"She usually delivers the dresses home" Benedict remarked, and he was right.
"Oh we are not going for dresses brother, I wouldn't want to torment you that much, it's just a social call" I informed him "Now why did Eloise win the game? i can see that there's something bothering you"
"It's the fine arts academy, a party they are organizing, nothing of importance" Benedict's smile appeared for a few moments.
"And what is disturbing you?" I asked as his gaze was flying outside our carriage, i could see his thoughts drifting and that I weighed his collections to the ground.
"I do not know if i wish to attend, it seems like i am some sort of outcast, its complicated" He spoke up and smiled at me "How did you notice there was something in my mind? '' He asked gently
"Come on Benedict, how are you certain when i am not well" I shook my head, acting as mama when we have done something improper.
"I get it, i mean you are quiet and you do not observe details such as Eloise winning when i could have won"Benedict explicated his view as the carriage stopped. "We are here" he realized and opened the door riding off first. I handed him his hat as I picked up my parasol and stood up offering my hand politely so i would be escorted properly.
As soon as we were out in the society we remained silent offering small smiles to potential acquaintances that we walked by. I always had my hand tangled over his arm elegantly as rules always indicated, to display my escort. That I was not alone. Soon we arrived at madame Delacroix and he opened the door for me.
"Oh my, Lady Bailey. You didn't have to come, I could've sent someone to fetch it, '' she smiled, holding my hand in a squeez, the rules of showing gratitude.
"Oh I really needed a small tour of the town, so did my brother… I believe you know him, This is Benedict-" but before I could speak the shop owner interrupted me.
"We know each other actually, from the academy…" Madame Delacroix smiled at him and I raised my eyebrow slightly "He once allowed me to draw him" she added and Benedict went apale.
"I didn't know women were allowed there" I smiled at her as i was looking around her accessories.
"I am due to my profession, but nobody offers to pose for me" Delacroix smiled at him and patted his shoulder gently.
"Oh may I see it, i am sure it must be marvelous" i smiled in enthusiasm while i expected her to reveal her work of art, therefore, i heard Benedict swallow hard, he seemed apale as if he had witnessed a ghost pass by.
"Benedict dear, are you feeling alright?" I asked softly, touching his arm, I dragged him to a chair. "Madame Delacroix, could we have a glass of water?" I asked immediately.
"Yes, Evangeline, I am probably affected by the sun." He excused himself. "are you done here? I must go, I have an obligation for Anthony" he sighed heavily, I couldn't see he was looking for an escape route.
"I guess i will meet you at the party tonight" the modiste commented and smiled at my brother. "Perhaps you could join us as well Mrs Bridgerton" she turned at me.
"She couldn't, and she is referred to as Lady Bailey." Benedict spoke up abruptly, his tone tensing.
"Why not?" I asked, puzzled on the way he was exploding right before our very eyes.
"Because we are leaving, Evangeline." He stood up and snatched the small bag from my hands, giving it to the modiste who raised an eyebrow, just as confused. He then took my wrist abruptly pulling me to the door, positioning it around his arm. Before I could say goodbye or talk to him for that matter we were already on the pavement. I swallowed my words furiously until the carriage.
"Let's at least go and get your hat" I reminded him and tried to change route.
"Walk to the carriage" he simply sighed, there was frustration in his voice as he opened the door and led me inside.
"What the hell?" I exclaimed, it wasn't usual for me to curse, it was unladylike. "Did I do something?" I asked. I could see him being upset. i just couldn't understand why.
"Nothing Eva," he said, trying to remain calm, massively failing though if I am honest.
"Then why did you behave this way? i mean, it was a public place, we aren't supposed to be like that outside, what if-" I was to make up a scenario of her humiliating us, me, even more other than all those little comments of me being unable to become a mother.
"She won't say anything, now, can you be quite please, my head's pounding"He snapped rather abruptly, making me frown. I got it that for some reason he was behaving this way, therefore i didn't deserve to be treated this way.
Once the carriage paused its motion, i simply opened the door and walked out not paying attention to what Benedict would do. If I am frank, it was the first actual time me and Benedict did not talk to each other. I walked upstairs passing the living room. i heard my husband and Anthony call after me and then Benedict's name but I wasn't going to behave as the woman that isn't supposed to speak or do anything.
Owen's POV.
"So Daphne is the queen right now…? with Basset?" I asked Collin, me and Anthony had been outside for so long, it was the first time I was back on work after the injury. We had just gotten back and now with Daphne's news Anthony would stop asking how I was feeling and if I needed a break.
Before we got a reply we heard the door of the house opening and my wife storming in, unstopped by my voice calling her name. After her there was Benedict white as a sheet. "Gentlemen, office please" He simply said and made his way there. Me and the other two Bridgertons exchanged confused stares
We moved there, Gregory followed us. "Um, why don't you go to Eva, ir mom, or anywhere but here"Benedict huffed and closed the door at his face.
"Okay now that's unusually mean of you" I remarked with a raised eyebrow.
"and you'll be the one fencing with him" Anthony added as he sat at the chair behind the desk. Me and Collin sat on each od the other chairs.
"Now tell me why my wife is angry." i asked with a slightly amused smirk.
"Okay, during one of my lessons, we had a naked model" Benedict started off and all of us commented with a whistle loudly "enough of that, and that model was our modiste" he added, "All in all, i offered to pose for a drawing of hers, naked, since no one seemed to pay attention to her… and then things escalated" he added and exhaled a breath that he was holding.
"I am glad for you brother" Anthony clapped and i did too.
"If you are happy we are." i smiled at him, he never seemed to have a personal life before, but i was glad he did
"okay, well done brother, therefore i see no reason connecting your private life to our fuming sister" Colin brough the topic back up, it caught my attention.
"Evs asked me to escort her to Genevieve's shop, for something and it seemed like a stupid excuse so she could make us meet, but how could she have known, and then i thought, maybe it was the modiste's idea. then Genevieve said I posed for her, and Ev asked for the artwork, and then got invited to our tonight's party and this is the exact moment I blanked out. I got her out of the shop and pulled her to the carriage, and she started asking questions and I told her to stop speaking." Benedict narrated in summary what had happened and we were all staring at him as he finally took a breath.
"That was not the right move" Anthony sighed shaking his head, he was smiling, trying not to laugh unlike Collin who was doubled down laughing at the situation, i offered him w napkin for the tears spilled over his brother's tragedy.
"Owen?" he turned at me, he was frowning.
"You Mr. Bridgerton are not taking my wife to the party that's certain… she is not that Innocent but she should live in her ignorance on certain things" i commented and laughed slightly at Colin who seemed like he wouldn't recover soon from the laughter.
"I wouldn't take her, i just want someone to excuse my reactions, i will apologize as well. And perhaps reveal my flirtations with the modiste, but now I can't" Benedict explained and I smiled giving him a nod.
"I will assist. But make it up soon, you know how much she loves you" I spoke and stood up to get working… I moved to our room to find my wife in the bathroom.
I smiled and approached her in the bathtub,she was underwater, her figure seemed even smaller in the big bathtub. I approached from the back and leaned down placing a kiss on her shoulder and then her neck.
Eva's POV
I jumped, yelped slightly as I felt his lips at first but then I let loose. I couldn't help but smile at his movements, his hand slid down my bare skin, making me shudder.
"i missed you" i smiled at him turning and locking my lips to his as he was leaning from the behind. He responded as his hand gently removed the napkin from my hand and started rubbing my legs with it to help me in my shower, he used to do it when i couldn't sleep, he must've knew i was angry or unwell.
He moved to the side of the tub breaking the kiss, "I missed you too" he added.
"Do you mind getting in?" i asked him, my voice lowering as he started undressing and I helped him…
We laid in silence, my eyelids feel heavy as i was in my man's embrace, his softs strokes on my hair slowly sent me to sleep when there was a knock on the door. I shot up, we were naked.
"Wait" He exclaimed and covered me with our blankets as he quickly wore underwear and some pants. He was to put a shirt on but Anthony complained.
"What" He asked my brother with a huff.
Owen's POV
There was a frown across his face and he didn't comment on the fact that I was wearing no shirt. "What is it?" I asked, I was serious as well.
"It is your father, he is rather unwell… he wishes to see you and… my sister too"Anthony spoke and i went a pale.
"ah… thank you, mate… um, see you" I spoke and walked back in the room.
"What happened" Eva asked me, she was pulling the covers over her small figure, the desire to sleep long to me gone.
"My father is dying…" i s
poke and sat down.
"and he wishes to see us" i added and looked at her, my eyes were up even though i had convinced myself i hated this man,
"Then we should go" Eva said ashe hugged me tightly
A/N: Hey there, firstly sorry it has been so long, in advance i wrote an extra long chapter<3
There's an alternate scene on the link below if you want to check it out (it starts and ends when there's the asterisk)
https://www.wattpad.com/story/335377817?utm_source=android&utm_medium=link&utm_content=share_reading&wp_page=reading&wp_uname=__silvermist_&wp_originator=lusJs7ZQTq7STApHjA1N8F9J6hET%2F88m1pHgOZO4OPcQOGFhjBH1tx4Y4Ht%2B332BjB%2BKCDygtBC6vtFA04EWAYm6eywL6t%2FtRAk537Nf143Mb8WJh0EN%2FNAi00lcoi%2FM