XII

"Prince Friedrich, these are the young ladies I was telling you about." Josephine and Daphne smiled as the queen and prince approached them.

"So lovely to meet you, Miss Bridgerton, Miss Basset." The prince was a handsome man, his blond hair combed back and his outfit perfectly tailored. Josephine though if what it would be like to be a princess. The balls and jewels and many servants. It was after all the dream of most young girls growing up.

***

"I seem to have done it, Bridgerton." Simon was triumphant as he spoke.

"Done what?" Anthony asked as the pair sat in the club.

"Proved you remain capable of laughing again in my presence." Simon stated smirking at the man opposite him.

"You cannot fault me for being doubtful of your intentions." Anthony replied sipping his drink.

"Indeed, I can. As I doubt your own intentions for my sister. And For all the mischief you've witnessed me make, you'd also know I would never make a fool of a lady, and certainly not one such as your sister." Simon said with a glint in his eye. It was rather ironic how they spoke of each others sisters. The pairs conversation was interrupted as Anthony hastily excused himself.

****

"Sister? Whatever are you doing?" Anthony questioned as he stumbled upon Daphne wandering down to the kitchen.

"I could not sleep. I thought a bit of warm milk might help matters." Daphne explained, not expecting to see anyone around at this time of night.

After struggling with the concept of warming milk the two settled for a cold glass instead. "Can I ask you a question, Brother?" Daphne peered at her eldest brother over her glass. "It is about the duke."

"What about the duke?" Anthony questioned having a good idea where the conversation was headed.

"Well... Do you know the reason he is so opposed to marriage?" Daphne asked hesitantly.

"Daph.." Anthony did not wish to see his sister hurt but he really would rather talk about anything else.

"He is your closest friend. Surely you must know things. I was thinking of asking Josephine but I know she is much less likely to tell me than you are." Daphne acknowledged how close the basset twins are, knowing that neither would spill such secrets without proper reason.

"He barely knew his father. Never knew his mother. Josephine was sent to boarding school by five and was hardly around when they were young." Anthony felt a pang as he spoke of the woman." The duke grew up... quite differently than us, Daph. In all the 20 years I have known them, they have not mentioned anyone else in their so-called family even once. They have spent their entire life alone." Anthony stated reflecting on how lucky he was to have such a close family.

"How very sad." Daphne said looking at the floor.

"They prefer it that way." Anthony knew they did, for they always had each other."You must not concern yourself with his troubles. You must simply know some people are not meant to be together...no matter... how much we might wish otherwise." Anthony's last words stung like a knife in his heart. But he knew even if they weren't meant to be, he would fight for Josephine Basset till his final breath.

******

"Josephine, Josie, are you decent?" Simon knocked on his sisters door as the two prepared for the evenings event.

"Yes Simon come in." Josephine opened the door as she tucked her hair behind her ear. Her sage coloured gown reached just a over her feet, and her hair was swept into a pin at the back of her head.

"You look lovely Josephine." Simon said as he looked at his sister in the mirror.

"What do you want?" Josephine smiled as she turned to her brother.

"Am I not allowed to compliment my sister without wanting something?" Simon had that glint in his eye, and Josephine knew he indeed wanted a favour.

"Spit it out Simon, you are a terrible fib!" Josephine smiled as she turned to her brother.

"I am going to tell you a secret and I ask you too keep it from everyone. Especially the Bridgertons." Simon tentatively states as he reached to straighten the pin in Josephine's hair. "It is of the upmost importance."

"Ok tell me." Josephine stated.

"You must promise first." Simon wanted to be sure his sister understood how important what he was going to tell her was.

"I promise! Now tell me." Josephine held out her pinky for her brother to take in his, sealing the secret.

"Daphne Bridgerton and I are not courting. In fact we are putting in a facade to impress not only the suitors but Lady Whistledown." Simon went on, "our goal is to find her a wife and keep the ladies away from me." Simon explained.

"But?" Josephine knew there was always a but.

"I think it is unreasonable of me to put in such a lie and then control how you live your life, so I understand if you and Benedict want to bow out from our arrangement." Simon said through clenched teeth.

"But..?" Josephine was thankful that her brother was being so righteous, but she could tell he had something else to add.

"I am in love with Daphne Bridgerton and I fear as though it will ruin everything." Simon confessed sighing and slumping into Josephine's bed.

"Oh thank god, it is about time you came out and said it! And before you justify that it was made up by Lady Danbury and Bridgerton, I could tell you liked her." Josephine was chuffed with the revelation.

"Yes well hence why I am telling you, I can not hide anything from you, nor you can from me." Simon intended on switching this conversation down a different route. "That is how I know you love Anthony, and why I am stopping the agreement with his brother."

Josephine and Simon both sat in silence for a few minutes, wheels turning in their heads. "But we can not say anything can we." Josephine sighed leaning against Simon.

"No I don't think we should." Simon said firmly, and the two returned into silence. They had always had each other, never needed anyone else, why should that change? Simon did not wish to marry, well at this point. And Josephine was weighed down by her past, unsure of whether she was capable of such attachment.

"Quite a predicament we have ourselves." Josephine stated rising from the bed. "Now shall we attend the dance?" She stated holding out her arm as if the whole conversation the pair just had, never happened.

"I suppose we shall." Simon grabbed his sisters arm.

*****

Ok shit is about to hiteth the faneth Hold onto your gowns folks ;)