⚘twenty four⚘

A march down the aisle may very well be the longest walk any young lady ever takes. It does not simply cover the length of the church, but rather, countless floors for dancing, and meandering paths for every afternoon promenade too. It is a wonder, then, that feet do not tire or, heaven forbid, trip under the scrutiny of all those attentive eyes keeping close watch, indeed.

Anthony is to be married tomorrow. As is tradition for most young men the night before he is celebrating with his brothers. I wake as I feel the bed sink beside me. I turn to face Benedict. I can tell before he even opens his mouth that he and his brothers were drinking for hours. Benedict laughs as he wraps his arms around me.

"You over indulged," I tell him.

"Maybe," Benedict says with another laugh. "But who could blame me?" He nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck.

"Was Anthony alright?" I ask. "Since deciding to hurry things along?"

"He was one about his duties of being a first born son again," Benedict tells me. "That he is required to have a viscountess. And soon we will have a tiny Anthony to contend with, running around, declaring all of his tiny duties too, no doubt."

"If he is happy we must simply support him," I tell Benedict. Benedict rolls over to lie almost on top of me. "You are crushing me, dear."

"You are comfortable and I am tired," Benedict tells me.

I sigh and stop my protests. Benedict's breathing evens out and I can tell he is already asleep. I cannot stop thinking about Anthony and the mistake he is going to make if he marries Miss Edwina.

Benedict and I are at the Bridegrton home so we may all head to the ceremony together. Colin looks as if he did not sleep at all last night.

"He has taken my ribbon!" Hyacinth shouts.

"I have done you a service," Gregory says.

"Do not chase each other," Lady Bridgerton scolds. "Or, well, perhaps do not catch each other. You must look presentable. Why does no one truly seem ready for this wedding? Mrs. Wilson!"

Colin finally sits up. "Oh, Mother. Please, not so loud."

"Whatever you have done to your brother, undo it," Lady Bridgerton tells Benedict.

Benedict whistles as he stands up. He is holding a flask in his hand.

"I may never reach your capacity for drink, Brother," Colin tells him.

"It's a simple remedy. If you continue to drink, there can be no after-effects," Benedict tells him.

I make a face at him. He knows I do not like when he over indulges.

"If only you would use your powers for good," Eloise says.

"Has anyone seen Anthony?" Lady Bridgerton asks. No one answers. "Benedict, see that he is well. I am sure the emotions of the day have somewhat confused him."

"Mother," Anthony greets as he finally walks into the room.

"Anthony. You are ready?" Lady Bridgerton asks.

"Of course I am. Born ready, in fact," Anthony insists. "Shall we?"

Benedict is to act as Anthony's best man. I cannot sit quietly anymore. I have to speak to Anthony. I head to the room where Anthony and Benedict are waiting for the ceremony to start..

Benedict looks at me curiously. "Diana? What are you doing here?"

"I need to speak with Anthony," I tell him. "Alone."

"Is everything alright?" Benedict asks.

I nod my head. "Yes. I just... Anthony gave me some advice before our wedding and I wish to do the same for him."

"Benedict, you must excuse us," Anthony tells him.

"But I wish to know..." Benedict starts to protest.

"The best man listens to the groom. Go," Anthony tells him.

Benedict gives me a look before listening to his brother and leaving.

"What is it, Diana?" Anthony asks.

"I find Miss Edwina to be quite lovely and deserving of the truth, which we must not deny her," I state.

"I've gone too far down this road to turn back now," Anthony tells me. "Miss Edwina will be ruined if we do not marry, and our family will suffer equal scandal. This was always the plan."

"And what of her sister?" I ask.

"She has made her own plans for the future. Plans which do not include me. We have decided there is nothing more between us. There cannot be," Anthony says.

"Do you love Miss Edwina?" I question.

"I have never wished to succumb to the blind delight of being in love. I cannot so indulge myself," Anthony says.

"You can choose to be happy. To follow the desires of your heart instead of pushing away any feeling that comes to the surface. It should not be a luxury, but a right to choose, to fight for the family that you want," I tell him.

"I fight..." Anthony takes a deep breath. "...for the family that I have. You'll never understand. You were born to marry into a family other than your own and you married into this one. I was born to carry on the Bridgerton name. That is what outweighs anything else. It is rather easy to be selfish when you have no one else to whom you must answer."

"I am just looking out for you, Anthony," I tell him. "Like you have looked out for me. I do not wish to see you make a mistake you will regret."

Anthony says nothing else as I walk out of the room. Benedict is waiting for me in the hallway.

"What was that about?" Benedict asks.

"It was nothing," I assure him.

Benedict looks at me suspiciously. "Diana..."

"It was nothing, Benedict," I tell him. "You must trust me on it."

Benedict nods. "Alright. You should hurry back to the chapel."

I sit in a pew next to Daphne. I know no matter what I say Anthony is going to go through with this wedding. Benedict is the first to walk down the aisle followed by Anthony. Miss Sharma walks down the aisle by herself and Miss Edwina walks down after, escorted by Lady Mary.

"Please be seated. Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. And therefore, it is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, and wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding but reverently, discreetly, advisedly..."

The archbishop continues to speak but it is as if Anthony has tuned him out.

"My lord. My lord."

"The archbishop would like you to repeat, my lord, after him," Miss Edwina tells him.

Anthony snaps out of the haze he was in. "Yes, of course."

"I, Lord Anthony Bridgerton..."

Suddenly Miss Sharma drops a bracelet she was wearing. Anthony moves to pick it up for her.