BECAUSE MISS "BRIDGERTON"

chapter 7

A PARTY?

Billie carefully put down the napkin, a faint uneasiness flushing her. “Mother?”

“Party at home,” her mother clarified, as if that was what Billie asked earlier.

“At a time like this?’ ask Billie's father, the soup spoon paused for a bit on the way to the mouth.

“Why not?”

“Usually we have a party in autumn.”

Billie rolled her eyeballs. Typical reasons for men. Not that he disagreed. The last thing he wanted right now at Aubrey Hall was a party. All the strangers moved to and fro in his house. Not to mention the time it took to play the role of the obedient host princess. She would be stuck in her dress all day, unable to take care of the responsibility of taking care of a very real estate.

He tried to look into his father's eyes. Surely his father realized how bad this idea was, no matter the season. But Lord Bridgerton cares about nothing but his wife. And soup.

“Andrew will not be at home in autumn,” Lady Bridgerton reminded. “And we should celebrate now.”

“I like parties,” says Andrew. That's true, but Billie feels the man said it more to ease the tension at the table. Because things are pretty tense. And it's clear to Billie no one knows why.

“It's done, then,” said Lady Bridgerton. “We will have a party at home. Small party only.”

“Defined small,” sahut Billie anxious.

“Oh, I don't know. A dozen guests, maybe?” Lady Bridgerton to Lady Manston. “What do you think, Helen?”

Lady Manston did not surprise anyone when she replied, “I think it sounds fun. But we have to act fast, before Andrew is sent back to sea. The admiral was very explicit when he said his leave was given during the recovery period and no longer than that.”

“Of course,” murmured Lady Bridgerton. “How about another week?”

“Sunday? exclamation Billie. “Mother can't possibly set up home within one week.”

“Oh, bullshit. Of course I can.” His mother gave Billie a look of disdain and amusement. “I was born for these kinds of things.”

“That's right, darling,” says his father full of affection.

My dad won't be able to help, Billie realized. If he wants to stop this madness, he has to do it himself. “Think of his guests, Mama.” he insists. “Surely you should give them time. People lead busy lives. They must have a plan.”

His mother shook her hands as if it was unimportant. “I don't plan on sending invitations across the country. We've got enough time to reach friends in the area near here. Or London.”

“Who will you invite?” ask Lady Manston.

“You, of course. Tell me you'll come and stay at our place. It would be much more fun if everyone was under one roof.”

“That seems unnecessary,” says George.

“True once,” Billie approve. By God, their dwellings are less than five kilometers apart.

George gave her a sharp look.

“Oh, please,” says Billie impatiently. “You can't be offended.”

“I can,” said Andrew while grinning widely. “Even I guess I'll feel offended, just for fun.”

“Mary and Felix,” says Lady Bridgerton. “We can't have a celebration without them.”

“It would be nice to see Mary,” I'm Billie.

“How about Westborough?” ask Lady Manston.

George groaning. “Surely the ship has sailed away, Mother. Didn't Mom just tell me Lady Frederica was engaged?”

“True.” Lady Manston paused for a moment, lifting the soup spoon to her mouth gently. “But she has a sister.”

Billie choked with laughter, then quickly set her face into a frown as George threw an angry delicacy.

Lady Manston's smile grew horrible. “And cousin.”

“Of course,” says George slowly.

Billie must have expressed some kind of sympathy, but of course it was the moment when her own mother chose to say, “We should also find some good lads.”

Billie's eyes widened in fear. He should have known his turn would come. “Mother, no,” she gave a warning.

Giving warning? Ordered might be more appropriate.

Not brave it had no effect on his mother's enthusiasm. “If not it will be unbalanced,” he said sharply. “Again, you won't be younger.”

Billie closed her eyes and counted to five. Either that or hit his mother's neck.

“Don't Felix have a brother?” ask Lady Manston.

Billie biting her tongue. Lady Manston knew exactly Felix had a brother. Felix Maynard is married to his only daughter. Lady Manston may also know the names and ages of all Felix's cousins before the ink on the engagement letter dried.

“George?” ask mother. “Didn't he have?”

Billie was stunned and looked at Lady Manston in amazement. That woman's determination on one goal would make an Army general proud. Is that some kind of innate trait from birth? Do women come out of the womb with the urge to match men and women into tidy couples? If so, how could he be missed?

Because Billie is not interested in matchmaking, for herself or anyone else. If that makes her a weird, un-feminine girl, yes. He prefers to be outside on his horse. Or fishing in the lake. Or climb a tree.

Or anything, really.

It is not the first time Billie has wondered in her heart what God thinks of her when she was born a woman. She is definitely the least feminine girl in British history. Fortunately her parents did not force her to debut in London when Mary did. It's gonna be bad. It would definitely be a disaster.

And no one will want him.

“George?” lady Manston said again, impatience sharpened her voice.

George gasped, and Billie realized the man was staring at him. He could not imagine what the man saw on his face.

“He had,” George confirmed, then turned his head towards his mother. “Henry. He's two years younger than Felix, but he—”

“Very good!” lady Manston applauds.

“But he what?” ask Billie, in an urgent tone. Because what they're talking about is potentially embarrassing.

“Nearly engaged,” George tells. “Or so I heard.”

“It doesn't count until the engagement is official,” George's mother said lightly.

Billie looked at Lady Manston in disbelief. The sentence came from the woman who planned Mary's wedding since Felix first kissed her hand.

“Do we like Henry Maynard?” ask Lady Bridgerton.

“We love it,” Lady Manston confirms.

“I think he's not even sure Felix has a brother,” Billie said.

Beside him, George laughed softly, and Billie felt the man's head move closer to him. “Ten pound bet my mother knew every detail of Henry's current romance before she even mentioned his name,” George murmured.

Billie's lips twitched with a faint smile. “I won't accept that bet.”

“Smart girl.”

“Always.”

George chuckled, then stopped. Billie followed the man across the table. Andrew observed them with an awkward expression, his head was shaken slightly to the side and his forehead was wrinkled seriously.

“What?” ask Billie, while the mothers continue with their plans.

Andrew shakes. “Nothing.”

Billie scowling. He could read Andrew like the back of his hand. The man is planning something. “I don't like his facial expression,” murmured.

“I've never liked his facial expression,” George said.

Billie glanced at George. How strange this silly little bond is with George. Usually he felt it with Andrew who often shared a mutter of ridicule with him. Or Edward. But not George.

Never been with George.

And even though he thinks it's a good thing.—there's no reason why he and George should continue to argue.—this still makes him feel awkward. Losing balance.

Life feels better when you walk without surprises. Really am.

Billie turned to her mother, determined to escape from the disturbing emotions that had become. “Do we really have to have a party? Surely Andrew can feel celebrated and admired without twelve sets of food and archery matches on the page.”

“Don't forget the fireworks and the parade,” Andrew said. “And I might want to be paraded on a stretcher.”

“You want to support something like this?” billie asked, gesturing toward Andrew with a huffed hand.

George snorted into his soup.

“Am I going to be allowed to attend?” ask Georgiana.

“Not at night, but certainly at some entertainment event in the afternoon,” replied his mother.

Georgiana leaned back with a satisfied smile. “Then I think it's a great idea.”

“Georgie,” says Billie.

“Billie,” tease Georgiana.

Billie gaped in shock. Is the whole world shifting off its axis? Since when did his sister fight like that?

“Then it's settled, Billie,” said her mother in an indisputable tone. “We're going to have a party, and you're going to attend. By using a dress.”

“Mother!” shout Billie.

“I don't think it's an unreasonable demand,” his mother looks around the table asking for confirmation.

“I know how to behave at a party at home.” God, what does her mother think she's gonna do? Coming to dinner with boots under her dress? Make the dogs race in the sitting room?

Billie knows the rules. Really am. And he doesn't even mind in the right circumstances. The fact that her mother thought she was so careless…

It was more painful than he could have imagined.

But then the strangest thing happened. George's hand found his hand and squeezed it. Under the table, where no one is looking. Billie's head flinched and turned towards the man—ia could not prevent him—but George had already let go of his hand and said something to Lord Manston about the price of French brandy.

Billie was stunned looking at the soup.

What an amazing day.

THAT NIGHT, AFTER the men had gone to enjoy a drink and the women had gathered in the sitting room, Billie slipped away to the library, desiring nothing more than a peaceful and silent place.

Although he was not sure if this could be spelled out sneaking away as he had to beg a servant to take him there.

Still, he had always loved the library at Crake House. It was smaller than the library in Aubrey Hall, and not as impressive. It almost feels comfortable. Lord Manston had a habit of falling asleep on a soft leather sofa, and as soon as Billie sat there he understood the reason. With a fire in the fireplace and a knitted blanket spread over both feet, it was the perfect place to rest your eyes until your parents were ready to go home.

But he's not sleepy. Just tired. It's been a long day, and his whole body aches from the fall, and his mother is so insensitive, and Andrew doesn't even realize he's unwell, and George realizes it, then Georgiana turned into someone she didn't recognize, and—

And, and, and. Everything and tonight, and the numbers are exhausting.

“Billie?”

Billie shrieked softly as she woke up to an upright sitting position. George stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable in the twinkling candlelight.

“Sorry. That's not my intention.” George leaned against the doorway. “Why are you here?”

“I need a little quietness.” Billie still couldn't see the man's face clearly, but could imagine George's amused face, so she added, “Even I need some calm sometimes.”

George smiled faintly. “You don't feel confined?”

“Not at all.” Billie nodded, receiving the counterattack.

George took a moment to think about it, then said, “Do you want me to leave it alone?”

“No, it's okay,” Billie made herself surprised by her statement. George's presence was strangely soothing, as he had never experienced with Andrew or his mother.

“You are in pain,” said George, finally stepping into the room.

How did that man know? No one knows. However, George always had a habit of paying attention to the disturbing. “Ya,” replied Billie. There is no point in pretending otherwise.

“Very pain?”

“No. But more than a little.”

“You should rest tonight.”

“Maybe. But I'm having fun, and I think it's worth it. I'm glad to see your mother so happy.”

George shakes his head. “You think he's happy?”

“Don't you think so?”

“Because of seeing Andrew. maybe, but in some ways the boy's presence just reminded him that Edward wasn't here.”

“Kurasa. I mean, of course she would rather have her two sons at home, but a reminder of Edward's absence certainly eclipsed the happiness of Andrew.”'s presence

George's lips half shriveled wryly. “She does have two boys at home.”

Billie was stunned for a moment and looked at him before—”Oh! Ii'm sorry. Sure oes. I think of the boys who aren't usually home. I... My God, I'm really sorry.” His face was red. Fortunately the light of the candle hid the hue on his face.

George put his shoulders. “Not to think about.”

But Billie couldn't help but think about it. No matter how calm George's face was, Billie couldn't help but think that she was hurting the man's feelings. And it's crazy; George Rokesby doesn't care enough about his good opinions to be bothered by anything Billie says.

But still, there was something in the man's facial expression…

“What's bothering you?” ask Billie.

George stepped further into the room, stopping beside the shelves where quality brandy was stored. “What bothers me?”

“Leaved.” Billie biting lips. There must be a better way to say it. “Continue staying when everyone goes,” he fix.

“You are here,” George reminded.

“Yes, but I'm not entertainment. To you, I mean.”

George chuckles. Well, not really, but he snorted a little, and his grunt sounded amused.

“Even Mary went to Sussex,” Billie shifted her position to observe the man from the back of the sofa.

George poured the brandy for himself, put down the glass while returning the wine nerve cap. “I can't regret my sister's happy marriage. With my closest friend, pula.”

“Of course not. I didn't either. But I still miss him. And you're still the only Rokesby who keeps being here.”

George brought his glass to his lips, but did not take a sip. “You like to talk directly to the core, yes?”

Billie held back.

“What's bothering you?” the man asked.

Billie didn't pretend to misunderstand the question. “My brothers haven't all left yet. Georgiana is still at home.”

“And you have so much in common with him,” said George flatly.

“More than I thought,” Billie told. Thas right. Georgiana was a weak and sickly child, feared by her parents, trapped inside the house while other children ran wild exploring the village.

Billie never hated her sister; but at the same time, she did not find Georgiana very attractive. Most of the time, he even forgot his sister was there. There was a nine-year gap between them. Really, what similarities might they have?

But then everyone left, and now Georgiana was finally mature enough to be attractive.

It was now George's turn to speak, but it seemed the man was unaware of this fact, and the silence extended long enough to vaguely become disturbing.

“George?” muttered Billie. The man looked at her in a very awkward way. It's like Billie's riddle—no, it's not that. It was as if George was deep in thought, and it just so happened that he was blocking the man's view.

“George?” repeat Billie. “What are you good—”

Suddenly the man looked up. “You should be kinder to him.” Then, as if he had just said a very shaking thing, George gestured to the brandy. “Do you want a glass?”

“Yes,” replied Billie, although she realized most women would refuse, “and what do you mean I should be better off with her? When have I ever been mean?”

“Never,” George approves, pour a little brandy into a glass, “but you ignore it.”

“No.”

“You forgot about it,” George rectified. “It's the same.”

“Oh, and you pay so much attention to Nicholas.”

“Nicholas is in Eton. I can't possibly water it with attention from here.”

He held out brandy. Billie saw much less glass than George had.

“I didn't ignore it,” grumbled Billie. He does not like to be rebuked, especially by George Rokesby. Especially when the guy is right.

“It's okay,” said George, surprising Billie with her sudden good demeanor. “I'm sure things were different when Andrew wasn't home.”

“What does Andrew have to do with everything?”

George turned to her with an expression between shock and amusement. “Really?”

“I don't know what you're talking about.” What an annoying guy.

George gulped down his drink, then—without turning towards Billie— managed to cast a condescending gaze. “Supposed she married you and finished it.”

“What?” Billie's surprise wasn't made up. It's not about her getting married to Andrew. He always thought that one day he would marry that man. Or Edward. It doesn't matter which one; it's all the same. But that George said it that way…

Billie doesn't like it.

“I'm sure you're aware that Andrew and I don't have a deal,” he said, quickly regaining his balance.

George denied by rolling the eyeball. “You could have gotten worse.”

“Dia also.” reply Billie.

George chuckles. “True.”

“I will not marry Andrew,” Billie said. Not yet, at least. But if Andrew asks…

Maybe he will answer yes. That's what everyone expected.

George took a sip of the brandy, looking at Billie questioningly from above the edge of the glass.

“The last thing I want to do is get engaged to someone who is leaving,” Billie said, unable to let the atmosphere remain silent.

“Oh, I don't know,” says George seriously. “Many military wives follow their husbands. And you're braver than most women.”

“I like it here.”

“In my father's library?” knock that guy.

“In Kent,” replied Billie presumptuous. “At Aubrey Hall. I needed.”

George let out a condescending voice.

“Really!”

“I'm sure so.”

Billie's back is stiffening. If his ankle wasn't throbbing, he might have jumped to his feet. “You have absolutely no idea what my job is.”

“Please don't tell.”

“What?”

George shook his hand. “You have an expression on your face.”

“Expressions ap—”

“An expression that says you're going to start a very long lecture.”

Billie's mouth gaped in shock. Of all the arrogant and condescending things, then he saw the man's face. George enjoying!

Sure oes. George lives to piss Billie off. Like needles. Rusty and blunt needles.

“Oh, for God's sake, Billie,” the man leaned against the bookshelf while laughing softly. “Can't you accept the banter? I know you help your father from time to time.”

From time to time? Billie took care of the fucking place. Aubrey Hall will be destroyed without direction from him. His father could be said to have handed over the books to him, and the estate manager had long since stopped protesting for having to follow the orders of women. For all practical purposes, Billie was raised as her father's eldest son. Unless he can't inherit anything. And in the end Edmund will grow up, occupy the position he should. His sister was not stupid; she would learn to do what had to be done quite quickly, and when she succeeded, as Edmund showed the whole of Aubrey how capable she was, everyone would exhale a sigh of relief and say something like the rules of nature have been restored.

Billie would be an advantage.

Replaced.

The cash book will be slowly pulled from before him. No one would ask her to check the cottage or settle the dispute. Edmund will be the ruler of the manor, and Billie will be the elder sister, who is secretly pitied and ridiculed by the people.

Oh my God, maybe she should marry Andrew.

“Are you sure you're not sick?” ask George.

“I'm fine,” replied Billie stiffly.

George put his shoulders. “Suddenly you look a little sick.”

Suddenly Billie was feeling a bit sick. His future finally danced before him, and there was nothing bright and beautiful about it.

He spent the rest of his brenda.

“Be careful,” George warned, but Billie was coughing, not used to making her throat burn. “It's better to be gulped slowly,” the man added.

“I know,” growled Billie, realizing she sounded like an idiot.

“Of course,” muttered the man, then just like that Billie felt better. George Rokesby is back as a proud, proud man. Everything is back to normal. Or almost normal.

Pretty normal

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