❝ i would welcome a drink. not so much rough picnic date, but just a rough day. so how about you join me for that drink ? ❞

an amused look graced clara's face as she poured the gentleman a glass of whiskey and offered it out to him . " this should cure your rough day , " they mused . " i would love to but i can not drink whilst working . "

"if i had of known that entering the social season and the courting life would have been this exhausting i probably would have asked my mother if we could have waited another year or two."

a chuckle left their lips as clara focused her attention on the young woman before her . " even if you had waited a year or two , it would have been as equally exhausting . participating in the season will always be exhausting . "

clara made a non-committal hum underneath her breath as they observed the scene before them . " do not fret . you were not the only one who did not submit a basket . " their tone was kind as she glanced around the makeshift tent where the barmaid had been providing beveridges all day . the need for money was greater than the need to submit a basket . " if it makes you feel better , i have seen a few fights between gentlemen ? "

anthony could feel a small blush crossing his cheeks as he gave her a small shrug, "i suppose you could say that it would have a little something to do with that," he confessed as his lips curled. "thank you for your kind words, i am excited to see where this road will lead," pausing he felt his brows frown for a moment, "yes my little brother does seem to have things in a mess," he sighed softly. he wished he could do more for colin but at the same time he felt it best to keep his distance.

a soft laugh left their lips as clara shot the viscount an amused look . it was easy to deduce that miss kate sharma was the reason behind the lord's mood . " i wish the both of you a very fruitful and happy life before you . " the barmaid made a noise of acknowledgement at the male's words , " sometimes we make a bigger mess of things than we intend to when it comes to the people we love . "

"let us hope that i will not do so with any potential cooking either," he shot back with a playful sigh. from one small interaction to this, sebastian had to admit that he was glad he came across them, that they snuck their way into his life so easily and fit so well. "as if i would desire to be stuck with anyone else," he spoke softly as he pulled clara into a soft and tender kiss, "though i do have to ask, is it your dream to marry or do you desire a simply partnership?" he questioned softly for he would hate to make a fool of himself.

" i suppose i will have to keep up my prayers to a higher power , " the barmaid could not help but jest as they wrapped their arms around sebastian's neck . " how very fortunate for me , " clara mused before she melted into his embrace as she matched his kiss with ease . a small whine left their lips as he pulled away from her , " i always thought that i did not wish to ever marry again but everything changed with you . i could not see myself being anyone else's wife but yours . "

"do not feel too enchanted by my words for i fear that whatever i attempt to prepare for you could actually kill you," he jested softly, trying to find humour in his own embarrassment, "i have not been known to be a cook but have always been willing to learn." it was their next words that made his heart skip a beat as he reached up and cupped their cheek softly, "hope you know this means you're stuck with me forever, ring or no ring."

" we both know you would never cause harm to me voluntarily , " she mused with a small grin on her lips as their hand cupped his cheek . clara never thought that from their first interaction , they would end up here . he had managed to find his way into their heart . " you'll be relieved to know that i would not want it any other way . for you are stuck with me . "

anthony gave a small chuckle and shrugged his shoulders, "it would seem that i have taken a page from my little brothers book and decided to enjoy myself some," pausing he gave her a wide grin and rolled his eyes, "though just not as freely." taking the glass in his hand he took a small sip and let the liquid burn on it's way down. "that's good to hear, so long as no one is bothering you though. i've been good actually, quite happy or happy enough that my siblings have noticed and commented on it."

" would this have something to do with you and a certain eldest miss sharma ? " clara jested with a slight grin on her mouth . they had heard all about the viscount and his love for the newly arrived lady . " i am glad to see you happy , lord bridgerton . if anyone deserves it , it is you . perhaps it is time for your younger brother to also be happy . he was in that exact spot the other night drowning his sorrows , "

walking into the building he moved to take a seat at the counter and gave the other a small grin, "hello clara, how have you been?"

the barmaid raised an single eyebrow in slight amusement , " lord bridgerton . have you and your brother changed personalities ? " they jested lightly as she poured the male a glass of whiskey . " i have been well . the gentlemen of the ton keep me busy with their business . how have you been ? "

it was rare to find someone who held the same ideals, held the same mind set, someone who understood it all and didn't push or rush for silly things. "i would say that i would be sure to make more trips to your establishment, perhaps attempt to prepare you dinner or something, i honestly don't know," pausing he grinned sheepishly, "but what i do know is that should you have me clara chen i am yours."

" you would prepare me a dinner ? you truly know how to make a woman feel special . " clara could not help but parrot curiously at sebastian's words . they were certain that they had never had a gentleman offer to prepare a meal for them before . something about it warmed her heart . " and i am yours . " the dark haired woman's words were ernst and true . they could never imagine being someone else's but sebastian's .

" you're not good enough for her ? " the barmaid enquired curiously as they raised a single eyebrow in slight confusion . the male before her was handsome and seemed to come from a reputable family in scotland . why would he not be good enough for the woman he spoke about ? " i am assuming you feel as such due to your reputation around the ton ? "

"i would say that i would not mind one single but," pausing he took in a deep breath to calm the wild beating of his heart. "what if i were to admit that you have become the first thought when i wake and the last when sleep claims me? what if i were to admit that i wished to see more of you than these fleeting moments?" sebastian asked softly as he glanced down at them, nothing but pureness within his gaze.

the look that was in sebastian's eyes reflected back to him in their own eyes . clara had never expected to find someone that made them feel in such a way , to feel like they could walk on water , their head up in the clouds . " what if i were to say that i wish to see you more as well ? these fleeting moments have been cherished but i find myself longing for more of you . i have never longed for someone like i do for you . "

their giggle was like music to his ears as he stood there, grinning down at them. "well now that truly is a kick to the stomach now isn't it?" sebastian shot back with a playful sigh. "it would seem that you have bewitched me for even if you were to give into my every desire i would still find myself coming back to you, it as if i can't get you out of my mind," he mused softly but honesty laced within his words.

never had clara ever had someone affect them as much as sebastian seemed to do . it was every touch , every word spoke in their direction felt like butterflies were flying in her stomach . " what if i was to admit to you that i do not wish for me to ever leave your mind ? what if i said that i want to be the first thought you have each morning and the last thought before you close your eyes to sleep ? "

" and do you think you sitting here and avoiding her would fan the flames of her doubt and fears ? " the dark haired barmaid countered , arms crossed over their chest . the question was rhetorical ; after all , they both knew the answer would be yes . " miss penelope is a friend of mine . i may not be close to her like you are but i do know that she would rather you be there with her than hiding at the bottom of a glass . "