𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐋𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐄.

there had been many days where he never imagined he would go down the line of attempting to court someone. ever since he took on the career of a boxer he swore that he would never attempt it. his vow only became much stronger when he took nova and her sister under his wing as much as they would let him. yet the second that the lady sharma came around he found himself taken by her beauty. she was a breath of fresh air in the ton and he didn't find himself put off by her like he did most. "the only thing that i would be doing now instead of accompanying your side would be making sure no one tries to make a pass on my ward who's not really my ward," he explained with a small huff at the thought of someone unworthy going near nova or her sister.

❝ how is one your ward, yet not really your ward ? ❞ she asked curiously, her daughters were her wards, and while kate was certainly not her blood, their relationship would prove otherwise. but she does not help but think she is thankful he doesn't take her words as a reason to leave, instead continues to speak. ❝ whatever the relationship, she is lucky to have such a fierce protector. ❞

" i truly am . " a soft sigh left the dark haired woman's lips as she relaxed into her mama's touch . it had been so long since kate had allowed for herself to truly relax and allow for someone else to look after her . " he sometimes makes me want to scream until i am hoarse but he brings me so much love and happiness . " her words are soft in the quietness of the room .

❝ you appa had much the same effect, he had such a way of aggravating me, but i would not of had it any other way. ❞ there was never an ounce of suspicion that the sharma's didn't love one another, mary had loved her husband so much, his death had broken her and it was only for her daughters that she continued on. ❝ and that is the best kind of love. ❞

" it has been quite a while since either of us have decided to grace the ton with our presence . " helena spoke kindly as she accepted the cup of tea from mary with a soft smile on her lips . " it would be nice to have a friend that understands to a certain degree what it is like to re-enter society with a daughter . after all , we both know how vicious the ladies in the ton can be . "

the words that helena spoke rang true, and she was ever so gratefully of the company the woman provided, especially that they had both returned with children, she thought edwina would be regarded as a scandal just as much as she had, but thankfully that had not been the case. ❝ the mamas are just a terrible, but thankfully kate seems to have taken over the title of the protector, how is ophelia settling in ? ❞

"i have to admit today turned out better then i thought it would, it did not lack in anything."

❝ the ton does have a funny way of ensuring that everything falls into place so well, i take it you enjoyed yourself ? ❞

merely seeing the smile on her mother's face is enough to pull a smile onto her lips. although her initial hesitation in returning to london, her mother seemed to be settling in well and for that, edwina was ceaselessly happy. "i did, indeed," she replied. "it was illuminating, to say the least," she added before asking. "and you, mama? did you enjoy the day?"

❝ illuminating ? ❞ she questions softly, though the smile does not leave her face, simply curious at her youngests choice of words. ❝ i did very much so, my sweet. i've seemed to forget what events are like here. ❞

freidrich smiled. he was slowly becoming familiar with edwina's family. he saw by how she talked about them, how important they were to her. if things progressed as they did between them, and marriage was indeed in the cards for them, then they would be his family too. he wanted them to like him, not as a prince, but as someone who cared for edwina. ❝i would yes, but the honor is all mine.❞ he had made the trip knowing edwina would be out. her older sister kate was a hard shell to crack, but he hoped if her mother liked him, she would see that his intentions with edwina were true.

his words were so kind, and mary was honoured to have a prince within the walls of her home, though, it was of course the danbury residence that had become her home since the return to england, and she couldn't thank the woman enough. ❝ if you've called for edwina, she and kate have occupied themselves down by the lakeside, i apologise they are not here to greet you. ❞ she admits honestly, after all, edwina has had nothing but sweet things to say of freidrich, and she had no doubts that it was edwina he had come for. ❝ if you'd like to wait for her, i could offer you some tea, and some cakes, they shouldn't be out long. ❞

"excuse me ma'am, i don't know if this is yours or not but this had fallen to the ground," he called out as he held the ribbon towards her.

she doesn't expect to be stopped, being all but shunned by her own parents left mary knowing that she could sneak through town practically unnoticed and she often did, but today was different, startled by the deep voice, mary turns and spots the ribbon she had sought for edwina. ❝ oh, thank you, i would of been looking for that for ages, thank you. ❞

"i truly am quite the lucky man, i'd say the luckiest in mayfair or even london alone." he added on with a small smile. "kate has wormed her way in and i will speak nothing but the best of her even when she is beyond aggravating and i want to lock her outside our future home," he jested softly. to have such approval from the sharma matriarch was truly a blessing, he thanked his lucky stars that he found such an amazing woman with a wonderful family. "i will treat her right and cherish her like the true jewel she is, even when she is cross with me and wishes not to even look at my face. though i do not know if you speak of yourself, miss edwina or even newton when you say those words."

❝ she has a way of doing such things. ❞ she would forever speak fondly of the girl who had become her daughter, after all, she had been the same robust eight year old when they had met. ❝ i know you will anthony, she would not have it any other way. ❞ she drops the titles, feeling unnecessary as they are to be family, soon enough. ❝ and you should keep it that way, while newton does have a nasty bite he is not the only one. ❞ she jested lightly.

"that is simply wonderful news, congratulations on the future weddings, " he stated with nothing but joy in his voice as he continued to listen. "ahh yes while the viscount has had an interesting past it pleases me to know that he has gained some happiness in this crazy mess, good on your daughter for taming him," pausing he shrugged slightly, "i do not know much about the prince though, but good for your youngest on making a fine match." with a nod he let out a chuckle, "i thank you for your good wishes for i will need them. they continue to look but neither wishes to settle just yet."

❝ many thanks. ❞ she chuckles, despite the reason them being back in london was for her own parents to see edwina marry, she had wanted the girls to have their own choices and not be forced like she had, that after had been her greatest mistake and her best decision. ❝ i am one of the lucky mamas, though i do fear that now that they are this far in, i am to be on my own. ❞ she jokes, despite the fear being something so real. ❝ boys will be boys, evidently a lot of the men around the ton aren't too interested in settling down early, i'm sure they'll find their matches. ❞

a soft smile tugs at her lips as she turns to face the familiar voice. "apologies, mama." she reaches forward for her mother's hand, "i do not wish to worry you." she takes in a breath and steps forward, feeling the chill of the night air for the first time tonight. "i wanted to consult the stars." with her appa on her mind, she redirects her glance back up to the sky. her mind is full of unanswered questions and while she sought comfort in the stars, it was not enough to satiate her curiosity.

❝ oh my sweet girl. ❞ she coos softly, taking her daughters hand and pulling her into her side. it was quiet, the stars their only light tonight and she was quick to wrap an arm around her. ❝ and what do the stars tell you, my love. ❞ she questions curiously, turning her eyes on the younger girl, part of her still wishing for their home in the small moments.

his eyes closed for a moment as he thought of the one who stole his heart and he could feel a smile crossing his lips. "i am, yes. she seemed to have wormed her way through the walls that i have built and i have come to the realization that i can't stand it without her," his words were simple and easy to speak, had one of asked him ages ago he would have clammed up and refused to utter a word. "i can promise you now that there will not be a day that i will cause her any discomfort or harm, she will be treated to the best of my abilities though i know she will give me a run for my money."

❝ you are a lucky man, anthony bridgerton, to have found love within my daughter. ❞ she almost congratulates the man with her smile. ❝ the way you speak of her reminds me of my late husband. ❞ she speaks fondly with a far away look over his shoulders, her heart clenches in her chest for a moment before she attempts to remove the sadness. ❝ your promises mean nothing unless you keep them, i believe that you will treat her right, but be careful where you tread, she is not the only one you'll have to watch for. ❞

"both of them courting? now that is exciting, congratulations on that," he stated before he paused, "courting men that i hope you do approve of, yes?" he could understand the nerves that came along with it. "i do have two sons, both of which are searching for their brides but they are taking their time i suppose. waiting until the right one comes along."

though the thought worries her, after all, they had very little. ❝ i do suppose i'll be subjected to two weddings in the coming future, i'm sure both my girls have made up their minds. ❞ she chuckles. ❝ i am but a mother prone to the whims of my daughters, the men they have chosen seem to be fine young men, the prince freidrich and viscount bridgerton. ❞ she muses. ❝ i am certain they will of course make their own decisions soon, and wish you all the good forturne in finding daughter in laws. ❞