The next day, Aurelia sat in silence as she drank her tea, Lady Bradford's lecture travelling through one ear and out the other, as she replayed the events of the evening before in her mind. If her mother had been there, then she really would have something to rant and rave about.

The audacity of Anthony Bridgerton was remarkable, absolutely flabergasting. His new title had clearly gone to his head, leading him to believe he could back any young woman into a corner - it was more of a door than a corner, really - and breath down their necks until they squirmed. Whoever taught him that was acceptable behaviour needed a stern talking to. Aurelia was left mortified by the whole situation, it was all she could think about the entire night as she tossed and turned.

"Do you understand the possible consequences of your actions, Aurelia?" Lady Bradford was finally able to tear her youngest daughter from her lingering thoughts.

Aurelia nodded her head, without the slightest clue of what her mother was talking about.

Lady Bradford let out a frustrated growl. "Men talk, Aurelia. And when men like Viscount Bridgerton speak, others listen."

"She's concerned about your reputation, sister," Evelyn sighed, bored of having to witness the too familiar exchange. She'd been on the receiving end of her mother's raves many a time before.

"Concerned?" Lady Bradford scoffed, bemused by her eldest daughter's ignorance. "'Concerned' is an understatement. I'd be shocked if half the ton wasn't already aware of your sister's mishap by now."

Their mother certainly did live in a constant whirlwind of dramatics. She had to think over every terrible outcome to prepare for the worst to happen. Sometimes, it made Aurelia wonder if she was actually willing it to occur.

Anthony wouldn't tell anyone, that she could be positive of. Her outburst in front of his family would be too embarrassing to tell, he wouldn't want to damage his 'admired by all' reputation.

In regards to her second apology, he needed to keep that one even more under wraps for the sake of both their futures. If anyone were to find out about their proximity in his office, Anthony would be publically shamed into marrying her, which was the very last thing Aurelia wanted. She'd dreamed of marrying someone she loved, not someone she loathed.

"He won't tell anyone, Mama," She sighed, placing her cup and saucer down.

"And what makes you so confident in that fact?" Lady Bradford narrowed her glare, highly intrigued by her answer.

Aurelia blinked, for a moment, lost for words. "I have faith that he will do the right thing. For both our futures."

Unless he desired to tarnish their names, he would do exactly that. Anthony Bridgerton was a selfish man, self-preservation was in his nature.

Lady Bradford let out a strained laugh. "Thank goodness the Viscount is a good man."

Aurelia forced a smile onto her face and nodded in agreement. Hopefully, the event would put an end to her mother's meddling to shackle her to the man for life, at least then something good would come out of it.

Suddenly, a saving grace interrupted the conversation in the form of a knock on the door.

"Come in," Lady Bradford called.

The butler entered, distressed, with a thin layer of sweat covering his forehead and cheeks. He looked like he could pass out at any moment.

"What is it?" Lady Bradford questioned, only concerned about the reason behind his dishevelment, rather than his state itself.

"It's Lord Bradford, my lady," He uttered, instantly filling their hearts with dread.

"What about him?" Evelyn pressed, her voice shaky with nerves.

The butler cleared his throat. "He has returned."

All three of them let out a huge sigh of relief, pleased to hear that his disarray hadn't come along with bad news.

Without a second's hesitation, the Bradford women raced out of the room, instructing for Athos to be fetched and brought outside, to welcome Lord Bradford and his son home.

Aurelia pushed open the front down and launched herself through the garden towards the gate, where a carriage had just pulled up to the side of the road. The door swung open and out stepped the very man she'd been dying to see. Before he'd even placed two feet on the ground, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Welcome home, father."

Seconds later, Evelyn joined them, with Athos trailing behind. "What took you so long?"

"Business in Manchester took a bit longer than anticipated," Lord Bradford smiled, happy to see his children once more.

"We are thrilled to have you back home," Lady Bradford called from the garden gate, "where you belong."

Lord Bradford strolled over, smiling at his wife, and placed a kiss on the side of her cheek. "I'm happy to be home."

"Who is going to fill me in on what we missed?" Marcus finally emerged from the carriage, leading him to be bombarded with hugs from his siblings.

Once he was able to wiggly free, he picked up Athos and sat him on his hip, as the family all made their way back in the house, chatting about the events of the past few weeks. Overjoyed to be a family once again.

-----

How her parents expected her to sleep after such a dramatic day was a mystery to Aurelia, and after three hours of trying, she finally gave in. She walked the corridors of her home, tracing her steps from the night they'd returned, heading towards the living room opposite her father's office.

To her surprise, it appeared Lord Bradford was awake too. The fireplace light flickered through the open doorway, as sounds of pen scratching against paper echoed out. Aurelia knocked on the door, seeking company.

"Aurelia," Lord Bradford lifted his head from his work, "you should be in bed."

"I couldn't sleep," She said, lurking in the doorway. "Have you spoken to Mama?"

"Not much," He placed down his quill and gestured for her to take a seat on the opposite side of his desk, "but she did manage to tell me about your altercation with Viscount Bridgerton."

Aurelia sighed. "I thought she might."

"She said you called him an arse." He arched his brow. Aurelia didn't respond. "Did he deserve it?"

"Yes." She nodded. Terribly.

"Good," Lord Bradford relaxed back into his chair, "you need to stand up to ghastly morons like him."

Aurelia smiled, pleased she and her father were on the same page when it came to Anthony Bridgerton. At least she had someone on her side.

"Maybe next time, though," He quickly added, "don't do it in front of his whole family. The Bridgertons are well respected in the ton, we need them as allies."

A small frown cut into her forehead. "Need?" Why would we need anything from them? She thought, We are a strong family ourselves.

"A poor choice of words," He clarified as he leant forwards on his desk, brushing it off ever so casually. "How are you enjoying the season, so far?"

Aurelia knew he was deflecting from the conversation, but she decided not to challenge him. "It's...interesting."

"Has anyone caught your eye?" He wondered.

She'd been too distracted sparing with Anthony to even notice the other suitors that London had to offer. "Not as such." She replied, "Mama was pushing me towards the Viscount, but I think she has given up on that idea now."

"That, she has," Lord Bradford agreed. At least she knows she would now no longer be forced to endure Bridgerton's company, it was a huge relief. "I will talk to my friends at the club, see if I can produce anything. But don't worry, you will be wed by the end of the season, I am certain of it."

"Thank you, father," Aurelia smiled, pleased to hear it. With her father's help, she was sure that things would move a lot quicker than when she arrived. Maybe Lady Danbury was right, she would hear wedding bells in the near future.

"Now, off to bed. You'll need some rest after the hectic days you've had." He instructed her, able to laugh at the situation - unlike his wife who was still seething.

She nodded, but knew that her attempts would come to no avail. She wouldn't get a second of sleep with the niggling voice in the back of her mind, questioning what he'd really been up to in Manchester. Ever since Evelyn questioned the legality of his business, she'd not been able to put it from her mind.

Before she stood up, she said, "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything, Aurelia," He replied.

"What business did you have out in Manchester?" She questioned.

For a moment, Lord Bradford remained silent. Aurelia didn't break her gaze, and waited patiently for his answer.

Clearing his throat, he finally replied, "Nothing thrilling. In fact, it was rather boring, actually. Just accounts."

She wasn't buying that for a second. He'd never hidden his work from her before, no matter how uninteresting he believed it was. So, why now? What did he have to hide?

"I am glad you and Marcus are home," She said, concealing her hurt. She would figure out a way to unveil his secret, no doubt Evelyn would be eager to help too. They would get to the bottom of it, even if it confirmed their worst fears.