#Eloise bridgerton

[alewritesfics]

Bridging realities

����𝕴𝕴. 𝕭𝖗𝖎𝖉𝖌𝖎𝖓𝖌....𝖗𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖑𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘

Pairing: Anthony Bridgerton x fem!reader

Word count: 4.6k

Warnings: unedited, slow burn, eventual smut/ spicy scenes, some angst but happy ending, playful banter

Hehehehe

⏮️                ⏸️                  ⏭️

You would be lying if you said you weren’t worried.

It was now the time where Anthony invited the Sharma family over to Aubrey Hall before the ball, it wouldn’t have upset you, if it wasn’t also the time which truly cemented the start of Kate and Anthony’s love story.

With Edwina, you didn’t have to worry much, which sounded cruel, but it’s written that Anthony, under no circumstances, ends up with her, both in the series and in the books, but Kate?

Kate is his destiny. And you have tried so hard to change that destiny but what if their love is so strong that it overcomes any brief affections that Anthony feels for someone else? Aubrey Hall was where they fell in love. And you hope, hope, hope, that you have gotten under Anthony’s skin so much that changes that.

You sighed as you step out of the featherington manor, slightly fed up with their daily ocurrences, you mean, seriously? Portia now is trying to get Prudence to catch cousin Jack’s attention, ew.

Your eyes brighten up as you saw the Bridgerton family getting their luggages on the carriages to leave, catching sight of one Bridgerton in particular. You walked over, crossing the street.

“Ah, Y/n, came to see us off?” Eloise said as she saw you coming over

You smiled “Yes, I didn’t know you were leaving so early”

“yes, well, we like to spend a few days in Aubrey Hall to rest before the ton arrives” Lady Bridgerton said as she approached us “lovely to see you, dear, you are coming to the ball with Penelope, yes?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for anything” you answered, she smiled at you, heading over to continue packing

You looked behind you before walking towards Anthony “Why are you all leaving so early?” you asked, even though you already knew the answer

“Ah, well, mother wanted to relax for a few days,” he said “and….we- uh- we invited the Sharmas over” you turned to look at him

“The Sharmas?” you say “Whatever for?”

“That is what one does when you are courting a lady” Anthony cleared his throat

You hide your wince “So….it is official then?” you asked before huffing “her sister is against you! Why are you still so stubb-“

Anthony exhaled sharply, turning toward you with a look that made your stomach tighten. His usual mask of indifference had cracked, revealing something raw beneath it—frustration, maybe even anger.

“Why do you always say that?” he demanded, his voice sharp.

You blinked. “Say what?”

“That I should give up,” he snapped. “Every time, without fail, you insist that I should walk away. Why? Why do you care so much about whether I pursue Miss Edwina or not?”

You hesitated, your throat tightening. “Because it’s obvious that this is a mistake, Anthony.”

“A mistake?” he repeated, stepping closer. “What do you know of mistakes? What do you know of me?”

Your breath hitched. The space between you was too small now, the tension too thick. “I know that you are stubborn,” you said, your voice quieter but no less firm. “I know that you think you can force yourself into a life that does not suit you, simply because it is what you should do.”

Anthony let out a bitter laugh. “And what would you have me do, Y/N? Follow passion? Risk everything for something that will only lead to ruin?”

“Ruin?” Your voice rose, your frustration boiling over. “Is that what you think love is? Ruin?”

His jaw clenched. “Love is unpredictable. It is reckless. I have seen what it does to a man, what it did to my mother. It destroyed my mother when he died.” He took a shuddering breath, as if the admission had slipped from him unwillingly. “I will not let it destroy me.”

Your heart ached. “Anthony…”

“No,” he cut you off, shaking his head. “I do not have the luxury of love, Y/N. I have a duty—to my family, to my title. I cannot afford to be selfish.”

Your fingers curled Into your palms. “And you think marrying Edwina will spare you from love? That if you choose someone who does not make your heart race, you will be safe?”

Anthony’s breath was unsteady, and for a moment, he looked at you as if you had struck him. And maybe, in a way, you had.

“You think you know everything,” he said finally, his voice quieter, but no less intense. “You think you see me so clearly, but you don’t. You can’t.”

Your lips parted, but he wasn’t done.

“I am tired, Y/N.” His voice was ragged, exhausted in a way you had never heard before. “Tired of fighting what is expected of me. Tired of feeling like I am being pulled in a direction I cannot control.” His eyes locked onto yours, dark and stormy. “And you—you only make it worse.”

You inhaled sharply, your chest tightening. “Anthony…” you scoffed “W-what I do? How am I making it worse?”

Anthony let out a humorless laugh, shaking his head as he stepped back from you. “You truly don’t see it, do you?”

Your pulse quickened at the way he was looking at you now—like you were the very thing unraveling him, like you were the storm he hadn’t accounted for.

“I don’t understand,” you admitted, your voice quieter now, hesitant.

Anthony exhaled sharply, running a hand over his face as though he were attempting to physically push away whatever war raged inside him. “You tell me to give up,” he muttered, voice low but edged with something dangerous. “You tell me to walk away from Edwina as if it is the simplest thing in the world. And yet—you stand here, looking at me like this, speaking to me like this-”

He cut himself off, shaking his head.

You swallowed hard, forcing yourself to hold his gaze. “Like what?”

His jaw clenched. “Like you care.”

Your breath hitched.

“I do care,” you said, barely above a whisper.

Anthony’s laugh was sharp, almost bitter. “Then why are you trying so hard to push me away? To tell me this—her—is a mistake?”

Your heart pounded against your ribs, and suddenly the truth—your truth—was clawing at your throat, desperate to be spoken.

But you couldn’t.

Because if you told him, if you let those words slip past your lips, then there would be no going back.

So instead, you steeled yourself, meeting his gaze head-on. “Because you don’t love her,” you said. “And she deserves someone who does.”

Anthony flinched. For the first time, he faltered, his expression slipping into something vulnerable, something unguarded.

And then, just as quickly as it came, it was gone.

He straightened, inhaling sharply as he pulled himself back together, as he rebuilt the walls you had nearly knocked down.

“I have already made my decision,” he said finally, voice cool, detached.

You nodded, forcing a tight smile even as your chest ached. “Then I hope, for your sake, that you don’t come to regret it.”

Anthony stared at you for a moment longer, something unreadable flickering in his gaze. But then he stepped back, a finality in his movement, and turned away.

“I have to go,” he said abruptly, stepping back. The cold distance between you was sudden, suffocating.

And just like that, he turned, walking away without another word.

You stood there, heart pounding, hands trembling at your sides.

You had pushed him. Too far, maybe. But deep down, you finally knew—.

You rolled your eyes as you saw the viscount sat on one of the tables with Miss Edwina.

After you had arrived on Aubrey Hall, the first thing you did was look around for him. Honestly, you were starting to sound and look like a stalker but you can’t help it. It certainly doesn’t help that now that you both were fighting, there was a big chance that his affections changed towards Kate after what you think, but hopefully not, happened these last three days that they were in each other’s presence.

“ah, good, Y/n, you’re here” you heard him say from behind, you turned to look at him, surprised that he was speaking to you after the little fight you both had “i-I almost got into a little squabble with Miss Sharma over there but fortunately your presence served as a distraction. I did after all have to show my friend around”

You looked at him unamused. Why is he pretending he didn’t act like a total jerk a few days ago?

He sighed once he saw your expression “I apologize….for the fight we had” he said “I know I acted like a jerk and shouldn’t have gotten angry with you and if I hurt your feelings…I am truly sorry”

You swallowed “Thank you for your apology” you say “and…I apologize as well. I should not put my nose into things that aren’t my business”

“no, no, I-I get that you are worried, like one gets for a friend” he tried to wave off your apologies “am I wrong?”

You shook your head “not at all” you deny, finally feeling happy “Tell me then, what did I serve as a distraction for?”

He looked behind him before looking at you once again “I almost got into a squabble with Miss Sharma, over hunting” he answered “Miss Edwina suggested she goes along with us men as we hunt and I denied the suggestion. It is very inappropriate for a woman to join a bunch of men. Luckily, before the fight could progress, I saw you and decided to come over, ending the squabble”

You hummed as you took one of the drinks nearby on a table “I take it Miss Sharma is going along then?” you tried to ask nonchalantly, fighting off the ugly feeling on your chest

“She is” He nodded,

your heart sunk “oh”

“but I’m not”

Your eyes went wide, looking up at him shocked “What?” he-he steered of the script

“Yes, I should stay behind, act as a good host and show my friend around, should I not?”

You stared at him, lips slightly parted, searching his face for any indication that he was jesting. But Anthony, ever the Viscount, ever the picture of control, simply held your gaze with a steady intensity that made your stomach twist.

“I—” You faltered, unsure how to respond. This wasn’t supposed to happen. He was supposed to go with them. He was supposed to go with Kate. And yet, here he was, choosing to stay behind. With you.

A slow, almost teasing smirk ghosted across his lips. “What?” he asked, tilting his head. “You seem surprised.”

You shook your head quickly, forcing yourself to snap out of it. “No, I— I just thought that you were rather set on the idea of hunting.”

“I was,” he admitted, shifting slightly closer. “Until I realized that I had far more pressing matters to attend to.”

Your heartbeat stuttered. “And what matters would those be?”

Anthony exhaled, eyes searching yours. “You, for one.”

Your breath caught. “Me?”

“Yes, you.” His voice was lower now, softer. “You were rather displeased with me before I left for Aubrey Hall. And though I cannot say I am entirely undeserving of such displeasure, I find myself unwilling to let it linger.”

You swallowed hard. “Anthony, we already apologized to each other—”

“Yes, but apologies do not erase things,” he said, cutting you off gently. “And I do not wish for us to… linger in whatever this is.”

You stared at him, heart hammering. What is this?

You had spent so much time convincing yourself that he was so stubborn, completely sticking to the script. But here he was, deviating from what was supposed to happen, his attention solely on you.

You cleared your throat, trying to mask the emotions swirling inside you. “And how do you propose we do that?”

Anthony considered you for a moment before offering you his arm. “Come,” he said. “Let me show you Aubrey Hall properly. The hunting party will be gone for hours. That gives us plenty of time.”

You hesitated. Every fiber of your being was screaming at you that this was wrong, but then you met his gaze again—earnest, unwavering.

Slipping your arm through his, you let him lead you away.

Anthony led you through the vast grounds of Aubrey Hall, his arm steady beneath your hand as he guided you through the sprawling gardens, the perfectly trimmed hedges, and the grand hallways adorned with family portraits. A maid trailed behind, ensuring propriety was maintained, but Anthony hardly seemed to notice her presence.

He showed you the rose garden first, boasting about how his mother spent years cultivating each variety. Then, the old oak tree by the pond, where he claimed Colin had nearly drowned himself as a child by foolishly trying to walk across a too-thin layer of ice.

“You mean to tell me that Colin was not born with the wisdom of a man who has traveled the world?” you teased, grinning up at him.

Anthony let out a soft chuckle. “Far from it. If you had seen half of the things that boy has attempted, you would wonder how he survived this long.”

You laughed, enjoying the rare moment of lightheartedness between you.

After a few more stops—including the stables, where he let you pet his horse, and the drawing room, where he and his siblings often played games—the two of you eventually found yourselves at the library.

“This,” Anthony declared as he opened the heavy doors, “is the most impressive room in the house. And before you say anything, yes, I am aware that I sound like a self-important fool, but I take great pride in it. My father’s library”

You stepped inside, taking in the sight of towering bookshelves, leather-bound volumes lining the walls from floor to ceiling. The scent of aged paper and polished wood filled the air.

“Impressive indeed,” you admitted, running your fingers lightly over the spines of some books as you walked past them.

Anthony watched you with amusement. “Do you read much?”

You scoffed. “Of course, I do. What else is a lady supposed to do when avoiding dreadful suitors?”

He smirked. “And yet, you seem to enjoy my company well enough.”

“Are you a suitor?” You gave him a pointed look. “You are tolerable at best, my lord.”

Anthony clutched his chest dramatically. “You wound me.”

You rolled your eyes, reaching for a book. “Tell me, which is your favorite?”

He hesitated for a moment before stepping toward one of the shelves and pulling out a well-worn volume. “i-I don’t read much” he said, handing it to you.

You raised a brow. “Ah, yes, Why does that not surprise me?” you let out a chuckle

Anthony smirked. “And what of you? Let me guess—some romantic nonsense filled with foolish declarations of love?”

You huffed, shoving the book back into his hands before looking around the bookshelves, seeing if the book you were thinking about was there, you grinned when you saw it, plucking another from the shelf. “Much Ado About Nothing,” you said proudly.

His brows lifted. “A comedy?”

“A brilliant one,” you corrected. “Filled with wit, mischief, and people who bicker so much that they do not realize they are in love.”

Anthony let out a low chuckle. “How fitting.”

You narrowed your eyes. “And what exactly do you mean by that”

He merely grinned, stepping closer. “Nothing at all, my dear friend. Nothing at all.”

You glared at him but felt your lips twitch. There was something almost easy about this moment—something that made your chest warm despite the cool air of the library.

For the first time since arriving at Aubrey Hall, you let yourself enjoy his company without overthinking what it meant. Without thinking of Kate. Without thinking of fate.

Just him. Just you.

And, for now, that was enough.

Anthony leaned against the edge of a bookshelf, watching you with an expression that sent a strange flutter through your chest. You ignored it, running your fingers over the spine of Much Ado About Nothing.

“You know,” you mused, tilting your head to look at him, “if I recall correctly, Benedict once told me that you were hopeless when it came to Shakespeare. But now that you have told me you don’t read much, I believe that.”

Anthony scoffed. “Benedict is an insufferable know-it-all.”

You smirked. “So it is true, then?”

“I never said that,” he countered, crossing his arms.

You tapped a finger against the book. “Alright then, my lord, if you are not hopeless, you should have no trouble quoting something from this play.”

Anthony’s eyes flickered with amusement. “You expect me to perform like a fool?”

“Oh, I would never ask you to do something you are incapable of,” you teased, watching as his lips parted in mock offense.

“You are a menace,” he muttered.

“And yet, you choose to spend the afternoon in my company,” you countered, taking a step closer.

Anthony sighed as if he were put upon, but there was a glint of something softer in his gaze as he finally relented. “Fine,” he said, rubbing a hand over his jaw. He cleared his throat, straightened his posture, and then, with the most dramatic flourish imaginable, he declared:

“I do love nothing in the world so well as you. Is not that strange”

Your breath caught.

The words, though Shakespeare’s, did not feel like a jest. Not when spoken like that—not when his voice softened at the end, not when his dark eyes held yours so intently.

The air between you shifted.

You swallowed, forcing out a scoff to break the tension. “Well, that is certainly an interpretation.”

Anthony smirked, but there was something else behind it—something unreadable. “Is it?”

You refused to let your mind wander to what that something might mean. Instead, you turned back to the shelf, hoping that he could not see the warmth creeping up your cheeks. “We should return before your mother starts to wonder if I have stolen her son away.”

Anthony hesitated for half a second before nodding. “Yes, of course.”

You turned to leave, but just as you reached the doorway, he spoke again.

“Y/N?”

You glanced over your shoulder.

Anthony was still standing in the same spot, looking at you like he was trying to figure something out. After a moment, he simply shook his head, exhaling through his nose. “Nothing,” he murmured. “Let us go.”

But as you walked back to the rest of the party, you could not shake the feeling that whatever he almost said would have changed everything.

The day went by like a flash, and before you knew it, it was already the evening of the next day, the ball taking place.

You had watched as Anthony danced with Edwina two times on a row before heading over to grab a drink. You walked after him, your steps determined.

“two dances on a row? How scandalous” you teased as you got close to him

He chuckled as he turned to face you “yes, well, what can I say? I’m a rebellious man”

You chuckled “Well, I’m sure this rebellious man would like to take me for a spin on the dance floor now? He has already shared two dances with the lady, a third one is plain inappropriate” you stated

“Just say you wish to dance” He smirked “I certainly will not deny you”

You laughed as he held out his hand and put your own on top of his, your gaze went behind him, catching the figures of Edwina and Kate, both confused on why Anthony didn’t go back to them. You held back your triumphant gaze, letting Anthony lead you to the floor.

God, you were petty.

You both stood facing each other as the music started, bowing before you started to dance. Honestly, you were surprised your body acted unconsciously, dancing along to everyone else, but after watching this particular scene so many times (ahem, ‘I am a gentleman’, ‘tell me you feel nothing and I will walk away’ jajfsjsuiejshsjsnsnsgwiwm) you had memorized the dance already.

You looked around the room as Anthony twirled you around, your heart beating fast as you remembered that tomorrow was the day in which Anthony proposed to Edwina in the series.

No matter how hard you have been trying to steer Anthony off of his choice, he is so stubborn that he isn’t completely off the idea, meaning that you haven’t managed to make him change his mind completely.

Still, you aren’t completely unaware that you haven’t changed things because you have, you have noticed many things that Anthony has done that are completely different from the show, and although you are happy about that, it still isn’t enough.

You turned back towards Anthony, your eyes flickering between his eyes, “Don’t marry her,” you blurt out without thinking.

Anthony’s eyes widened in surprise “What?” he asked shocked.

Your face froze as you registered your own words before you swallowed and decided to speak out “Edwina. Don’t marry her” you say once again, this time confidently.

Anthony’s hands let go of you as the music stopped “Y/n, you cannot ask that of me”

“Anthony-“ you start to say.

“No,” he said in disbelief before he shook his head and marched off.

You let out a sigh, your eyes unconsciously turning towards where Edwina was with Kate, both of their eyes already looking in your direction, Edwina’s filled with innocent confusion, but it was the look in Kate’s that made your heart stop. Realization.

You shook it off before walking off towards where Anthony went, already knowing that he went towards his study. You entered the study, stopping for a second at the door before deciding to impulsively lock it.

“Anthony-“ You called out, watching as he paced by his desk.

“You cannot ask that of me” He said once again, angrily.

“Yes, I can-“

“No!”

“Yes, I can, and I will!” You snapped walking towards him “Don’t ask her to marry you” you said calmly this time.

He stopped and turned to look at you, “I have to” he swallowed, his eyes furiously flickering between yours, searching.

You shook your head “No, Why are you so hell bent on marrying out of duty?” You asked desperate “Anthony, you are as deserving of love as any one of us and it pains me that you do not see it, why can’t you see it?”

“Love isn’t in my plans” He denied “I have told you many times”

“But it can be,” you stated, walking even closer “I know why you so fervently deny it to yourself, but I am sure that if you asked your mother, she would do it all over again just for the feeling of loving your father, for the feeling of experiencing love in it’s finest glory, no matter how painful it turned out”

“And- and if you still think you will end up the same, I am sure your wife, who you marry for love, will be grateful that she at least got the chance to experience your love” You say “….I know I would”

“Y/n….” He said painfully, turning to face his desk, resting his hands on it.

“You feel it too,” you murmured “You cannot deny it, I’ve seen it in your eyes. Anthony-“

“Stop,” he growled, making you freeze, thinking he was done with the conversation “stop, stop saying my name like that”

You let out a breath, your heart starting to beat faster and faster “Anthony-“

Before you could react, he had stood up, grabbing your hand and caging you between the desk and his body.His breath was uneven, his dark eyes locked on yours with an intensity that sent a shiver down your spine.

“Do you know what you’re doing to me?” Anthony whispered, his voice low and raw, as though it pained him to speak the words aloud.

You swallowed hard, your pulse hammering in your ears. “I… I only speak the truth, Anthony.”

He closed his eyes briefly, as if trying to compose himself, but when they opened again, they were blazing. “The truth? The truth is that you’ve undone me. Ever since you walked into my life, you’ve made me question everything I’ve ever known. Duty, logic, responsibility—they all crumble the moment I’m near you.”

“Anthony…” Your voice was barely above a whisper as you placed a hand on his chest. His heart was pounding as fiercely as yours, and it only made you braver. “You don’t have to choose between love and duty. You can have both.”

His hand tightened on yours, and for a moment, you thought he might give in. But then, he released you abruptly and took a step back, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

“I can’t,” he said, his voice strained. “Do you think I don’t want to? Do you think I haven’t imagined it? But my family depends on me. I cannot afford to be selfish.”

“Selfish?” you echoed, incredulous. “Anthony, marrying someone you don’t love isn’t selfless. It’s cruel. To you, to her, to everyone involved. You deserve happiness, and so does she.”

He turned to look at you again, his expression torn between longing and despair. “And what of you? What are you asking of me?"

Your breath hitched. The question hung heavily in the air, the weight of it pressing down on both of you. You didn’t know if you could say it, if you had the courage to lay your heart bare. But then, you realized you already had.

“I’m asking you to choose love,” you said softly. “To choose me.”

For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Anthony stared at you, his jaw tight, his eyes filled with a storm of emotions you couldn’t decipher.

His gaze flickered between your eyes and your lips. “You don’t know what you’re asking of me,” he said again, his voice breaking slightly. “You don’t know what it’s like to carry this weight.”

“Then let me carry it with you,” you said, your voice trembling with emotion. “Let me stand by your side. Anthony, you don’t have to do this alone.”

His hands tightened on the desk, his knuckles white. For a moment, you thought he might finally give in, that he might finally let down the walls he’d built around himself.

But then he shook his head, his expression hardening. “No,” he said, his voice firm but hollow. “This cannot happen. I will not allow it.”

“Why?” you demanded, tears stinging your eyes. “Why are you so determined to push me away?”

“Because if I don’t,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper, “I won’t be able to stop.”

Before you could respond, his lips crashed against yours, the kiss desperate and full of the emotions he’d been trying so hard to suppress. His hands moved to your waist, pulling you flush against him as though he couldn’t bear the thought of any space between you.

It was overwhelming, intoxicating, and you found yourself clinging to him, your hands tangling in his hair as you poured everything you felt into that kiss.

But just as quickly as it began, Anthony pulled away, his breathing ragged as he stepped back, leaving you cold and disoriented.

“This has to stop,” he said, his voice cracking. “I can’t—I won’t”

“Anthony—” you began, reaching for him.

“No,” he interrupted, his tone final. “I cannot give you what you want. And you… you deserve far more than I can offer.”

And with that, he turned and left, leaving you standing there, your heart shattered and your mind reeling.

You lost.

That was the only thing you thought as you sunk down on the floor, burying your face in your hands as your tears fell.

⏮️                ⏸️                  ⏭️

Taglist:

@talkativecarnation

@imafangirlofeverything

@stopeatread

@smartiepants217

@magical-spit

@ifilwtmfc

@kitkat27

@electronicexpertshark

@annareidprofiler

@zestygingergirl

@noirrose21-blog

@ericityyy

@neenieweenie

@syraxnyra

[awkward-sultana]

(Almost) Every Costume Per Episode + Eloise Bridgerton's blue gown and spencer in 2x07

[didanagy]

BRIDGERTON (2020-)

ELOISE BRIDGERTON

3.08

[corporalicent]

ELOISE BRIDGERTON & THEO SHARPE

The worst is over. I have seen him. We have been once more in the same room. A bow, a curtsy, I heard his voice and then, he was gone. Once there were no two hearts so open, no feelings so in harmony, but now we're strangers. Worse than strangers, for we may never become acquainted. —Persuasion, Jane Austen.

insp

[summerpearlgirl]

Eloise strikes me more as "gifted", than autistic. Giftedness is a neurodiversity with a social-emotional and learning difference.

Eloise demonstrates rapid comprehension, fascination with theory, early concern with existential issues, needing intellectual stimulation/mental challenges, interest driven, preference for logical fairness, preference for precision in expression, divergent thinking, intense curiosity, and easily bored. And she seems to also have ADHD too because of her impulse control differences. But this is just personal head canon, everyone is free to theorise about these fictional characters however they like.

The main point is that I agree with OP that Bridgerton fans need to give teenage girls more grace and empathy. Let them be teenage girls. Let them have character flaws, make mistakes and say the wrong thing. I am glad Eloise had so many character flaws in S3 because I want her character development to start in S4 and blossom in S5 (🤞 she learns to punch up rather than down).

I am the most nervous about Eloise's season. I want to see her need for intellectual stimulation be honoured and for Phillip to accept her impulsivity and logical brain completely, without her having to give these parts of herself up. Bridgerton also need to properly address Eloise's PTSD from Violet giving birth to Hyacinth. Plus I hope the way the Bridgerton Brothers gang up on Phillip is comedic, and not icky.

Eloise is not a pick me girl (which is a tired insult frequently used to invalidate the feelings of neurodivergent women in vulnerable moments when they make bids for connection by expressing their frustrations of feeling different). Eloise publicly rejected an eligible suitor in S2 at the Aubrey Hall Hearts & Flowers Ball when he insulted her entire gender by saying she was better than other women.

Eloise does not hate women. She hates the choices she is personally being offered. Which are better choices than the choices available to working class woman or Penelope, but are still worse than the choices her brothers have. Her anger is valid.

We should all be angry when a woman has less choices and a substantial chance of pain/death in childbirth due to her gender alone.

while I'm yapping eloise bridgerton haters are so funny because they are so enraged by the idea of autistic teenager not wanting to go along with expectations and the idea of a woman in general not wanting to get married off to some random guy that they come out with shit like "well have you considered that the marriage mart was empowering, actually?"

[darlinglittlemeg]

Idk if this has been done yet-

[kat-rose-griffith]

Colin being all protective and “I will fix it for you” then coming back like “well I’ve actually made it so much worse” in true bridgerton fashion. I know it’s a serious situation but, absolutely hilarious

[summerpearlgirl]

John "I'm not good with words" Stirling delivering a killer wedding speech. He is good with words when given the time to script it beforehand! I love that Bridgerton made it clear that John was terrible at small talk and then hit us with this beautiful speech. It shows his autistic strengths of pattern recognition, empathy and scripting. Neutral autistic representation is so important. Autism is not a tragedy or cringe, and it is not a superpower either, it has strengths and challenges.

“Lady Bridgerton, I see your openness in Benedict.”

“Your charm in Colin”

“Your wisdom in Eloise”

“And a brightness you have instilled in both Gregory and Hyacinth”

[myladyrey]

how i'm sleeping tonight knowing colin and penelope are happily married with a healthy baby, benedict and francesca are bi, kate and anthony are going to india to visit edwina and give birth to their baby (and maybe already have since penelope has), eloise is friends with penelope again and going to see more of the world as she wanted, francesca is on her honeymoon with john, michaela end game is on the horizon, violet finding love again, and benedict is next season.

[aftgmostly]

Now those, are facts

[alewritesfics]

Bridging Realities

VI. 𝕭𝖗𝖎𝖉𝖌𝖎𝖓𝖌.....𝖙𝖔 𝖕𝖔𝖊𝖙𝖗𝖞 𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖎𝖓𝖌

Pairing: Anthony Bridgerton x fem!reader

Word count: 1k

Warnings: unedited, slow burn, eventual smut/ spicy scenes, some angst but happy ending, playful banter

A/n: sorry for the long wait but small chapter before we get to the good parts hehehehe 🫣

⏮️                ⏸️                  ⏭️

“oh, you’re here” you say as you saw Anthony step into the room where Lady Danbury had orchestrated a poetry reading “Miss Sharma will not like this” you chuckled

“Who cares what Miss Sharma thinks?” Anthony said as he approached you, a playful expression on his face.

“you if you plan to woo her sister” you state “I take it you decided not to give up then” you take a bold leap of faith and loop your arm through his as you pulled him towards the main room where everyone was

“Why should i?” He asked

“Because her sister is so against the match?” you hummed “I have told you, if there is many a things against it, perhaps you should set your eyes elsewhere…”

Anthony scoffed, though he didn’t pull away from your touch. If anything, his arm tensed beneath your grasp, like he was weighing the sensation of your hand against the words you had just spoken.

“And where, pray tell, should I set my eyes instead?” he asked, his voice dipping into something lower, something unreadable.

You glanced up at him, feigning indifference even as a strange fluttering stirred in your chest. “That is for you to decide, Lord Bridgerton,” you said smoothly. “But if a match is met with such resistance, perhaps the wise thing to do is to—”

“Give up?” he cut in, his gaze sharp as he turned to look at you fully. “So you have said, multiple times, in fact”

You faltered slightly, surprised by the intensity of his expression. There was something almost challenging in his eyes, as though he were daring you to say it again.

You inhaled, composing yourself. “Yes,” you said, steady. “If one must fight so hard to make something fit, perhaps it was never meant to be.”

Anthony’s jaw clenched. “And yet, some things are worth fighting for.”

“Are they?” you mused, tilting your head as you both came to a slow stop just before the threshold of the main room. The soft murmur of conversation and poetry recitations filtered toward you, but the tension between you and Anthony made everything else fade into the background.

His eyes searched yours, and for a moment, he seemed to hesitate—as if debating whether to say what was truly on his mind.

“You are quite determined to see me fail in my pursuit of Miss Edwina,” he said at last, his voice quieter now, laced with something almost teasing. But beneath the playful lilt, there was an edge—one that made your breath catch.

You smiled, though it didn’t quite reach your eyes. “I only suggest that a man should know when to walk away.”

“And yet, you hold on to me now,” he murmured, glancing down at where your arm still curled through his.

Your fingers twitched against his sleeve, and you were suddenly hyperaware of the closeness between you. The warmth of him. The way his scent—something crisp and faintly spiced—lingered in the space between you.

Slowly, deliberately, you unlooped your arm from his. “That was merely to escort you, Lord Bridgerton,” you said, voice light, though your pulse was anything but steady.

Anthony’s gaze lingered on you for a moment longer, as if trying to unravel something he couldn’t quite place. Then, with a knowing smirk, he straightened.

“Of course,” he said smoothly. “Then by all means, lead the way.”

And with that, you turned on your heel, stepping into the main room.

“Pardon me. Lady Danbury?” Anthony said as you both stepped into the room

“Lord Bridgerton, I did not expect you” Lady Danbury said surprised

“No, I seem to have fallen off the guest list” he said, I chuckled as I wandered away towards where Eloise and Penelope where behind the couch Miss Edwina was sitting on “Surely you would never deny a young man you’ve known for nine and twenty years the pleasure of your company?” he smiles

“Apologies, Viscount, you appear to be late again” Kate interrupted him “We were bringing the evening to a conclusion –“

“Surely Miss Edwina has time for one more?” Anthony said, looking at Edwina “I spent the whole evening crafting something, an original, would you like to hear it?” You scoffed under your breath, making Penelope hit your arm softly, you give her a sideways glance before looking in front when Anthony took to the front of the room

“What is it –“ he cleared his throat “truly to admire a woman? To look at her and feel inspiration. To delight in her beauty, so much that all your defenses crumble, that you would willingly take on any pain, any burden for her. To honor-“ he looked up

Your heart fell slightly as you saw him glance at Kate “ to hon-“ he crumpled up the paper and threw it at the fire “My apologies. I cannot do this. I cannot claim these words as my own, they’re someone else’s entirely” his eyes then caught yours

You gave him a nod encouragingly “ Truth be told, I’m not-“ he sighed , his eyes leaving yours “I’m not a man of poetry. Words of flattery are beautiful and sweet, but they are also hollow, unless accompanied by action”

“Miss Edwina, I could stand here, and pretend to be someone I’m not” he looked at her “I could pretend to want the very same things as you, but I’d be lying. I may not be able to, offer the display of passion, that you truly deserve. But I assure you that when it comes to action and duty, I shall never be found lacking. And I hope that is what will speak louder than any pretty words ever can” he bowed his head before he stepped away towards the refreshments table

You were about to follow after him but you saw Edwina approach faster. You stayed rooted in your spot, your gaze stuck on them as they conversed. You saw Anthony raise his eyes after some time, his gaze first going to the right of you, where you knew Kate stood before meeting yours.

You felt sick as he gave you a small triumphant smile but you returned it nonetheless.

You had done things to try and change the storyline, to move his gaze towards you and in the end, you can’t help but feel that he’s still slipping away from your grasp, still very much stuck on marrying out of duty…

Or is it that he’s getting stuck on the woman that he’s supposed to be with?

⏮️                ⏸️                  ⏭️

Taglist:

@talkativecarnation

@imafangirlofeverything

@stopeatread

@smartiepants217

@magical-spit

@ifilwtmfc

@kitkat27

@electronicexpertshark

@annareidprofiler

@zestygingergirl

@noirrose21-blog

@ericityyy

@neenieweenie

[redroses07]

should i make a part 2?

[ophelieverse]

Ready to defend Penelope Featherington from all of you haters:

[notholaenas]

romancing miss bridgerton

[love-filter]

creloise looking for each other