"Brother, stop your staring." Eloise scolded Griffin at the way he hadn't taken his eyes off Edwina, barely even to blink.

"But, she's such a sight for sore eyes." Griffin gushed from across the table. "How could anyone just sit there and look absolutely stunning without even simply trying?"

"This room is exceptionally well-lit." Benedict looked around the dining room with gapping eyes. "Have you noticed, Col? The twinkle of the candles, is is as- is as if we are sat among the stars."

Griffin stiffed a laugh with his fist pressed over his lips. Eloise gave a giggle from next to him. "What is wrong with you?"

"I was just telling Benedict how brilliant the stars were in Greece." Colin saved his brother quickly.

"Are you enjoying your time here, Miss Edwina?" Daphne spoke up as Griffin grinned, leaning on his palm to look at Edwina.

"I am, very much." she gave a polite smile. "The buzz of the city is thrilling indeed, but I quite enjoy the peace of the country."

"Ah, as do I." Griffin spoke up as she shifted her gaze over to him with a smile. "What's your favorite part?"

"Don't feel the need to answer his many questions, Miss Edwina." Anthony spoke to to try and get his brother to back off.

"I believe the baby breath flowers have been my favorite." Edwina gave Griffin a smile as he did so in return.

"Well, I too enjoy the peace of the country." Anthony spoke up to gain her attention. "Though, it is not so peaceful with my entire family in residence. Specifically, one in particular."

"I'm honored you speak so highly of me, Brother." Griffin hummed with a plaster grin on his face.

"Certainly, I cannot compare my family with your eight brothers and sisters, but, my sister and I were known to be a handful growing up too." Edwina gave Kate a minor smile from across the table.

"Mm. I can imagine." Anthony mocked slightly.

"But Kate always has had my best interest at heart." Edwina gave a gentle smile. "She bears a heavy responsibility for our family."

"Best interest, you say?" Griffin sat up slightly as he looked to Kate.

"That sounds remarkably similar to you, Anthony." Daphne spoke up as she looked to the oldest brother. "Much familial responsibility to bear, indeed."

"It was a revelation." Colin took the attention next. "Made all the better by the knowledge that I may have been the only Briton to see it in decades."

"Mm. Mm!" Benedict moaned dramatically with a nod, reaching for his wine and tipping it over. Kate gasped as Benedict flooded with a string of giggles, putting his hands onto his face.

"Benedict, dear, you alarm our guests." Violet spoke up gently toward her son.

"It's quite all right, Lady Bridgerton." Kate gave a smile in her direction.

"And you, Miss Edwina?" Griffin involved her into the conversation. "Is it quite all right with you?"

Edwina smiled. "It is, my lord."

"Perhaps-" Lash Danbury clinked her glass. "It is time for a toast."

"A good idea." Violet agreed. "To cheer our guest."

"Or to tend to other pressing matters." Lady Danbury began to annoy Griffin with her not so subtle push at Anthony. They all caught on, looking over.

"I believe my sister and I have gone rather weary." Kate started to make the excuse to get them out of there.

"A toast. Yes." Anthony stood to his feet. Griffin slumped back in his chair with a sad, almost begging look to his oldest brother. Eloise took his hand. "My sincere gratitude to the Sharmas for joining us. It has been splendid having you here to whiteness what is now my second annual loss at pall-mall."

Laughter flooded as he gave a knowing look. "Not to be repeated, I assure you."

"And my special gratitude to Miss Edwina." Anthony focused his attention to the woman by his side. Griffin looked down at his hands, fiddling with his cuffs. "It has certainly been a privilege to truly make your acquaintance these past days. In fact, I believe there is a question I would like to ask you."

Griffin squeezed the bridge of his nose and kept his eyes shut, ready to face through his terrible heart break right before his very eyes. Only, Anthony seemed very hesitant. Not for his brothers hearts sake, but possibly for the unacceptance he'd received. "I shall, uh. I should like to ask you to please refrain from telling anyone back in London about yesterdays loss. I fear the harm to my reputation would simply be too great"

Griffins eyes shot open as he looked over, Edwinas face saying enough as he hurt her. Griffin hurt for her. Only, that's pain was soon masked by the anger he'd grown for Anthony, glaring harshly at him. Anthony cleared his throat, holding his drink up. "To the pleasant days ahead."

When dinner had ended and the family's went to their own wings, Griffin was close on Anthony's heels, a shove to his shoulder. "I can not believe you did such a thing to such a sweet soul."

Anthony laughed in disbelief. "When shall you make up your mind, hmm? You don't wish for me to marry her, now you do?"

"No, of course not." Griffin glared as he grabbed his brothers arm to make him spin to him. "What I wish is for you not to simply stand up there and make her believe you were to ask for her hand in marriage and then so much ad disrespect her by talking of your terrible loss!"

"You're getting upset." Anthony spoke knowingly. "Lower your voice."

"You'll make the absolutely worst husband i've ever seen." Griffin shook his head, Anthony had been right about him getting upset. "Miss Edwina is a beautiful, respectable young lady and the way you treat her is unacceptable. She deserves more then a viscount who is simply-who-who is simple using her!"

"I have done no such thing!" Anthony grew angry at his words.

"You have!" Griffin defended her once more. "I wound never wish you as a husband upon my worst enemy!"

"Well, it's a good thing you won't have to!" Anthony called as he stormed down the hallway. "Because I shall marry Miss Edwina, weather you above or not!"

"And you'll be the luckiest man alive by being allowed to know her deeper then her desire for children and intelligence." Griffin spun with one final glare before he had disappeared into his room.

•

kylie speaks

THE WAY SHE IGNORED
ANTHONY JUST TO ANSWER
GRIFFINS QUESTION