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"Ring for a groom. I wish to take Felicity out for a ride."
"My Lady," started the butler, always a few steps behind you. "Perhaps it would be best if we wait for Lord Bridgerton."
"Nonsense, Thirlwall." You told him promptly, glancing at him from over your shoulder as you climbed the stairs.
It was obvious just how much he mulled the thought over in his head. The old butler's wish to wait for Anthony by far went over any standard of normality. Seeing as he can't win, Thirlwall bit his tongue, gave you a light nod and disappeared down to saddle your horse.
You were left to your own thoughts when you changed into clothes fitted for sidesaddle.
***
Your skirt was billowing in the wind as you trekked across your tended lawn, through the flowers and arrived at the stables. The groom that tended to your dark mare had jumped upon noticing you. He flew quite far from the horse, and you couldn't help a light laugh.
"Pa-pardon me, my Lady," he said hastily, returning to the aggravated horse. Felicity was high with energy as she looked around the stable.
"It's quite alright." You smiled softly, handling the cloth in your hand as you neared the mare. "I come bearing gifts."
Like she read your mind, Felicity craned her long-muscled neck, diving in headfirst toward the sugary sweets in your hands. "Good girl."
Your praises were highly appreciated, and the horse hummed in pleasure. "I must warn you, my Lady, that Felicity had been glummer than that of usual."
"Nothing worrying I presume?"
"Oh!" Was he blushing? "No but—"
"Lovely! Then there is nothing to worry about," You cut him off with a smile.
"But perhaps we should wait for—"
"Waiting for my husband will not be necessary," you spoke firmly, feeling irritation creep up your whole body. Do they not know how busy your husband is? You barely even see him at all! "He is deeply immersed with work in the Parliament and I do not wish to disturb him by wanting him to chaperone me. I am quick on my feet. I shall be fine."
The groom didn't say anything after that.
You mounted your horse and took off.
***
The path you took was private, with no curious eyes that could follow you around. You were quite used to being stopped every three seconds when riding through Hyde Park, whether it to be to talk about the weather or the newest gossip columnist.
Only this way you could enjoy the calmness the nature provided.
Felicity hopped from one strong leg to another, her spirits high as she took in the flowers like you. You held the reins evenly, not allowing one rein to be longer than the other as you lead her across the path. Everything was crucial: your posture, the position of your legs. Everything. Even the smallest mistake on your part will give her an immense amount of discomfort.
Something you didn't want to lay on a cranky horse.
The peace passed by and a growl reasoned through the air. It was loud and angry, and it belonged to a stray dog. The mutt was a multitude of colors of an unknown percentage. Not a dog a wealthy family would take in. It was big too.
And that was enough to send Felicity into a frenzy.
She bucked and sent her body on her two back legs, upsetting the balance of your position so your, what once was a perfectly straightened out spine, hunched under and you tumbled to the ground.
For the first time, you openly cursed at your skirt. The flowy material was caught in a spectacle and pain struck your whole being.
And then your eyes closed.
***
Anthony had arrived home squarely at 1 in the afternoon. There was a eerie feeling in the house, one that was to be expected should his wife not be at home. He had a fair amount of free time before he had to leave for a session at the Parliament, and he wished to spend it with you.
He sought the butler, finding him working hard at bossing around. "Lord Bridgerton!"
Anthony nodded solemnly, his desire to see you powering through. "Where is Y/N?"
The butler's brows came down, he looked apologetic. "She went out for a ride, my Lord."
Anthony's eyes widened, "When?"
"Perhaps an hour ago? I imagine she will return to you fairly quickly."
Damn. Your timing was impeccable as always. "Why haven't you called me?"
His question confused Thirlwall, "I…She wished for you not to be disturbed."
"And you listened to her?"
"O—of course!"
Damn. Damn. Damn!
Patience is a virtue, Anthony reminded himself. But patience was something he couldn't afford. Not when he wouldn't be back to you until the early morning the following day.
And the man just had to see you.
Taste you before he went.
"Where exactly did she go?" He tried to ask politely, but the sound came out as a bark instead.
"The private road just behind the house, my Lord." The butler replied, adding quickly. "As I mentioned, she wishes to not be disturbed—"
"I am her husband. It is my duty to she's all right," said Anthony like it was the most normal occurrence. There seemed to be a determined set in his brow, and he looked like he came to a decision. "I'll go on horseback."
"Very well." Thirlwall stated though he was surprised by the suddenness. "I shall have the horse ready."
"That won't be necessary," Anthony waved him off. He was already at the door when he spoke for the second time. "I'll do it myself."
***
Anthony was high on his horse as he made his way the same way you did. His spirits were good, his body reacting in ways he never thought possible just at the thought of seeing you.
He was going to gather you in his arms, take you right then and there — on the array of blossoms under the beautiful azure sky. A smile was plastered on his face. Anthony was very grateful that you decided on a such private route.
There would be no prying eyes.
Perfect.
He urged his horse to quicken, steadying him into a mount.
Then he spotted you. His eyes went over your navy-blue gown, to the hair you let tumble down your shoulder in the form of unconquered curls. There was no hat on your head, and he admired your determination to be bare of any social customed clothing.
But he couldn't help but notice how Felicity trekked. What you didn't see, but he did, was how she swayed tiredly on her legs, flinching ever so slightly whenever you tugged at the reigns.
And just then, when he wanted to call out your name, a menacing bark broke through the air, scaring the already frightened Felicity into a halt. She propelled upwards and you fell on the ground, your skirt catching between the controls.
He was already on his feet when it happened, doing everything in his power to reach you before you were fatally injured.
***
It was nighttime when you woke. The curtains in your bedchambers had been drawn, but you could feel it in the air.
It's been hours since the accident.
"Y/N? Y/N?"
Anthony sounded terrified; his voice quivered the second time he repeated your name. You tried to stand up in a sitting position, but the backache wouldn't cease and so you fell back on your pillow.
Your husband's face broke into your line of vision, and you almost gasped at the sight of him. In his face etched a million worries, and he looked like he had aged by ten years. It itched you to reach out and touch him, as if doing so would help you see that he was real.
Anthony bowed into your hand, placing his bigger one on it. Warmth seemed to seep through, love following. "Thank God you're all right."
"'Course I am," you plastered on a brave smile, but winced when a sharp amount of pain attacked.
Seeing you like this had his heart cut in half. It was too painful to look at you while you were in agony.
You glanced out to the window, "What time is it?"
"Late," was his only reply.
You didn't say anything, waiting for him to speak. He didn't, and so you took lead. "You're supposed to be in the Parliament."
"While you're like this?" Anthony asked with a shake of his head, marking your words as crazy. "Are you mad?"
You exhaled through your nose, "I'm not bloody mad. You are!"
Your hand flew from his face to your stomach. But then you slapped his knee, "You must go."
"I will not do such a thing."
You shot him an angry glare.
But it soon disappeared, and your eyes glossed over as a set of fresh tears threatened to spill. He is too sweet. "You won't?"
Anthony's eyes visibly softened. He brushed a fallen lock from your face, inhaling through his nose. The worry was still there, engraved in his soul. Your husband had watched as you almost lost your life right in front of his eyes. There was no one who had the power to tear him away from you. Not for a long while.
He grasped your chin with his finger, brushing a single tear that had managed to escape your eyes with his thumb. Anthony leaned in and kissed your forehead tenderly, almost as if you were made of glass—the most precious thing on earth.
"I will never leave you again," he vowed, looking deeply into your eyes until he was captivated. "I promise you that."
You nodded, listening to his words carefully. "I told you to take care of yourself."
Your head fell as you looked down, but Anthony had raised your chin again to look him in the eye. "I can't live without you. You are my life."
You could barely even see him through your blurry vision, and small puffs of labored breaths escaped your body. But you didn't need to see him, you realized, because his touch was everything you needed to know he was there.
Shuffling around the duvet, you slowly lifted it and watched him narrow his eyes at it. You patted the free space, "Can you hold me?"
The question was so innocent, and he found himself nodding immediately. He took off his boots, then tailcoat, and lowered onto the bed. The bedchamber was both yours and his, why you lived your married life like a true modern couple—together, in a shared bedchamber.
His arms went around your fragile body, and you bit through the pain, not letting out a sound until he was comfortably beneath you. Nested against his chest, you finally felt at home.
It's been a long while since you embraced each other like this. There were no duties that could pull you away.
"I love you."
Anthony's words were warm, and so, so full of love.
You found yourself sinking into deep sleep, murmuring those same words over and over again until they took permanent residence in his mind.