Chapter Text
On his way home from work, Anthony went over his plan again and again. He had time, for it was a 15 minutes long walk today. He had just finished a meeting with a Baron, going over his finances for the umpteenth time. Beforehand Anthony had predicted it to be exhausting, and because he needed a clear head when he was with his family, he figured a walk was the best way to secure him to have one.
It turned out to be the best decision of the day, because as he thought, Lord Cho wouldn't listen to his advice and demanded some unwise changes in the contract Anthony presented him.
Gosh, Anthony truly couldn't wait until he turned thirty, at least then he could become a barrister and be done with bone-weary cases like this. Ignore the arrogant people of the Ton who thought things revolved only around them.
It wasn't as if Anthony wasn't content with his life. He had a secure income, he could provide for his family pretty decently and with his best friend being a Duke, his future was set in stone from the moment they met. Which was a fortunate coincidence in so many ways that Anthony would be forever grateful for their first encounter.
He had just lost his father, and he was about to give up on university, for Anthony thought the money would be better spent differently. Feeding his siblings for instance.
His mother wouldn't hear it, devastated as she was, she was set on sending him back to school. Violet Bridgerton was furious with her son, saying her father would be so disappointed if he neglected his studies. It was their biggest dream for their eldest child to become a barrister, for it was the thing Anthony wanted to be ever since he was little.
So he went back, heartbroken and reluctantly, for them, for the things he thought he had wanted all those years but seemed useless after his father dropped dead in an instant.
He changed. Because before he was a loud, and happy young man. But after his father's passing, he was silent, always sat in the back and didn't attend any off school activities anymore. That was when he met Simon, a boy who was just as unhappy and as resentful to the life that was forced upon him as he was. It was enough for them to bond over, and thus a deep and intense friendship was born.
Simon was his support and sponsor throughout his study and beyond. In return his friend was welcomed in his family, and soon it was as if he belonged there too. Him marrying his eldest sister was just the icing on the cake.
Anthony regained his purpose; he still wanted to be a barrister, and in two years he could. In the meantime he mostly worked for Simon as his solicitor.
Not always though. Sometimes, like today, he had to accept other clients too. This would help him be more respected later on, but it wasn't always easy.
While Anthony walked the usual route home, he tried to remember his main task for that evening in excruciating detail; try to get Ben to declare his intentions tomorrow at the first ball of the season. His brother only halfly agreed he was ready for marriage, and he needed him to be fully determined and willing.
Anthony wasn't cruel, he would never force his brother to do something he didn't want to do. But it was clear his brother needed help and a purpose. He was a successful artist, but also lost and searching for stability. When Anthony first mentioned he should get married, he was enthusiastic, so Anthony set it all up. At this point they were good to go. His best friend and sister were informed and willing to help, and of course his mother was overly excited.
So this wasn't the time for Benedict to hesitate, Anthony had to make sure he didn't. Benedict was a catch, it shouldn't be too hard. His brother was handsome, talented and could provide for his wife in every way that mattered. He just needed a little push in the right direction.
The fact that he himself didn't believe in marriage anymore, didn't mean his siblings couldn't have a happy one. He wasn't that sour, he knew it existed, he had seen it every day, for his parents were the perfect example.
He just didn't want it for himself. He loved his job, had a family to look after, and in a way he already had children. Hyacinth wasn't even born when their father died, he had been the first to hold her. Same goes for Gregory who was too young to remember Edmund Bridgerton. He stepped in when they needed him the most. He would guide them all to live the life his father would've wanted them to have. Filled with happiness and joy.
As the head of the family, that was his task in life, and he would rather die than fail his father's legacy.