#EDWINA WAS IN LOVE ALL ALONG

[edwinas]

Ignoring whatever season 3 was but it did get me thinking. What if Edwina did consider returning to India because she no longer had a reputation in the ton, no marriage prospects and thus no future. She was humiliated and blamed for the failed wedding and wanted to be free of it all.

This makes Mary open up about her own experiences leaving the ton. How heartbroken she was at being cast out by the only family she knew. How she considered staying in the ton, the only place she knew, but couldn't bear to see her children, especially little Kate, grow up there.

Mary put her children first and never regretted it. She left for India for them to have a happier life, far from the ton and her parents' constant judgement and demands to chase wealth. I imagine Mary's husband growing up in India or at least having connections to it so he is the one who brings up living in India. Mary follows her heart and says yes.

Mary emphasises to Edwina that her future is her choice and she will respect whatever she chooses to do, reaffirming the agency that Edwina was denied in season 2. But she asks that Edwina be sure of her choice and not leave because it's the easier option at that moment. That it's really what her heart wants. Otherwise she might regret it forever.

Edwina realises she doesn't know what she wants. She loves India, it's her home. She grew up thinking she'll settle down in England. After much deliberation, she decides to give England another shot. This time she wants it to be her own terms and not the whim's of a suitor.

She meet Friedrich who falls for her at first sight. But for Edwina it's more complicated given how she does not know what true love feels like. Her only romantic experience was with a man with wandering eyes and she is not ready to open her heart so soon after having it broken. Over time, Friedrich and Edwina develop a close relationship built on mutual trust and respect and Edwina realises she has been in love all along.

[aeternallis]

Colin's "entrapment" line was hard to listen to, but it was most definitely a sign of how unhinged he really is for Penelope.

Ok but for reals, I'm not sure how everyone else reacted when Colin said his now infamous "entrapment" line, but I just love how if one looks at this line a little more closely, it was definitely some semblance of an underhanded (and also a bit silly, lol) attempt to actually keep Penelope entrapped. Haha, the irony of it all. Idk, at least that was my read on it!

Like, it was definitely said in anger as well; he's hurting, and he’s hurting badly, so of course he wants to hit back in some way, however he can. Luke Newton absolutely meant it when he said that Colin reacts to the reveal in the worst way possible, alas.

My very first reaction to that scene: //pauses the screen to yell at Colin at 4am in the morning, “Entrapment????! If you feel trapped, then why the hell are you still going along with it, ya dumb ass!!!

Because really, think about it: Colin was definitely within his rights to call off the wedding, especially when he'd mentioned that Violet had noticed that he and Penelope had not seen each other for some time. It would have been the perfect time to reveal Penelope's secret to his mother, if indeed he felt entrapped by the LW of it all. Violet is family; if he wanted to still protect Penelope but no longer wanted to marry her, he would have been able to count on Violet's discretion. I'm sure she and Lady Danbury would have come up with some sort of plan to deal with the aftermath regarding the Bridgertons’ reputation, as we'd seen with Anthony and Edwina's botched wedding.

Furthermore, it would have probably been the better option to reveal it to her, since the existence of LW does put his family in danger; Penelope herself knows this. Every decision she makes post-LW reveal to Colin is due to the Bridgertons being in danger. Lady Danbury makes a point of this when she said in the last episode, “There is only one other person who loves the Bridgertons more than I.”

Eloise was able to keep the secret with no real consequences because although Penelope was her ex-bff, El still loves her, and besides that, nothing legal binds them as Colin's marriage to Penelope would.

Even when he was getting ready to talk to Benedict about getting funds to fulfill Cressida’s demands, he insisted on making up a lie to shield Penelope’s identity as LW. He knows more than anything that fulfilling a demand like this, all for the sake of his wife and at the cost of using a substantial amount of Bridgertons’ financial assets, may not put his marriage in the best light within his family. He doesn’t want to be forced to have to choose between his wife and his family, so he’s keen on keeping the lie going.

So for all intents and purposes, he doesn't tell his mother, or any of his other siblings (besides Eloise, who already knew); this in and of itself is hella fucking risky. The fact that Colin is willing to take this risk of withholding Penelope's secret identity from his family, the fact that he doesn't think to jeopardize this potentially risky betrothal—already goes to show the measure in regards to how much he wants Pen for his wife. We the audience know this because he waits until the very last minute to tell Violet, and even then, it's not Colin who chose to reveal it to her, but Penelope herself.

Another point: arguably, we can also say that Colin has a lot more wiggle room with his engagement to Penelope to call off the wedding, much more than he ever did with his engagement to Marina.

"A man of honor"? Exactly what "honor" are we talking about here? Colin claimed that he would have married Marina had she just told him the truth, yet when push came to shove and the truth of her pregnancy was revealed for all the world to know, he still chose to take the out Penelope gave him through LW. It’s easier to make a declaration like that when it’s all said and done. Lol Sure, he regretted it and apologized for his behavior later on, but he had made his choice regardless. Y’all can just feel Marina and Lady Danbury judging this dumb ass (affectionate) for dwelling in the past. Silly young man! XD What's stopping him this time around?

"We had been...intimate." Are you talking about the mirror scene, sir? Because let me assure you, you and Penelope have long been "intimate" way before you decided to buy a love nest and take her V-card the very next day you proposed to her. In fact, this is where the significance of their first kiss in 3.02 rings so, SO importantly and WHY it was vital that it was Penelope who asked and said that it would not have to mean anything. Colin knows Penelope would never use their first time together and/or the heated moment in the carriage as a way to entrap him. That first kiss alone should have already warranted that they get married, but Penelope makes it clear that it’s simply a favor, nothing more.

Oddly enough, I’m surprised Colin doesn’t bring up the idea of a long engagement (yknow, as he initially wanted with Marina, but who’s keeping track at this point), considering that would have potentially benefitted their situation. 🤔 His dumb ass (affectionate) was more than willing to stick to the wedding schedule…huh.

Besides all that, I don’t think it’s the showrunners’ intent to “taint” those special moments between them by changing the context through Colin’s (very biased) POV; to believe that to be the case would be, imo, just a bad faith argument. The genre is romance, y’all; these intimacy scenes are on an entirely different pedestal.

Because remember, that “entrapment” line of Colin’s only came about due to Penelope starting the conversation with, “Are you going to call off the wedding?”

Didn’t it almost seem like an afterthought, that he just came up with it on the spot? Hahaha.

I can bet y’all Cressida’s fake ass €20,000 blackmail money that before they’d met up to discuss wedding breakfast plans with their mamas, it had probably never even occurred to Colin to cancel their wedding. Angry and furious as he was, it was never a question of whether or not he still wanted Penelope for a wife.

The fact that it’s Penelope who begins that conversation and opens that Pandora’s box possibility is so, so damn important. Because not only does it show how much Penelope truly loves him in that she would never trap him, it also shows her maturity, in that she’s willing to face the consequences of her actions. She’s willing to give Colin the choice to back out, heartbreaking as it would be to face it, even if she herself would not be the one to pursue that choice.

She gives him the choice a good number of times: the wedding breakfast plan scene, the wedding day itself when she hesitates on the aisle, and the annulment offer after the butterfly scene.

Penelope defends herself softly, but truthfully: she never meant to entrap him, because she really didn’t. And Colin knows this; he would not still love her and want her if he honestly believed she wanted to entrap him. Hell, even if she did, the audience knows it’s a desire that comes from a good place: she loves him, so of course she doesn’t want to lose him. She wants to marry him, because she loves him. That’s all there is to it.

But despite knowing this (imo, anyway), we can also say that this conversation may have contributed to Colin’s downward spiral during the majority of episode 7 and 8, and why he becomes hella fucking desperate to be “useful” to her.

Because unlike himself, Penelope has now begun to entertain the idea of living a life that doesn’t include him—at least, not as her husband. Penelope is brave and strong enough to let him go due to the pain she caused him for her lies and her actions as LW, and as for Colin…well…

(I love it, it’s the same conundrum that Anthony faced in S2: Kate is strong enough to leave him behind and return to India, but Anthony…well…)

TL;DR, Colin’s entrapment line was literally an excuse he gave himself to keep his betrothal to Penelope intact. It’s a line that works in two ways simultaneously: it’s a painful, childish, underhanded thing to say in order to hurt Penelope’s feelings, to get back at her for the anguish he’s suffered. Yet at the same time, it’s also another excuse he gives himself in order to push through with the marriage, to tie Penelope to himself forever.

Because unlike Penelope, the very idea of living without her as his wife, of not having her in his life, is and always will be an impossible notion for Colin to ever entertain.

[lily-s-world]

Truly love Bridgerton, it is my comfort show. But I always have trouble with people on the fandom, throwing to the ground female characters just because they have strong personalities or raise their voices when they are mad.

I love Kanthony, but Edwina had every right to be mad at them for not being honest about their feelings. They both continued with the marriage idea even though they were clearly in love. My girl had valid reasons to throw tantrums at them.

And now with this new trailer and everybody attacking Eloise. The Eloise whose reputation almost got destroyed by Lady Whistledown, only for her to find out that it had been her best friend all along. She also had every right to be furious at Penelope. And yes, Eloise also has her list of mistakes and bad traits she needs to work on; which is also fair that Penelope isn't her biggest fan right now. They are both characters making mistakes that they need to learn from.

Not to mention these characters are supposed to be in their late teens/early 20s. Didn't you go to high school and saw at first glance girls behavior when they were mad at each other?

This is what multi-faceted female characters sometimes look like. They can make mistakes, they can raise their voices, they can create chaos, they can hurt people unintentionally... all is part of the process of character development. You can't create growth in a character if they always do the right thing or are always perfect.

Don't ask for strong female characters if you are going to attack them the moment they show up.

[dragon-kazansky]

Dragon's Lair

Spirit of the sea

You were a member of Blackbeard's crew long ago. Then you became a ghost story. Izzy Hands only sees you in his dreams these days, until he sees you for real when investigating Stede Bonnet. This sets him on a rollercoaster of emotions between you and what his captain is doing.

Captain Hands

Izzy is captain of The Revenge. You're his first mate. Your intention is to take down the man that tried to take away your Izzy. In the meantime, you get up to all kinds of shenanigans along the way.

Symphony of dreams

You are his lover. When Morpheus was captured, you fell into the deep sleep. He has no idea until he returns to his realm where Lucienne tells him what happened. Unable to help you until he gets his tools back, he is more determined than ever to get his full power back.

Veil of the dreamless

A cursed Morpheus holds your father prisoner when he enters The Dreaming without permission. You, also able to enter the realm, take his place. Now a prionser to the Dream Lord, you do all you can to learn about the curse and hopefully break it.

When the raven calls

You, his raven, die protecting Jessamy while rescuing the Dream Lord. When Morpheus returns to his realm, he mourns your loss, only to find a stranger waiting for him in his throne room. The stranger claims to be you, now in human form. He doesn't understand, but his raven will always watch over him.

Heart of the Dreaming

You are the daughter of Rodrick Burgess. You find out about the "demon" in the basement and decide you want to see it. Things take an unexpected turn when your soulmate connection is made with the man you find down there. You are the one he has been waiting for, and you're being taken away from. Not for long. Dream will protect his soulmate.

The song in our hearts

A musician with a heart that sings and an admirer who wishes to see his songbird thrive. Two beings in different worlds get caught up in each other when someone threatens to steal his songbird's spotlight. Loving Lestat isn't simple, and your life will never be the same again. What is eternity without chaos?

Spell on you

Bridgerton shade of blue

Season One - Benedict bumps into you, quite literally, at a ball while trying to escape his mother's attempts to find him a partner. You decide to humour him with a dance, not realising just how entwined you would become with him. It seems the universe will find every excuse to push you and Benedict together, no matter how much you fight it.

Bridgerton shade of blue

Season Two - The Viscount is set on finding a wife this season, and you are trying again for your second season. While Anthony is dealing with trials between Edwina and Kate Sharma, you are dealing with trials of your own. Benedict Bridgerton is ever present in your life, but your pursuit to find a husband must come first. Society is ever so exhausting.

Head in the clouds

The past was supposed to stay in the past, but with Goose and Maverick getting into Top Gun, it would seem that it’s repeating itself. No matter what you do, you can never escape Tom Kazansky. 

[lookingfts]

Thank you for your meet-cute ideas! I love them all and may write more of them, but for tonight I chose this idea from @rk19991999, so thank you!

He’d never felt more out of place.

The wedding was beautiful, of course. Dorset seemed happy, exchanging hushed words on the dance floor with his new bride. A lovely girl. Edwina – that was her name. To be fair, Anthony had only met her for about five seconds when they visited his table at dinner.

Daphne and Simon, the only other people he knew, had bowed out a bit early – Daphne’s pregnancy was making her regularly queasy. Anthony couldn’t quite recall, now, why he hadn’t made an excuse to leave with them.

Oh, right. The bridesmaid.

Edwina’s sister was very likely the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen. He nearly dropped his phone when she walked down the aisle, draped in colorful fabric and heavy gold jewelry. Anthony rustled a floral decoration rather loudly, and the sister had looked at him sharply. He was torn between wanting the ground to swallow him whole and catching his breath, because really, she was fucking beautiful.

She’d recovered, and so had he, and then she had been surrounded by family all night. Anthony was certainly not above hitting on an attractive woman at a wedding, but to do it front of her relatives felt…uncouth.

After a while, he lost sight of her altogether, and swallowed down the rest of his champagne. He was happy for Dorset, genuinely, but it was long past time to make his exit.

Anthony stood, and a slim hand wrapped around his wrist. He turned to find the sister, her eyes urgent and her cheeks a little flushed. “Hi,” she said in a low voice. “Are you single?”

“Um. Yes?”

“Good. I’ll give you fifty pounds if you play along with what’s about to happen. An extra fifty if you kiss me right now.”

His first instinct was to tell this woman that he didn’t need the money, actually, and then realized that was an extremely stupid thing to lead with. Especially since he’d spent the whole night staring at her from across the room.

Tipping her chin up with his thumb, Anthony pressed his lips to hers gently. He didn’t want to push too far, but her skin was so soft under his palm and she tasted like mango and it was making him more than a little stupid.

Her nails raked through his hair, her mouth moving more insistently against his, and an embarrassing moan formed in his throat. Even more so when she nipped at his bottom lip, drawing back with dark, blown eyes and shallow breaths.

Christ, he wanted to take her home. Or – scratch that. Somewhere closer. A hotel room. A powder room. His car. This table right in front of them.

“Kathani!” He jumped at the voice behind him, forgetting for a moment that they were playing some kind of role. She tucked herself into Anthony’s side as three older woman descended on them, and he reciprocated, sliding his arm around her waist and holding her tight against him. His heart was still pounding, and he wondered if she could feel it as she placed her hand on his chest.

“This is David,” Kathani said, and he realized with some satisfaction that she sounded breathless as well. “My fiancé.”

--

“I’m sorry about that,” she sighed, linking her fingers together behind his neck. “The aunties are relentless.”

It had been quite the interrogation. Anthony wasn’t sure how to convincingly fake a relationship with a woman he’d literally never met, but Kathani had a quick answer to everything. They’d met on the tube; he was a surgeon; she wasn’t wearing her ring because they didn’t want to draw attention away from Edwina’s big day. Anthony had been happy to stare at her adoringly and hum his agreement at appropriate intervals. The aunties probably thought he was dim-witted, but they had called him handsome several times.

Finally, she’d tugged Anthony onto the dance floor, blending in with the sea of couples. “What happens when I’m not actually a surgeon named David and we don’t get married?”

Her eyes went wide. “Fuck! I never even asked your name.”

“It’s Anthony,” he said with a chuckle.

“I’m Kate,” she responded, wrinkling up her nose in a very endearing way. “Kathani, of course, but only my family calls me that. And to answer your question, I don’t care. Eddie’s wedding just brought out the vultures and I didn’t feel like being told everything I need to change about myself to attract a man’s attention.”

“Ouch. My mum kind of does the same thing, to be fair.” They shared a laugh, and Anthony felt his heart turn over in his chest. Her laugh was as stunning as the rest of her. “You don’t need to change anything, by the way. I almost disrupted your sister’s whole wedding because you took my breath away, walking down the aisle.”

She stiffened a little, blinking up at him through long lashes. Maybe it was too much, but Kate deserved to know that she was not lacking, at least not in his eyes. Whatever she did with that information was her choice.

A soft flush rose in her cheeks as she sank her teeth into her lip. “I, um…” Kate cleared her throat. “I might have chosen you as my fake fiancé because I liked the way you looked at me.”

Anthony did an internal cheer of victory. He was suddenly glad that he’d been too stubborn to leave the party early. Waiting for a chance that had turned out much better than he could have imagined. “Well, I am willing to keep up the pretense. Take you out for dinner, you know. Learn your life story so I can actually contribute to the lie next time. The aunties definitely thought there was nothing going on upstairs, if you know what I mean.”

Kate snorted, biting back a smile as her fingers played with the fine hairs at the back of his neck. “We should work on the kissing, too. A solid first effort, but I think we can get better.”

“Of course,” he agreed with mock seriousness. “We can’t half-arse it, can we?”

[nightingale2004]

OK, so I found the Fredwina ship, and I've got to say...... In my heart, it is so CANON

First off........

MY GIRL EDWINA DESERVES HAPPINESS AND LOVE AND NOT THE HATE MANY PEOPLE GIVE HER.

Edwina had the right to be upset about what her sister and Anthony did and also deserves her time to heal and find herself And Honestly from what I've seen, Prince Friedrich is such a good man and a sweetheart. Edwina and Friedrich are Canon, AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME OTHERWISE!!!!!

Now all I want to see is Edwina and Friedrich making their appearance together in London to one of the queen's parties for the first time, the bridgertons reactions to this couple (+Kate and Penelope)

I want to see Queen Charlotte taking absolute pride and bragging about how well Edwina is adjusting to being a princess. Kate, being an overprotective big sister, Anthony and Edwina, building a somewhat good relationship (is still a little awkward), Friedrich, Daphne, and Simon having a tense moment but getting along. Kate is proud of Edwina for not just finding love but also becoming a princess of Prussia. Edwina and Friedrich being amazing with one another and hanging out with the bridgertons at Aubrey Hall, Kate, and edwina getting to know each other again, Kate being a great aunt to Edwina and Friedrich's kids, etc.

I also want to know HOW MANY KIDS THIS BEAUTIFUL COUPLE WOULD HAVE. I DESPERATELY NEED TO KNOW

If someone has made a fanfic with ALL OF THIS. POINT ME IN THAT DIRECTION 👉 PLEASE AND THANK YOU!!!!

[siswritesyanderes]

OMGGG YANDERE BRIDGERTON PLEASE

Okay, brainstorm.

I'm torn between wanting the characters to be ruthless in the non-violent social sense that leaves their opponents destitute, or leaning fully into "They're rich enough to get away with murder."

So, I'm thinking the Bridgertons are just ALL yanderes. It's just a family thing; just yanderes all the way down. They banter about it. Violet and (the dad; I forgot his name) were yanderes for each other, and their children are all amazed at how well their mother survived losing him so suddenly.

In their childhood, the Bridgertons are all platonic yanderes. (When they do have childhood crushes, they don't usually feel yandere towards those; they're just cute little childhood crushes.) With their friends, they tend to be highly protective, or clingy, or jealous. Any one of them will kill for their family without a second thought and bury the body on their own land. Maybe someone hurts little Eloise's feelings, Daphne tells their older brothers, and Anthony, Benedict, and Colin sink a body in the river that night. Or rather, Anthony and Colin do, while Benedict preserves their alibi.

(At this moment I'm going to write about the canon relationships of those of them who have those. I'm open to asks about what specifically you're looking for.)

Daphne is yandere for Simon. She has modeled herself to be the perfect diamond, and Simon, as much as he tries to be, cannot make himself harder than a diamond. In fact, he is moldable, and fragile, and she adores him. Simon is not a yandere and also doesn't really get that Daphne is a yandere. He hasn't been romantic like this with anyone before, so he doesn't know what a normal level of possessiveness is. He's been taught that women need to be wary of him, not vice versa. Her genuine innocence to matters of the flesh shields her from a lot of scrutiny. How can someone who has never touched herself be thought guilty of taking undue license with a man? How could someone with such wide, naive eyes be thought guilty of manipulating anyone? At every step, she guides him into the palms of her hands, and she loves how he succumbs.

If she ever had her eyes on someone other than Simon, in keeping with my fondness for poly yanderes, most likely she would first verify that Simon likes the person, too. It's not beyond her capabilities to guilt him for liking someone else and leverage that to get him to go along with whatever her plan is to pursue this unconventional relationship. But I think she would pick a gentler way to convince him, and only resort to shaming him if he resists the gentle approach. Maybe the one they both love can be hired as a "nanny" or "tutor" for their children, and they can enjoy their intimate company in the comfort of their own home. That could work even if the person marries someone else, and anyway, who's to say the unfortunate rival won't trip on a slick road or drunkenly fall into the Thames?

Anthony thought he felt that Bridgerton obsession for Siena; he pursued her relentlessly on the basis of what he believed he was supposed to feel. When that didn't pan out and he still felt basically like his normal self, he decided that he must not be like the rest of his family. And good! Because he didn't want to fall in love anyway.

Then he met Kate, and suddenly his ruthless self is unleashed in full. She was the sun in the morning, the air he breathed, and he needed as many hooks in her as possible to make sure she didn't go anywhere. When she seemed to distrust and resent him, he courted Edwina. Now Kate had to be around him. But as he wormed his way closer to her, she planned to leave for India as soon as Edwina was married. That couldn't be allowed. Every step he took was contrived to erase the possibility of Kate leaving him. Honestly, we could say that he deliberately caused her to fall off her horse, if we wanted to. Kate does recognize that he feels and behaves abnormally toward her, but once she comes to terms with being romantic with him in the first place, she's able to handle his yandere side pretty easily.

If he ever had his eyes on someone other than Kate, he might kidnap them in secret. Again, he just needs them not to leave. Kate finds out, because she's on top of everything always. She isn't really yandere, but she already manages his obsession with her on a daily basis. Now, she manages his obsession with the new person, the ethics of kidnapping, and the need to contain the scandal of what he's done, by basically helping him to craft a plausible narrative around what happened. (Maybe they found you in the woods, having gotten lost and ill, and were keeping you in their home until you were well enough. You're still not allowed to see anyone; who would question the Bridgertons? Kate makes sure you're comfortable and reins in Anthony where necessary. He worships her for being so understanding of his needs.)

I haven't seen season 3 yet and so I don't have a full handle on Colin right now.

Benedict will gladly pine forever. He has a kind of romantic enjoyment of the sensation of yearning, so he could paint his love and watch his love and tease his love forever. But, given the expectations of the society they live in, his love might be obligated to marry someone. He will very amicably ruin anyone his love courts. Scandals everywhere. Without the slightest dip in his wistful smile, he will set everything into place to have his rivals socially destroyed, in the ton, and when his love is left with no one else to court, then he will appear with all the love in his heart. If the person is looking for a husband, then he's their last chance. If they're looking for a wife, then Benedict will cleverly contrive it so that they read as best friends, artistic partners, whatever else. Maybe his love has found themself to be inexplicably cut off from any money and resources they once had. The crucial thing is that he will never have to vie for attention. He only has to introduce himself, and they will concede to his love willingly. And then he'll unload his deluge of paintings and sculptures and poems onto them. He might do this with Madame Delacroix.

Also, maybe Penelope's a yandere? Just separately. Idk, she has too much subtle power to ignore.

[ladykettlechips]

Beautiful Mess 2 - Ficlet

Turns out I wasn't done with 'Beautiful Mess' - I really enjoyed writing the first part of the ficlet that I ended up writing some more on my longer flight. It's not complete, either; I'm fairly certain there will be a part 3 to this as well because in my head it's not complete.

It's fun writing short snippets of Kanthony in this style! Just so laidback and easy while still showcasing how cute they are together even when Kate thinks Anthony is being annoying ahaha.

Anyway... ENJOY!

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When Benedict threw an absolute rager for his birthday at Aubrey Hall, Kate found herself falling in love with Anthony a little more.

She’d been drinking – they had all been drinking – since about 2 o’clock so, by the time seven rolled around, Kate was absolutely rat-arsed. Truth be told, she could barely remember left from right, let alone walk straight.

Despite this, she still managed to find her way to the loo and spill her guts down the porcelain bowl.

She dimly remembered someone knocking on the door just moments after she heaved the first time. She recalled the door opening behind her, a deep sigh reverberating deep inside her bones. She had felt caring hands gather up her hair until cool air ticked the back of her sweaty neck and a soothing palm rub up and down her back while she sobbed, hating that she had done this to herself.

Once she was finished, she was half-aware of being picked up until she was slung over a broad back, her chin propped against a very nice shoulder. She allowed herself to fall into a lull of blissful sleep with every step the person took, the warmth of their back seeping into her like a welcoming blanket.

She hadn’t realised they had dropped her into the bed of her designated room until she woke up, nor had she heard them bring a glass of water and set it on the bedside table.

If it wasn’t for the tell-tale scent of sandalwood and pine that still lingered on her shirt and skin, Kate might not have known that it was Anthony who had been with her all along.

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“You seem to have a penchant for getting me wet, don’t you?”

Heat rushed to Kate’s cheeks as Anthony stared back at her, a rueful grin plastered to his face as beads of Pinot noir rolled off his chin and droplets of red dripped from his hair.

This time it had been accident; how was she supposed to know Anthony would be rounding the corner to enter her kitchen?

Cursing under her breath, Kate slammed her wine glass onto the counter-top and went in search of a tea towel. She should have known it would be a bad idea to invite him to games night, but Benedict had put on a sob-story for his older brother, claiming him to be a lonely, boring loser who had no friends.

So, out of the kindness of her own heart – not a desire to see Anthony, no, no, no – Kate had agreed. And surprisingly, the night had been going as well as one could expect; charades had become chaotically competitive thanks to Anthony and Kate’s need to win and, during the first twenty minutes of Monopoly, Edwina only had to stare her down once for trying to throw a hotel at Benedict’s nose because he was lolly-gagging on whether or not to buy Old Kent Road, for Gods sake.

Around an hour into the game was when she had run out of wine. If she was going to get through a game that Anthony was clearly winning, well, she’d need more to numb the loss, so she’d poured herself a generous glass and grabbed some snacks.

And then Anthony had walked through the door just as she was exiting it.

“You should look where you’re going,” she had muttered, a feeble attempt at trying to regain the upper hand. “Next time it might just be coffee.”

Anthony laughed, clearly less peeved about this shirt than the last one as Kate fished out a printed tea towel Edwina had gifted her donkeys ago. Throwing it towards him, Anthony caught the cloth with one hand.

“You can’t blame me for this one, Kate,” Anthony chuckled, still grinning as he unfolded the towel. “I didn’t even have to open my mouth this time to be doused in… what in the world-”

Kate didn’t even try to hid her smirk as Anthony’s delight morphed into a look of perplexion. His brows drew in, the crease that was permanently nestled between them growing even deeper as he looked at the picture on the tea towel and began to scowl.

“You have to be kidding me- Kate, surely you have another towel on hand?”

Exasperated, Anthony looked between the towel and Kate, his own cheeks growing red. Shaking her head, Kate grinned towards him deviously as she snapped the kitchen drawer shit.

“Sorry, Anthony; the rest of my tea towels won’t be clean until tomorrow. That’s all I have left,” she replied all too sweetly. Grabbing her glass, Kate threw back the remainder of the wine before grabbing the bottle of Pinot noir. “You can leave it on the counter when you’re done, kay?”

And before Anthony could reply, Kate practically swanned out of the kitchen to leave him standing there, seething with quiet rage as he mopped his face with the towel that had been printed with2 a portrait of Newton’s fluffy, round butt.

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Kate had quickly come to learn that, when invited to tea at Bridgerton House, you did not decline an invitation. Violet Bridgerton was a formidable woman when it came to hosting tea and come Hell or high water, she would somehow strong-arm you into agreeing for a brew with the family.

It wasn’t that Kate was opposed to tea, of course; she enjoyed spending time with Violet and the rest of the Bridgerton clan. It was more that she had been spending too much time with the family these days and, while that was not necessarily a bad thing, it did mean she was constantly in his company.

Him being the one and only Anthony Bridgerton who, at the exact moment Kate took a sip of the god-awful Earl Grey she had been handed, felt his foot nudge hers under the table.

She looked over at him curiously, one eyebrow arched as he glanced over his cup. Tilting his head, Anthony threw Kate the cockiest smirk he could muster before taking a long, drawn out sip of his own tea.

Rolling her eyes, Kate returned her attention to Violet. They had been discussing a party that Violet was planning – something to do with hearts and flowers – when Anthony had so rudely snatched her attention away. Doing her best to ignore him, Kate gave Violet her full attention as she nodded along and took miniscule, polite sips of her disgusting tea and smiled through her grimace.

Violet had began talking about the floral arrangements she had planned – “Lilacs, I think; a symbol of first love.” - when Kate felt another soft tap to the side of her foot, except this time he lingered, his gaze firmly set on her.

Tearing her gaze away from Violet who, thankfully, was gesticulating at some flowers that adorned her tea room, Kate shot Anthony the filthiest glare she could muster and offered him a pointed kick to his shin.

He winced at the force of Kate’s attack but, to his credit, swallowed down his grunt and instead coughed as a cover up.

“Stop kicking me,” Kate mouthed. Really, what had gotten into Anthony? Why was he acting like a child fighting their younger sibling?

Staring at her curiously, Anthony eventually offered her a shrug before draining the rest of his tea. Standing from his seat, he heaved what might have been the heaviest sigh Kate had ever heard and turned to his mother who, as luck would have it, was still happily discussing the flowers in the room to no one in particular.

“Mother,” Anthony said, his voice low and sounding somewhat… disappointed? Kate couldn’t quite place it. “It has been lovely having tea with you and Kate, but I have some work to do. Take care and have a lovely afternoon together.”

And with a kiss to Violet’s forehead and a nod in Kate’s direction, Anthony turned on his heel and practically marched himself out of the room. Unphased by her eldest sons quick departure, Violet smiled over at Kate and picked up the teapot.

“More tea, dear?” she asked, dragging her own empty cup towards the precariously poised spout.

“No, thank you,” Kate smiled with a shake of her head as sh8e took another sip of her half-full tea, wondering absently to herself why Anthony had left so quickly, and why he had been acting so strange.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next time Kate came over for tea with Violet, Anthony was notably abesnt.

Surprisingly, so was her cup of Earl Grey.

“Anthony suggested you might enjoy some chai instead,” Violet smiled, handing Kate a freshly brewed cup of chai. “It took a little time for our staff to perfect it, but I think they have it right. It’s quite lovely, I think.”

Kate stilled in her chair, the tell-tale fragrance of a well-made chai enveloping her as she stared at Violet, her mouth slightly agape. To the Bridgerton matriarchs credit, Violet seemed to ignore Kat’s blatantly rude silence by instead taking a careful sip of her own chai.

“Yes,” Violet murmured, gently placing her cup back down onto its saucer with a small smile. “Quite lovely indeed.”

[girl-named-matty]

𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘢 𝘌𝘭𝘸𝘺𝘯 - 𝘏𝘰𝘨𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺 𝘖𝘊

get to know my oc

♡︎ Name: Helena Elwyn

♡︎ Birthday: November 12th, 1859

♡︎ Birthplace: England

♡︎ Gender: Female

♡︎ Age: 36

♡︎ Sexuality: Bisexual

♡︎ Ethnicity: White & Indian

♡︎ House: Ravenclaw

♡︎ Blood status: Half-blood

♡︎ Love interest: Aesop Sharp

(Helena as Professor Elwyn)

♡︎ APPEARANCE

♡︎ Hair: Helena's hair is jet black and she likes to keep it cut short. She'll wear her hair in different styles occasionally. She loves when her hair is long but due to working in the Auror force for 10+ years, she's opted to keep it short and out of the way.

♡︎ Eyes: Brown

♡︎ Height: 5'10" (177 cm)

♡︎ Other: Helena does have a scar on the left side of her face but she uses magic to cover it up. She got the scar while on the job as an Auror when she was attacked. The experience left her traumatized as she was a young Auror at the time and so she covers the scar in attempt to not remember the attack so vividly.

♡︎ PERSONALITY

For the most part, Helena is really laid back. While in school, she tended to get along with most everybody as long as they weren't complete and total jerks. She had her set group of friends she liked to hang out around. She'd do well in school, was a prefect, etc... She does occasionally get up to mischief but she'll never downright put people in danger. She likes dealing with things through humor (as long as it isn't serious) and she's all around a pretty empathetic person, especially to those around her who are younger than her. She has a very "Mama bear" personality.

♡︎ Positive traits: She's very quick with everything, quick on her toes, quick thinking, etc... She's very empathetic and good at comforting. She's usually a happy-go-easy kind of person too.

♡︎ Negative traits: When her patience is tried one too many times, she will get physical. That is one problem she's always had. You say something offensive or stupid to her one too many times and you will be getting a fist to the face.

♡︎ Likes: Potions, dueling, cross stich, gardening & crafts

♡︎ Dislikes: Negative people, people who don't listen, impulsivity (which she struggles with sometimes if tested too much)

(Helena Elwyn in her days as a student at Hogwarts)

♡︎ QUICK BACKSTORY

Helena was born and raised in England to a muggle father and a muggleborn mother. Helena's mother is from India while her father is native to England. She has two sisters, Asha and Edwina (all of their names end in "ah"), both of which are witches just like her. Helena attended Hogwarts and got into the Ravenclaw house while her two sisters got into Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. She did well in school, became a prefect in her 5th year, graduated and went on into the Auror program when she was twenty years old. She would've joined at 18, however she got engaged to a man who she thought was her forever man so she pushed joining the Auror force off. When she was 19, only a year later she found out he had been cheating on her almost the entire time. She quickly called off the engagement and joined the Auror force. She worked as an Auror for fifteen years before retiring. After that, Hogwarts opened up a position in potions as a secondary Professor. Helena took this job offer and has been working there as a Professor since.

♡︎ RELATIONSHIPS

♡︎ Her mother - Helena's relationship with her mother is very strong. The Elwyn home was filled with love, mainly because of her mother. She is a very sweet, loving, and kind person, making her relationship with her daughter very strong.

♡︎ Her father - Helena's relationship with her father is also strong, however he was gone often for work so Helena didn't seen him as much as she saw her mother. They did as much as they could while she was growing up but since her father was a muggle and she was not, they did live two very different lives.

♡︎ Asha - Helena has a very close relationship with her younger sister. They studied together much growing up and they got along well.

♡︎ Edwina - Likewise with Asha, they were close. But their time spent together was more so talking than anything else. Edwina had a colorful imagination and Helena was often the one she went to air her thoughts out to.

♡︎ Aesop Sharp - Helena had known Aesop for years. They went to school together, however they were in different years and houses. They were friends in school, however they lost touch after graduation. They were reunited in the Auror force where they began their on and off relationship. After Aesop was injured and left the force, their relationship ended officially. They were then reunited again when Helena retired and picked up the job offer at Hogwarts. After being reunited so many times, they realized that it wasn't just a coincidence and rekindled their love. They were married two years later.

And that's all, thank you for reading! ♡︎

[abitcaughtinthemiddle]

The Uncertainty of Love and its Torment

As my Bridgerton rewatch continues, I’ve made it to season 2, episode 6: the failed wedding episode.

Love is in the air as Anthony and Edwina face the day of their nuptials. Yet, as we know, it is not the bride and groom that share this love- it is Anthony and Kate that long for each other. It is Eloise and Theo, unsure of their mutual attraction. And, for those of us with a keen eye, it is Penelope and Colin’s love blossoming in the palace courtyard.

While Anthony and Kate fight their love for each other- the feelings between Eloise and Theo & Penelope and Colin remain uncertain in their reciprocation.

Eloise says something important about her relationship with Theo to Penelope- that she is uncertain of his feelings and the “thought exercise” of questioning said feelings is a “thrilling kind of torment”.

(And, during this scene, we can see Pen look longingly at Colin)

While Anthony and Kate’s torment is that they do love each other, it is the torment of the unknown that plague Eloise and Penelope’s infatuations.

Eloise, because she is not used to feeling attraction and is unsure what to call it. Penelope, because she has longed so long for Colin, and his friendship with her has left her confused about his affections.

While Eloise’s attraction was new and exciting, Penelope had been living in her state of torment for years. Both a kind of uncertainty that brought each their own torment. This starts laying an excellent foundation for season 3.

And what tortuous moment can we look to in season 3?

Colin’s first confession of feelings in the carriage.

As Colin himself says, his feelings for Penelope are a “[torture] that [he] cannot, will not, [does] not want to, give up”.

Here, Colin, in a way, reiterates the sentiment Eloise shared last season. However, unlike Eloise, he, himself, is certain of his own feelings. He’s had the experience with Marina to show him the difference between fleeting attraction and love. He knows what it was like to lose Marina and to have his feelings unreciprocated- which is wholly different than his love for Penelope.

But since their kiss and as of this moment in the carriage, Colin truly does not know Penelope’s feelings towards him. The uncertainty of it haunts him as we can see with Luke’s facial acting.

Eloise’s “torment” comment, along with the struggle of Anthony and Kate from season 2 add to the context surrounding Colin and Pen’s love declarations and makes this past season that much more special.

From the first carriage scene confession from Colin, to Penelope’s admission in the church scene, these two have been through their own torments to get to each other- ones that span all the way from season 1 to season 3.

[newtonsheffield]

So Anthony is the player’s box (that apostrophe really stumped me and I’m still not convinced 🤔) Is he supportive, antagonistic, petty, quietly anxious? All of the above? Would love to see a snippet of him supporting Kate because apparently (and unsurprisingly) I am very specifically hooked on that. 🎾

Yeah he’s pretty much all of the above. Only he doesn’t want Kate to see most of it because he needs to be focused on herself. Not being being an idiot.

But he feels every shot when Kate plays. He Sits in the box and watches anxiously. He even feels nerves flutter through him when they have breakfast the morning of a final. Just a month after Wimbledon they’re having breakfast in her hotel room in New York and Anthony has no idea how to act.

“Are you… sure you don’t want coffee?”

Kate raised her eyebrows, “Why would I want coffee?”

Anthony hesitated, looking to Edwina for help. She scoffed, “All yours buddy.”

“It’s… just that you’re… drinking mine.”

Kate raised her eyebrows in question as if to say And? And Anthony decided not to push the topic, clearing his throat. “Nervous about today?”

“I don’t know. Maybe.”

He felt a little helpless, knowing there was nothing he could do for her even as they left the car with camera lights flashing and her fingers intertwined in his as people clamoured for her attention.

“You feel good right?” Anthony said, his stomach churning with anxiety for her as they stood outside the entrance to the dressing room. “No soreness or anything. No nerves?”

Kate shook her head, kissing his cheek. “You kept me calm I guess. I’ll see you after. Love you.”

Anthony nodded, kissing her quickly. “Love you. You’re gonna be great!”

Anxiety still churned as he took his seat between Mary and Edwina, “Fuck it is hard on this side of things.”

Mary hummed, waving as someone called her name. “It’s an art form.”

“Why am I nervous for her?”

He can hardly watch it, for his nerves honestly, leaning right forward. Leaping to his feet as her first serve is an ace.

“Yes, Baby!” He clapped his hands watching Kate’s lips curve in a smirk as she heard him.

It’s going well, right up until the beginning of the second set. When the ball clearly bounces out, and the Umpire says

“Point Cowper.”

“That was out.” Anthony gasped, turning to Mary who nodded.

“I thought it was.”

Kate did as well he thought, staring at the line. He could practically see the decision she was trying to make. Whether or not to challenge.

“That was out!” Anthony called over the murmuring crowd who wondered the same thing.

“Quiet on court.”

“That was OUT!” Anthony called again, standing with his hands on his hips and the Umpire turned looking him dead in the eye.

“Mr Bridgerton, don’t make me have you removed from the stands for coaching from the sidelines.”

Kate was laughing along with the crowd, blowing him a kiss as she walked towards the Umpire herself, saying something Anthony couldn’t hear.

“Sharma to challenge.”

And it’s with excellent satisfaction that the ball is in fact called out as Anthony settled back in his seat.

“Knew it.”

“You might want to pace yourself.” Mary chuckled, “I have a feeling you’re going to be doing this for a while. The support is… very sweet actually. Her Appa used to do the same for me.”

[aeternallis]

Colin's jealousy just hits so well for me this season because unlike Simon and Anthony's jealousy (which mostly comes from male ego and physical lust), Colin's jealousy is born from something much deeper, beyond the surface-level, primitive instinct of seeing he has competition. That's not to say some of that isn't influencing Colin's actions, it most certainly is, but it's not the main force driving his emotions.

His jealousy doesn't come from out of nowhere, yknow?

His jealousy is born from shared history with one of the few genuine relationships in his life that he holds close to his heart, an unconscious, albeit cherished understanding that Penelope is a constant in his life. It's born from the slow, painful realization that he had lost her without even knowing it (further shaking his already flimsy resolve to try and fit into society's standards of being a typical rake), and whilst making a genuine effort to earn her good graces back, unwisely set himself up to lose her again.

Whereas Simon and Anthony's jealousy is superficial (and logically speaking, doesn't make much sense and only speaks to their self-entitlement due to their positions in society), Colin's jealousy is a humbling experience for him, which lends itself to his growth as a character and as a man. It's no wonder he'd described it as "a feeling that is like torture, but something he cannot, will not, does not want to give up."

Can y'all imagine Simon and Anthony having the same sentiment as that without it coming off as OOC? Simon was determined not to continue his family line and Anthony couldn't let go of his pride and obligations, pursuing Edwina until the latter had to set her foot down akjhdjsvbd If they had had any choice in the matter, both of them would have done their utmost to not have to feel anything towards their love interests pre-marriage. (Colin too made an attempt with that second brothel scene, but let's be real, it was half-assed at best)

Colin wants Penelope so much to the point he'd fully embraced even the torture of wanting her. And honestly? That's so damn refreshing to see, considering the typical romantic leads we usually see on television are trying to repress their emotions, not embrace it.

Colin yearns and wants, and he wants unashamedly. He's not jealous of Lord Debling; it's less about Lord Debling himself and the superb qualities he has that makes him an eligible gentleman specifically for Penelope and her circumstances, and more about being threatened by the concept of any other individual having the chance to establish that same emotional connection he has with Pen, and the possibility of that growing into something even more.

For all his kindness, Colin is actually quite possessive of that special connection he has with Penelope, and for a man who's already at odds and ends with his purpose in life and who he is in the grand scheme of the ton, understandably so.

It's why I knew in my gut during my first watch-through of s3 part 1 that although Colin had offered to help Pen find a husband by teaching her how to seduce men, he had never actually set out for it to be a successful endeavor. Lol If anything, it was just an excuse to be able to spend time with her. He had, albeit subconsciously, probably pictured the entire exercise to be something more along the lines of the incident with Lord Basilio, i.e. joking/gossiping w/ Pen about her prospective suitors and how unsuitable they are for her.

It's why Colin's excuses regarding Lord Debling about being a bad marriage prospect for Penelope sound so damn weak, his best reasoning being that he's "too particular."

For Colin, no man was ever going to be good enough for Penelope if it wasn't himself.

[stars-of-kyber]

Is there a story behind the cookie and monkey nicknames for Kate and Edwina? I would love to hear it.

Hello!

For Cookie is not much of a story as a... preference.

Kate has a huge sweet tooth and it was not unusual for her to try to swindle Mary into getting her cookies or cake or anything involving sugar at any given time of the day. Then one day, Mary and Kate were having a chat and Kate said something really cute (Mary can't really remember what exactly).

"You're the sweetest thing in the world," Mary told the little girl as she pulled her up to sit on her lap, who huffed as if her father's girlfriend was being silly.

"Cookies are the sweetest thing in the world." She replied as if it had been so obvious it was silly that the adult woman didn't know it.

"You're a cookie then, I suppose."

And the nickname stuck.

As for Monkey, Edwina had never been the most active of children, see? Especially once she learned how to read. She'd never really liked running and sports were not particularly her thing. She liked swimming well enough and she sometimes could be convinced by Kate, who has always loved outdoor activities, to go on an adventure or another.

There was only one outdoorsy, physical activity Edwina had always liked since she was a toddler, which was climbing. She'd climb her over her parents, on the curtains, on counters, and when the weather allowed it on trees. It was not unusual to find her sitting on a thick branch at the top of a tree with her nose stuck in a book, growing up.

The nickname actually started one day when they found a three-year-old Edwina on one of the high cupboards in the kitchen, only God knows how, going through a jar of blueberry jam with her chubby little finger, her hand and face sticky from the treat and Arjun had jokingly commented something like

"Maybe they switched our baby and a little monkey on the maternity ward." when he reached out to fish Edwina from the cupboard, despite her annoyed protests. To which Kate had quickly replied with

"No, they didn't. I remember when she was born and there were no monkeys in the hospital. It was a people's hospital."

Arjun had laughed loudly, squeezing his eldest daughter along with the littlest one in his arms. "Maybe there's some part of chimp blood in our DNA then, because this one is clearly a little monkey."

Kate stopped to consider it before shrugging, accepting her father's words. "Maybe. But it must be on Mama's side."

"Why is that, Cookie?" Mary asked her curiously, watching the oldest girl blush.

"Well, I'm not very good at climbing at all!"

"That explains it! How have I never thought about this before?!" Arjun cried out dramatically as if he had been a fool not to notice something so obvious, Edwina copying his exaggerated movements as Mary stared at him with narrowed eyes. "I'm sure it comes from Mama. You should ask her about when she used to climb up and down her bedroom window, Beti! It was on the second floor!"

Then he left Mary to explain to Kate why and how she used to climb up to her room and went to clean up Edwina, who was known as little Monkey from this point forward.

[apinchofm]

I want to see Edwina and Fran interact! They do seem like they would get along really well! Maybe they hung out before Edwina left to get married? Before Kate's honeymoon?

Wait, yess!! My perfectionist girlies!!

Aubrey Hall was stifling for Francesca. To go from the quiet of Kildare and Bath and now she was back with her rambunctious, loving family.

She really liked her new in-laws. Kate was warm and fun and deeply in love with her brother. They would be departing for their honeymoon soon and hopefully the excitement would die down.

Unfortunately, her family were extremely animated and she ducked into the library whilst a wild game of Pall Mall took place.

She was mildly surprised to see Edwina Sharma in the library, sitting in a corner, her head in a book. The younger Sharma sister was so polite, so quiet and distant.

"It is nice to get some quiet, is it not?" Francesca said.

Edwina looked up and blinked twice, shutting her book and smiled warmly at her.

"Indeed." Edwina agreed.

Francesca sat down on the bench next to her. "I can only imagine how awkward this must be for you." She continued bluntly, "I think you are brave. It takes courage, to do as you did. To run from unhappiness."

She had not noticed Edwina's expression shift to one that she would describe as amused confusion and worried about what she had said.

"I do apologise-"

"No. No. Do not apologise. It is nice that someone will speak plainly with me." Edwina quickly said, smiling tightly.

Francesca smiled, relieved, "I find it easier to do so."

"You may not enjoy the season, then." Edwina said quietly but Francesca heard her.

"Do you still think of marriage?" Francesca asked curiously.

Edwina looks thoughtful, "I do still want to marry."

"Of course. But I mean to ask, what do you believe one should look for?" Francesca clarified. She felt someone who had been through what she had would have a clearer idea compared to Eloise who hated the idea of a man approaching her.

"Marriage is a gamble, I find. I think that finding someone who respects you is far better. When they respect you, they see you as a person. Not an object to be won nor a jewel to possess." Edwina mused, "I should like my respect returned but I cannot see that happening in London. A shame, for I loved the city." She murmured.

Francesca was confused because she understood that Edwina would be staying in London.

"I agree with that. I do not think my mama does. Love is tricky. People are even trickier, I feel." Francesca said, "I prefer the pianoforte. Or cats."

Edwina smiled but it was sweet, not condescending, "Cats are far more preferable to most people." They shared a smile.

"Perhaps we may hide in ballrooms together?" Francesca suggested and Edwina opened her mouth to reply then stopped, "Have I spoken out of turn again?"

Edwina shook her head, "Not at all, Francesca. No, it is just that... If you may keep this to yourself?" Francesca nodded, "I will not be in London,

"But why not?" Francesca wondered.

Edwina smiled sadly, "An offer has come up. One I do not want to refuse and I think it shall be a fresh start for me. To leave all of the pain and gossip behind."

Edwina leaned over, taking her hand, "I do believe you will have a good season, Francesca. I wish you the very best of luck. You shall need it."

[degreedummy]

Bridgerton Astrology- Part 3: EDWINA SHARMA

Sagittarius Ascendant-

It admittedly took me a minute to come up with an idea for Edwina's Ascendant, but the reason I landed on Sagittarius is because of how her Jupiter influence is denied throughout the show. Jupiter can signify things we're 'meant or destined for', it can represent research and intelligence, it can represent positive changes or upward motion in our lives, and these are all things that were denied to Edwina. Another signifier of her Ascendant, the way people perceive her, is the way that Kate continuously claimed she was trying to protect her. Kate wanted Edwina to marry for love, Kate did everything she could to shield her sister from the pressures her family faced, but ultimately this lie is what destroys the trust between both sisters. The idea of 'innocence' people project onto her has been long outgrown, but it's terrifying to other people [Jupiter-ruled Ascendant] that she might come into contact with an ugly side of the world and never be the same. People became so protective of her natural sweetness that they forgot that's who she really is, and that it's not changing. Back to what I mentioned before with Jupiter representing 'destiny', I think it all pulls back to her family demanding that she must marry an English man to obtain the Sharma family's dowry. It's not quite the same as I talked about with Lady Agatha, with how she was given no other choice but to be Lord Danbury's wife, Edwina had a set of choices in front of her, limited by the lies she had been told. I think, at times, Jupiter can represent illusion, deception, misdirection, and because of the circumstances she was placed in, there was no chance for love to be genuine. No matter how well-meaning specifically Kate was, all the influence of other people meant that Edwina's decisions were never really hers. I think this Jupiter influence is expressed through the perspective of the show too, with how... it's 'all about Edwina', but there's really not much focus on her. Kate claims to be influenced by her care for Edwina, but at no point is she part of the conversation, actually taking part in making decisions for her own future. I think the reason it was hard to determine her as a Jupiter-ruled Ascendant is because she's not boisterous, demanding attention, assertive, she's caring and goes along with the word of the people she trusts. Rather than looking outside of her comforts, fighting to explore new sides of the world, she trusts the family she was raised in, completely. Jupiter is expressed in how she only tries to be all of what the people who love her want her to be.

(8H) Cancer Sun-

When it comes to her Sun, I think the Cancer rulership would easily explain her softness, the way she lost herself in the love she had for Anthony, but I also think it was heavily expressed in the way she forced Kate to take ownership of her own feelings. Represented by the crab, the sign of Cancer is one that snaps back hard and fast, and I think this is a large part of the reason she was so quick to act on finding out everything that had been happening around her. Another big sign of her Sun is the way people bow to her anger, completely understanding it and trying their best to focus toward what is best for her feelings- this just also happens to be the root of her disagreement with Kate. Being in the 8H, I think this reveals the reason behind why people try to claim they know what's best for her, and why she had to be so forceful in making people realize their selfishness. It was understood she wasn't trying to hurt anyone maliciously, but she drew a line and refused to let people project any more fear onto her, knowing that she was doing nothing to deserve being turned on in any way. I think we even see her Cancer Sun in the way she focused on honesty. There was so much to criticize in Kate's behavior, Anthony's, but what remained important to her was that everyone move forward honestly. She wouldn't get married in the face of her sister's silence, but she wouldn't call the marriage off if Kate wouldn't affirm her feelings. In many ways, the Cancer, a Cardinal sign, had to be the one to dig their heel in and force people to act.

(2H) Capricorn Moon-

When compared to the average interpretation of a Capricorn Moon, I don't think she fits the mold, but again, we have to consider [Moon opposite Sun] the way these placements would work together in her chart. The reason I landed on Capricorn as the ruler of her Moon is because of the way, through all the chaos, she is actually completely forgotten. Like I said, during a time that is supposed to be all about her, she is nowhere to be seen, because all the decisions being made 'in her favor' don't really consider her feelings at all. I think, most directly, a 2H Capricorn Moon influence is expressed in the way resources are withheld from her, given to her on the condition she marries in a way her family prefers her to. Even if she's not aware of this fact until the end, the impact of truly being excluded from her family's fortune is the only reason she lives the life she does. For as much as she might love it, her family, for as much as she might love to travel to England in search of a husband, the need for this was entirely imposed on her by her own family. I do think her Moon is displayed in her reaction to finding out the truth, because in people questioning her strength, she was unmoving when it came time to challenge other people. I think, as her Moon could be understood, her soft and bright demeanor can leave people misunderstanding her ability to stand up for herself.

(7H) Gemini Mercury-

Looking toward her Mercury placement, I think this 7H placement in her chart would encapsulate the themes of [Mercury] people trying to find every excuse to speak for her. While people on the outside have no issue respecting Edwina as her own person, it's the people close to her who question her ability to stand on her own, like she could not [Mercury opposite Ascendant] ever truly find someone she loves if she knew about the dowry. I think this is what's so puzzling about her chart, is that every excuse people make to her are quickly explained by them feeling like Edwina cannot control her own emotions. If she were to know about the dowry, "her mind would be plagued", if she were to know about Kate's feelings, "her mind would be plagued", but it's the lies that left her completely vulnerable the moment it was exposed to the ton. I think her chart naturally brings chaos, but it also naturally surrounds herself with people who want to protect her from it. As a 7H Mercury though, neither side can ever be afraid of asking or answering a question, because both sides of a relationship deserve to understand each other.

(9H) Leo Venus-

Bringing the focus back to her as an individual, I think an 9H Venus would speak to the way she was absorbed into her love for Anthony, missing 'signs' everyone else seemed to pick up on and blindly pushing forward on a marriage with someone she deeply loved. She was understanding of the circumstances, but she was quickly ready to face whatever the future held for her, knowing that she trusted Anthony to give that life to her. Of course, the story only shows us this one side of Edwina's life, but a 9H Leo Venus would describe someone that is blinded by love, someone who is infatuated with the idea of love itself- and I think this could also be why she becomes so matter of fact about the truth being revealed. In all the fear people had for her, she knows and genuinely believes that she does not need help finding love. Whatever other motivations people had, she did not need help from anyone to fall in love with Anthony, and I think that... moment of disillusionment also shows how a Leo Venus can be fiercely protective of their own heart. Like I said before, for as gentle as she is when she's in comfortable spaces, there is no hesitation to snap back against people who wrong her. She knows for a fact that she never does anything to wrong anyone, she tries to be aware and respectful at all times, so when it comes to someone lying to her, there is near no justification that can be given for it.

(4H) Pisces Mars-

I think this could be one of the more obvious placements, showing [Mars square Mercury] the way people feel they can lie to her as a way of protecting her, [Mars inconjunct Venus] the way her ability to fall in love can betray her when it comes to noticing changes around her, [Mars trine Sun] the way she believes in the people she loves with her whole heart, but I think the biggest sign of her Mars placement is the way she is forced into the perfect position to unravel her family's problems. Had she known the truth, she could have focused on finding someone better suited for her, but in every way, she only ever wanted to do what would make her family happiest. I think having a Pisces Mars, Jupiter-ruled, shows benefit to her Venus, with how she gives in with her whole body and falls face first into love. I do think she's still able to be convinced, shown a need to change, but it's still that Pisces Mars influence that drives her toward the love she has for Anthony. When we look to the 4H side of this influence, I think we also see the way so much chaos is created from people lying to her. While still in a difficult situation that would have been challenging for her to face, she was completely abandoned and left ignorant to what was happening around her, as unprepared as she could be for any part of it to become real. Natal Pisces Mars need peoples' actions to match their words, they need something concrete to build a relationship off of, and as we saw, she would not marry Anthony even out of respect if it meant knowing he was holding in a lie, about his true feelings.

[lookingfts]

Friday Fic Rec 10/25

Thanks as always for your submissions! Titles are links to each fic.

operation: barista (snitches get stitches) by starkswinterfelling

“It’s a dynamite text fic series, truly the OG text fic, and it honestly is the characterization and personalities I see in a lot of modern day AUs. It’s so funny!”

Description: All of the many combinations of the Bridgerton group chats, as they're all back together in their home town for a week and (attempt to) stir up a plot to get Anthony and the barista together.

Complete - T - 14k words

I Wouldn't Know What to Do by trash4ficsaboutlurv

“This author has only written two Bridgerton fics (both Kanthony) and while the other one is great too, 'I wouldn't know what to do' is a true killer. And it's one of those rare stories where Kate is the much bigger clown, which is always refreshing.”

Description: Kate and Anthony have known each other for more than a decade. Anthony dated Kate's best friend Siena in college and even though that relationship ended a long time ago, it means he's 100% off-limits. Kate has a code. Anthony just thinks she's the most confusing person he's ever met. And also, though he shouldn't say, the prettiest.

Complete - M - 81k words

there's many different ways that you can kill the one you love by folklauerate

“Kate cheats on Tom (her absent fiance and eventual husband) with Anthony. It's passionate and messy and I reread it all the time.”

Description: The Kate POV to "the other man"/Tom and Kate and Anthony cheating oneshot.

Complete - E - 18k words

The Anticipation Of Relief + A Pocketful Of Secrets by PenguinofProse 

“I think this author has such a clear understanding of both Kate and Anthony to their bones and does an amazing job representing how they would navigate their lives in an arranged marriage if Violet died right after Edmund.”

Description: In which Anthony loses both his parents young and seeks a marriage of convenience. 155K words of Anthony Bridgerton slowly learning how to love again.

Complete - E - 156k words

i don’t like a gold rush by alljustrunaways

Description: Kate Sharma expected certain challenges when she accepted her offer at Oxford University with a tennis scholarship. She did not expect Anthony Bridgerton.

Complete - E - 30k words

Summer’s a Knife by @deadmunds-ghostbee 

Description: Kate is thrilled to visit Edwina for the summer as she begins her new job as a local politician. Anthony has only two weeks of vacation and a hasty plan involving a certain city councilwoman. Insults and maybe sparks fly when they cross paths along the way—that is, until they get far too close for comfort.

Complete - M - 106k words

Simmering by @newtonsheffield

Description: Anthony knew this restaurant was his father's dream, and he was watching it slip through his fingers more and more every day. And whatever she's doing, Kate Sharma is not helping with that.

Complete - M - 36k words

i can’t find the words, so i guess it’s time by pentaghastly

Description: They make it to the wine cellar. It’s a long, long while before they make it out.

Complete - T - 7k words

Thanks to those who submitted! This is a (mostly) weekly thing, so keep your recs coming! You can find previous weeks under the "lfts fic recs" tag.