#bridgerton!sister

[vampirestookmydoubts]

Hi, I loved loved loved your Bridgerton sis imagine, I love the bond she has with Benedict!! Could you write something about her falling in love with Prince Friedrich and some sisterly rivalry because Daphne is trying to make Simon jealous with him? Thank you!!

A Prince's Heart

A/N: thank you for the request, absolutely loved it! Hoping to write more like this in the future. Hope you enjoy! <3

Characters: bridgerton!sister x Prince Friedrich, Benedict Bridgerton, Daphne Bridgerton

Word count: 2184

Warnings: non

The ballroom in front of you was a shimmering sea of silks and satins, the opulence of the evening mirrored in every glittering crystal chandelier. The scent of roses and delicate perfumes filled the air, merged with the sound of laughter and the orchestra playing an upbeat song. Your heart fluttered as you stood near the entrance, trying to steady your nervous breath. This was a grand occasion for many, one that could change the course of many young women’s lives, including your own.

Your eyes scanned the room, catching sight of your siblings scattered about. Anthony was deep in conversation with Lady Danbury, while Colin and Eloise appeared to be in the midst of a lively debate. But it was Benedict who caught your eye, his warm smile offering a sense of calm in the bustling room. Your elder brother had always been your confidant, your anchor in the unpredictable sea of social expectations thrown at the both of you.

"Y/N," Benedict called, making his way toward you, linking your arm with his and starting to parade you around the room. "Are you enjoying the evening, dear sister?"

"As much as one can in these circumstances," you replied, a hint of mischief in your tone. He chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "Well, if anyone can find joy in such an event, it would be you."

Before you could respond, the room suddenly fell silent except for a few whispers and murmurs, and your attention was drawn to the grand staircase. There he was, the grand guest of the evening, Prince Friedrich, descending the stairs with an air of regal grace. Your breath caught in your throat.

The prince was a vision to see, his presence inevitably commanding the attention of everyone in the room. Your eyes met as he gazed upon the ton, and for a moment, it felt as though the world around you had disappeared.

The first time you had met the prince he was introduced to your sister Daphne, as she was the diamond of the season and you just happened to be with her and your mother, so you were greeted, too.

Despite what a lot of the Mama’s and their daughters thought, the prince wasn’t just all looks and riches. He was witty and intelligent and had the ability to make the people around him laugh sincerely and with ease. The way he included you into the conversation and not only asked about Daphne’s interests, but also about yours, never felt forced or just him being polite.

It felt like he had a sincere interest in getting to know you.

"Y/N, isn't he magnificent?” You were violently jolted back to reality by the excited voice of Daphne.

"Indeed," you replied cautiously, fixing your posture. "He is quite remarkable."

Daphne’s eyes sparkled with a hint of something more—determination, perhaps. “He certainly is. It’s no wonder the Queen is so fond of him. He would make a wonderful match for any young lady this season.”

You nodded, sensing the underlying tension in her words. “Indeed. He is quite the catch.”

Daphne’s smile widened, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You know, he is interested in finding a suitable match, and as we were just presented this season and introduced to him, it is only natural for us to be among his considerations.”

You met her gaze, recognizing the competitive edge in her tone. “Of course, Daphne. But I think he is looking for more than just suitability. He seeks a genuine connection.”

“Which is why it is important to make a strong impression,” Daphne replied, her tone sharpening slightly at your underlying accusation. “He must see who is the best match for him.”

You felt a pang of frustration, not just at her words, but at the realization that she would use the prince to make Simon jealous. “Daphne, I understand your desire to capture his attention, but is it truly fair towards him… and Simon?”

She raised an eyebrow, her expression cool and composed. “Maybe I do care for the prince sincerely. I intend to make him mine, you know.” She straightened her posture. “Also, Simon has been most infuriating lately, and I believe a bit of jealousy might do him some good." Your heart sank. Of course, Daphne would use the prince to make the Duke of Hastings jealous. It was a clever plan, one that would undoubtedly succeed.

You sighed, trying to keep your voice steady. “I know you, Daphne. I know how much you care for Simon. But Friedrich deserves honesty, not to be a pawn in your game.”

Daphne’s eyes softened, but her resolve remained. “So what about you, Y/N? What are your intentions with the prince?”

You took a deep breath, meeting her gaze with determination. “I think I feel a connection with him that I cannot ignore, Daphne.”

For a moment, silence hung between you, the weight of unspoken words and sisterly rivalry heavy in the air. Then, Daphne’s expression softened slightly, a hint of understanding in her eyes. “I see. Perhaps we both have more at stake than we realize.”

As you watched your sister move toward the prince, clasping her giant feathery fan, a pang of something you couldn't quite identify surged within you. Was it envy? Regret? Or something deeper?

"Are you all right?" Benedict's concerned voice broke through your thoughts. You nodded, though your heart felt heavy. "Just thinking."

"About Prince Friedrich, perhaps?" he teased gently, nudging you softly. You met his gaze, your eyes betraying the turmoil within. "Perhaps."

Benedict's expression softened. "You have always been honest with yourself, Y/N. If you think you like him, you must not let Daphne's games deter you."

You sighed slightly, your eyes following Daphne as she easily engaged the prince in conversation, fanning her feather fan lowly to draw his attention to her cleavage.

"It's not that simple, Ben. Daphne has always been the one to capture attention. And now, with her being the diamond of the season and her mind set on Prince Friedrich..."

"I don’t know about Daphne’s motives, but I can sense you have genuine feelings for the prince. You should listen to your heart and not be content with living in your sisters shadow." Benedict interrupted your self-pity. “You deserve happiness, too.”

His words resonated with you, filling you with a resolve you hadn't realized you possessed. Perhaps Benedict was right. Perhaps you owed it to yourself to not let Daphne use him for her scheme and to see if this connection with Prince Friedrich was more than just your imagination and if there was something, where it might lead.

As the evening wore on, you found yourself following the prince with your eyes, waiting for a moment where he wasn’t engaged in some conversation. Just as you were about to give up your mission, Fortuna settled the matter and your paths crossed near the refreshment table.

"Miss Bridgerton," he greeted, his soft voice sending shivers down your spine, making you spin around.

"Your Highness," you replied quickly, offering a curtsy. "I trust you are enjoying the evening?"

"I am now," he said, his eyes locking onto yours with an intensity that made your heart race. "Might I have the pleasure of engaging you in a dance?"

You hesitated suddenly, glancing over to see Daphne watching you both with a keen interest. But then your gaze shifted to Benedict, silently rooting for you, and you knew what you had to do, despite your anxiety and racing thoughts.

"It would be my honor, Your Highness," you said, placing your hand in the one he held out for you.

The ballroom's splendid grandeur faded as Prince Friedrich escorted you to the dance floor. His hold on your hand and waist was warm and steady, his presence both calming and exhilarating at the same time. The small orchestra began a waltz, and you started to move in unison, the world around you narrowing to just the two of you.

"Miss Bridgerton," he began, his voice soft yet clear over the music, "I must confess, I have been eager to speak with you all evening."

You looked up into his eyes, surprised by the sincerity in his gaze. "And I, Your Highness, have been equally curious about you."

"Please," he said with a charming smile, "call me Friedrich."

"Friedrich," you repeated in a whisper, the name feeling both foreign and wonderfully familiar on your lips. "It's a beautiful name."

"Thank you, Y/N," he replied, his eyes never leaving yours. "Tell me, do you enjoy these grand events?" You hesitated, considering your answer. "I do, to an extent. They are lovely, but I sometimes feel lost among the crowds and the expectations the ton has."

He nodded, understanding evident in his expression. "I understand. These gatherings can be quite overwhelming. It is rare to find genuine connection amidst all the pomp and circumstance."

"Indeed," you agreed, feeling a growing ease in his company. "But I find solace in the familiar faces of my family. My brother Benedict, in particular, always knows how to bring a smile to my face."

"Family is a great comfort," Friedrich said thoughtfully. "I admire the close bond your family shares. It is something I have longed for."

Your heart softened at his words, seeing a vulnerability in him that was surely hidden behind his princely façade most of the time. "You are always welcome among us, Friedrich. We Bridgertons have a habit of adopting those we care about."

He chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. "That is a generous offer, Y/N. I may take you up on that."

As the music swirled around you, the conversation grew more personal, the connection between you deepening with each passing moment. But you also became acutely aware of Daphne watching from the sidelines, her expression unreadable. You knew she had her own motives, her own desires, but in this moment, they seemed distant, overshadowed by the prince's presence.

"May I ask, Friedrich, how do you like London?" you inquired.

"It feels like a mix of duty and desire," he admitted. "I didn’t time to see much of London, to be honest. As you know, my aunt, the Queen, believes it is time I find a suitable match. But I was hoping to find someone with whom I can share more than just royal obligations."

You felt a flutter in your chest at his words and mustered up your strength to ask further. "And have you had any luck in the search so far?"

His eyes bore into yours, filled with an intensity that made you catch your breath. "Perhaps," he said softly. "There is indeed someone who has captured my attention."

Your cheeks flushed under his gaze, hope blossoming in your heart. "And, if I may ask, what is it that you seek in a potential partner, Friedrich?"

"Someone genuine, kind, and unafraid to be themselves," he said, his voice earnest. "Someone like you, Y/N." The admission left you momentarily speechless, your heart racing and head spinning.

"I have to admit you seem different from the others," Friedrich said, his tone contemplative. "There is a sincerity about you that is rare to find these days."

You smiled, feeling a warmth spread through you. "I could say the same about you, Friedrich. You are not what I expected."

He cocked his head in confusion. "And what did you expect?"

You paused, searching for the right words. "Someone distant, untouchable. But you... you are kind, genuine."

Friedrich's gaze softened, and he took a step closer. "It takes courage to be yourself in a world that often demands otherwise."

Your breath hitched as he reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from your face. "To be honest I find myself drawn to you in ways I cannot explain," he confessed.

Your heart soared at his words, the honesty in his eyes mirroring your own feelings. "I… feel the same, Friedrich."

The moment was charged with unspoken emotion, a promise of something deeper, something real. The music swelled, and as the final notes played, Friedrich led you to the edge of the dance floor. He didn't release your hand immediately, his thumb brushing lightly against your knuckles.

"I would very much like to see you again, Y/N," he said, his eyes searching yours.

You smiled, feeling a sense of hope and excitement you hadn't felt in a long time. "I would like that too, Friedrich." The prince smiled contently, offering you a polite bow as he handed you over to Benedict, who nodded at Friedrich in response.

You curtsied as a goodbye and when you came up again, you were greeted by Benedict’s raised eyebrow and a knowing smile playing on his lips. “Friedrich, hm.”, Benedict mocked you in a loving way. You felt your cheeks flush, but returned his smile, feeling a newfound sense of confidence and purpose.

The night had brought unexpected revelations and the promise of new beginnings. As you watched Prince Friedrich mingle with the guests, you knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, you were ready to face them. For now, you had hope, and perhaps something more—a chance at love.

[marymary-diva17]

Starting a new

bridgerton family x reader

Life among the ton in London was nit very easy for a young women, as she was making her way thought life. Having a supportive and loving family, had helped make life easier among all the gossip and scandals going around. The Bridgerton family was always there for each other, during all the gossip and scandals. That what you had expected will stay the same forever, having your family by your side.

Y/n " ......" you had gone out of a walk with your maid it a beautiful day, but there was something that gained your attention. There were many members of the ton looking at you and speaking among themselves, this was not unusual to you but it felt a bit more off today.

y/n " good morning lady Weston how are you and your family doing" you had greated one of ladies as she was walking pass, but she looked at you said nothing and soon walked off.

y/n " something is wrong maybe we should be get home" you had looked at your maid and she nodded her head, as the two of you soon headed back to Bridgerton house. You are one of many ladies that had been present to the queen, so you had thought it was about that as you haven't gotten any proposal.

man " shameful for the Bridgerton household" that when it hit you something had happened, you need to get home right away and speak with your family. After some time you soon arrived at home and got inside quickly.

Gregory " sister you are home"

y/n " hello Gregory is everything okay when I left you were in front of house, playing outside with hyacinth along with some other kids"

Hyacinth " we had been until they were called home by their mother or governess, then Anthony had called us home ... we also have some good news as well"

y/n " wow I need to have some words with our dear older brother and mother, I think ...."

Voilet " y/n my dearest there you are I need you to come with me right away"

y/n " yes mother but there seems to be some tension among the ton"

Hyacinth " what tension what has happened now"

Voilet " upstairs that both of you into your room right now I will have the maids, attend to you needs come now y/n" you soon nodded your head and followed your mother into the drawing room.

y/n " Daphne and Simon when did you two get here Gregory and hyacinth didn't tell me"

Daphne " yes sister we had come home for a important family meeting"

y/n " okay but I think I need to bring something to everyone attention, something had happened the ton seem to be gossiping once again"

Antony " oh yes we know dear sister we have heard all the gossip going around, as someone had told us in person"

y/n " what has happened"

Antony " you have brought scandal and shame to the family y/n"

y/n " what brother you most be jesting I have not brought any shame upon our family"

Benedict " are you sure because coming for what we have learned in gossip and reports, you have threatened the family moral values and reputation"

y/n " I will like to know what I'm being accused for my dear brothers"

Colin " you have been reporting been seen flirty with young man of the ton out in the open, with no one watching over and then we are told you took a walk a while along with Mr Tristan along with having tea with him as well"

y/n " well the first one is not the truth I was talking with them, and my maid was not that far away from my view ... and yes I have been meeting with the Viscount as he gained my attention I gained his as well, is that wrong for me to meet with him"

Antony " yes when it bring shame upon on family after all that has happened, can't you not be selfish"

Kate " Antony"

Y/n " this is wrong for me to fall in love"

Antony " yes when it effects us all didn't you think how this will reflect on us all in this room, and our younger siblings .. think about your nephews"

Eloise " well I think there nothing wrong with the match they look like a perfect match"

Antony " that up for you to decide sister of mine I up for myself, Kate, and our mother"

Y/n " Tristan is a good man and I care for me and he does the same for me"

Benedict " sister you are being naive havent you heard the stories about him"

y/n " there have been stoires about all of us in this room brother dearest"

Colin " our relationship haven't caused this much damage, because not that you are only effecting our family name but also Simon and Daphne"

y/n " sister is what Colin speak true"

Daphne " yes rumors have reached our area and the ton there, don't hold back I fear it will effect I and Simon family and household"

Simon " think well about your decisions y/n we all know you are smart young lady"

y/n " mother Kate what do you have to say"

Voilet " we need to think about your sisters and bother future y/n, this scandal along with everything else I have heard about will ruin us"

y/n " what else have your heard"

Colin " you meeting up in this places with these high rank women, who have no husband and speaking about society"

y/n " we are talking that all like all ladies do we talk and brainstorm, what wrong with that"

Eloise " all but aside sister I and pen love what you are doing"

y/n " thank you sister"

Kate " I think it good but we need to put the family first"

Benedict " I was at the club today when I was told this story about leading Earl smith son James on making promised to marry him, and there was you running the chances of other young ladies finding matches"

y/n " they are lies and misunderstandings you all have to understand"

Antony " that only thing we understand is that your have brought to much scandal and ruin to us, that we need to do what best for the family"

y/n " what"

Antony " We are sending you to live countryside the staff there will take care of you you will go there and Francesca will come home ... with your gone for while everything will die down and once that happens you can come home, then be present once again as honorable lady of ton and our family"

y/n " no mom"

Voilet " I'm sorry but it for the best my daughter think about your sisters and brothers"

y/n " I'm always thinking about them mom day and night"

Antony " not when you were seen around breaking all the rules and seen with Tristan, you will leave tomorrow but from here lady danbury has offered you and room to stay"

y/n " I'm being exiled from my own family and home"

Antony " you have done this your self once I have deemed it fair and good time, if the scandal has died down you can come home ... that might be a long time for all the trouble you have done, once you have come home we will see where we can go from there”

Voilet “ all your needs will be meant my dearest when you are there”you look at your siblings for help only Eloise seem to want to save you.

Eloise “ this very harsh Antony she our sister”

Antony “ it needs to be done for the benefit of the family and ton as well”

y/n “ Daphne,Simon, Kate” all there were quite as you came to terms with everything.

y/n “ I will go pack my stuff”

Antony “ it has already been taken care of once it over, you will leave to lady Danbury home”

y/n “ yes viscount bridgerton”

violet “ everything will be fine my dearest mayeh when you are away we can find you a good match”

Colin “ we will be lucky if that happens”

Antony “ enough no more talking about this is over with, I’m made my decision” the meeting was over you had went to your room to see, your stuff getting packed away. Once it was done you saw your stuff getting loaded onto carriages. There were short goodbye as you left at night heading to Danbury household.

lady Danbury “ my dear welcome I’m sorry for what has happened”

y/n “ thank you for hosing me this evening I know this will be bad for you, lady Danbury”

lady Danbury “ my dear I’m mad but at you or Tristian at everyone else, even your own family as well everyone acting all high and might”

y/n “ it seems like that”

lady Danbury “ come inside and have some supper with me, and we will be having anothe guests”you had nodded your head and soon went into the Danbury home. Dinner and had been served and the two ate.

footman " my lady your other guest has arrived"

lady Danbury " good let him in"

footman " you can come inside mister" soon Tristian had stepped into the room.

y/n " Tristan"

Tristan " y/n I'm so sorry about what has happened to you and your family"

y/n " thank you and I'm sorry for you family as well"

Lady Danbury " have some dinner with us young man"

Tristan " thank you" the tiro soon ate dinner and enjoyed a good conversation.

Lady Danbury "I have heard from your uncle Mr Tristan"

y/n " your uncle the one who lives in Scotland"

Tristan " yes he has heard of what has happened I'm kicked out from home as well, he had asked me to come take over his household and learn from him .. he mad at my father and family right now"

y/n " that sound wonderful for you"

Tristan " thank you and I was wondering if you will come he did, say it will be good for me to bring the young women who has been mentioned in stupid scandal"

y/n " Scotland I have been sent countryside"

lady Danbury " go my dear live a wonderful life being away from home and the ton"

y/n " I will love that but how we will travel as unmarried couple"

lady Danbury " then get married in private ceremony here and another on in Scotland, it will be good I will be one of witnesses with many others your uncle will help as well"

Tristan " so y/n bridgeton will you do me the honors and become my wife, I was going to ask you in later time but now seems better a new start for us both"

lady Danbury " if doesn't work out no outside of this house and Tristan uncle will know"

y/n " then yes" a small ceremony had been held as lady Danbury and some her staff, along with Tristan as well who were witness and guests.

lady Danbury " enjoy this new start in life as it will help you both grown, and become the people you wish"

y/n " thank you lady Danbury for this well please take care"

lady Danbury " I will young lady and you both take care as well, I will take care of your families from here"

Tristan " we will come on my dear wife the travel will be long, but it will be good"

y/n " coming my dear husband" The pair soon left as sun was starting to come up, and it was good time to get going so no will see the pair. They rode in the carriage pass all the house of the ton, knowing it will be a long time until they were called back home or shall ever return home. It was time for a new start for you as there will always be love for you family. now it was start of journey for you. As you are hoping your father is watching out for you, as your left the place you once grew up and called home.

[nnightskiess]

𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠, 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭.

𝒐𝒏𝒆, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮...

₊° - 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧!𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫

₊° - 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: As the first preparations for the new season start, Elladine is filled with dread at the prospect of having to enter the beau monde and say goodbye to her childhood to welcome in the world of London's high society.

(this story goes slightly off-canon to fit the storyline)

masterlist (soon), read the introduction that started it all

☾ ⋆*·ﾟ:⋆*·ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:·ﾟ .: ⋆*·ﾟ: .⋆

𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗽𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀. 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿’𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 <3

My dearest gentle readers, a new flock of eagerly anticipating young women, yearning to make an impression on the Ton, will soon step foot and enter the world of the beau monde, hopefully tightly clutching the arms of their new husbands in a few weeks time. Reflecting on the last two seasons, this author will wait patiently to see if Dowager Viscountess Violet Bridgerton will succeed once more in finding one of her children a suitable match. The bar certainly is set high, seeing as her first daughter landed the attention of both a Duke and a Prince during her debut season and her firstborn seems as happy as ever. Will she succeed, or will she have to vie for a lord to pay attention to her daughters like Lady Featherington has done for years? And will Miss Featherington ever be freed from the horrible clothing she is put in? I, dear readers, surely cannot wait to see what this season has in store for us. I will watch with a keen eye to see how well our favourite Viscount and his Viscountess have fared over the year. I eagerly await their return to the beau monde now that they have to find Miss Eloise and, how else, following the Bridgerton’s alphabetic name tradition, her twin sister Miss Elladine, a husband. Exciting times, my dearest readers, but we can only sit tight and wait until the first ball of the season, where we will be shown exactly what kind of year this will shape to be. This author will keep her eyes and ears open to all that will happen in our beloved Ton.

LADY WHISTLEDOWN’S SOCIETY PAPERS, APRIL 1816

Violet exhaled sharply through her nose when she read the words on the small pamphlet in her hands. The season hadn’t even started, and yet, Lady Whistledown had managed to speak of her and her family already. She had ploughed her way through the rumours and ill words directed to her, her family and her children once with Daphne’s debut, then again with the debacle Anthony had put himself in, but she already held her breath for the kind of things Eloise and Elladine would manage to get themselves into. Knowing her daughters well, she knew something was bound to happen. For now, she worried more about Eloise than Elladine. Although her precious daughters were both equal head-and-heart girls, they still held the fire each Bridgerton had, and they had been raised by one strong woman, not to forget. They had been less willing to bend and mend to the standards of the beau monde than she had hoped, and although at times it gave her evenings full of headache, she could not help but love the strength in her daughter’s characters. Eloise had made it clear time and time again, even before it had been her time to debut, how much she detested the prospect of what would be asked of her, the prospect of not having a choice in the matter either. She'd started throwing fusses whenever the subject had come up, she'd been blatantly rude to avoid having to talk to any man wanting a chat and she had even gone as far to escape social occasions more than once. Where Eloise’s protest had been loud and clear, Elladine’s true feelings about having to find herself a man had been less outspoken. Each time the subject would be brought up, she would visibly recoil and turn quiet, her eyes filling with a glassy melancholic look, the light in them no longer there. She had worn the dresses, learned the customaries and the dances and even done her best to entertain any man wanting to talk or dance with her, but Violet could see the intent was not there. Violet had then vowed to find a perfect suitor to make the light in her daughter’s eyes return again, to have her shine as bright as she deserved. She knew it was possible, as she’d seen it happen to Daphne and Anthony. There was a person for everyone out there, Elladine would be no exception. She deserved to know how euphoric love could be and Violet was going to help her daughter realise that.

“Has she written about our ridiculous order of names again, mama?” Elladine sighed from behind the easel, eyes not leaving her canvas.

“Of course, it is only tradition,” Eloise teased, knowing exactly how the famed writer usually picked her words. She stopped flitting through her book and sat up to watch her twin sister focus on the canvas before her.

Despite being born mere minutes apart, the two couldn’t look more different from each other. Sure, they both had the thick familiar chestnut Bridgerton hair and the same soft button nose, but they differed in the rest. Where Eloise’s eyes were an earthy green, Elladine’s eyes were as sharp and light blue as those of her mother. No matter if a room was lit by merely a handful of candles or if she stood outside on Grosvenor Square in the harsh sunlight, her eyes would always be a strikingly aquamarine. Her doe eyes had been one of her most adorable features when she had been young, and they made many a head turn ever since she’d turned of age.

“She is getting rather boring and repetitive lately, don’t you think?” Eloise shrugged, not realising the foreboding irony her words would hold in a few weeks.

Violet’s head immediately snapped up, “Do not give the Lord any ideas on how to enliven her ridiculous paper.”

“Fine, I take it back.” Eloise softly muttered under her breath as she looked up to the ceiling in exasperation, where a group of painted angels draped around vines stared down at her. 

Now it was Elladine’s time to snort as she looked at her sister while smoothing out a thick blob of paint on her canvas. It was supposed to be the start of a bush full of red camellia, the flower that represented the painful yearning for love, something she had learned in a book from their library. She often looked for inspiration there, seeing as it was hard for her to venture out into the world as a young aristocratic woman, to experience things herself. 

Their head of servants announced himself as he stepped into the drawing-room, “I have post for Lady Eloise and Lady Elladine,” He announced and carefully placed the two ivory envelopes on the table before taking his leave.

“It’s from Daphne,” Violet announced after seeing their names scribbled onto the paper in her daughter's familiar curly handwriting.

Elladine’s ears perked up at the mention of her oldest sister. Daphne had been their rock after their father had passed and their mother had isolated in her grief for a while. Like a true big sister, she had stepped up wherever she could, consoled the little ones, taken care of them with the help of the maids, let them cuddle up to her in bed and helped distract them together with Colin by playing music and putting on silly performances for the little ones in their drawing room. Daphne had been an everpresent tangible anchor for Elladine, something to ground her and help her practice her resilience in hard times with kind affirmations. The day Daphne had left the Bridgerton house, had been one of the worst days so far, together with her father passing. And, well... maybe also when that dreaded letter had arrived to invite her for her debut. Elladine had looked up to Dapne all her life until her oldest sister had seemed so content being married off to a mere stranger and seeming to love the prospect of being a doting wife— all the things that made Elladine’s skin itch. 

“Ella, dear, do wipe your hands before you come and open it.” Her mother pointed at the green and white smears of paint scattered on her palms. Despite being elegant most times, when she was painting, she no longer seemed to care about making a mess as she let her creativity take over.

Elladine held her hands away from her dress and quickly grabbed a cloth to wipe them off, knowing she would likely lose her head if her mother caught her with paint on one of her newest dresses.

“You know, I think your dress is a bit too maiden-white, a bit of green would liven it up.” Eloise grinned to her sister and plucked the envelope out of her mother's hands.

The two sisters exchanged a knowing grin, especially when they saw their mother’s head shoot up at the suggestion. It had always been a bit like that— Eloise being the instigator and Elladine joining close in pursuit. But where Eloise had chaos rumbling closely beneath her chest, Elladine was usually more collected and aware of situations and repercussions. Elladine would let her thoughts ponder before letting them out, but Eloise had always been good at blurting out the next best thing on her mind. Even that simple knowledge was why Violet had known since childhood that Eloise would be the biggest handful. Then again, where Eloise went, Elladine followed, what Elladine did, Eloise wanted to do, and vice versa. They’d been like this ever since birth, as was only normal for twin sisters, Violet had presumed. She adored it, though. But now, Lady Whistledown had mockingly practically placed them on the highest pedestal for all the Ton to watch and observe this season. Violet started to fan her face even thinking about what was to come and how her daughters would fare with that much attention on them...especially knowing how much they hated it.

Elladine excitedly snatched the letter away, tore the Duke’s seal apart and hastily opened the letter. The twins quickly let their eyes scan across the parchment.

“Ah, it’s one of those.” Eloise spoke with a mouth full of distaste. 

“Whatever are you talking about?” Elladine tried to take a peek at her sister’s letter, confused, as her letter had started off kindly with words about her nephew and the news of a renovation project of their estate.

Eloise rolled her eyes, “At least that means she did not just plainly copy them.”

“She wouldn’t, she knows us too well to realise we would open and read them together.”

“Well, what did she write?” Violet watched the two, a fondness in her eyes, something that would always be present whenever she looked at her twins. To be blessed with one child was one thing, but to be blessed with two at once was something else entirely. And to have nine healthy children in total had simply been the greatest gift on the planet.

“That she wishes us a splendid season and that she hopes we will find our life as married women accommodating and that we will walk off into the sunset with the second best man we can find.”

“She did no such thing-” Violet all but tried to snatch the letter out of Eloise’s hands. At the mention of her older sister’s supposed well-wishes for their debut, Elladine fell quiet once more, like she had done so plenty of times already when the subject had been brought up. She didn’t want to read the rest of her letter anymore, afraid Daphne's sentences would eventually lead to the one thing she tried to forget about.

“I would rather become a spinster than ever make my debut.” Elladine snarked, voicing her disinterest out loud for once as she fumbled the letter back into its envelope and discarded it on the table with little care.

Violet looked at her through squinted eyes, “I don’t like your tone, Elladine.” 

She withheld an eye roll at her mother’s usual reply whenever one of her children went a little out of line. But while she would have giggled or grinned at it on any other occasion, it made her look at the floor and let her shoulders fall. Her mother was right. Daphne had written a kind letter in support of her debut that was fast approaching, probably knowing very well how her little sister was feeling and trying her best to help her lift her spirits, and Elladine hadn't even taken the time to read it through to the end.

“I know it is a prospect you do not feel anything for, but know that all I wish for you is to be loved, adored and cared for. You two deserve to live as happy as I have. I won’t be around forever, and I do not wish you to be alone when I'm gone.” Although her words were soft-spoken and well-meant, her two bad-humoured daughters standing before her could not yet appreciate the intent of her words.

“Oh, we won’t be alone. We’ll have each other.” Eloise linked arms with Elladine, giving her a conspiratorial grin, “First, we will go to University, to hell with those small-minded egotistical men who think it is no place for us. Then we will travel the world and inspire other like-minded women to break free from their shackles. Then we'll make a fortune and settle down somewhere and spend our days writing and making music." Her eyes had a playful glint to them before she turned serious and sighed in vexation, "We do not wish to be married, we will have each other, Mama.”

Elladine pulled her arm away from Eloise, “That’s what you want, why does it always have to be what you want?"

Violet's fingers fell to pinch the bridge of her nose. No matter how well her twins went along, they could bicker like an elderly couple over who would take the last scone. Those quarrels generally barely ever lasted longer than a minute, though.

"I thought we wanted the same thing?!" Eloise huffed, "What do you want?" Eloise softened upon seeing the distant look in her sister's eyes, "Teaching children how to play and read music, that was what you once said, right?"

Elladine fell silent, she realised she hadn't really dared to dream of her future when the only future she thought she could have, would be one she hated. And what kind of self-torture would it be to allow herself to daydream of a life she could never get anyway?

Even if it had been only momentarily, she could feel herself slip away into her worries again. She swallowed, "Um, I suppose so. I want to paint and play music... share that joy with others... upkeep my own garden and live somewhere far away without the rules and obligations of the Ton and..." Her large inhale made her chest double in size and her dress pushed back in protest before she let the breath escape in a sigh, "-to just be me.”

Eloise scrunched up her nose at that, ready to butt in and voice how boring it sounded compared to her ideal life.

“Girls.” Violet’s tone was a message in itself, but Elladine took it to heart and huffed before leaving the salon, ignoring the pleas of her mother to settle the matter and make amends. She headed directly to the greenhouse at the edge of their estate, knowing her mother would never follow her there. It was the one place that had her father written all over it, the one place too painful for her mother to step foot in. Edmund, with his love for nature, had always complained about the lack thereof in the city of London. So, with the help of a flock of gardeners, he'd set up a gigantic greenhouse near the edge of their garden, tucked behind a large chestnut tree. The same one he'd take the children to each Fall to collect chestnuts and help them with their crafts to turn their collected chestnuts into spiders, stick figures or other figurines. The greenhouse was more of a fancy conservatory from the outside, but when it was time to plant a plethora of flower bulbs, it was a combined mess of dirt, tools, pots of fertilisers and waste of the flowers from the previous season. And her father would often be there, right in the centre of it all. It was the place where he would teach them about herbs, tell them about certain medical properties of a few of them, let them rub their tiny fingers over leaves to smell them and where he could pretend he wasn't trying to run away from the pile of papers waiting for him on his desk.

Elladine strode across the garden with haste to make it there in time so that her tears could finally fall. God forbid she let them fall outside in the world where she could no longer feel her father's safe embrace, albeit figuratively.

Even if Eloise was the only one who could ever get remotely close to understanding how she felt, she still would never get it. No one would. The conversation she'd just had only further proved her point. Elladine wasn’t opposed to being loved, adored and cared for, to not be alone but to live with her person by her side, it was just… Well, what was it exactly? Why was there such a big push and pull whenever she thought of love? Why was something inside of her so opposed to the entire idea when she should feel happy and have some healthy nerves, like all the other girls starting their debut? And why, at the same time, could she not stop daydreaming about her perfect someone out there, right now, hopefully thinking about her as well?

She balled her fists when she felt the familiar ache in her heart that no one would ever understand. Hells, she wasn’t even sure if she would ever understand the reason behind the pulling heartache. It wasn't like she could ask her family about it either, no matter how close they were. No, this felt like something she had to battle by herself.

Elladine walked over the the circular space in the right wing of the greenhouse. Ivy had covered most of the glass after Edmund hadn't been there to care for it, and while Violet did hire gardeners to plant new flowers every year, that was about the only thing she let them do. They weren't to take out Edmund's old flowers to plant new ones, or rearrange the pattern of different coloured tulips he'd carefully planted. But she hadn't let the entire greenhouse go forgotten.

In the circular open space, stood a vacated easel next to a bench, something she'd made sure was brought there after the entire family had lost Elladine for almost a whole day. No one had thought to look in the greenhouse now that Edmund was no longer among them. Francesca had found her older sister there after wandering outside for the third time, knowing they shared a love for quietness and having a gut feeling she'd been close to finding her before. With red-rimmed eyes and wet cheeks, a young Elladine had accepted her sister's gentle embrace as Francesca had tucked her into her side and brought her back to the house. Upon hearing Elladine's teary mumbles, Violine's stomach dropped when she realised the child had worried they had forgotten about their father since everyone seemed to steer clear of talking about him and, when they did, they had turned quiet. Even if Elladine had only been young, she'd been observant, and she'd seen what she thought was visible proof of her fear of his remembrance in the abandonment of her father's conservatory. After that, Violet had vowed to keep it as well-kept as she could, and had let Elladine claim it as her safe space.

Edmund's death had taken a toll on the entire family, plaguing each of her children and herself in a different way. Some turned rebellious, others had turned stoic, others had acted as if nothing had happened at all, but Elladine would often disappear. Well, it wasn't so much disappearing now that they knew where she was, especially as they could hear her music echo through the garden, but it was worrying nonetheless. Violet had tried multiple things to lure her out, but it wasn't until she'd seen her daughter try and tend to Edmund's indoor garden with the few rusty tools that still lay around, that she had made the decision. Violet had bought new tools, new fertiliser, new bulbs and seeds from all over and had tried her best to make the space that was once her husband's, as accommodating to her daughter as she could. If she could tend to her daughter's heartbreak that way, then she would do it.

Elladine had loved watching the gardeners get to work and she'd sat around them the entire week they were over, carefully watching their every move with interest. When one of the men had glanced at her over his shoulder, with a soft smile on his face, he'd beckoned her to him and had placed a bulb in her hands. 'Tulips', he'd said, 'from Holland'. It had seemed to be the three magic words she'd needed, because she had gotten onto her knees and pushed it into the soil, not caring that dirt had gotten stuck under her fingernails. It felt a little defying, to get dirty and get on her knees to knee through the dirt, something unflattering for a lady, but it had felt freeing all the same. But most of all, she'd never felt as close to her father as that day. Their home on Grosvenor Square, in the middle of Mayfair and in the heart of London, wasn't surrounded by much nature for Elladine to ease her heart and soul. The greenhouse was her sanctuary, the only place where she could hide and recharge and be completely by herself, aside from the occasional but welcome visit of one of her siblings. It was her escape when her thoughts became a little too overwhelming. Well, she also loved to furiously paint away with no clear vision in mind or play sonata upon sonata on her violin until the strings left painful marks on her fingers, so long that it drove everyone mad, but those weren’t options when all she wanted and needed to do was to flee their home. Sometimes she wished she was a simple girl who didn’t need a chaperone to accompany her whenever she wanted to step so much as even one foot out the door. It was just the life she was born into, and unfortunately for Elladine, that meant she had to make the biggest sacrifice of her life— to give up her life’s true happiness and be wedded off like cattle like any other aristocratic girl, just to appease their so beloved Ton.

Elladine grabbed a pair of garden clippers and went to the bush of lilac that, after all these years, had climbed its way up to the top of the greenhouse. As soon as she cut a few branches off, a welcome smell whirled around her. She hoped that taking care of her flowers would soothe the fast hammering of her heart against her chest. She was so angry, furious even, as she clipped away, but it was nothing the flowers could do anything about. She let the flowers fall into the basket on the side, trying to imagine them and their smell in her room within a few hours, but even that did not seem to make the tension in her body vanish.

Elladine didn’t care about dirtying her dress, and in protest even smeared the dirt and dust down her sides to clean her hands. Her mother would be furious, but so was she. It would be a fair exchange. And maybe, if she didn't have any dresses to wear, she could hide in her room some more. At least Eloise was an expert in openly speaking her mind, even having done so in front of the Queen last season, but Elladine didn’t have that type of forthright bravery. She often went about things a little more discreet. Instead, she showed her disdain on the matter through actions instead of Eloise's blurted words, and more often than not rebelled in ways that made her brothers chuckle and her mother sigh. Though Violet loved how all her children had a mind and character of their own, she also disliked how that meant they only influenced one another in that regard. Elladine was to be a fine example for her younger siblings, as Daphne had been for her- well, to a certain extent- she knew that, but it was so hard when her heart and her life were on the line.

The door behind her creaked open, and a soft breeze made its way into the greenhouse.

“I would have preferred green above brown, but it’s a nice touch anyway.” Eloise pointed at the streaks of earthy dust on her sister's dress and approached, albeit hesitantly. She seemed embarrassed, a little nervous even, wringing her hands like she hoped the apology she'd thought of would land well.

Eloise would never immediately outright apologise, despite being so fiercely outspoken. Still, she knew she had hurt her sister, even if she hadn’t known the true depths of her words. 

When no reply followed from her sister, Eloise shrunk, “I apologise… for putting words in your mouth… again.”

Elladine's fingertips softly brushed against a deep red rose to their left. It was truly impressive how her sister had made the space come to life with newly picked-out flowers and herbs, while still maintaining the feel of their father's touch all around them.

“Ella?”

The girl beside her sighed. There was one thing Eloise and Elladine were good at besides complementing each other— making up after a fight. Even if their fights were never really fights, only mere bickers or a couple of eye rolls after a disagreement- because yes, those did happen often- they could never be mad at each other for more than an hour. 

“I’m not mad at you.”

Eloise let out a visible sigh and her posture relaxed immediately. Elladine didn’t have to speak it out loud, for Eloise knew perfectly well what her sister was truly mad at. 

“I know Daphne means well, but it just upsets me so.”

“She does. And I know it does.” Eloise nodded, knowing their older sister held them in her highest regard and would never write the things she had just to spite them or remind them of their awaiting hell.

“Why is it so hard for people to realise that their dream isn’t ours? Far from it, actually.”

“It’s the patriarchy that's keeping us bound, I am telling you.”

Elladine gave her sister a look. Not unkindly, she muttered, “It’s always the patriarchy in your eyes, El.”

“Because... it just always is!” Eloise spluttered, "They have spoken their beliefs and spread them like an epidemic, and now the world knows no better than the way it is! Look-” She pulled her sister away from the bush so her attention was solely focused on her, “We will just… stick together. Through it all. I promise to not walk out on you even if I would rather watch paint dry than spend one second at one of those balls.” Eloise grinned when she saw her sister’s expression soften. 

“Watching paint dry is sometimes a necessary trajectory of painting," Elladine matched her twin's grin, showing Eloise that whatever had been said before, had been forgotten.

But Eloise needed Elladine to know the severity of her words. She grabbed her hands into her own and squeezed, "I will even agree to burp at least once each night to scare off any onlooker wanting to take us for a dance. I'll.... I'll smother my face in cake to keep them at bay... I'll embarrass myself so badly that they won't even want to approach you simply by association.”

Elladine softly shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips, “No, El, you know it would hurt mama. And taint our name. Again.”

Eloise turned quiet, and then her eyes glossed over, something she rarely found herself doing anymore, “But else it would hurt you.”

The twins looked at one another. So much was said in the exchange of their soft stares and the squeezing of their hands, that words weren't necessary. It was them, together, from the beginning until the end.

Eloise let her mind wander to her future for a split second. Of a married life to some Lord or Sir far away... far away from Elladine. Never spending time together anymore, not having someone around who she could tolerate even during her darkest moods, no longer giggling behind their hands at one of their secret jokes, not having someone there who could read the thought in her eyes before it had even transpired, and no longer feeling part of something that she had been one half of ever since she was born. Feeling herself get too vulnerable and choked up, Eloise suddenly cracked a laugh, “Of course, I also can’t imagine a life without you by my side, and marrying means we would not see each other for long periods of time.”

“Ah, so in the end, it’s an entirely selfish reason?”

“It appears so.” 

They grinned at each other with innocent mischief in their eyes. Elladine wiped the lone tear from her nose that she hadn’t realised had fallen from her eye until it had tickled her. 

“Although you will have to face Mama on your own or she will likely blame me for that hideous stain on your dress.”

“I thought you liked it?”

“Meh.”

Elladine made a face at her as Eloise pulled her out of the greenhouse and gave her an encouraging push towards the house. 

“She’s still in the drawing room.” Eloise spoke from behind her, "But mind you, she's been pacing ever since you left. I'll be at Pen's until I'm certain her mood's subsided." She nodded to herself, seeming content, before quickly taking her leave and disappearing behind the hedge that hid the garden gates.

With her head held high, Elladine entered the drawing room again minutes later. She was never one to admit defeat easily, nor show her true emotions. She couldn’t afford to show what was truly within, not if she wanted to stop her mother from worrying. She already had too many children to worry about. And even if she didn't have to worry about Daphne and Anthony anymore, Elladine knew she still would. It was a mother's curse. To worry even when things are all right. Being a mother was not something temporary, nor was the feeling of responsibility over them or their happiness.

Violet stood with Daphne’s letter behind the canvas when Elladine approached, taking in the swipes and colours she'd painted on there mere moments before. Violet looked up and smiled softly at her daughter when the door opened, and opened her arms,

“Elladine, come, my dear.”

Elladine walked over and let herself get pulled into her mother’s safe embrace, the place that could always comfort her.

Violet knew of her daughter’s variety of talents, as she had been the one behind the pursuit of most of them, but the vision of this current project was lost on her. She tried her best to mask her confusion when she spoke, “Do tell me what your newest painting will be?”

“It will be a field filled with camellias, like the ones back at Aubrey Hall during summer.” Violet’s eyes twinkled and the apples of her cheeks lifted up into a warm smile at the memory of the place where she spent some of her happiest memories with her husband, until it had become the place of his demise. At least she could separate the two sentiments after all this time. Elladine continued, “I found an encyclopaedia in the library and used reference pictures, since I didn't have space for them to plant them here this season, and I haven't studied them enough last summer to go off memory.” Knowing what conversation was to come next, Elladine quickly continued talking, “I shall clean up now. I don’t think I will be able to put much more work in before dinner anyway.” Not knowing what to say next, she peered at the letter in her mother’s hands. Daphne’s letter to her. “She said that Auggie’s speaking his first few words. Daphne thinks he might even be able to say the first part of my name next time he brings him around... since my full name has three syllables and that might be a little too difficult for now.”

Violet smiled kindly, but knew her daughter was stalling. She pulled the both of them on the couch, “It will be lovely, and I'm sure Auggie will learn to say your name within the blink of an eye. Come, sit.” But then she gasped when she saw the ruined dress come into view.

“Elladine Bridgerton-” She started, knowing very well that this was another one of her rebellious outbursts.

“I went to the conservatory. The lilac bush is beautiful.” Was all Elladine said, downplaying her actions with innocence.

Violet held the bridge of her nose. Her children were a handful, but she couldn’t deny that she loved every second of still having them around.

“No matter, we’ll talk of this later, but first I want to talk about something else. It’s been inevitable.”

“Do we have to, mama?” Elladine whined softly and sat back in the couch.

“It is important I tell you this, my love.”

Elladine looked at her, but her eyes held a certain kind of rebellious spirit in them that Violet couldn’t help but grin at— she often recognised her younger self in her daughter. She pushed a fallen lock of hair behind her daughter's ear before lovingly cupping her cheeks, 

“You are my everything, Elladine, all nine of you have my whole heart, which is why it is so deeply important for me to know you will be fine should I no longer be around, to see you happy, to rest assured knowing you are taken care of, that you are adored and loved.”

Elladine opened her mouth to say something, but Violet gave her a look to let her continue,

“Your protests haven’t gone unnoticed, but don’t you ever for a second think that I am willingly putting you through what you see as pure torment.” Violet grazed her daughter’s cheeks with her thumbs before dropping her hands back to her lap. So young, so innocent, yet so full of fire, determination and bravery, despite not having a single clue of the real world out there. Her children were growing up, but she couldn’t help but realise that even if the Ton found them the right age, they weren't ready yet. She too hated how her children couldn’t slowly learn to live their lives and then stumble upon their great love along the way, instead of having to find a match with the pressure of the society weighing them down. But that was just the way it was, how it always had been, and how she had found her dear Edmund as well. Their offspring were visible proof that it was possible. Violet had managed to get Eloise to debut the year before, because, in her daughter’s words, it was best to just get it done and over with. Elladine had refused to hear anything about it then, rejecting Eloise's plea to take the plunge together in such a dramatic way, that she'd fallen bedridden with a horrible flu for a week. But even Elladine now knew it had to happen eventually. And, if Violet waited too long to let Elladine debut, she knew her daughter's chances would grow slimmer each year they'd stall. She was nine-and-ten now, her twentieth fast approaching at the end of April. No, Elladine's debut this year was inevitable. There was no other option, but maybe she could slowly ease her way into the Ton. Maybe her perfect husband would find his way to her in her second season after her debut, or the third, maybe even the fourth. Whichever year it happened, Violet hoped Elladine would soon be more at peace and grow into her role of an aristocratic lady. At least her twins would have each other this year, although that also worried her immensely. 

“I know it’s scary and I know you feel pushed into a corner, but I can assure you that one day, someone will come knocking on your door and you will want to let them in. Someone who knows the strings of your heart and who'll want to listen or create harmony together. But don’t fear, my love, I found your father, Anthony found his lovely Kate and Daphne found her doting Simon. You will find your happy ever after as well with a husband made just for you, I can assure you.”

Elladine was silent for a while, letting her mother’s words hit and giving them a place in her head, “But I don’t want to, mama.”

In that moment, with the slight quiver of her lips, furrowed brows and big blues looking up at her, Violet couldn’t help but see a four-year-old Elladine sit in front of her, hands clawing at her mother to not leave her in her cot for a nap.

She pulled her in her arms and planted a kiss on her daughter’s hair, “Oh, my darling girl.”

The disappearance of the light in Elladine’s eyes as of late hadn’t gone unnoticed, and neither had the mood shifts and her rebellious behaviour, but Violet made herself a promise then and there, that she would do everything to ensure her daughter’s happiness. After all, there was a perfect person out there for everyone.

☾ ⋆*·ﾟ:⋆*·ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:·ﾟ .: ⋆*·ﾟ: .⋆

“Miss Elladine?” Her maid entered her bedroom, where Elladine had been playing her violin for three hours straight up until this interruption. The London weather had shifted, as it always did, and the constant unrelenting force of rain pelting against the glass of the greenhouse had made it hard to hear her music over the noise. And so, she'd moved to her bedroom. She was grateful that her family had let her this time around. The weather had cleared after the first hour already and rays of sun had fallen through her curtains, but she'd been so engrossed in her current piece, that she didn't want to cut her focus and go back outside. “Pardon me, but your friend Lady Lillian is here.”

Elladine dropped the violin to her lap. She knew Lillian would never visit on a Wednesday afternoon, for she would always take a stroll with her siblings through Kensington Gardens. This had her mother written all over. 

“There she is.” Lillian’s voice echoed through the Bridgerton hall as Elladine walked down the stairs to her best friend. Although Eloise and Elladine were as thick as thieves, they did not share the same friends. Where Eloise had found a friend in their neighbour Penelope, happily chatting about the latest books they'd read, Elladine had gravitated towards Lillian, whose mother was a close friend of Violet. They were close in age, with Lillian just two years older than herself. Lillian had long undergone the first steps into the Ton and had married during her first season. Now she happily lived with her lord husband in Kensington, together with their two pomeranians and their newborn son. Lillian had flourished from a young, insecure girl into a woman of status. Though she didn’t quite grasp what there wasn’t to love about marrying a loving lord and having his children, she did feel sympathy whenever she saw how deeply Elladine was affected by it all. 

“I feel like we should make use of the few rays of sun and take a nice stroll around Hyde Park, do you not?” She grasped her friend’s hands and gave them an encouraging squeeze, trying to turn Elladine’s frown upside down.

“But what of your family?”

Lillian only waved her off, “They see me all day long, having to miss me for an hour or two should not be the end of the world. Besides, I want to steal you away one last time before all the bachelors of the Ton will.”

Elladine gave her a look which Lillian brushed off by dragging her friend outside, their two maids following suit as they walked onto Grosvenor Square. The sunlight blinded Elladine, and the sudden hustle and bustle of the street rammed into her head like a carriage. Lillian had her arm linked with hers within a second as she led the two west, to Hyde Park, where it would no doubt be swarming now that the sun was out. 

“Did Mama write to you this week?” Elladine wondered, looking up at her friend to gauge her reaction. Lillian only side-eyed her, her face unreadable, before her eyebrows dropped and a guilty expression took over.

“You know I cannot lie to you. Yes, she did.”

Elladine groaned, “About how pathetic I have been lately, I’m sure.”

Lillian laughed, “Well, she used kinder words, but yes. She did mention you might need some fresh air or go for an afternoon tea with a friend. And I think she might have been right.” 

Elladine gasped at her friend’s jest and bumped her hip, almost making Lillian collide with the nearest bystander. They both started grinning as the old man dipped his hat in recognition of the giggling girls. 

“How’s little Oliver?”

“Growing heavy, but very healthy.” 

"I'm sure the two are one and the same."

"You say that now, wait until he grows out a fattening belly and rips through all his clothes."

They came to a stop on Park Lane, letting the carriages pass through before crossing the curb and entering Hyde Park.

Lillian continued, eyes flitting across the many women walking with their young children or pushing their strollers, “It’s all going so fast. It feels like it was ages ago when we were only young girls."

"We still are." Elladine quietly muttered but kept further thoughts to herself when she saw the dreamy look on her friend's face when Lillian eyed a family of six walking by.

"I hope I'll be blessed with a big family one day.” Lillian glanced at her, chuckling, "Maybe not as big as yours, I'm not sure my husband could handle such chaos. As soon as Ollie starts throwing a fuss, he leaves the room and lets the maids tend to him." Lillian chuckled, but she quieted down at her own confession.

Elladine patted her friend’s hand and tugged her closer, not knowing how else to comfort her than with some well-meant words, “You are a wonderful mother, and I’m sure you will be blessed with more healthy heavy children in the future.”

A wickedly broad smile took over Lillian’s face as she pulled Elladine back to come to a stop. Elladine eyed her friend, confused, then watched as Lillian slowly rested her hands on her belly. 

Elladine stopped and gaped at her like a fish, her look mixed with shock, fear and glee.

“No!”

“Yes!”

Perplexed, Elladine put her hands to her mouth. Lillian laughed and let herself be wrapped in her friend's arms.

“But Ollie is merely a few months old!”

“I know! We’re both over the moon we got blessed so soon again! Best to be blessed now than when I'm old enough to have the extra baby weight be stored to my waistline,” She joked, keeping the conversation light, desperately wanting to stray away from the topic of how it was possible, since she'd seen the confusion and fear in Elladine's eyes the second it had appeared.

“Lillian!” Elladine gasped again, head still not fully registering it all, “But how... so quickly again? My siblings and I are all at least a year apart.”

“Oh, sweet girl,” Lillian sighed, knowing Elladine would find out on her own one day, "It is a woman's wonder!" She only said as she hooked her arm around Elladine's again and continued their stroll, their maids still following along behind them, chaperoning them. But Elladine was still stuck on her friend's words. The term of endearment had felt patronising in a way, and it had made her feel too stupid to continue their conversation on the matter and risk making an even bigger fool of herself.

They walked for half an hour in the shade of the many trees, before circling back around and exiting the park near Constitutional Hill— the road that led to where the Queen’s newest palace was being built, and what would lead you to her current one when you followed The Mall— St. Jame’s Palace, the awful place that would kickstart her entire nightmare on the day saved for the debutantes.

Right as the women were about to cross the road, people started to gasp, yell, wave, stop and stare. People started to crowd around them on the curb and the two young women could only stop and stare, watching as a cavalry guided the Queen's familiar golden coach through the streets. The clattering of the hooves on the cobblestones mixed together with the amazement of the folk standing around them.

Royal guards sat atop their stallions, but even if people called out to greet their Queen, it was not Queen Charlotte who Elladine saw in a flitted glance through the reflection of the glass. It was a young girl who sat caged inside the coach, looking at the world outside of it. Just then, Elladine could have sworn that the girl's eyes landed on those of her own, but before she could make that claim, the coach had passed them already. 

Apparently, Lillian had also realised it wasn’t Queen Charlotte that the carriage was transporting. She grabbed her friend's arms and shook her with an unnecessary amount of enthusiasm, “A royal visit at the dawn of a new season? I bet you it’s another Prince or Princess wanting to see the finest ware in London."

Elladine smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. She barely reacted, for it was another blow to her heart to remind her of the one thing she was desperately trying to forget— the season was about to start.

☾ ⋆*·ﾟ:⋆*·ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:·ﾟ .: ⋆*·ﾟ: .⋆

The drawing room was filled with an aroma of scalding tea and the cook’s latest pastries to properly welcome their guests. Madame Delacroix hurried through the room with dresses in her hand and held them up to Elladine’s chest. 

“Non, too yellow.” Then she tried the other, “Non, too dark. Hmm, but this one brings out your complexion so perfectly, Mademoiselle Bridgerton.”

“Oh, yes.” Violet immediately agreed and nodded approvingly, loving how her daughter’s chestnut hair matched with the pastel green. Elladine’s eyes flashed to those of Daphne and Eloise, who sat beside her on the couch, one with an unamused glint on her face, the other with eyes full of pride. 

“It’s a wonderful colour, Ella. I love it with your eyes.” Daphne complimented, glad she had travelled to London to witness it all.

Madame Delacroix kept the dress up to the girl's chest, expectantly. Elladine cleared her throat, “Yes, I prefer this one over the yellow one.”

Kate, who sat beside Violet nodded in agreement and took a sip of her tea, grinning slightly as she saw Eloise try to make her twin laugh by mocking Madame Delacroix and the heap of dresses in her short arms.

“And how about this one-” The modiste hurried back to her coffers and pulled out a deep blue dress. “I was not sure if it would be too dark for your fair skin, but blue is the Bridgerton colour, non? Let’s see-” She mumbled and pulled it up to Elladine's figure, which had gone from a scrawny girl to a blossoming-looking woman with curves and shapes in all the right places. Elladine hadn't felt too alienated by the changes in her body, since they had happened too gradually to notice, but now that she looked down at herself and saw the swell of her chest keeping up the fabric of the dress, she wondered how it had ever happened without her noticing.

A few gasps were heard.

“My, Ella, you look like a wonderful lady in that one.”

"I like that one," Hyacinth blurted out through a mouthful of whatever pastry she'd been able to snatch.

“C’est magnifique. Mysterious too, non?”

Elladine’s eyes glanced at herself in the mirror, before they landed on Eloise, who sat slouched on the couch, wishing she were anywhere but here— she would be up next.

“Yes, perfect,” Eloise added absentmindedly after being nudged by Daphne. She sat up straight with a sigh, realising Elladine needed a little more confirmation from her, “Both are great, but the light green one makes you look young, whereas the deep blue one feels more mature. Either way, you look beautiful in both.”

Violin looked greatly surprised at the genuine reply, but quickly turned pleased— it seemed that Eloise's attempt to comfort her sister had worked.

“If I might have a say-” Kate leaned forward and touched the fabric in Madame Delacroix’s hands, “Start with the light green one. A soft shade is easy on the eyes and is a nice symbolic shade to start off the season. Yes, you want to stand out, but doing so on the first nights might not be exactly what you’re looking for. It's a little too forthcoming.” She hinted at the dark colour of the dress, knowing most debutantes stayed with light pastel colours to mirror their innocence, “Wear the deep blue one once you’ve established your place and feel more at ease. Besides, it is quite mysterious, it might make your suitors take the last leap.” She smiled heartedly, with a naughty glint in her eyes. 

Everyone looked to Elladine for the final answer.

“Then I’ll take both on top of the others we liked.”

“Perfect, Lady Bridgerton, I’ll start adjusting them right away. Now, for the casual gowns-” She opened another set of coffers. Elladine loved getting new dresses, but not when she knew she had to wear these to a ball she didn’t want to go to and wear them for a man she never wanted to impress.

☾ ⋆*·ﾟ:⋆*·ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:·ﾟ .: ⋆*·ﾟ: .⋆

Dear readers, it seems that our season is off to a magnificent start with the arrival of Spanish Crown Prince Felipe and his equally beloved twin sister Princess Graciela. Though our monarchy has never been too tight with the Spanish monarchy, it seems that Queen Charlotte deemed this as good a time as any to renounce the estrangement. It can only be assumed that His Grace is looking for a possible suitor for his future throne, seeing that he has reached the acquired age for a betrothal and his otherwise rather unusual timing to visit the Ton. Now we can only wonder who will turn his head. But before we lose ourselves to the speculation of the matter, all eyes will first be focused on this year's debutantes. Who will be the Ton’s newest Diamond? And will the Prince agree with the Queen’s decision? 

LADY WHISTLEDOWN’S SOCIETY PAPERS, APRIL 1816  

☾ ⋆*·ﾟ:⋆*·ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:·ﾟ .: ⋆*·ﾟ: .⋆

𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗽𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀. 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿’𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 <3

☾ ⋆*·ﾟ:⋆* tagged: @alohastitch0626 @crimeshowjunkie @thatgirljas13 @hauntedfictionland

[free-for-all-fics]

Random Bridgerton thought! Potential for AU fics.

I haven’t read the books so I don’t know how Lady Whistledown continues after her identity is revealed or how it all ends for her writings, but I’m imagining a fic that can take place in any time period post-Regency/after the canon timeline.

Reader is a member of the Bridgerton bloodline and is a writer who has taken up the mantle of Lady Whistledown, using it as his/her/their pseudonym. It’s become tradition and runs in the family. The name gets passed down like a torch, to keep the mystery of “Who is Lady Whistledown really?” alive. The only people who ever know the true identity/identities of the author(s) behind Lady Whistledown’s works are kept within the family. So it’s a big, protected secret - forever an unsolved mystery to the public. A situation similar to how “Carolyn Keene” is multiple unidentified people. Either Reader and his/her/their spouse are both writers, or maybe Reader is working with his/her/their cousins and/or siblings to publish new works. Either way, Reader is collaborating with others to create new stories.

This has been continued throughout generations and eras, passed down to any writer who enters the Bridgerton family. Whether through birth, marriage, or adoption, Lady Whistledown is a pseudonym for anyone who holds enough creativity and talent to bring pen to paper. Whether they be screen writers, playwrights, journalists, novelists, etc. Any man or woman within the Bridgerton family, regardless of surname changes due to marriages or other reasons, is welcome to be a part of it. As time keeps moving forward and the world changes, Lady Whistledown remains to witness it all.

[inutheangel]

Growing my fav list of Bridgerton writers 💗

Bridgerton Masterlist

Bridgerton Sibling!Reader

She/her Reader

Headcanons

Being a Sick Bridgerton Sibling Would Include… (she/her)

Fluff

Lightning Bugs x sister reader (She/her)

Two is Better Than One x sibling reader (She/her)

Picnic Squabbles x Sibling Reader (she/her)

Little Matchmaker x sibling reader (she/her)

An Average Bridgerton Ball x Sibling Reader (she/her)

Angst

Tag You’re It x sister reader (she/her)

The Forgotten Twin x Bridgerton!Sister

Careful x sibling reader (she/her)

The Familiar Barmaid x Bridgerton Sister!Reader (she/her)

They/Them Reader

Headcanons

Being a Bridgerton Sibling Would Include… (they/them)

Hurt/Comfort

How Could They Resist (they/them)

He/Him Reader

Fluff

How Does A Lady Come To Be With A Child x brother reader (he/him)

A Nice Promenade x brother reader (he/him)

You Don’t Have To Hide From Us x brother reader (he/him)

Angst

We Are Stronger As A Family x brother reader (he/him)

I Am Not A Baby x brother reader (he/him)

My Brothers Are Idiots x brother reader (he/him)

Cheaters Don’t Prosper x brother reader (he/him)

All Grown Up x brother reader (he/him)

Bloody Gossip x brother reader (he/him)

Mourning The Girl I Used To Know brother!reader (he/him)

Doubt x brother!reader (he/him)

Hurt/comfort

Eventually It All Boils Over x brother!reader (he/him)

Accidents Happen x sibling reader (he/him)

Anthony Bridgerton

Fluff

Just Shut Up and Kiss Me (He/Him) FTM Reader

The Rainbow After The Rain (she/her) wife reader

Angst

This Could Work x daughter reader (she/her)

Honesty Is A Trait To Be Loved x wife!reader (she/her)

Life Preserver x wife!reader (she/her)

Benedict Bridgerton

Fluff

Reunions x reader (she/her)

Lady Whistledown Knows Best x reader (they/them)

Angst

You Two Are Truly Idiots x reader (she/her)

Love Stings x reader (she/her)

Colin Bridgerton

Simon Basset

Angst

Truth Comes Out x daughter reader (she/her)

Papa’s Girl x daughter reader (she/her)

Eloise Bridgerton

Headcanons

Being Eloise’s Younger Brother Would Include… (he/him)

Angst

Let’s Take A Breath First x reader (he/him) 

[dear-ao3]

anthony bridgerton

[toyboy-molloy]

portia having to teach her eldest daughters sex ed whilst her youngest gets the practical in the back of a carriage

[waltricia]

Emma. (2020) // Bridgerton

[incorrect-bridgerton-family]

Eloise: Here. I got us fake IDs.

Francesca: To drink?

Eloise: To vote.

[softestaries]

philippa watching penelope get outed as whistledown and then immedietly running across the room yelling 'release the bugs' afterwards was peak sibling energy.

[vampirestookmydoubts]

can i request a bridgerton sister one with violet bridgerton! maybe we're the sister is dying or i'll? prompt #24 "You're too good for this world." and #38 - "Hey. Hey! What did I just say? Keep your eyes open!”

A/N: thank you for the request! absolutely love writing for bridgerton, especially because I'm currently rewatching every season! I was in a writers slump forever, hope you like it!

Characters: bridgerton!sister, Violet Bridgerton, Bridgerton siblings

Warnings: life-threatening illness

In the heart of Grosvenor Square, the Bridgerton household, usually bustling with laughter and lively conversations, was subdued. The shadows seemed longer, the rooms quieter. You, one of the youngest Bridgerton, laid in your bed, your face pale and body weak from a relentless illness that had struck you with cruel suddenness mere days ago. The entire family was ensnared in a web of fear and hope, each of them dealing with the anguish in their own way.

Your mother, Violet sat by your bedside, caring for you the way only a loving mother could.

She had not left your side for days, her eyes red-rimmed from sleepless nights filled with fear and silent prayers. Her hands, usually steady and composed, trembled as she applied a cool cloth to your feverish forehead. You sighed in relief as it soothed your headache and fever for a moment.

"You're too good for this world," Violet whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions as she caressed your cheek. Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them back, determined to stay strong. "My darling girl, you must fight. We all need you."

Your eyes fluttered open, your gaze still unfocused but filled with a flicker of recognition at the sight of your mother. "Mama," you murmured, your voice a faint whisper.

"Shh, save your strength," Violet replied, brushing a stray lock of hair from your face. "You will get through this. The best doctors are tending to you, and your brothers and sisters are all praying for you."

As if on cue, Anthony, the eldest of your siblings, entered the room. His usual stoic demeanor was replaced by a mask of worry, his eyes revealing the depth of his concern. He walked around your bed, taking the opposite side from your mother and squeezed your hand gently.

"Hey, Y/N," he said softly, his voice uncharacteristically tender. "How are you feeling today? Kate told the servants to prepare a special tea for you.” You turned your head to look at him, answering him by squeezing his hand back. “You're a fighter. You've always been. Remember when you climbed that tree and refused to come down until you saw the sunset? You were only five, and you had more determination than any of us."

You managed a weak smile, the memory flickering faintly in the back of your dazed mind. "I remember," you whispered.

"That's the spirit," Anthony encouraged with a bright smile. "Hold on to that. For all of us."

Hours turned into days as the Bridgerton siblings took turns at your bedside, each sharing stories, memories, and words of encouragement. Benedict brought his sketchbook and regaled you with tales of his latest artistic adventures. Colin read aloud from your favorite books, his voice a soothing balm in all this craze. Daphne and Eloise sat close, holding your hands while sharing stories of Daphne’s children and the happenings at the latest ball.

Francesca and even your youngest siblings Gregory, and Hyacinth, did their best to bring cheer to the somber room. They sang songs, recited poems, and brought in fresh flowers from the garden, filling the air with a sweet fragrance and brightening your mood.

But as the days wore on, your condition seemed to worsen albeit the frequent visits from doctors and drinking all the special teas your sister-in-law had prepared.

It became harder for you to breathe, your moments of consciousness seemingly more fleeting than before.

One evening, as a storm raged outside and the rain was drumming against the windows of your bedroom, Violet noticed your faint breathing and your eyes beginning to close. Panic surged through your mother abruptly, and she leaned closer to you, her voice urgent.

"Hey. Hey! What did I just say? Keep your eyes open!" She gently shook your shoulders, her voice cracking with desperation. "Please, Y/N. Stay with me."

Your eyes fluttered open once more, the effort exhausting you more than you thought.

"I'm so tired, Mama," you whispered, tears slipping down your pale cheeks in desperation. Closing your eyes, just for a moment to forget your aching body and dazed mind, seemed way too tempting. Why wouldn’t she let you have that moment of rest?

"I know, my love. I know," Violet said, her own tears finally breaking free. Softly cradling you in her arms, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "But you have to stay with us. You have to keep fighting."

The room was silent except for the sound of your labored breathing and the quiet sobs of your mother. In that moment, it felt as if time had stopped, the world outside the walls of the Bridgerton home ceasing to exist.

That day as night gave way to dawn and the storm passed, a change seemed to come over you. Although your breath was still shallow, it seemed to become steadier every passing hour. Your fever began to break, and a hint of color returned to your pale cheeks. Violet watched with bated breath, hope blossoming in her heart. "You're doing it, my love. You're coming back to us," she whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of relief and wonder.

Your eyes met your mother's, a faint but unmistakable spark of life coming back to you. "I'm trying, Mama."

"And you're succeeding," Violet replied, tears of relief streaming down her face. "You're succeeding, my love."

Violet knew the road to recovery would be long, but in that moment, she dared to hope again.

[nnightskiess]

𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠, 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

₊° - 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧!𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫

₊° - 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩. 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺/𝘯 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘺𝘦, 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨?

(𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘦, 𝘬𝘢𝘵𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘵)

series masterlist

☾ ⋆*·ﾟ:⋆*·ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:·ﾟ .: ⋆*·ﾟ: .⋆

𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗽𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀. 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿’𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 <3

₊° - 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

𝘪 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 (𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢) - 𝘥𝘶𝘰𝘮𝘰

𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘱 (𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢) - 𝘥𝘶𝘰𝘮𝘰

𝘐𝘐 𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘦: 𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘰 - 𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘪

𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯,𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 - 𝘬𝘳𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞... from their family's grasp and were hidden in the background of the ballroom, quietly observing the debacle happening in front of them.

"So many dimwits." Eloise muttered, her voice laced with annoyance, “Look at them— parading in their silly, shiny dresses.” 

It received a snicker from her sister next to her, “You’re wearing a silly shiny dress.”

Eloise rolled her eyes, "Do not remind me," She made a move to walk away, but she was tugged back by her elbow.

"What- Where are you going? Do not leave me here all alone!" Elladine whisper-yelled, slightly panicked at the prospect of being left alone in a room full of strangers.

Eloise sighed and dropped her arms to her side in a tired huff, "I hate it here."

"Eloise, please?”

"I think the sole reason you're not being approached is standing right here, next to you,” She gestured to herself, her ballspende dangling around her wrist, “I am the local lunatic. I am fairly sure that boys will be lining up in front of you as soon as I take my leave. Toodles." She grumbled as she stuffed another pastry in her mouth before turning to make her leave, but the man approaching them had almost made her choke on her bite as she tried to finish it as fast as she could. Her cheeks were filled like a squirrel, and even if Elladine knew her sister wasn’t one for proper etiquettes, even this disgusted her.

“Eloise?” Elladine noticed the pure horror on her sister’s face.

"The Prince is coming! Quick!" She mumbled through her full mouth, trying to quickly swallow her bite down, and harshly nudged her sister's side so the girl would straighten her posture. 

From the other side of the room, Viscountess Kate hadn't lost sight of the girls for even a second but had decided to give them their space, knowing how she had hated the times where her mother or Lady Danbury had breathed down her neck during such occasions. However, she excused herself from Violet's side as soon as she saw the royal approach her sisters-in-law. She excused herself left and right as she softly pushed through the crowd.

Before the two Bridgerton’s had time to prepare, prince Felipe of Spain had already stopped before them to properly introduce himself. His hand was held up to Elladine, an invitation to get acquainted. Feeling somewhat alienated by the whole sudden turn of events, Elladine Bridgerton looked at his outstretched hand in bewilderment. Then her eyes went up to his face, where a gentle smile was waiting for her. She bit her lip to withhold a word of profanity from leaving her lips when the tip of Eloise’s shoe harshly hit her ankle, but she took the sign and held the prince’s hand before curtsying. Eloise quickly bowed as well, albeit less gracefully, and watched as prince Felipe planted a gentle kiss on her sister’s knuckles. He momentarily turned to Eloise, acknowledging her presence, 

"It is my pleasure to meet you both.” He dipped his head to the side, growing unsure, “I am not from here, so forgive me if your name is lost on me. But before you tell me— might I ask where your chaperone is?” Prince Felipe noticed the two girls standing alone, not finding it appropriate or respectful to strike a conversation without someone there to oversee the encounter.

Elladine looked to her right, where Kate suddenly appeared in her signature purple coloured dress that flowed freely behind her and swayed through the crowd, her beauty almost stealing their thunder. But the Prince still only had eyes for the young woman in front of him. 

“Forgive me, your Grace.” Kate curtsied and introduced herself before turning to the younger Bridgerton’s “Allow me to introduce you to Miss Eloise and Miss Elladine Bridgerton.” She squeezed Elladine’s lower arm in a motherly manner, her eyes filled with pride now that she looked at the two girls in their exquisite dresses. They hadn’t been that young when Kate first met them, but oh my had they grown into two beautiful ladies.

“Ah, Bridgerton!” Prince Felipe nodded in recognition, and all three women had to withhold a wince, afraid only the drop of their name had just ruined any chance they might have had. Of course, the prince knew about them. The Bridgerton's had been the talk of the city. For obvious reasons, both good and bad.

Felipe gave Eloise a gentle smile as well, who hoped there were no remains of the pastry coating her face, but it was clear to anyone that he had approached the two sisters to talk to Elladine. People had started to stop and stare and Violet gasped in admiration and put a hand over her mouth once she realised where Kate had walked off to.

“Anthony-” Violet tapped her son’s arm to get his attention, her eyes never leaving her daughters on the other side of the room. Anthony followed her line of sight and pursed his lips in curiosity. Though the young prince of Spain was known to be a gentle soul, it was still Anthony's younger sisters they were talking about, so with narrowed eyes, he watched his wife and sisters talk to his Majesty.

Prince Felipe turned back to Elladine after having noticed most of the ball had stopped after his entrance, and were now staring. 

“I was up there, watching for a while, preparing. I noticed you almost right away,” A hint of a blush appeared on the apples of his cheeks at the small confession, “I did not want to bother you at first, afraid you might not have felt well because you kept to yourself, but it seems that the men here should be ashamed of themselves to let a young woman like you stand on her own the whole evening and deprive her of a lovely dance." He spoke near perfect English, and the accent that was heard was a nice touch to his character. His sentence would've sounded a bit too cocky, had it not been for the genuine tone of voice and the bashful smile on his face that both left Elladine completely baffled. 

Of course, they had let her stand to the side, not asking her for even one tiny dance. No one wanted anything to do with any Bridgerton, not anymore. But the prince wasn't from here, so even if he did know their family, Elladine wasn't so sure if he was aware of everything that had happened.

"Oh-“ She swallowed, sneaking a quick glance to her right, to Kate, who gave her an encouraging smile, “Your words are too kind, your Grace." At a loss for what else to say to the man in front of her, Elladine’s eyes wandered to the people behind him, only momentarily. But it had been enough for her to make eye contact with the woman approaching the crown prince of Spain. 

Her sun kissed skin perfectly complimented her emerald ballgown, and her equally as green eyes mended wonderfully together with her brown wavy locks. Each and every girl that night had her hair neatly tucked away in a fashionable and ball appropriate hairdo, but this girl seemed to not care about etiquettes or traditions, as her wavy locks were only slightly held back by a clip on the back of her head, the rest of her hair falling down her back and chest and flowing freely. 

Elladine caught herself enamoured by the mysterious woman now coming to a stop behind the prince,

Too focused on the woman, she adsentmindedly mumbled out, “Your Spanish- it’s formidable.”

Eloise's snort made her look up and realise her mistake, "I mean- your English, pardon me, your Grace.“ Her cheeks and ears turned crimson, suffocating her even more in this stuffy ballroom. 

But Felipe only smiled, finding it adorable, “It is quite alright, Miss Elladine." Prince Felipe noticed who she was glancing at and put his hand on the brunette’s back, softly guiding her to stand beside him, "This is my sister, Princess Graciela.”

Both Eloise, Kate and Elladine curtsied immediately, but the Spanish girl let out a breathy chuckle, "I know how painfully uncomfortable it is to bow when the air is being squeezed out of your lungs by a corset, so, please, rise." She too spoke perfect English, and Elladine found herself smiling at hearing the woman's voice, which had sounded like honey gliding off a silver spoon. 

With a raised eyebrow, the prince switched the attention and brought it back to why he had approached the Bridgertons in the first place, “Miss Bridgerton, would you do me the honour of a dance? I would regret it deeply tomorrow morning if I had kept you standing here." Felipe’s voice brought Elladine back to the young man in front of her. She curtsied and nodded gently, letting the prince take her hand to guide her through the dancing couples who had quickly continued their waltzes. 

Although hesitant, Elladine still knew she couldn't refuse the prince's request for a dance, even if she had rather stayed back with Eloise or perhaps try to exchange a few words with the prince's twin sister. Refusing a prince meant people would talk and that meant she would inevitably be the next scandal in the Whistledown. Their family had dodged that bullet before. Trying to do so a third time would be a dumb move, especially if she could prevent it by just dancing with the boy. Any other girl would have found it a great honour, so why did it not make her heart beat faster? Because, in all honesty, she could care less about a dance.

Violet Bridgerton watched with an anticipating grin on her face, but tried to play it down as she saw every other mother watch her way in envy or amazement. First Daphne, now Elladine? What was their secret to catching the eyes of dukes and princes? The look on Anthony's face was hard to read. His chin was raised and the usual stoic expression washed over his face as he looked through the room, meeting the gazes of everyone staring between them and the royals, but somewhere underneath, mixed with the protectiveness he still felt when another man held one of his baby sisters close, there was pride and joy bubbling under the surface. And hope, hope that Elladine, just like Daphne, would find her happy ending, something that their father would have wanted too. 

As Elladine's sister and closest friend, Eloise had no trouble reading the girl's troubled features. Her kind eyes twinkled and her face displayed a gentle smile, at least that was what a stranger would see. To Eloise it was clear that her sister could not be feeling more out of place. It was evident in Elladine's eyes and by the way she glanced at the boy guiding her. Her heart wasn’t in it. She wasn’t smitten like every other girl if they so even looked the prince’s way. Eloise snorted to herself and continued eating the pastry she had stuffed away mere moments before. 

"Not your thing either, I take it?”

Eloise turned around in an instant, smiling cheekily, curtsying clumsily, before quickly wiping her mouth with the edge of her sleeve, something that would've earned a pointed comment from her mother, had the woman not been too focused on Elladine and the prince. 

Princess Graciela now stood beside her, hands tucked together behind her back as she scanned the crowd, an amused smile on her face after having seen Eloise's reaction to her presence. Kate glared slightly, but she meant well, wanting to keep Eloise in line, especially in front of a royal.

The princess continued, "Not my type of night either, but I am afraid I had no other choice— part of my birthright.” Her eyes set in disdain as she mumbled the last few words, almost as if she was ashamed others might hear her. She leaned closer to whisper into Eloise’s ear, “See them looking? They stare and stare but they are too frightened to even approach, let alone ask me to dance. As if I am made of pure arsenic.” She tutted quietly, “Another thing that comes with being born this way…” Princess Graciela’s eyes glazed over, as if she was thinking of something else, her mind wandering off, “-but that... I am grateful for."

Eloise chuckled, completely forgetting to stand straight and act properly in front of a royal, "Well, too bad I can't use that excuse. My mother has threatened to kill me if I keep rejecting dances.” She turned to the right, where Kate stood a few steps to the side, a smile on her face as she watched Elladine dance with the prince. Rendering it safe, Eloise continued, “Why are you thankful for that? Are you not like all the other girls who just love to have a dance with charming, gallantly young boys?" It suddenly seemed to dawn on Eloise again who she was talking to, and a look of panic struck her face. Graciela waved her off, liking how Eloise was talking to her like a friend, not bowing down to lay at her feet because she was a royal.

“Is she your friend?" Princess Graciela nodded towards the couples dancing together, “The woman my brother already seems to be enamoured by.” 

Eloise followed the princess' line of sight and shook her head, "Sister, actually.” 

She heard the princess hum beside her and she too focused back on the crowd, where her sister was being guided along the dance floor by the prince.

Elladine seemed to have trouble looking the poor boy in his eyes, as her eyes instead scanned each and every face but his. Eventually, they landed on her sister’s, then on the princess standing next to her. As they locked eyes, the look on Elladine's face changed like it hadn't before, like it hadn't when Felipe had looked her in the eye previously, or even now when he was holding her close. Elladine quickly looked away when she was guided around, thankful for the disruption of their eye-contact as she could hide the slight blush on her face. Though it could have clearly passed off as a healthy blush due to all the dancing.

“She looks like a gentle and wise young woman." 

"Silly and stubborn, you mean." Eloise let out a laugh, before she realised she couldn't afford to ruin Elladine's chances with the prince, "Oh- um, sisters... you know? Always having it out for each other..." She let out a breathy chuckle, knowing she needed to set this right quickly, "Elladine is a lovely sister. She has a habit of naturally making people feel at ease. She’s generous and always interested in learning new things- oh, best not to forget the fire in her belly that all we Bridgerton's have. She excels at painting, but finds solace in playing musical instruments too. Violin, especially. The amount of times I wanted to throw that fiddle of hers into our estate’s pond because she kept playing and playing…“ Eloise rambled, but was content with the entertained smile on Graciela’s face that made it clear she had helped made an impression.

"She sounds like a pleasure to be around," Graciela spoke, her eyes not having left Elladine at all, even if the girl had made it her duty to ignore the princess’s gaze from now on. “You're Bridgertons, right?”

"Oh no...” Eloise shrunk and made a face, “You've read Whistledown?"

“Of course, I have. Doesn’t everyone find it thrilling to read about secret rendezvous and scandals?”

Eloise winced slightly, knowing all that the Whistledown had said about her and her family, “Right… thrilling.”

Graciela noticed something was afoot, and clarified herself, “It shows we’re human after all, and that we’re all the same in one way or another. And don’t fret, I’m smart enough to know that a rumour is just that— a false story. Even if they do make for the most delicious and entertainingly ridiculous tales.“ She gave Eloise a playful smile, trying to ease her nerves. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Miss Bridgerton." Princess Graciela walked away and disappeared into the crowd of dancing men and women, until Eloise caught sight of her again as she appeared dancing with a young boy right next to Elladine and the prince. 

“I thought you said you wouldn’t dance?” Felipe quirked an eyebrow and smirked playfully as he spoke to his sister. He turned Elladine around before his hands moved back to appropriately hold onto her waist. 

Graciela grinned wickedly, “I was feeling bold.” Her eyes locked with Elladine's and the corner of her mouth quirked up. Elladine’s eyes widened ever so slightly before she forced herself to finally look into Felipe’s eyes instead.

Felipe rolled his eyes at her jesting and brought the attention back to the girl in his arms. "Free spirit, that one.” He clarified, smiling, before grabbing Elladine's hand to twirl her once more, sending the ends of her dress flowing before they wrapped around her legs. "You're different." He noted, quirking his head to the side while he examined Elladine's face with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Different how, your Grace?" Elladine loosened her grip on his shoulder, feeling suffocated by the situation and all the eyes on her. She focused on the golden embroidery on his collar instead.

"Forgive me for being so blunt, I don't mean to come across too self-assured, but you're... not besotted with me, not like the others are." He sounded insecure as if he had ruined his chances by saying something so stupid. 

"Your Grace, I’ve only just met you." Elladine let out a gentle smile, as she was taught. She straightened her posture once more, keeping up the act.

Felipe immediately wished he could take it back, feeling like a fool. "Yes! Which I am grateful for! I meant... you don't seem to care about my royal status. You're calm… collected and you don't giggle at everything I say, even if it isn’t funny at all."

Seeing the Prince squirm before her, took away some of the pressure she was feeling. So, she replied, “Should I? Giggle at everything you say?" 

Felipe saw the playful smile across the young Bridgerton's face and let out a relieved sigh, "No! Please, don't!" He laughed heartily, "I much prefer it this way. Would you-"

Felipe got interrupted as the couples switched, Elladine landing with a random man who gave her a kind smile, Felipe landing with one of the obsessed girls he had previously mentioned. His eyes scanned the crowd, not leaving Elladine's face as soon as he found her again. 

"He can't keep his eyes off of her!" Violet gushed, nudging Anthony who remained quiet as he stood with his hands behind his back, quietly observing the whole ordeal.

On the other side of the room, Eloise noticed the same— though it was Princess Graciela who couldn't keep her eyes off Elladine from her place in the room. She knew how this worked, Graciela was just looking out for her brother, it was nothing different from Anthony throwing dangerous glances the prince's way, or when Kate would shoo away each and every man she deemed not worthy of her younger sister Edwina. It was only fair that Princess Graciela, as a woman, would be able to read the women her brother curtsied better than he himself, especially if one of the girls already made his heart thump loudly against his chest. Being royal probably added additional stress. She couldn't blame Graciela for being too careful. 

The young man who was now dancing with the Bridgerton, seemed too shy to even look her in the eye or strike up a conversation, afraid he'd be too much of a disappointment after the Prince of Spain. He barely even touched her, feeling Felipe and everyone else in the room watching him. 

"Where's Eloise?" Violet suddenly realised, knowing that Eloise would probably try to sneak out now that Elladine was the centre of attention. She looked to her eldest son, who saw the conflict in her eyes. She didn't want to miss a second of Elladine's first steps into the Ton, especially now that she had the attention of a royal, but she also very well knew Eloise would take the first carriage home if she got the chance.

"I’ll keep an eye on Elladine. And I need to deal with them," Anthony noted, his attention shifting to the group of boys hesitantly approaching him— suitors for Elladine who only now seemed to see the girl’s potential after the prince had taken the initiative. 

Violet looked at her dancing daughter once more, knowing she would be alright with her eldest brother there. However, a distant but striking memory made her grab her son's sleeve and whisper in his ear, "Don't you dare make another one of those stupid mistakes as with Daphne and Lord Berbrooke." 

"I won't! I promise." 

Violet nodded curtly, lifted up her skirts so she wouldn't trip, and quickly made her way out of the room, in search of Eloise.

The dancing couples switched partners once more, and Felipe all but groaned when Graciela smoothly danced her way in front of Elladine, the girl's hands snaking to softly rest on Elladine's waist, even if the Bridgerton girl seemed shocked and unsure of her new dancing companion. The princess ignored the looks she was getting, the gasps people were letting out, or how she heard her brother call out her name in protest.

With wide eyes and pure terror in her eyes, Elladine quicky muttered, "Your Grace, I'm sure this isn't how this dance is-"

"You almost look repulsed. Have you never seen two girls dance before?" The princess teased, a challenging look in her eyes as she tilted her head to the side, taking in the small details of Elladine's features that she could now make out from their new close distance. ”Should we not be able to dance without a man? Have they not taken enough from us already?" She said it so easily while she looked around, greeting people left and right with a wide smile, as if she hadn't just put each man around her in a bad light. “Why are you all so modest over here?”

Elladine let out a shaky sigh, one filled with nerves and the fear of rejection, judgement and shame. Graciela held her tight but still ever so gently. Dancing with Graciela was so different from dancing with Felipe. It wasn't only the obvious male and female differences, like their height or the lack of big muscles in the girl’s arms holding her close. While Felipe had smelled of nothing to Elladine's liking, Graciela smelled fresh yet sultry... like mystery, like flowers blooming in the night, where no one was ever around to see but that didn't stop them from blooming anyway. Elladine’s eyes quickly glanced around the room, seeing confusion and disapproval on the faces around her. 

Even if their dance encounter had barely lasted ten seconds, the princess noticed the hesitance in Elladine's steps, and horror on the Bridgerton's face, and so she let go, a childlike grin on her face as to not alarm the spectators, showing them they were just two young girls being silly at a dance. Nothing more. Nothing less.

“I apologise, Miss Bridgerton.“ Her voice came out as soft as a whisper, and as everyone twirled their partner around, she disappeared into the hands of another while Felipe made his way back to Elladine Bridgerton.

And with that, Elladine's mood was ruined. She couldn't quite put a finger on why, but something caged inside her had felt like another cage had just locked her further away. This was proof she would never be truly happy, never be able to live her life like she wanted to. She would always only be able to be someone others wanted her to be, she could only show what others wanted to see. Because they were always watching, that was just the way it was. Even now, strangers looked at her and narrowed their eyes. Either they saw a tainted Bridgerton or a naive little girl, but whatever it was, she hated it. She hated how she had to dance with men she didn't ever want to grow old with, just to appease the ton. It was her life, was it not?

A cold sweat suddenly coated her neck, and she felt lightheaded at all the twirling and waltzing. The stuffy air wasn’t doing wonders either. She needed to get out of there, and quick.

She took a step back and stumbled out of Felipe’s arms, “I need to look for my sister." She quickly came up with, using all her energy on trying to focus on the path out and thus forgetting the proper formalities. She rushed off the ballroom floor, through the crowd and out of the room, painfully aware of all the eyes on her as she left, and how she had left the crown prince of Spain all on his own, who was too stunned to move as he could only watch her run away from him. Heat rose to her cheeks immediately at the thought and at the realisation that she could very well be the talk of the city tomorrow, especially if Lady Whistledown had seen it all unfold as well. But she knew she couldn’t go back now. Even the chilly weather outside could not help cool her down, but at least she was alone. 

✧ ⋆*·:⋆

It is to my sincerest regret that I cannot inform you, my dear readers, about a new diamond just yet. Not only did Her Majesty the Queen not call the season’s diamond after the presentation, but she kept silent during the opening ball of the season as well. Though this year, it seems as if no official approval of Her Majesty is needed, for one lucky lady already has the approval of the Ton and that of Crown Prince Felipe. The prince did not ask another to dance after Miss Elladine Bridgerton, whose cheeks adorned an adorable blush all evening long. Like a young couple in love in a true fairytale, they could not tear their eyes away from each other during their first dance. I shall tip my head to you, Violet Bridgerton, for doing it once again. Perhaps it is just the Bridgerton luck. All the nerves and flutters of the night did a number on the young lady whose attention was captured by that of the prince, and she left looking unwell, leaving the prince alone and up for grabs. She would not be the first to faint under the gaze of that dashingly handsome Prince, I’m sure. Even His Grace’s sister the Princess seemed content and in approval of her brother’s lady of choice. Still, the Ton awaits for Her Majesty’s announcement of their newest diamond. Does the Queen dare to pick another diamond not to the Prince’s liking and therefore discredit his judgement? We shall see. Your move, Your Majesty.

LADY WHISTLEDOWN SOCIETY PAPERS, MAY 10 1816  

© 𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘀

𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 ��𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗽𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀. 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿’𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 <3

[artteristly]

𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐊, 𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐘 𝐁.

SUMMARY, you’ve had made peace with yourself knowing that you’d be a spinster for the rest of your life, so that you could take care of your little sibling, such as because they see you as their mother. Who would have thought just because you tagged along with your twin brother to an invited vacation, you’d meet your future husband who suffered the same responsibility?

MASTERLIST , 𝓌ord count, 6.6K

𝒞andles were the main light source to guide you through the dark halls of your home when your younger brothers had nightmares. Your hand was rather larger than theirs, but you still let their tiny fingers lead you to their room. Speaking about how in their nightmare it was a night roaring with thunder and you and your twin brother were nowhere to be seen.  

You hush them to sleep, raking your fingers through their hair and letting their unconscious body cling to yours. While tucking them in again, you hear the door open slightly. “A nightmare?” Oliver spoke out, making you soften your gaze on him. “It is like they were there when Mother died.” You sigh as you ruffle one of the twin's hair. 

“They are haunted by the night they were born.” You frown, simply because this wasn’t the first they came crying into your room about the horrid dream they had. Oliver seemed to sense your stress and took you away from the twin's room. “We simply can’t do anything about it sister, but try to raise them differently.” He sighed. 

It had been years since your mother's death, and you took the responsibility to take care of your younger brothers. Her cause of death was because of them, having no choice but to be cut open and die bleeding while hugging her causes. Your mother huffed as she gave you her final orders as a mother before dying. 

Her death was heartbreaking and the one who took it to heart was your father. He died a week after from a broken heart, leaving your brother to be the new lord of the family, and you the lady of the house until your brother married. 

You were presented to society as requested by your aunt, but when no suitors understood your desire to raise your brothers, you simply didn’t marry. You were a spinster to society and a mother figure to your siblings. 

“I don’t know Oliver, I hate seeing them suffer.” You walk into his study and sit yourself down, him following your actions. “You seem to grow the senses of a mother, sister.” Oliver smiled and sighed until he remembered something from earlier today. “I’ve received an invitation from one of my old friends, they invited us to their countryside home, where they will host a ball soon.” He looked over, catching how this took all of your attention. 

“It would be nice, you and the boys would love some vacation, especially you since you're the one who needs it the most.” You stood up and smiled, taking your shawl and covering yourself once again walking straight to the door. “So it’s a yes?” Oliver asked making you laugh lightly and then nodding. “Of course Oliver, who am I to deny you of relaxation?” 

He laughed lightly before watching you walk away to finally sleep, and he returned to his desk to do his duties. 

You’ve noticed it had been quite some time since you were in the countryside, and seeing Aubrey Hall was quite astonishing when you first saw it. Thomas and Richard bounced excitedly when they saw the house, blabbering about how it was gorgeous and humongous. “You must act like gentlemen while you are here, well-mannered and respectful.” You told them watching as they nodded furiously and repeated ‘Yes big sister!’ over and over. 

When the carriage stopped you saw the Bridgerton family spill out of the front door, lining up to greet your family. Once you stepped out someone called your last name out, making you look up to see an older man smiling at your brother. “Clarke!” 

“Bridgerton!” Your brother smiled and shook the man's hand, then hugged for a second before he introduced his family. “Dear friend, I’m quite hurt you wouldn’t invite me to your wedding nor tell me you had a family..” Anthony spoke, making you laugh at the face Oliver made. “My Lord, you’re mistaken, I’m Oliver's sister, and these are our siblings Thomas and Richard.”  You smile at his bewildered face. 

“My Apologies.” Anthony ducked his head, making you chuckle and dismay the mistake. “Please do join us for tea!” Violet smiled at the four of you, gladly being invited in. 

You were astonished by their home, it seemed like a wonderful place to grow up in. The tea room was more beautiful as you sat with Oliver on one of the sofas. “Mother, can we go out and play in the garden with Thomas and Richard?” You learned that the youngest Bridgerton siblings were Hycinth and Gregory, somewhat the same age as Thomas and Richard. “Of course, if it all right with their older siblings.” Violet looked over for your permission. 

“Sister, can we? Please!” Richard came up to you, right behind him was Thomas talking to Hycinth. You look over to Oliver, and he nods and allows it. “You may, but don’t cause trouble!” You spoke, and automatically they thanked you and promised nothing but good deeds. 

Violet smiles at your motherly aura, making you smile back at her when you catch her staring. The moment was wonderful and not long after dinner was being served, that was when you separated yourself to find your little siblings. A servant leading you outside to them, you were about to call out to them until a voice behind you did it for you. “Everyone, time for dinner!”

You looked behind your shoulder to find Anthony behind you, he instantly looked at you. “Thank you, My Lord.” You bowed your head, you were about to leave until he spoke.  “I hope you do forgive me about earlier.” He said, you raised an eyebrow a bit confused. “About what My lord?” You asked before turning your head and looking for Richard and Thomas, they were running straight at you. “About me mistaking you for Oliver's wife,” Anthony confessed. 

You smiled softly before yelling at the boys not to run inside, again turning over towards him. “Don’t worry about it, My lord.” You laugh lightly before you watch him offer his arm, making you confused once again. “Allow me to show you where dinner is held..” He smiled, and you once again smiled out of kindness, before taking his hand. 

You flinch awake when you feel someone slip under your bedsheet, making you peek your eyes open. Only to find Thomas sniffling his tears, making you well aware of what was happening. Thomas was always the most sensitive one out of the twins, he was a soft boy who was very kind. “Thomas, what happened?” You whisper, caressing your hand on his cheek, wiping his tears away. 

“I had a nightmare again.” He sniffled, he was visibly shaken up. His night clothes were crinkled, his hair was ruffled and some parts were drenched in sweat. His blue eyes were puffed and his nose was snotty, making your heartache. 

You turn over in your bed and light up the side candle on your night table, the dim light making everything around it glow a soft light. You push the duvets and blankets away and put on your slippers, walking inside the bathroom to the side of it. Thomas sat up and grew shy, were you mad at him?

“C’mere Thomas, we don’t want you going to bed all sweaty.” You came back in the room with a damp towel, rubbing it along his hair, trying to clean up the sweat off his hair and neck. “Lay down.” You told him before going into the bathroom again. When you came back, the towel was damp again but this time you placed it around his face, hoping the cold towel would calm him down. 

You sit beside him on the bed, pulling your knees towards you. “What was your nightmare about?” You asked softly when you uttered those words, you could feel him tense around you. “You can talk to me when you’re ready if it’s too hard, for now, we can just be in each other presence.” You run your fingers in his hair, feeling him ease up. 

After a few minutes he talked, but his words trembled like he was about to say something wrong but spoke. “I saw Mother, in my dream.” He said, just now leaning a bit more into your side. “She was with Papa, and you. She was cradling you in her arms, saying how you were doing a good job.” He sniffled, closing his eyes trying to remember again. 

“Then everything sort of started to disappear, she kept saying how it was time for you to join them, and she disappeared again and left you crying.” Tears swelled in his eyes, trembling. “Do you miss Mother and Father, sister?” He looked up at you, making you bite your tongue, not wanting to cry in front of him. “Of course I do.” You swallow the sadness down. “Do you hate me for taking them away?”

“Thomas, never say such words.” You spoke calmly at him, making him look away. “You are my brother and I must take care of you–Mother told me it was my final order as a big sister.” You told him. “Everyone is destined to go somewhere they might return from, it was simply their time to go.” You stated. 

“You won’t leave us alone, right sister?” Thomas looked at you, his gaze holding hope and fear. “Never, I’ll be by your side until you are big enough not to need me all the time.” You smiled at his foolish question. “I think, I’ll always need you here with me sister.” He murmured, finally closing his eyes. 

As he falls asleep in your bed, you can’t help but sigh.  

Candles were the main light source to guide you through the dark halls of the Bridgerton house, taking a peek inside your brother's guest room. Only to find the bed still neatly made, so you wandered around until you heard soft laughter in the Billard room. You peek in, seeing your Brother playing pool with Anthony. Colin and Benedict drinking on the side, chatting between themselves, and drowning in smoke.

Your soft knock on the door startles them, making their eyes stare at the door. “Sister?” Oliver looked at you confused. You smiled nervously before talking “Sorry to interrupt but I need your help.” You say. “What with?” He asked, more confused than the first. “It is Thomas.” With that, your brother is hastily walking towards you. 

“He had another nightmare, he is drenched in sweat.” You whispered at him, eyeing him and the Bridgerton brothers who stood quite confused. “Did something happen, should I send for a doctor?” Anthony was the first to speak out. You and Oliver looked at each other and communicated with your eyes. 

“No, our brother is simply hogging my bed.” You smiled softly at him, before pulling your brother's sleeve. “Again, sorry to interrupt, have a good night gentleman.” You bow your head down, before walking out of the room. “I’ll be right back.” Oliver excused himself. 

After you left, the band of brothers looked at each other “What do you think that was about?” Benedict asked, making Colin think. “Perhaps the boy simply has an attachment issue?” The two brothers keep talking but the elder one is still glancing at the place where you stood. He knew the look you gave to your brother meant something, something he knew about. 

It was simply the same look his mother gave him when she needed to carry the young ones to bed because she alone couldn’t pick them up. As he stood there in thought, he started to think more. You were similar to his mother, giving the same comfort around other people. You gave those boys so much motherly love, just like his mother did with him and his brothers. 

“Perhaps she is just a mother figure to those boys.” Anthony simply said, taking a sip of his liquor. Benedict and Colin brushed him off and continued talking, they wouldn’t get it anyway. A figure will always recognize another. 

The sun playfully peaked through the blue curtains, making your eyes flutter open slowly. You hum as you let your body wake up, stretching to each corner of your guest bed. You felt amazing like you just gotten the best rest of your life, instantly placing you in a good mood. 

You have gotten yourself ready for today, wearing a light purple dress and placing your hair down, showing off its length. You smiled at the thought of having a peaceful morning in this gorgeous country home, simply sitting near the garden, enjoying the morning breeze and a book. 

You slip out of your room and walk downstairs. 

Anthony flinched, hearing floorboards creaking in his home. He could feel the house become alive but could hear someone speak to others. He wondered who it could be since he was usually the first one up. He sighed and shuffled out of his bedsheets, peaking out of his view of the backyard, only to see you sitting with a book in your hand. 

He wondered what you were doing, he could only slowly start waking up while looking at you. Should he join you for tea? He asked himself, before making his mind up and doing so. 

He slowly shuffled out of his trousers and slipped into his clothes of the day, then walked out of his room. The morning staff greeted him, and he then ordered him to bring tea outside where you were, they quickly did what they were ordered to do. 

You got startled when a soft ‘good morning.’ spoke out towards you, making you look behind and see who was responsible. “Ah, Good morning, My lord.” You smiled while standing up, and curtsying towards him. “Please, May I join you?” Anthony smiled, gesturing to the free seat, in which you nodded. 

“How was your night? Was everything to your liking?” He asked, making you place a bookmark on your book. “Everything was perfect, you shouldn’t worry.” You smiled, noticing a maid coming up and serving tea. “If you don’t mind me asking, was everything alright yesterday night?” Anthony questioned. 

You looked at him as you were going in to sip tea, and you placed it down softly. “Thomas is a compassionate boy, he gets scared easily, and he has recurring nightmares.” You tell him, catching how worried he looks. “He sneaks into my room, simply seeking comfort.” After that, you take a sip out of your tea. 

Anthony nodded, he could only think of how many times he had to help his Mother with Hycinth and Eloise, and sometimes Daphne. “Seems like our duty as older siblings.” He said with a soft smile, making you look at him. “How are your siblings? Are they well-behaved, or perhaps chaotic?” You smiled when he sat up in his chair. 

“They are way different from yours, they are bipolar, and they switch moods mostly all the time.” He smiles, bringing his teacup up to his lips. “Especially Hycinth and Gregory, those two are always at it.” He sighed into the cup before sipping his tea. “Richard and Thomas are sweet boys, they don’t like causing trouble.” You laughed at the thought. 

“Miss Clarke, I find it honorable what you are doing.” Anthony smiled softly at you, making you tilt your head. “Of what, My lord?” Your eyes glued right at his, trying to study his expression. When you get the idea of what he is saying, you place your teacup down. “My Lord, It is simply our duty as older siblings.” You smile softly. “We must provide our younger siblings with emotional and physical security.” 

His breath hitched as he looked at you. You had worded his thoughts perfectly like you knew what he was thinking. “Morning.” You both turn over to see Benedict stretching as Colin and Oliver come downstairs, and you simply smile at the three. “Morning gentlemen, I hope after all the fun you had yesterday night you rested well.” Benedict nodded happily, thanking you and sitting right next to you, popping a light biscuit in his mouth. 

“Do not worry Sister, after I won a game of pool against Colin, we simply went to sleep.” Oliver ruffled your hair, and in return, you smiled at him. “Yes, do not worry Miss Clarke, after your brother finally won a game against me, he quickly retreated to bed.” Colin corrected Oliver, making you giggle. Amid your conversation with the other three, Anthony kept looking at you quietly. 

How was it that you clicked so easily with his siblings? You were at most a natural when it came to socializing with others, easily joining the conversation you were immediately included in. You did your duty as the Lady of the house quite easily, while you helped your brother with paperwork and money problems. You were about everything he was trying to be or be with. 

“Breakfast is ready, My lord.” A maid called out, making him snap out of his thoughts. “Shall we?” He smiled and walked inside, making the rest walk inside. As he walked into the main area, he could see the boys running toward you and your brother. “Brother, Sister! Good morning.” Richard jumped into Oliver's hands, while the boy ruffled his hair. Thomas on the other hand grabbed your hand and smiled, making you caress his cheek. 

During breakfast, out of the corner of his eye. He could see you acting motherly towards them, making him intrigued, and have some questions. 

Then again during tea time, you were sowing back up one of Richard's handkerchiefs, touching the fabric up. Richard read out loud with you, while you corrected him on some words. 

His last thought was seeing you play with them, running in the green field in front of Aubrey Hall, right in front of his study, he stretched, needing a break, and as if Benedict heard his wishes, he came into his study. “Brother, do join us for pallmall.” His tilted smile was on full display. 

Anthony walked downstairs to find his whole family waiting, huddling around the rack filled with different colored mallets. He saw you crouched down, holding your finger out towards Thomas and Hycinth whose eyes widened as you told them that the insect on your finger was a butterfly. 

“Sister, will you be joining us?” Oliver asked you, letting the butterfly fly away and making the children run after it. “I’m playing with Thomas and Hycinth! Perhaps another day!” You smiled lightly seeing a pout on your brother's face. 

Anthony felt his hands sweat, just as you uttered those words, a gold ray of the sun landed on your skin. Making him utterly mesmerized by your image, then leaving him clenching his first tightly as you ran towards the children, making the wind an actor as it runs itself through your long hair. 

It shined rightly under the sun, he could’ve mistaken you for a fairy. Benedict pushed him out of his thoughts and ushered him to play the game.

That night Anthony felt strange as he laid in his bed, absolutely devoured by the thought of you. What was going on with him? He was high with the sound of your sweet voice, your smile, and your kindness. He wanted to entangle his finger in your hair, he wanted you to caress his face. 

He groaned, why was this happening to him? Just when he puts love off to the side, his heart starts to throb for someone. Was it wrong as well? You were his friend's younger sister. He huffs as he stands up once again, he shivers at the thought of you running your hands behind him, wrapping them around his waist. Was he mad? Was he insane? He shouldn’t be thinking about you. 

He walked towards his study until he saw a dim light in the library that was connected to his study. “Who is in here?” He spoke out and like his thoughts were heard about someone, you stood still there, like you were deer caught while hunting. “Sorry, am I not supposed to be in here?” You went still, watching as Anthony walked in laughing a bit. “No, Do not worry, you are allowed to be here.” He chuckled as he saw your grip loosed on your shawl. 

“You gave me quite the scare, My lord.” You laughed breathlessly before pushing the book back in its place. You looked at Anthony who kept looking at you, making you nervous. “You have a beautiful library, it puts mine to shame.” You grabbed a book that you recognized easily, sliding it off the shelf.

"It was my late fathers, he took pride in his collection, we say Eloise got that habit from him.” He walked towards you, a good arm's length away, looking down at the book you were holding. 

“Pride and Prejudice?” He smiled, making you nod scanning the book cover. “A lovely love story, both of the characters overcoming pride and prejudice and surrendering to love each other.” You hum out, handing the book to him. “I rather think it’s quite aggravating.” Antony hummed out, looking up to see your reaction. 

“Oh, why do you find it ‘aggravating’?” You asked directly giving him your attention. “It bothers me how much they deny each other, and how she can’t see he’s being a gentleman.” He mutters placing the book back, falling a bit weak in his knees when your eyes examine him. You find it amusing, and to show it you it, you giggle. “Well, it’s romantic when a man is desperate for a woman's love.” You walked away towards the window. 

Anthony watched as you walked away from him, he felt the cold brush his skin where your warmth was. “Ms. Clarke, do you have a husband?” Anthony said, making you look at him surprised. “Sorry, I overstep.” Anthony walked towards the door leading to his study, what was wrong with him? 

“I don’t have a husband.” You chuckled as you saw his shoulders ease, walking his way. “It is rather hard to find one who understands my circumstance.” You expressed your displeasure, making him look at you directly. “It feels like most men have one goal, and that is to expand their lineage. I, however, want to take of the family I already have.” You smiled softly as you stood there an arm's length away...

“After my parents passed, I felt a heavy burden to take care of my three brothers. Oliver might seem like the older one but I’m older by three minutes.” You giggled before sighing heavily. 

“I’ve helped manage our household, managing our finances with Oliver, taught them many activities, helped with their studies, having to be there for the three of them.” You tear up just a little, never being able to dump your feelings. “I’d gladly be their support pillar, and to take care of them.” You smiled. 

“I love my brothers dearly, such as you do for your siblings, but mine are still immature with no guide in their life–I’d rather raise them to be gentlemen and make other young girls happy than to find love, I’ve made peace with it and if someone understood that, I’d gladly treasure them back.” You expressed truthfully. 

Anthony felt like he had overstepped greatly but he couldn’t help but feel for you. Making him look at you with understanding eyes. “How did your parents die?” He asked, regretting how your expression turned into hurt from remembering unpleasant memories. 

“Um, my Mother died during childbirth, having to be cut open to get Thomas out after Richard, she died bleeding while holding him. A week later my Father died of a broken heart, he couldn’t live without my mother.” You blinked some tears away before wiping them away. You both stood there in silence until you spoke again. “How did your father die?” You asked him. 

You could see him close his eyes and exhale heavily “He was stung by a bee.” He looked at you somewhat humbled. “To see my Father who was a great man, be killed by a small creature is humbling.” He sarcastically said before feeling comfortable with you. 

The air took a shift as he saw you studying him more deeply, then looking at him with a gaze that allured him towards you. It seemed like the only thing you two could do was convey feeling through your eyes. He leaned in closer, making you lean in as well. 

“What if I understood you?” You turn over inhaling at how close he was. You looked up at his eyes they looked at you desperately, and you looked down nervously. You flush as you see his chest through his sheer nightshirt. “I fear that I understand you far too well.” You looked so small under him, so flushed, so captivating. 

“What are you saying?” You looked up at him and god did he want to kiss your lips. He cursed himself for looking at you with those thoughts, and it didn’t help when your collarbone was visible, nor the line where your breast started. Your doe eyes looking at him so confused, as your lips parted to speak again. 

This time your mouth was left open as nothing came out of it, making him turn his head over lining your lips with his but not placing them on you. You felt confused, you wanted to set your lips on his but didn’t and it was eating you up alive. Your breath hitched as you felt his hands pull yours forward, it felt like he was pulling your heart making it pound. 

You felt right as he showed you the most vulnerable side of his you've seen, you allowed yourself to brush your lips against his slightly. Allowing him to feel the slight texture of your plum lips, making his breath hitch. You pulled away after gaining a reaction from him. “This isn’t right, I–” You shook your head feeling a heavy feeling in your heart. “Please..” Anthony felt his cold heart begging to be warmed up. 

“I-I shall bid you good night.” You turned away, breath trembling as you pulled your shawl over you tightly. You were glancing at him one more time before leaving the room hastily, feeling the cool air on your flushed skin. 

On your third day in Aubrey Hall, Violet was going to a ball. It was an annual ball apparently, and you were their honorable guests.  You told your brothers that they were to stay put with Hycinth and Gregory since they were still too young to be out during balls. 

Your ladymaid helped you slip on a royal blue dress made of silk that complemented your figure. The dress has beautiful detailing, little flowers that trail to the back of the dress, and a beautiful bow on the back that turns into a nice small train. With a nice halfway-up hairstyle and large curls flowing down, your mother's jewelry was the final touch. 

You thank the ladymaid as she smiles and begins to clean up the space, you leave the room to walk towards your brothers. You knock on his assigned guest room, which was partly shared with your little brothers, just a wall separating them. Richard whipped the door open and smiled big “Sister!” He engulfed you in a tight hug. 

“Richie! What are you doing here?” You laugh as he drags you inside, making Thomas run towards you and hug you as well, “We are helping Oliver get ready!” Thomas butted in before analyzing your dress. “Sister you look beautiful!” Thomas and Richard spit out in unison, making Oliver glance over. 

“I must say, Sister, the color rather suits you better than me,” Oliver muttered as he walked towards you, giving you his carvat indicating he was having trouble putting it on. “Nonsense, it looks fine on you.” You easily put his cravat on, making him huff. “My future sister better knows how to put these on or you’re going to be in lots of trouble.” You giggled as he gave you a look. 

“Are we getting another sister soon?” Richard said excitedly, Thomas right behind him with joyful eyes. “I’ve told you I don’t want to get married this season.”Oliver shrugged on his waistcoat that was matching your dress, butting it up.

“Please I have a feeling you’ll meet your future bride at this ball brother!” You say excitedly, making him pout and look at you. “What about our new brother? Are you going to get married soon?” Oliver asked.

You freeze, and the thought of you and Anthony yesterday night pops up in your mind. Making you flush red and shy, and this didn’t go unnoticed by Oliver. “Sister, have you made a match?” Oliver buttoned up the last of his buttons and rushed to your side. You clear your throat, looking away from the boys who cornered you. “I have not.” You walked away, and suddenly Thomas hugged your legs and Richard your waist, making you stop in your tracks. 

Oliver picked you up making you squeal at the sudden movements, then plopped you down on a chair. “Sister, do you like someone?” Thoma questioned you, making Oliver and Richard eye you. “Why are you asking me that?!” You asked a bit flushed. “We just you to be happy sister.” Richard expressed, making the other two boys nod. You looked at them sincerely, making them continue.

“We want you to be with a husband that will take care of you, just like you took care of us.” Richard told you, “You deserve a happy ending sister, you’ve done so much.” Oliver held a hand towards you, making you stand up. 

“But if I do so, you’ll be alone, I don’t wish for that.” You start to tear up, making the three boys offer you their handkerchiefs, you laugh lightly, and they offer the handkerchiefs you made for them. “We are big boys sister, either way, you won’t leave us forever right? You’ll visit us!” Thomas exclaimed making you breathe out. 

“I don’t think I can leave you all alone.” You told them, making them huff. Oliver finished up getting ready, and you ushered the boys into the nursery where the younger Bridgerton siblings sat. You meet Oliver at the top of the stairs, grabbing his arm as he guides you both to the bottom, where the elder Bridgerton siblings chat amongst themselves. 

Anthony broke his chatter with Daphne who kept talking, looking at you with your astonishment as you walked down the stairs. You two were talking to Benedict and Eloise as they broke apart from their family to speak to you. “Sister! Let me introduce you to our guest.” Anthony smiled as Daphne nodded along. 

“May I introduce you to Lord Clarke and his sister, Ms. Clarke.” Daphne smiled as she saw you crusty and your brother bow. “This is our sister Daphne, Duchess of Hastings.” Making your eyes twinkle. “A pleasure to meet you two, my brother talked about you two, all nice things of course.” She smiled. 

“Your Grace, it is an honor to meet you.” You give her a delighted smile, making her giggle. “Please I have every intention of becoming friends with you, let us walk around?” Daphne offered her hand, making you smile at your brother, and walked away with her. 

“You talked about us?” Oliver looked at Anthony who kept his gaze on you, then broke away to look at him. “Of course, I’m trying to find you a wife.” He told him, making him scoff. “You and my sister are forcing me to find a wife–it is like you two are meant to be with all this pushing.” Oliver walked into the ballroom. 

As the ball began, you walked around talking to some ladies who gladly let you join them. You were quite the social butterfly, making you tired of talking sometimes. You excused yourself, wanting a beverage and looking for your brother. You watched as he flushed over the words of a young lady, making you smile. 

“Brother, enjoy your night?” You butt in, making him look at you. “Ah sister, yes! Let me introduce you two, Miss. Blackwood my sister.” Oliver smiled at the young brunette, not going unnoticed by you. “Hello, a pleasure to meet you.” You smile, making the young girl flush. “Likewise, If you don’t mind me asking, are you twins?” She hid her face behind her fan, making you giggle. “Yes, we are a set of twins,” Oliver confirms. 

“You are most fortunate to have a sibling.” She said, talking about how she had no siblings at the moment. “Are you very fond of children, Miss Blackwood?” You question her and she nods. “I love children! Whenever I’m in the country, I usually play with my cousin's kids.” She smiled.

“Then you might enjoy our other brother's presence!” You told her, making her confused. “Ah you see, just like me and my sister are twins, we also have little twin brothers, their names are Richard and Thoma.” Oliver’s smile grew fond of the thought of them. “Oh, I’d love to meet them.” She giggled. 

Anthony glanced at you every time he heard you laugh, wanting nothing but to walk over there and talk to you. Although this persistent mama denied him of doing so, his mother saw his inpatients. “Anthony! I need to talk to you!” She ushered him away, grabbing his arm in the process. “Dearest why are you making that face?” Violet spoke. 

“You must seem content in front of these guests, and talking about guests why haven’t you asked our guests to dance?” She scolded him before he could talk, making him frown. “Mother I was about to ask Ms. Clarke to dance but I simply got caught up with some people.” He reassured her, making her nod. 

“Where is she?” Violet looked around, making him do so as well. Anthony excused himself with his mother, making his way toward Oliver who was still chatting with Ms. Blackwood. “Oliver, have you seen your sister?”Anthony excused himself for interrupting their conversation. Oliver looked at him a bit confused but replied “She is checking up on Thomas and Richard, I think.” Oliver told him. 

Anthony nodded and walked away, leaving the ball unnoticed and quietly. He walked up the stairs making his way to the nursery. Just as he turned the hallway, you walked out. In your hands a tired Richard, who you struggling to carry, and a very sleepy Thomas.  “Thomas love, please stay awake so we can change you for bed.” You ruffle his hair and readjust Richard on your hip. 

You gasp as you feel someone grab Richard from your arms, and it shocked you when it was The Viscount. “My lord, you don’t have to!” You say as if his action were too much. “Don’t be silly, please let me help you.” Anthony smiled while crouching down to carry Thomas as well. You looked a bit worried, and he smiled reassuring you. 

You both walk to their assigned guest room, and after some pushing and pulling you are finally able to tuck them in with the help of Anthony. You huff, backing up a little right beside Anthony, you looked over towards him and smiled. “Thank you once again, My lord.” You smiled kindly. 

Anthony looked at your adoring lips, making him want nothing but to put his lips on them. “Anthony.” He whispered, making you look up at him once again. “Pardon?” You say, making him instantly repeat himself. “Please, call me Anthony.” He said now facing you directly. “Ms. Clarke, I’ll be honest with you–

I have nothing but respect for you.” He said looking at you sincerely, making you straighten up. “Yesterday night, I meant what I said–I understand you very well.” He expressed, resulting in your breath hitching. “I understand your so felt burden of taking care of your sibling and to be frank, I honestly relate my problems so much to yours,” Anthony whispered lightly, not wanting to wake up the children. 

You looked up at him in amazement, making him open his mouth but no words came out. Your heart was palpitating so hard, that you felt like a character who was about to be confessed to. Anthony straightened his posture, as he cleared his throat. “To be honest, I fell deeply in love with your motherly intuition, I don’t know how to explain it but my heart eases up when you take care of your sibling so easily,” Anthony confessed, making him flush red.

“I must say it made me love you differently now, and– god it’s so unlike me, but I fell in love in just three nights.” He became once again flush in color. 

You too were flushed with red, making you put a hand on your chest, feeling it–actually, it was beating so hard you swear you could hear it. “Anthony, I, well, I don’t know how to feel.” You look at him, then away.

“When my brother accepted the invitation, I thought of them having the necessary time off, I did not come here for my benefit.” You told him. “Though I am happy, I ended up getting something.” As you utter the last syllables of your sentence, Anthony looks at you. 

“W-What I meant, I feel the same way, Anthony, I do hope you can court me the right way, once I get back to Mayfair.” You smiled fondly as you grabbed his arm. Making him nod slowly “It would be an honor to.” Anthony smiled, feeling somewhat relieved that his feelings were reciprocated. 

As the two walk back down, arms linked, the whole Ton looks at the pair in bewilderment. However, Anthony didn’t care, offering his hand to you and a gentle smile. “May I have this dance, Ms. Clarke?” He smiled, making you giggled and accept his advance. “Of course, My lord.” Then the two of you dance the night away.

At the end of the night, you told your brother you retiring to bed, he nodded and you excused yourself. Your heels bore into your heel and you sighed at the sight of your guest room door. As you passed the library that held the memory of you and Anthony, you can’t help but smile. Entering the room with your heels in hand, you wander the bookshelf, ah there it was, Pride and Prejudice. 

You smile at the light conversation you made between Anthony about the book. You place the hardcover book back before walking out the door, only to find the man you had semi-confessed your love to at the end of the hall, this time he was retiring to bed. 

You two smile as you connect once again, this time he walks you to your guest room. That night you had kissed him goodnight on his cheek, making him still as a statue, but quickly snapping out of it as he heard your brother making him wau towards you two. 

The moment felt pure and delightful, you tucked yourself into bed and after tossing and turning, you’d admit, you were far too happy about what just had happened. Tonight felt like a fever dream, and it was something you nor Anthony never wanted to forget. 

Anthony laid in bed as an uttered mess, as his nightshirt was visibly discarded as he laid shirtless. Simply too hot, and was practically melting because of the action you made on him. He would lay there, dragging his fingertips on his cheek. He knew in the morning you would be gone, already on your way home, and he would be mourning, trying to hold on to the memories of your lips. 

God, he is so lovesick. 

So lovesick, he simply started courting you the week you had just come back from Aubrey Hall, with of course the blessing of your three younger brothers.

[foreverthebolter]

Anthony: anything ungentlemanly happen with Penelope?

Colin: look me in the eyes and tell me you waited until marriage with Kate

[frost-queen]

Tempting fate (Reader!Featherington x Colin Bridgerton)

Requested by: anon, Forever tag:@missmelodramatic, @merlin-dahlia, @alex--awesome--22, @elllie-does-the-posts, @floatlosers, @merlieve, @queen-of-books, @glimmering-darling-dolly@denkisclown, @wildieflower, @meyocoko, @bubblybrianna, @justanothercoco@subjecta13-thefangirl, @m-rae23, @harleyquinnswifeyfrfr, @swampthing07, @melsunshine, @panhoeofmanyfandoms, @venomsvl, @the-uncoordinated-house-cat, @rosecentury,  @imagines-by-her,  @evilcr0ne, @vviolynn

The night was out. Chilled but rather comforting on the skin. You were outside, waiting as your sister had already taken the carriage in a haste. Not a few moments ago she had a little encounter with Colin Bridgerton. One that you witnessed from afar. You could tell by your sister’s expression that she was displeased. Distressed to say the least. Once again had Colin Bridgerton said something to upset your sister. It was getting out of hand and you hated him for it. Hating how he toggled with your sister’s feelings.

They had been friends for a while now, but your sister desired more. He was the only good gentleman that gave her attention during the balls. Even if it was just a little. It wasn’t his first slip, but this time you clearly had enough of him. Now that your sister had run off with the carriage, you were left to return home on your own. Waiting for the carriage to return to the estate of this night’s ball would take awfully long.

Rubbing your arms gently, you hesitantly decided what to do. Go or stay? Slightly turning your head you noticed in the corner of your eye a figure approach. Once you fully got a glimpse of him, you rolled your eyes with annoyance. – “Y/n.” – Colin said approaching you. – “Good night Mr. Bridgerton.” – you answered coldly turning your posture away from him. – “Do you not need a chaperone?” – he asked making you stop in your way. With a deep sigh, trying to temper your annoyance down, you turned back to him.

“Certainly not from you.” – you answered with a forced smile. He stared confused at you. Trying to process the meaning of your words. He slightly came closer to you. – “Did…did I say something to offend you?” – he questioned. You scoffed making him furrow his brows dumbfound. Colin and you hadn’t been the closest, yet he considered himself acquainted with you through your sister. – “To my sister you did!” – you bit back finding his act of stupidity tiring.

“Pen?” – Colin. – “I…I don’t understand.” – he answered. – “Why do you minimize my sister?” – you asked him boldly. Colin was taken back by your reply, looking surprised at you. – “Minimize… no, Y/n… I…I wrote to your sister everyday this summer with little reply.” – he said with a charming smile. You smiled in return as Colin flourished from seeing you smile. Yet your smile had other intensions. – “Oh, yes I know all about the letters you wrote her. Letting her know about all your adventures. I am well aware of that Colin!” – you pressured on.

Colin chuckled nervously. – “Are… are you going to make me say it out loud?” – he responded feeling a bit foolish. You quirked your eyebrow up unintrigued.  – “I missed her.” – he told you. You busted out in a laugh. – “You miss her?” – you positioned yourself stronger, fiercer to go up against your sister’s good friend. – “You miss her, but you would never court her is that correct?”

“Y/n I…” – Colin started finally losing a bit of his  boyish foolishness towards you. – “I overheard you!” – you called out. – “At my mama’s ball last season… telling everyone you would never ever court Penelope Featherington.” – You felt yourself get a bit emotional, defending your sister against her best friend. Against the one she loved. Some voices approached as it drew Colin’s attention briefly away from you. – “Bridgerton.” – one of them greeted as they passed. Colin bowed his head to them before leaning a bit closer to you. Lowering his voice he spoke – “Perhaps we should go where there’s somewhere private?” – he suggested.

“Because I embarrass you?” – you said loud enough for anyone walking around to hear. – “My sister can change her entire wardrobe and gain confidence but that would never take away that she is the laughingstock of the ton.” – you outed in anger. – “My sister doesn’t deserve a cruel man like yourself in her life.” – you picked up the hem of your dress. – “Good night Sir!” -  you saluted coldly at him before taking off in the night. Colin watched you leave with a certain guilt eating at him.

Two days later you were with your sisters and mama at a garden event. Your sisters sitting down in a chair underneath a tent, waving themselves some cool. Your mother was chatting with some of the other mother’s. You had no idea where Penelope was. You on the other hand were playing battledores and shuttlecock’s with some of the other season’s participants.

You stood on one side with a girl you were quite familiar with. On the other side were two gentleman. The shuttlecock went high up in the air as the boys knocked it to each other. You were waiting for the shuttlecock to come your way to hit it to her and then back to the boys without it touching the ground.

Somehow your attention got drawn away from the heavens. Seeing Colin Bridgerton clearly look for someone not far from you. – “Miss Y/n!” – one of the men called out as the shuttlecock went your way. Your attention was back as you calculated the moment your battledore hit the shuttlecock. The shuttlecock went up in the air as you thought back of annoying Colin.

The shuttlecock came down once more as you needed to pass it to your companion. Yet you let the shuttlecock come lower, batting it away with your battledore towards Colin. You watched as it hit him in the head. The shuttlecock fell in his hand as he looked down at it confusingly. Rubbing his sore head with the other one. The girl at your side pointed firmly at Colin to go and fetch it. You sighed loud going over to him. The moment Colin noticed you approach, he dropped to a bow. – “My shuttlecock.” – you said offering your hand for him to lay it in.

 “You hit me.” – Colin responded. – “Must have slipped.” – you responded sarcastic. Colin was all but amused. – “Now my shuttlecock.” – you insisted upon. Colin was about to give it to you till he changed his mind last moment. He had taken a deep breath, moving the shuttlecock behind his back. – “I’ll give it back if you allow me to apologise first.” – he started throwing a charming smile at you. – “You should apologise to my sister.” – you made clear not wanting an apology from him.

Colin tensed his jaw, as he had hoped for another outcome. – “I…Y/n.” – he sighed out. – “I don’t require your useless apology. My sister needs to be apologized to.” – you told him clearly. Colin sighed loud getting worked up by your attitude towards him. – “Fine! If you don’t accept my apology, you might not even deserve it.” – he snapped back. – “I don’t even want it!” – you fired back. – “Fine!” – he finished. – “Fine!” – you repeated loud.

“Good luck getting this back than!” – he showed you the shuttlecock again. You slapped your hand at it as Colin had pulled it away in time. – “Give it back!” – you called out to him, getting some attention from bystanders. – “You don’t deserve this.” – he mocked, taunting you by showing you the shuttlecock just out of reach. You groaned annoyed as he moved it behind his back. You knocked into him full force to reach for it behind his back. A bit too forceful perhaps?

Colin stumbled backwards as you fell with him. With a loud oof fell you on him. Now having the full attention of those around you. You were very much aware of the staring eyes. You pushed yourself hard off him. He felt the air get sucked out of his lungs. – “Eat it!” – you cursed at him storming off. Colin sat up, swallowing nervously at the sudden attention. Getting up, he saw Penelope look his way. He shamefully turned his head away, getting up and taking his leave.

**

Lights were flickering in the warmth of the room. Music filled the room. Dancers were taking in the centre of the room. You stood by the side with your two other sisters and mama. Your gaze went across the room. When your eyes fell upon Colin, you glared at him. He glared back at you, turning his head proudly away. You stubbornly looked away as well. Looking down, you fidgeted on your dress. Somehow it pained you to see him act so coldly towards you.

You didn’t intend on doing so but the more time you spend with Colin, arguing and bickering, the more you felt drawn to him. You shouldn’t be falling for him, but yet you were. Some novels say that you grow more attracted to those things you hate the most with frequency. This might be the case for Mr. Bridgerton and you. Mama nudged you hard making you lift your chin back up. She gestured to you, to smile so you could attract more eligible men.

Not being in the mood for her interfering, you took off. Blending through the crowd to escape her. Pushing yourself through the crowd. Coming to a brief stop, you came face to face with your sister Penelope. Your eyes widened briefly before you rushed off to the hallway to avoid her. Penelope blended with the crowd, lowering her head when she saw Colin near. He was clearly in pursuit of someone.

Almost panting he disappeared through the same door you had left moments ago. It made Penelope think doubtfully. You exhaled loud setting your hands on the desk from the room you had run off to. Clutching your heart, you felt it beat faster. Faster then it normally did. Was this Colin’s doing? Shaking your head you didn’t want to think about him. It was wrong to think of his that way. Your sister was madly in love with him. You couldn’t… not for the sake of her. – “Y/n.” – you jumped back startled at the hearing of your voice.

Colin had entered the room, shutting the door quietly behind him. You rounded the desk, creating more distance between you and him. – “Shouldn’t you dance with my sister.” – you sarcastically suggested to him. He exhaled soft, practically done with your flight modus. Done with how you kept pushing yourself away and shoving your sister to the front. – “Y/n.” – Colin started as you didn’t want to hear it. – “You keep doing it Colin. You keep minimizing my sister.” – you told him.

“Ignoring every hint she throws at you, and you too blind to see it. I hate how you ridicule my sister’s feelings towards you. She is not some object.” – you ranted out as Colin came nearer, going round the desk to reach you. – “You tell her you miss her, but you won’t court her. Why?” – you asked desperate. – “I can’t court her.” – he answered standing face to face with you.

“Why?” – you repeated wanting to have a clear answer. Colin felt himself be swept up by the heated moment. – “I just can’t.” – he responded loudly feeling his hands tremble to get a hold on you. – “Answer me. Clearly!” – you called out getting up in his face. – “Because I want you!” – Colin shouted back, practically panting from the tension released inside of him. Your eyes widened.

Colin grabbed for your face. The hell with being a gentleman. The hell with your reputation and his. In this moment he just wanted you. He forced himself forwards, pressing his lips on yours. Your gaze widened more at his touch. His lips gently brushing against yours as you fell under his spell. Giving in to the sensation as it was beyond this world.

Butterflies flattering around inside till they suddenly dropped with realisation. Guilt. You pushed Colin off, breaking off the kiss. Colin blinked confused at you breaking it off. Stunned you held your hand before your mouth. As if something was stolen from your lips. A kiss perhaps? – “My sister…” – you whispered out knowing just how much she loved him. – “Y/n…” – Colin said wanting to approach you.

“No!” – you called out clear, taking a step back. – “I…I can’t do this…” – you told him running around the desk. Throwing the door open and taking your leave. Colin went around the desk as well, standing in the door opening. One last attempt to call out to you, but you were out of reach.

Exhaling deep, he lowered his head, heart broken at the loss of touch. He never courted Penelope but he found himself falling for you. Her sister. The sister that yelled at him. That wasn’t afraid to speak back even when some might find it out of turn. He liked how sincere you were, but also caring and free. A bright personality when one got to know you, truly know you.

Penelope bit the sour apple down. A single tear fell down her cheek, yet her face stood bitter. Bitter with hatred for what she had just seen. Her own sister fleeing a room with Colin Bridgerton showing himself in the door opening. It was clear to anyone that you had been in there privately with him.

Penelope made her way to the carriage. Rushing to get home. In the carriage she pulled out a piece of parchment from her reticule. The carriage hobbled yet she maintained balance. Taking out a pencil, she set it down on the parchment.

Dearest gentile reader…

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Read more of my fics on my Masterlists!  [read part 2 & part 3 & part 4 & part 5 & part 6 & part 7 & part 8 & part 9 & part 10]

[kvtnisseverdeen]

If you wish to go up to the library for the rest of the evening,I shall not say a word. Nor shall I blame you. I am merely glad you came.

BRIDGERTON | 1.08