#but VERY concerned that this will mean they have to make Eloise get with a man

[breakingstanding]

Me forcing myself to be grateful to be getting any queer rep at all when I know that getting one sapphic main character means we won’t get another

[kaivenom]

How would Benedict Bridgerton court you... HCS

Masterlist

You both first crossed glances at a ball, you were not a debutant, just passing around, just like his sister Eloise, you weren't much interested on claiming attention, but you catched his.

His first thought when he saw you in the back of the salon, tapping your feet to the rythm of the song while looking at a big painting was that he needed to paint you.

He spent the rest of the night, admiring you from the distance, until you both almost bumped into each other.

Inmediatly he took the chance and asked you to dance.

It was the funniest night you both had, cause after the dance, you talked about art, and drinked, and danced again, all night until your mother decided it was time to leave.

After that night, you didn't heard from him in a couple of weeks, you almost thought he forgot about you.

The thing was that he was collecting information about you, everything he could find that he knew you would like.

Then a bouquet of your favourite flowers came to your door, signed by the name of "Your artist", you knew it was him, but he surely wants to be romantic so you let him be.

A couple of days later, your favourite crystals, and then gems, and fabrics, and art supplies.

With this routine of secretism, a couple of months passed by with his gifts demostrating that he knows you.

You saw each other a couple more times during balls and dances, until you decided to approach him again.

"Why do you sent me notes but not talk to me?"

"I want you to see that i can know you better than anyone, plus i want you to be as crazy in love for me as i am for you."

A smile escaped both of your lips, suddently you had an idea.

You dropped your fan carefully and he inmediatly get down to pick it up.

"So... that's how you like to play then." he told you with a smirk.

"You said you wanted me to get crazy about you, who says i can't play that game too?"

"Then we both must play."

The once innocent game of knowing each other turned into a rollercoaster of temptation.

Small touches while dancing, innapropiate comments while talking in public, purposely moving to the corner of the room to have more privacy with your not so discreet behaviour.

(I firmly believe that Benedict is a switch with a very brat behaviour, so picture that)

Until your mother decided that you were going to marry a noble.

Thats when the game stopped and started to get serious.

Benedict distanced himself from you and you got so sad from the lonelyness that awaited your future that you wouldn't leave your room.

Your mother didn't let you alone in any social act, that means that you can't talk to him... ike that could make a change.

One week until the wedding and everything feels bad when suddently you received a bouquet of your favourite flowers with a note.

"I will not cut you like this flowers, but i will keep you to myself no matter how, with love Your Artist.

You almost broke in tears right there, your mother entered the room with your future husband to finish some business.

They didn't even care to ask you what happened, the just talked about your future like nothing.

One of the servants announced Benedict and everyone on the room turned around.

"I am here to propose."

"Too late, she is my fiancee." you couldn't believe what was happening.

"I double the endowment, my mother and brother approved it."

You know your mother will marry you to the best match she could find, which means the one who could provide more money.

After verifying everything was right, your mother inmediatly sent out your now ex-fiancee and welcomed with open arms your new husband.

"How?" you asked him, still processing.

"I intended to send you that flowers yesterday, i don't know why they got today." he sounded more concerned about his time planning that your tear, "Oh, you mean all the other things, sorry for ignoring you, once you got engaged my family forced me to separate myself to not staint your virtue... so i was convincing them to let me marry you."

"I..." you kissed him on the lips with passion, with all the emotions you've been keeping inside.

"I think we should wait to the weeding night, in a week." your eyes opened surprised while he justs smirks, "I didn't want any longer to kall you mine, so i managed to get a wedding licency too."

"I love you."

"I know, and i love you too."

[muxshwriting]

blessed to be

Violet Bridgerton x maid!reader

summary: as her maid, you can't help but grow close to the Bridgerton matriarch || word count: 1293 || masterlist

REQUESTED: can you please make a Violet Bridgerton x maid fanfic?? I'm literally so hungry for some Violet fanfics.

Violet Bridgerton needed a new lady’s maid. Her previous maid was getting married and would be released from the household to start her own with her new husband. Therefore, Violet was in need of a new lady’s maid to aid her, leaving the troublesome task to her loyal housekeeper.

A week later, Mrs Wilson approached the drawing room with a woman following behind her. "This is your new lady’s maid Ma’am." She announced.

The woman behind her lowered her head and offered a small smile. Violet returned her smile, introducing herself and learning your name. "I'm sure you'll do splendidly in this household. Mrs Wilson will tend to your needs and show you your duties."

"Yes Ma'am." You hesitated as you turned to leave. "Thank you."

As you settled into your duty, you couldn't help but be grateful for your fortunate position. Yes, you were a maid but you were a maid to one of the wealthiest families in the ton, a family that had (at least) a basic respect for their staff and took care of them. Most importantly, Violet cared. The matriarch would ask your opinion on fabrics and hairstyles and jewellery before deciding.

"What about the emeralds with this dress for Eloise?" Violet softly asked, holding a blush coloured dress.

You scrunched your eyebrows in concentration, weighing up the combination. "Perhaps something less colourful for Eloise? Something like crystal or quartz, perhaps white sapphires. She doesn't wish to stand out by wearing something like emeralds." You suggest, hurriedly adding the honorific at the end, "Ma'am."

Violet thinks for a second before nodding handing the dress back to you to hang up, reaching for a diamond necklace to compare. "I quite agree. Eloise will appreciate your concern." She paused for a moment, "I appreciate your concern."

"Just helping however I can Ma'am."

It was a quiet day where Violet was sitting in the drawing room with her embroidery, and had requested you to join her. You never had time to learn the special embroidery stitches, learning the basics to sew patches into clothing and fix tears. Instead, you carried a few napkins that had sprouted holes, working on them as Violet embroidered.

"Why did you never marry?" Violet began the conversation. The two of you had discussed the topic before, but not the why.

You stuttered out a response. "Having a husband never appealed to me Ma'am. I'm very fortunate that I don't have to marry. I got to focus on my studies, teaching all the local children how to read and write and calculate simple sums. It's not a brilliant education but it's something that quite a few children never get to learn."

Violet smiled. "Perhaps you could finally persuade Hyacinth that her education is important then."

"Nothing will change Miss Hyacinth's mind once she has set it. I'm sure the Governess you employ will do a brilliant job with her education." You laughed slightly. "Besides, I couldn't leave you to-" You cut yourself off, suddenly embarrassed at what you're saying.

Violet isn't bothered. Without looking up from her stitching, she silently reached over a hand to hold yours. Both of you ceased your work, enjoying the silence and comfort of each other's company.

"You're very dear to me Y/N." Violet said quietly, also seeming embarrassed at her own words. "You mean a great deal to the family as well." She was stumbling for the right words to say, dancing around the main subject.

"I feel very fondly of you to Violet." The woman lightly gasped as you said her name gently. You spoke her name, not her title, not ma'am, not mistress. You had called her Violet. Her reaction had you second guessing everything you had ever done as you bundled your napkins into your arms and stood, pulling your hand from hers. "My apologies Ma'am. I shall be in the servant quarters." Your eyes were trained to the ground, inspecting the dust on your shoes. "If you need me for anything, I am simply a call away."

You had just broken one of the biggest class rules of society. Never ever address a person of higher standing by their name. You show respect, you use their title or honorifics, never their name alone and certainly not their first name. By doing so, you were equivocating yourself with her family or her lover.

And you were not either of those things. You couldn't possibly be.

You kept your distance from Violet thereafter, performed your duties perfectly. You never spoke out of turn, offered your opinion only when it was asked for and didn't add any more detail than your mistress required. Violet had an tinge of pity in her eyes whenever she looked at you now and it made your blood boil. You did not need her pity, why was she offering you pity?

In her own mind, Violet was scheming. You thought you were in trouble, that you had overstepped. But Violet wished you would overstep more. She did not mind that you used her name, it stirred a feeling inside of her she had never experienced before, certainly not with another woman. She wanted that feeling to return.

The glowing, pulsing warmth that came when you used her name, when she held your hand. The shivers that tumbled down her spine and sizzled into darkness and dread when you had pulled away. She didn't know what was happening to her, she had never considered anything like this before.

Violet Bridgerton was a mother, she cared for her children above her own needs and desires, right? She had done so for over a decade. But what was stopping her from pursuing her own desires? Anthony was married, there was new Viscountess to herd the Bridgerton debutantes through the marriage mart. Violet could relax, she could breath.

Most importantly, she could chase that consuming feeling she felt when she was with you.

Violet had cornered you in her bedchambers after getting dressed, asking to speak with for a moment. You kept your head down, terrified that you would lose what you had started to cherish, this family and her.

"I don't know how to say what I want to say correctly." She began.

Your eyebrows furrowed as the conversation led down a vastly different path than what you had thought.

"But I cannot remain silent." She continued, taking a deep breath and wringing her hands together. "There is a feeling, deep in my chest, whenever I am with you. It is like a string pulling me towards you and filling my heart with warmth and love and-"

"The feeling like you cannot breath when they are not near. The world seems to slow and mysteries make sense..." You trail off with uncertainty after interrupting her, trying to help her find the words.

"Do you feel it?" Violet had taken a step toward you, her hands hovering by her side, begging to reach out and hold yours.

Silently, you indulge her, reaching forward and taking her hands in yours. Instantly, it's like there is a weight that had been lifted. "This feeling is why I could never marry." You whisper to her, sharing your secret. "There has never been a man to make me feel this way."

Violet sighed. "It was different with Edmund. He was my everything, possessing my every thought and corrupting my mind. He was the air that we breathed, when he- When he died, I locked that feeling away, never wanting to be hurt that way again. I continued to live for the sake of my children, teaching them that love is worth all the pain it might bring."

"I don't want to hurt you."

"You don't hurt me my dear." She confessed. "You heal me."

the request is finally here!!! I've got a few others in my inbox rn and I promise I'm getting to them. I just got back from a stunning cruise around the mediterranean so am just settling back into my work routine for the summer x

[coolprettyleo]

screaming, crying, perfect storms - ryan leonard ☆

wc: 1.3k

tw: angst. new beginnings. depression. yelling?

ryan leonard x oc

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

frankie was doing good, cool, and fine. everything was just fine, and that little 'just' was enough to make everything not fine for the youngest hughes.

the girl felt stuck in a never-ending loop and she had no idea how to get out of it.

she had recently come to the realization that everyone she knew was making progress with their lives. they were either already doing what they loved or were working for it.

while she stood and watched, stuck. she didn't know what she loved; it's not like you can sleep in your boyfriend's arms for a living, right?

the poor girl was just bored with her life. sure, she had friends and a boyfriend and had finally managed to pass her classes, but at the end of the day, that's all she had.

she needed a change and she needed it fast.

frankie and summer were currently walking through the streets of nyc. frankie had fallen into a depression and summer being her best friend had decided to take her on a shopping spree in hopes to uplift the girls poor mood.

they had been playing around in one of the dressing rooms when a tall beautiful woman approached them.

"hi, I've been watching you two for the last twenty minutes, and you guys are gorgeous. my name is eloise simons, and I'm with IMG Models. I think you two would be perfect for this new summer collection; I'm going to give you two my card and you guys can go ahead and give me a call if you want to set a meeting up," the lady said, handing them a card that looked pretty legit.

the two girls looked at eloise speechless, not knowing whether or not she was joking.

"i know this is very out of the blue but I have a vision and a good feeling about you two and I just need to act on it" she said with a smile.

"thank you. we'll have to talk it over, though," summer said as frankie had seemed to go mute. the lady let out a smile.

"that's better than a 'no'. please, if you even have any questions or concerns, just give me a call." she said before bidding the girls goodbye as the best friends eyed each other with a wild look.

"if this is a prank, it's really mean," frankie said, breaking the silence.

"it's not," summer said, looking the number up and it, in fact, being real.

"oh my gosh, what are we going to do," frankie said as summer smirked.

"we have three months off" she cheekily smiled

"are you saying what i think you're saying?" frankie said

"a new york summer?" summer said excitedly as they both jumped up, squealing.

___

frankie walked into her apartment with about twenty bags to find ryan, will, gabe, jacob, drew, and aram sitting around her living room. playing video games.

"what the hell," she said, eying the boys as ryan stood up and helped her with her bags.

"you said i could invite the guys," ryan said with a smile

"I know, but it never sounds like a lot till I see them," she said as they all waved at the girl.

"wait, is summer back, too?" gabe asked as frankie nodded. the boy quickly stood up and bid goodbye to his friends before walking across the hall to his situationship.

"we're gonna head out too," will said, standing up, eyeing the rest of the boys who didn't move.

"i'm comfy" drew whined

"forts," will say with a glare as he huffed and stood up along with jacob and aram. the boys gave frankie a hug and bid ryan a goodbye before walking out.

"how was your day" ryan said as he put his girlfriends bags down.

"amazing! you won't believe what happened," she smiled, thinking about eloise.

"what happened? what did you even buy?" he asked nosily as he looked in some of the bags.

"a whole bunch of cute outfits. I bought you some things, too," she said as she pulled out some items in the bag for him.

"this is sick" he said as he eyed them. frankie smiled as he tried it on for her, watching him. she smirked before pushing him down onto the bed and straddling him.

"you look so handsome," she said, kissing his neck as he squeezed her sides.

"you're in a good mood," he smiled, looking at his girlfriend. he had been really worried about the mood his girlfriend had been in these last few weeks. she was either always mad or sad nowadays, and it made him happy to see her so happy.

"yup. I got a job today," she told him as ryan eyed her warily. don't get him wrong, he loved her but she was lazy. he thought hell would freeze over before she ever got a job, a job in new york as that.

"a job?" he said confused

"yeah, it's for the summer but if I like it I might end up doing it forever-"

"what kind of job is it?" he asked warily, seeing as she was tiptoeing around the fact of what the actual job was.

"modeling," she said as she squealed.

"you want to be a model?" he asked confused.

"well, I don't know yet. summer and I got scouted today and we want to give it a try. but if I like it I'm going to keep doing it" she explained

"what about college?" he asked. he was excited for her, really, but he was afraid she was being irrational. a thing he learned about his girlfriend is that she did things without putting much thought into them.

"well, I haven't thought that far, but I'll drop out if it comes to it," she said as ryan raised his eyebrows.

"why are you looking at me like that" she asked with a frown. she was honestly getting annoyed with how ryan was taking this. she was so excited and his reaction was honestly ruining her own.

"this is a big decision, frankie. I don't think you're thinking it all the way through-"

"i am thinking it through. that's why i'm only trying it-"

"you just said you're gonna drop out"

"I said if it came to it," she said, getting off his lap. she didn't like the way he was acting.

"i just think you're not thinking it through-"

"stop saying that! i'm not some naive little girl!" she said, getting frustrated and raising her voice.

"don't yell at me," he said in a serious tone that irked the girl to her core.

"I'll yell if I want." the stubborn girl stood her ground.

"i just want you to think about what you're doing-"

"I'm not some dumb kid, ryan!" she said taking the bags off her bed.

"well, you're acting like one," he said below his breath, but the youngest hughes had heard it, and it shattered her feelings. he knew one of her biggest insecurities, and he decided to gut her with it.

"get out," she said shaking her head with watery eyes

once ryan saw those sad eyes, he knew he screwed up.

"babe-"

"please just go. we'll talk tomorrow," she said, sniffling as he came to wrap his arms around her.

"I didn't mean that, I'm sorry," he said in her hair.

"i know. I just want to be alone, please," she said, pulling away.

ryan eyed the girl, his girl, wanting nothing more than to beg for forgiveness on his knees all night, but knew he screwed up and she needed her space. he nodded before kissing her cheek and walking out.

leaving frankie to sit, cry, and drown in her thoughts. more sure than ever that she was going to go through with this.

[easybrainrot34]

✈️ Colin Bridgerton Headcanons ✈️

This was requested by this lovely anon!! This is my first request so thank you for writing in! It would’ve come out sooner, but i currently have a mean tooth infection, nevertheless, the show must go on! Heads up, third one is a hint of spice. Hope u enjoy☺️

Characters mentioned : Gregory, Anthony, Benedict, Daphne, Edmund, Violet, Penelope, Debling, and Eloise

🎻= regency era

🧳= modern au

🧳🎻= either

Ps my request r open :)

🧳🎻 I think he has a very realistic view on his brothers. I think he use to blindly look up to them just bc they were his older brothers, but as time has passed he definitely sees and recognizes that they both have some decent flaws. However, he really wants Gregory to look up to him the most. I don’t think he would ever admit it to anyone, but i feel like he could think a little higher of himself (not in a bad way at all) therefor he thinks he’s led the best example for how a man should be to Gregory.

🧳🎻 He gives off shy kid vibes. Like between the ages of 4-10 he was pretty shy only having like two friends. I feel like Ben specifically found this a little concerning bc he didn’t want him to have issues in school and life in general, so together they worked really hard on getting him to not only have more confidence in himself but actually practiced having convos. I also feel like once he got to the “interested in dating people” age Daphne and Ben tried their best to tech him to talk aka flirt with people.

🧳 (Lil spicy) Had a hoe phase in college. People are always shocked about how high his body count is (20+) but he was never a douche bag to anyone he’s hooked up with. I feel like when Anthony and Benedict found out on one of the weekly boys nights they have, Ben was proud and Anthony was a little shook. Anthony made him swear up and down he always wore a condom and then congratulated him lol.

🧳 Staying on the college root, he definitely gives off world history major vibes. He def was a foreign exchange student in high school (secondary school for the brit’s out there lol) and studied a couple semesters abroad in college. Specifically went to France in high school, then America, Italy, Spain, and India in college. He also makes it a point to travel every summer. I feel like he would definitely end up as a teacher of some sort tho. Like he’s definitely the cool history teacher everyone loves. Also hes definitely that teacher that gets side tracked easily if u ask him about his time abroad.

🧳 Definitely has more girl friends than guy friends, but not super imbalanced. He just gives was invited to the girls night out vibes. (I have a headcanon that i already wrote that i would definitely add Colin too). He definitely has his Boyz™️ that he hangs with all the time, but he knows they can be a little much, so i feel like when he wants to be social but have a relaxed time he hangs with the girlies. Idk colin just gives friends with everyone vibes.

🧳 I think Colin has diagnosed anxiety, and once he learned that he became more educated and aware of mental health. I feel like he started getting panic attacks shortly after Edmund died (he was 12 yrs old if i did my math right lol) but didn’t want anyone to worry about him so he just kinda dealt with it and kinda got to a point where he thought it was normal. It came up randomly in a convo with Daphne, Ben, and Violet that he gets them but at this point he didn’t get what the big deal was. I feel like these 3 took it seriously and once he got diagnosed he put work into researching how to understand mental health issues more.

🧳🎻 He LOVES to plan dates. His go to is always dinner at a nice restaurant then a show of some kind. Play, musical, movie out, doesn’t really matter to him. He enjoys a night in, sure, but what he really loves is showing you off. He’s proud to have you as his (not in a possessive creepy way, in a sweet way) and wants to show you off.

🧳 Colin is a little bit of a jealous type. We see it in the show when Pen is being courted by Debling. However, i feel like when he’s in a relationship, he completely trust his partner. If he sees someone flirting with you he will let them flirt but he will definitely swoop in with a little hey babe and a forehead kiss lol. If someone try’s to flirt with him tho, he will just start gushing about his amazing partner. I’m talking putting out the Lock Screen and going “ya look how cute WE are”. Once y’all are married tho he NEVER takes off the wedding ring.

🧳 I feel like he has a decent following on Insta and TikTok 😂😂😂. Not like influencer numbers but like 6k on instagram and 9k on TikTok. He definitely post all his travel stuff on Insta and does like little OOTDs on TikTok. Colin gives very much “gives a fuck about how he looks” vibes so i feel like he knows the fashion trends on TikTok. His “aesthetic” is like hipster mixed with old money (bc he is in fact, old money lol). Also yes, he recognizes he gets thirst comments and will play into just a little, but once hes taken he would comment “ my partner thinks so too :)”

🧳 Colin has secret tattoos. Like his friends know but he didn’t tell his family for a minute bc he knows it would become a thing lol. They r all small and in places he can cover up (shoulder, thigh, and one on his wrist he covers up with his watch) but one day he got a little careless at the beach and let them show. I feel like Violet had a “what did u do to your beautiful body??!!” mom moment, Anthony was pissed bc he didn’t tell him, Ben laughed his ass off, and Eloise congratulated him on doing something “actually risky” for once. I feel like after the initial shock everyone really likes them and he goes out and gets more in public places.

! Bonus One !

He still sleeps with his childhood stuffed animal lmfao like it’s a cute little elephant his mom and dad got him. He has had to do many repairs on it over the years lol

[spaceorphan18]

The Lady Whistledown Papers : 1x07 Ocean's Apart (Part 3)

Welcome back, Gentle Readers, to The Lady Whistledown Papers, where I’m taking an in-depth look at Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton’s character arcs and romance within the show Bridgerton!

For previous issues, follow tag : The Lady Whistledown Papers

The Queen's Luncheon

The family is back together again (except, you know, for Francesca, but who's really paying attention....) Violet seems genuinely happy to be out in society with 7/8ths of her children.

Colin snarks that they should tempt scandal more often -- and I mean, he might be in a pissy mood, but I appreciate he hasn't lost his sense of humor.

I don't really ever get to talk about Lady Danbury, but she has a moment where she talks to Daphne about how her plan of showing up and, idk, being there? is helping no one talk about Colin and Marina. Sure. Okay. I still don't really get these society rules. But if Daphne is now the A-List celebrity kicking the c-tier out of the tabloids, then okay. Lol but mostly, I just like Lady Danbury and wanted to say that.

It is twenty minutes into the episode and this is our first bit of Penelope. And look how gorgeous this girl is, my god. She's got such a beautiful smile.

Anyway... not a long scene, but there are some key elements going on.

For one, the Featheringtons have caused quite a stir showing up. Ooff, the ton is not happy about them trying to foist a pregnant girl onto a Bridgerton. The nerve.

Secondly, Eloise whisks Penelope away -- it's nice that they're friends again. I love that Eloise is so concerned for her, and wants to make sure Penelope is okay, and there's this real moment of care and affection from Eloise to Pen. Eloise is so caught up in Eloise-land half the time that she doesn't always notice what's going on with Penelope, but she does still very much care.

Pen is good about it -- and (unsurprisingly) only concerned about Colin and how he's doing. (It's like she cares about him or something, idk...;) ) And it's fascinating at how dismissive Eloise is of it -- saying his ego's bruised, but the men are usually fine in this. And, I mean, she's not wrong. Look - I'm not downplaying Colin or his right to have feelings, because I think he should have feelings, and it's good that -- unlike so many other men in this universe, he expresses those feelings.

But I can also see it from Eloise's POV, too -- Colin is the one who, from a society perspective, gets off the easiest here. He will be fine, he's protected by his gender and by his family name. Whereas the Featheringtons, who are already somewhat outcasts to begin with, are bearing some truly awful treatment from society.

And then we get into Lady Whistledown, and I always love these conversations, because there's always another layer once you know that Penelope is LW. Eloise reports that people think she's gone too far this time -- and Pen looks away, because she knows it was a risky thing doing what she did. But interestingly, she reminds Eloise that Eloise was once LW's biggest admirer.

And Eloise really steps into her friendship, saying that LW has gone too far when she smears the name of her greatest friend. And Pen is genuinely moved by this. And Eloise also promises that when they find out LW's identity - a retraction will be made, and they'll restore the Featherington name. And Pen is just - she's so happy that Eloise is so dear to her. It's really heartwarming when these two can have such beautiful moments together.

Meanwhile, The Featheringtons are going to get kicked out of the luncheon. Ooff.

Cressida is going to be snarky about it - but Daphne puts her in her place, and really she should learn not to fuck with the Featheringtons (or the Bridgertons) because it will not end well for her.

[I should also point out - the Marina storyline takes a detour with Daphne getting involved to find George Crane. It's nice that the two storylines converge at this point, but neither Colin or Pen are involved at this particular point, so I'm skipping over it.]

Searching for Lady Whistledown

One storyline that I've mostly been neglecting to talk about (and is probably my favorite Season 1 storyline) is Eloise searching for Lady Whistledown. She's gotten in so deep that she's been asked by the Queen to track her down, and the Queen is now threatening Eloise if she doesn't start giving results, so Eloise is pushing all in on it.

Of course, now that she and Pen are doing alright again (interesting their little tiff in episode 5? goes unspoken about -- but I mean, they're such great friends that sometimes you get into fights and let it go because the friendship means more, you know?)

Anyway, Eloise has enlisted Pen's help in going over all the data... (which is kind of funny - as Pen is just enjoying herself watching Eloise spin in circles while the culprit is sitting right there!)

It's clever, really, the Penelope can give so much and so little away at the same time. She managed to not have the whole Marina thing tracked back to her -- shifting the focus onto the servants who (as we saw early on in the series) all gossip. Eloise has ruled out servants, but who isn't ruled out? Tradespeople! So there are new leads and new possibilities!

Also, the end of this scene is... odd, in that all it's really doing is setting up Eloise going to an opera, even though she's not out. I mean, the only reason Pen says what she says is to get Eloise to go be in the next scene so that Eloise can have a scene with the Queen. It's... a tiny bit awkward. But eh, I guess I'll just throw it to - Penelope wanting Eloise to enjoy being in society, since she's already stuck there.

And then the ending of the scene, where Penelope is meh about restoring the family name (I mean, the girl knows her family is a mess even without scandal) and laments having to sneak out the back way so not to be scene. (The amount of times this girl sneaks in and out of this house, I mean really...ten bucks says she sneaks past Colin's room on her way out.)

But anyway, on her way out, she does thank Eloise. She really is grateful to have such a great friend. And even if she knows that LW really can't be revealed, at least she has satisfaction in knowing there is at least one person in the world who truly cares about her and her well being.

[Also, as an aside, towards the end of the episode - Eloise is going to reflect on this conversation, and in kind of a brilliant misdirection, she's going to come up with the idea that Madame Delacroix could be LW.]

An Apology

Another Colin and Anthony scene! And you know what, I know. I know I know I know that this show is supposed to be about the romances, and I mean, I cannot wait to get to season 3 and really dig into Pen and Colin, we'll get there.

But I adore the sibling scenes. I really do. It's a big draw for me. And I just don't think there are enough ABC brother scenes in general. (God, I hope there are more in Season 4...anyway...) This little scene is a just a really nice mirror to the scene where Anthony reprimanded Colin a couple episodes earlier.

What is Colin up to at the beginning of this scene? It looks like a map? Colin is going to spend his evening bunkering down and really getting his travel plans in order, because now that he has no reason to stay, there's nothing holding him back from going...

Here's the thing about Colin and traveling. I do genuinely think, as a part of his personality, that he does enjoy the idea behind traveling - of seeing the world and seeing what's out there. But I think a big component to Colin's travels is that he is looking for something. What is that thing? His purpose? His place in this world? His reason for being? The answers to life's greatest mysteries? All of the above?

He is the third son -- Anthony has role as leader of the family and his duties to the Bridgerton estate. Benedict is the 'spare' but also is finding himself through artistic pursuits. Colin doesn't have the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. But so he is looking elsewhere to give his life some meaning.

The somewhat funny thing about Colin traveling, though, is what he's searching for is right where he left it. He just doesn't know it yet.

But! I do think traveling (both times) is really good for him. Seeing the world does open it up, and gives you new experiences, and lets you see the world in ways you've never seen it before. And (in both cases) it's going to help him grow up a bit. (It's also going to give him the opportunity to really fall in love again -- but he also doesn't know that yet...)

Here's the other thing about this moment... Colin isn't going to the concert because he isn't feeling up to it. He's still very much in his feelings, and when Colin is in his feelings, he retreats. Big time. (It is another reason he's traveling, too, to make an escape.) Not that he shouldn't be, his heart has been very much shattered and things like that do need time to get over.

But it's just another character trait that has been firmly set up in this season that's going to end up magnified in Season 3.

And, omg, I've barely gotten into the scene, lol...

Anthony hands over an apology drink (lol) and Colin starts getting snarky again - locusts in the street? is it the endtimes? what is happening?? Again - I love that Colin retains a sense of humor and a bit of sass. The boy may be wallowing, but he hasn't lost his cheekiness that gives him his charm.

Anthony, to his credit, doubles down on a sincere apology. And Colin becomes self deprecating again -- acknowledging that Anthony was trying to 'protect' him from his foolishness. (And Colin does seem to recognize that jumping so quickly into an engagement was somewhat foolish, even if it's going to take him a while to really get over Marina.)

And I love Anthony's banter back -- ribbing Colin about being foolish. Because it's such a sibling response. And there little banter back and forth -- again such siblingness! And I love it. Love that this show doesn't back away from balancing sincerity with levity and the push and pull that comes with real sibling dynamics.

And then Anthony becomes somewhat prophetic. He's speaking to Colin as if he was speaking to himself, saying that a broken heart will indeed mend, and at some point in the future, you'll barely remember her name. Because Anthony is in the same place Colin is -- nursing his hurt over Siena, and it occupies all of his thoughts. But pretty soon, we'll be in Season 2, and Anthony will discover Kate. And Colin will travel and (somewhat unknowingly) start a correspondence with his future wife. And the names Siena and Marina will be flickering memories of things that seem odd were once a big deal.

The other thing that Anthony does is such a sweet, big brother thing -- he reaffirms that, in the wake of it all, reassure Colin that his family loves him. Which is a big deal - because not everyone (as we'll see) will have families to rely on, but the Bridgertons are a unit, one that unconditionally supports each other, and that's a huge thing.

He also minds Colin that he has the honor of his actions. Which is an important thing to Colin. He has Anthony's respect and that means something.

The scene ends with Colin's empathetic side (as shown through brotherly teasing) coming out -- as Colin asks Anthony how is own advice is working. They may have not directly discussed it, but Colin must know about Siena, and must know that Anthony is also in pain. Anthony doesn't know how it'll play out... but we do, as we know what's coming :D

As we're nearing the end of the season this scene is most definitely setting up the future for our characters, a laying the ground work that even if these story lines are coming to a close, better things are most definitely on the horizon.

[Also - I kind of enjoy the fact that these two are going to spend the evening drinking and being miserable together. Kinda wished we got to see these shenanigans more so than the Simon/Daphne drama, but ah, I suppose that's what fanfic is for]

A Special Cocktail

The episode is going to end with Marina making herself a special potion -- of what? We won't know until the next episode. And Penelope is going to find her! Oh no, the drama! I do like how much Penelope cares, though. Even though they've done nothing between Penelope and Marina since their last exchange where Marina was a bit cruel to her, Penelope doesn't want her dead. And does want her to be okay.

Anyway, it's so weird not to have Penelope featured that much in the episode -- she was barely in it, and her story line didn't really progress at all.

But - with this (and Daphne's dramatic reveal of not being pregnant), we're crashing into the finale!

[Also, huh, it is fascinating that they're paralleling Daphne and Marina's storylines here -- both women wish for the opposite - Daphne wishing she was pregnant, Marina wishing she wasn't, and neither are getting their wish. It's some good storytelling technique here. Shame I don't necessarily care about either of these stories that much. But I can appreciate good storytelling when it's happening. Bravo show, bravo.]

On to episode 8! Whooo! (I'm happy - I'm so ready to move beyond season 1)

[the-other-art-blog]

What do you think about the theories going around that they might announce Benedict to be bi by the end of this season? His character has always had queer undertones and the show runners have talked about making more stories with lgbtq inclusivity. As much as I love Sophie, I really don’t think they’re going to include a female lead next season

My short answer is: I've heard the rumors and even if they announce Ben as bi, he's still marrying Sophie. They already skipped Ben season, they're not going to change his story completely.

My long (really long) answer is:

I truly believe that Benedict wasn't supposed to be anything but straight. People saw him hanging out with ONE gay man, who was very much in love with another gay man, and decided he must be gay or bi too. It didn't matter that he went right to a threesome with 2 women. That storyline was merely to show Benedict how difficult life could be for some people and to stop being so judgmental and hypocritical. In the end, it was about SOPHIE BECKETT.

Bton team must have decided to keep Benedict's future open so as not to cause problems with the side of the fandom and press who would call them for supposedly queerbaiting. They consciously decided to pair him up with a woman in s2 and his poem was about a woman (another foreshadowing for SOPHIE BECKETT).

With Jess as the new showrunner, I think she decided to address Ben's sexuality and open a door for bisexuality to appease some people.

Let me just say that a lot of Benophies including me have embraced the idea of bisexual Ben, you just have to read fanfiction to see that. I am just concerned that certain people will be nasty to Sophie because they want Ben to marry a man.

I also don't think that a show whose main audience is women would erase a female lead. That would just be absolutely stupid.

They might experiment with secondary characters, but not the leads.

I'M TALKING POSSIBLE SPOILERS NOW!!!!!

I have heard about a threesome between Tilley, Benedict, and a man name Paul Suarez(?) We saw him in the trailer.

I've heard various versions. It seems Lady Tilley arranges the meeting, but I'm unsure if Ben agrees. Some people say he declines the offer. So, even if he is attracted to men, which he has never indicated in any shape or form, she is not ready to go physical. This is fine, bisexuality doesn't mean you MUST sleep with both sexes.

And honestly, if he does it, I wouldn't blame him. That man is gorgeous.

But again, it's pretty obvious that this is just to appease people. But really they are setting everything up for Benophie. There have been direct references to events from that book:

Violet moving out of Bridgerton house

Benedict losing his art

Benedict being an asshole to debutantes

All the mentions of Benedict excellent dancing skills

She's coming. SOPHIE BECKETT is coming.

Even more, they won't change canon couples because this is a business decision. The books are being republished with a tv tie-in cover. Let's say that Ben gets a male love interest, how would they do that cover? Are they going to bring a random woman to pose for him? It's the same for the other books, and some of them are too specific in the titles. Philip is going to be Eloise's husband in the show because the book is called To SIR PHILIP with Love, same for When HE Was Wicked, and It's in HIS Kiss.

[benedictscanvas]

Hi!!! I hope you had a good extended break!! As a writer myself I totally get the need. 😊 I love your writing!! Can’t wait to see what inspiration takes you on your journey next

As for a request, can I suggest prompt number three on the meaningful gestures list you linked with either Eddie Munson or Benedict Bridgerton (my two current obsessions 😂🤭)

Have fun writing lovely!!!

Ames 💜

this is a gorgeously sweet ask, so i hope you enjoy some sweet benedict fluff! thank you so much for being lovely <3 | 0.6k words, gn!reader

When Benedict invited you over to his house, you were imagining an afternoon of tea and pleasant chatter with him and his mother who more than once had insisted you call her Violet. There would be longing looks passed between you in moments of quiet, perhaps, and you even dared to dream of a moment in which the two of you reached for the teapot at the same time and your hands would brush for just a moment.

You had not expected Violet to be busying herself with preparations for Daphne’s next ball of the season, nor for your reluctant stand-in chaperone to be Eloise. You certainly hadn’t expected said chaperone to put a hand on your shoulder five minutes into your visit, murmur something about a book she had to get back to before leaving the room moments later.

“I’m so sorry, Y/N, I never thought that Eloise would just-” he cut himself off before he disparaged his sister too much in your presence, “If you no longer want to spend the remainder of the day together, I’ll completely understand.”

You tilted your head at him to work out his meaning. Benedict was far from being a shy man, and the two of you had spent many a ball away from prying eyes when you found a corner to yourselves to talk. He’d also made his feelings on the unspoken rules of society quite plain from the night that you’d met, so it couldn't have been that. Taking this into account, his questioning could only be driven by his concern for your own comfort and the thought made you shiver.

“Do you want me to leave, Benedict? Only because you did promise that you’d show me your latest masterpiece and I am ever so keen to see how you’ve immortalised me in oil paint,” you said, eyes bright with gentle teasing. He hadn’t noticed the amusement in your face, if the pink tinge dusting across his cheeks was any indication.

“I’m worried I’ve given you the wrong impression,” he began tentatively, and you bit your lip to stop yourself from chuckling at his delicacy, “I’m afraid my newest work is not of your likeness, though I would, of course, be honoured to someday paint you, if you’d allow me. It is only that I do my best work when somebody sits for me, you see, and I would hate nothing more than to do your beauty an injustice by simply attempting to recreate it from memory, rather than-”

He was rambling and hardly thinking about his words and they were still so utterly complimentary. It was too much, and you didn’t want to stop yourself. You shuffled over towards him on the sofa slightly to accommodate it, then  reached out two careful hands to the sides of his face and simply held him. It stopped him in his tracks.

“Benedict?” you murmured softly, thumbing tiny brushstrokes onto his freckles. He stared, jaw a little slack, in response, hands stuck at his sides, “I was teasing. You make it rather easy for me, actually.”

He let out a breathy chuckle that sounded more strained than he had intended. Finally able to move again after the brief spell you had placed upon him, one hand circled your wrist in a cautious embrace.

“And you make everything very, very difficult,” he eventually whispered in return, though you knew he was simply trying to join in the teasing.

“You’d like me to stop, then?”

You knew the answer. He knew that you knew. It was clear in the way his eyes flickered across every feature of your face, in the way they bounced away quickly when he glanced downward. In the restraint that only showed in the tick at the back of his jaw.

“No, I don’t think that would do,” he admitted, hand sliding up, up, up your wrist and flattening itself against the back of your hand when you grinned. He leaned into it, “I should think, if it would make you happy, you could continue at least a little longer.”

There were words at the back of your throat that you might have swallowed down if it weren’t for the way he was looking at you and the fact he wouldn't allow you to pull your hands from his face. You looked down at your lap and spoke them.

“I would like to be in the business of doing things that make you happy, Benedict. If you’d let me.”

Like the restraint had snapped, just for a brief second, he turned his head and pressed a featherlight kiss to your palm. It had been so light you barely felt it, but your sharp inhaled gasp echoed in the space left between you. He smiled like he had done nothing of the sort.

“Only if I am allowed, by some miracle, to make you happy every day of our lives, from today on. Does that sound favourable, my love?”

The term of endearment was enough to break your own resolve. Using the hand that wasn’t caught in his, you lightly traced his brow bone, cheek bone, jaw bone, one finger sliding along the planes of his face to keep the sunlight from bursting out of your abdomen right there. His eyes were alight and the warmth found there was worth drowning in.

“Favourable indeed, Lord Bridgerton.”

if you would like to request something, please do so here! i'd love to hear from you :)

[alaffy]

Bridgerton, Ep. 3x02 – How Bright the Moon (Spoilers)

Well, this episode escalated things more quickly than I thought the story would.  This is not a complaint, as a slower pace might have been more boring and a little too predictable to watch. 

Again, just to go through a couple of these stories quickly.  Anthony and Kate are gone and Benedict…exists.  Violet is trying to get Francesca noticed by the Queen and help her find her way.  But she’s also careful after what happened with Eloise.

Will and Alice are having to make quite a few adjustments in their life.  At first, they are terrified that they will do something wrong and that everything will be taken from them.  It goes so far that Alice is too afraid not to wear the same style of clothing as the former Lady Kent and that Will and Alice sleep in separated bedroom because “that’s how it’s done.”  However, as Benedict explains to Will, the thing about all of the rules is that they are made for the marriage market.  Those who are married, eh, they can get away with some things.  Basically, you don’t want to do something egregious; but as they are married, they don’t have to sweat the small stuff.  And changing things like clothes or choosing to sleep in the same room, most people aren't going to care.

Lady Featherington is still trying to get the heir.  And it’s very clear that she never intended to find Penelope a husband.  She wrote Penelope off from the beginning, figuring that Penelope would be the one to take care of her in her old age.  Honestly, if you’re going to do something like this (you should never do something like this) at least give up on the stupid one.  Penelope, at least, could probably figure out how to make a baby.

Francesca’s only concern is finding a good husband.  And it seems like there’s a few musically inclined prospects in mind.  However, Lady Danbury (like Violet) wants to help Francesca show off her talents; while Francesca does not want the spotlight on her.  That might not be so easy, now that The Queen has seen Francesca play.  I do like the reason that The Queen is impressed, beyond the fact that Francesca is quite good, is because she knows that Francesca is playing for herself; not to impress anyone. 

Eloise is starting to break out in society.  Or, rather, she’s learning how to bring herself into society.  As  one young lady pointed out, she’s a great conversationalist.  She has the ability to tell stories in a way that one wants to listen. 

As for Colin and Penelope.  Well, Colin clearly isn’t all talk (of all the Bridgerton Men, Colin is the last one I would have expected to see in bed with two women).  He also is quite serious about helping Penelope in the marriage market.  The thing about Penelope is that she’s getting in her own way.  She is quite able to carry on a conversation, but she’s so convinced she will screw it up that she does screw it up. 

But, of course, she can talk to Colin.  And Colin…seriously man, is there a reason why you can't give Penelope a lesson in the drawing room WITH THE LADY’S MAID PRESENT?!  Would have saved you a lot of trouble.  Of course, that would mean that Penelope wouldn’t have had to hide in the study.  With all of Colin’s private written thoughts about his journeys.  That he doesn’t want anyone to read.  So, he leaves them in the open.  In a room anyone has access to.  Still, she didn’t have to pick one up and read.  And he does have a right to be upset. 

Of course, this ends up with him accidentally breaking something and him picking up the pieces.  And this leads to him cutting his hand (although I cannot figure how he cut the middle of his palm considering the way he picked up the glass) and Penelope tending to his wound.  During this, Penelope does say that she think Colin is an excellent writer (eh).  I wonder if this moment will lead to Colin figuring out she’s Whistledown?

Anyway, they agree to meet at the ball later that night.  Penelope tries to sneak away, but is seen by Eloise. Later, on the way to the ball, Eloise confronts Colin on exactly what’s going on.  Colin explains that he’s trying to help Penelope find a husband.  Long story short, Eloise does not want Colin to loose his friendship with Penelope, and mostly for Penelope's sake, but does ask if he can give the lessons anywhere but their home.  He makes her promise not to tell anyone, she promises, and we all know where this is going.

I want to pause and discuss the Penelope and Eloise relationship for a moment.   One thing that somewhat got on my nerves last season was the…not the fact Edwina was hurt and upset with Kate, but that she blamed everything on Kate.  That there was no moment where Edwina realized that Kate did warn her about Anthony’s intentions, specifically he wasn’t marrying her for love, and Edwina chose to ignore that.  I don’t want to make it seem like I’m saying Edwina shouldn’t be upset with Kate, but the amount of blame she put on her went too far.  But with Penelope and Eloise’s situation, I’ve been liking what I see for the most part (up until this episode’s ball).  Eloise is angry at Penelope and she has a right to be.  It can’t be denied that, if Penelope had told Eloise the truth about Whistledown earlier on, things might have been different.  That being said, Eloise also seems to know that she is also responsible for the events last season.  She knew that what she was doing was considered “wrong,” she knew there would be trouble if she got caught; but she did it anyway, thinking she was so clever that she would be fine.  And, let’s face it, her “rebellion” as it were wasn’t all about Whistledown.  She wasn’t going to find her in that lecture hall and she went anyway. 

I think, deep down, Eloise understands that Penelope only wrote that story in order to save Eloise from The Queen’s wrath.  A story that wouldn’t have had to have been written, if Eloise hadn’t accidentally set herself up to be in the line of fire of The Queen.  This is not the betrayal.  The betrayal is the fact that Penelope should have, at the very least, told Eloise the truth about Whistledown before the story was published.  I’m not saying Penelope owed Eloise the truth throughout the series, but when things started to spiral, well again, there was a way to stop it.

Anyway, it’s clear that Eloise is conflicted about her feelings about Penelope and probably needs to have a sit down.  Also, as we see, probably needs to confront a few things about herself.  For instance, she is a great storyteller, but needs to consider who is listening.  At the ball, she sees Colin try to help Penelope and it’s clear she’s conflicted.  Cressida, of course, notices and Eloise….just lets it all spill out.  She tells Cressida about how Colin is helping Penelope, without noticing other’s are in earshot.  So, of course, this spreads like wildfire at the ball.  But I do like the fact that we are shown that it is not Cressida who tells, showing growth.  It also works well for the story because, when Eloise eventually accuses Cressida of spreading the rumor, Cressida is the best person to point out that Eloise’s actions aren’t always perfect.

But I’m getting ahead.  So, Penelope is able to talk to a few gentlemen and Colin congratulates her.  But then they hear the whispering.  Colin demands to know what this is about and basically is told her shouldn’t help one as pathetic as Penelope.  Penelope flees the ball and Colin is furious at Eloise as she’s the only one who could have said anything in the first place.

Of course, this leaves Penelope in a conundrum.  This obviously is the biggest gossip of the night, so she obviously can’t not write about it. But the complete self-loathing in those statements is heartbreaking as it is clear this is how she feels about herself.  I also wonder what will happen between her and Eloise now that Eloise Damngets a glimpse into Penelope’s inner thoughts.

But, to wrap this post up, Colin is able to bribe Penelope’s maid in order to speak to her late one night.  I don’t care if that’s the back door, people can still see you.  And Penelope, who pretty much has decided that there’s no hope for her now, ask Colin for one thing.  She doesn’t want to go through life without not knowing what it’s like to be kissed (I do like, in that dramatic moment, there’s that bit of humor that works so well with these characters).  So, he gives her a quick peck…and then they really go for it.  Penelope leaves after, thinking that there’s nothing significant (at least to Colin) about that kiss.  But looking at Colin’s face, it’s clear he starting to have some realizations. 

[dollypopup]

thinking about how class is never addressed with Penelope, especially with Madam Delacroix. how Theo gave Eloise a well deserved dressing down about how her privileges as a well off white woman with a powerful family shield her from consequences that he would likely lose his livelihood or life over, in particular when she went to check on him after the Queen threatened her.

thinking about how Penelope came to Madam Delacroix with a proposal she literally couldn't turn down. how she'd already written of her favorably in one breath and besmirched the modiste across the street in another. how she showed Gen that she had the means and fortitude to ruin women like her with just one sentence. how “I have proved to you how I can help you in your business, now I’d like you to help me with mine.”

what was she meant to say, No? Gen told her she'd keep her secret. Gen told her she'd never tell. and Penelope came to her anyway afterward, about how she's been sloppy as LW, about how she'd been spotted once so she'd be spotted again. about how this was a business venture and they would both benefit. that they could be partners.

about how, then, Gen finds out that the Queen of England is involved and chasing after them. how Penelope came to Gen's HOUSE, uninvited, in the midst of the Queen's cat and mouse. how terrified she was. that Penelope dismissed her concerns as 'you were aware there were risks when you signed on to this' and how Gen replied 'yes, risks, but not The Queen of England' because she knows that Penelope would be given more grace than she would be. because she knows women like Penelope would *always* be given more grace than she would be. that they always have been.

i wish Genevieve Delacroix had given her a reality check. i wish she pointed out that Penelope masquerades as a working class woman, putting on a fake accent and maid's clothes, cosplays her way into Gen's world, this privileged white woman from a scandal ridden family she besmirches herself, who makes her own money and does not have to worry about overhead or paying for a storefront or a home for herself, who gets to keep all her wages, who gets to leave it, all the while assuming they are equals with equal struggles. that she wears Gen's working class life like a costume and peels it off as soon as she's home

when will we finally acknowledge that, yes, Penelope works, but she is not a working woman? that, yes, Penelope's family has fallen on hard times, but they are very much a 'distinguished family' who live in a huge house in the middle of a rich neighborhood, titled, that Penelope is a lady with a lady's protections and privileges. that Penelope is invited to all the fancy parties Gen would never be considered for. that Penelope wears the expensive, sparkling dresses Gen makes for her, mends for her, that she herself would never have a reason to wear

that Penelope pretends her way into a working world, is more than happy to do so for a day, a night, an excursion: and then disregards so many people who try to survive in it. and is never once asked to recognize that in herself

[ashleyfanfic]

Love your blog! Huge Jonerys shipper and just finished Seaosn 2 of Bridgerton and LOVE Polin! Kantony was amazing too! I am so excited for Season 3! Did you see the trailer! Would love yo know your thoughts! Hope you have a great day!

OH! SO EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT THIS! Thanks for asking.

First, Jonerys will always be my OTP. Yeah, the show ended like a burning pile of dog turds, but in fan fiction they're living happily ever after as they should have. The one good thing is that Kit's show is not going to be made which means they will not be able to profit off Daenerys Death anymore than the already do. Kit, find you another franchise where you can swing a sword. I'll watch it. I sat through Pompeii I can do anything.

Second, I love KANTHONY!!! I mean, the PINING! THE UST! LOVE IT! All the glances and touches and the "You are the bane of my existence and the object of my every desire" yes, sir! PLEASE. Love them. So glad we get to see them happy and in love this season. Just a boon, for sure.

Third, POLIN! Ok, hang on, let me get this out of the way first because it is a huge concern to me. I do not, under any circumstances, want to see Eloise join in with Cressida to make fun of Penelope. I get it, she's hurt, but please don't let her do that because she knows all of the sensitive points about Penelope, not even counting Lady Whistledown. She knows the things she's sensitive about and stands to truly hurt her. I had my former best friend do that to me and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Though, Nicola and Luke were both adamant about their love for Eloise. So, here's hoping.

POLIN - Alright, I'm going to say what I'm sure many other people are thinking -- Colin needs to grovel in apology for what he said. It's already difficult enough for Pen, with her introverted nature, to meet and talk to people. That has been clearly established. But to then have an influential man in the ton declare that he would never dream of courting her? I mean, talk about ruining a girl's chances all around.

There are little things throughout the trailer that fascinate me. One being that I think Penelope isn't going to arrive to one of the balls with her family but fake an illness and stay home. Perhaps after seeing Eloise with Cressida at a garden party earlier that day. Something sparks within her and causes her to no longer lie there, but throw open her wardrobe and we see her getting dressed. We do see Pen see them walk away together. So, I think she comes in late, dressed in a different gown, with a different look. Perhaps she asked Madam Delacroix to make it for her outside of her mother's knowledge. Because we see her standing at the top of a staircase in a red cape and then dramatically allowing it to fall to the ground. Everyone turns and looks. (My favorite thing, is if you look at the crowd, her brother-in-law, Mr. Finch is smiling at her - such a sweet, cheese loving boy!). But Cressida and Eloise look shook. Also, in this same scene we do see Francesca and Pen later talking. This is important to me as it is said in the books, Colin is very close with Franny, especially once he starts traveling and she moves to Scotland. Lady Danbury is obviously speaking with the Queen about the possible matches that could be made. So far, all the writings we've seen about this season show that Mister Dankworth is interested in marriage, but instead of being along the lines of Nigel Berbrook, he's more along the lines of Prince Friedrich. You might root for him if Colin wasn't already in the picture. I have a feeling that while his interest will spark jealousy in Colin, it will also spark confidence in Penelope. Which, judging by some of these awkward convos we see her having with some of the other men of the ton, she really needs. But the sight of them dancing beneath the moonlight in the ballroom, and their heads close together over a book, and Colin having to sit back and watch as a bystander, is too sweet for me to take. Colin is the sort you have to hit over the head and drag him to it. Someone else finding her desirable could spark that wait, what have I missed. We love our leading man, but baby are you dense. The scene where he's sitting back and the flame slowly lights, it's like Colin's love for Penelope. It doesn't happen all at once, but as it grows and glows it gets brighter. Their trope is she falls first, but he falls harder. And in the books, that 100% true. He's my wife this, my wife that. Once he realizes that he's in love with her, there is nothing else that matters to him BUT her.

[thekatebridgerton]

In one of your older posts you described Eloise and phillip as a single dad x magic pixie dream girl.

I was wondering if you could expand on this concept?

I've always wondered what happened after end of the book.

Honestly I need to read the Bridgerton Epilogues too.

I don't remeber when I said this about Phillip and Eloise being an example of the single dad x manic pixie dream girl trope. But it does sound like me. Mostly because to me Julia Quinn averted falling into the trap of making Eloise relationship with Phillip entirely two dimensional.

So we all know about the MPDG she's the female version of the hallmark hero. She's fun, quirky, outside the mold and seems to have landed on our hero's doorstep to cure his depression and make him feel like life can be fun again (then Julia said 'hey, what if the manic pixie dream girl had trauma after seeing her dad die and also had a family of wacky, equally traumatized siblings). Then we have the single dad, he's often overworked, depressed and his dubious approach to parenting has turned his kids into unruly brats.

Wait a minute, what do you mean that the resident MPDG has trauma? And a life of her own? so here's where it gets fun. Because as the story progresses we learn that not only was Eloise not placed in the story to solve Phillip's problems, she is quite frankly going trough a existential crisis of her own, and he and his kids are invertedly helping her trough it. Because we come to learn that Eloise is a lot more than this talkative extrovert who likes to give orders. She is deeply concerned about life passing her by and everyone moving on with their lives except her and she just really wants to find out if falling inlove IS actually something she's been missing out all along.

And it turns out that our depressed single dad really never had anyone to teach him how to be a good person, other than his brother who died. But he's been muddling trough and all this time the depression was because he simply has been beating himself up most of his life, for not being good enough or 'man enough' to fix everything that's wrong in his life without help.

And this is where we reach the deconstruction of the trope, because at the end of the story, Phillip comes to terms with the fact that Eloise isn't this perfect idealized woman of his dreams, I mean she's certainly brilliant and wonderful but not perfect. And that's okay, he never wanted perfect, he just wanted someone who would smile and maybe love him. He never expected Eloise to change his life but she did and he doesn't know how to go back to living without that.

And then we see Eloise, who never thought anyone would need her or appreciate her for all the things everyone told her were flaws, like being loud, bossy and energetic. And tho Phillip is not perfect, he does try his best to be better every day and appreciate who she is as a person, not because of how she's good at fixing his life, but because she's herself, a kind, friendly no nonsense woman with a heart of gold who can and will stand up for herself even against someone she loves. He's not her perfect one dimensional hallmark hero, he has a life of his own, and hopes, dreams and fears, outside of just pleasing her and being her husband. But he would do anything to make her happy and that's all she needs to build a good marriage.

It's very much real, in TSPWL how sometimes we idealize the people we are writing to, when we have never met them in person and build them up to be these perfect paragons of virtue and then we meet them in person and it turns out the manic pixie dream girl has trauma and the hallmark one dimensional hero, is actually just a guy trying to figure out his life.

Maybe that's another thing i love so much about this couple.

[hopepaigeturner]

Sophie Beckett & Female Power: Untapped Potential

That's right here we go, buckle up and in.

So, this is going to be a bit of a mix between creative ideas/character analysis mixing both Bridgerton the show and An Offer From A Gentleman. (AOFAG)

Currently, in the show, we have roughly seen two types of femininity (if I were to generalise). We have Lady Violet and Daphne exhibiting a more maternal take on femininity, and then we have Kate and Eloise (even Penelope) with a more ‘girl-boss’ femininity.

But I think in the character of Sophie Beckett, JQ laid the foundations for a different type of femininity, another facet of female power, which can be explored further in the show...

I argue that the show could emphasise how Sophie Beckett’s female power comes from her kindness and empathy, which enables her to create strong, female relationships. It is this female power that enables her to save herself and orchestrate her own emancipation.

Background: Cinderella & Female Power

Now, due to AOFAG being a Cinderella retelling, I can see how some people might assume the opposite from Sophie. I have already touched upon this in my other comment on @bridgertonbabe’s post concerning Posy’s role and some of those ideas shall be repeated here. Concerning ‘background’, I shall refer primarily to ideas/debates surrounding the 1950s Disney Cinderella, as I believe that is most prevalent in people’s minds when we talk about this topic.

As I said in that other post, many people critique Cinderella as an ‘anti-feminist’ figure, a ‘weak role model’ for young girls. Many argue that Cinderella does not have agency because events happen to her, she does not initiate them; it is her father’s death that leads to her servitude; the fairy godmother steps in and enables her to go to the ball, and the prince steps in and marries her.

However, when people brand this character as a portrayal of ‘weak’ femininity, I do not think they are considering that Cinderella is an abuse victim. While yes, some abuse victims can find their own ways out of abusive situations, it is very common that abuse victims need some type of intervention.

AND THAT DOES NOT MAKE THEM WEAK. NEEDING HELP IS NOT A SIGN OF WEAKNESS. NEEDING INTERVENTION DOES NOT MEAN YOU LACK AGENCY; IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE ‘LESS’ OF A WOMAN.

I believe it is the opposite. Cinderella shows amazing strength, because she is in this abusive situation BUT SHE STILL GETS UP. Cinderella still puts one foot in front of another, she has hope even in the face of great unkindness, Cinderella is still kind in the face of great unkindness.

Cinderella’s story might not teach girls how to stand up to the patriarchy, but it does teach young girls that sometimes, the strongest and most rebellious thing you can do, in the face of a situation where you can’t fight or scream, is to put one foot in front of another and hope. And I think that is such an important lesson not only for girls but for humanity. The world is confusing, the world can be bleak but hope and kindness can create a little light among the chaos.

So yes, events do happen to Cinderella. And yes, she does marry the prince. And in some parts of the film, she does not have as much agency as other Disney princesses. However, that does not mean she does not show female power, it is just that her female power is a little more subtle than Elsa’s.

Sophie Beckett and Agency: A little good, a little meh–but a lot of potential

Now I think, due to genre restrictions, time of publication, and perhaps the writer herself, that JQ does not give Sophie as much agency as possible.

Don’t get me wrong there are moments when Sophie does have agency. (There’s a really funny post from @sophiamariabeckett here, linking once again with @murielstacy and @bridgertonbabe)

As I mentioned in my Posy comment, Sophie’s kindness and empathy to Posy creates a bond strong enough that Posy is willing to defy her abusive mother and free Sophie. In this way, Sophie’s kindness saves her. It also shows that Sophie saves herself and does so by establishing female friendships.

However, I feel that with a couple of little tweaks, the show could take this idea from the books and expand it.

So, let’s take a look at events where Sophie is ‘saved’ or is ‘enabled’. And I’m either going to advocate how these events signify Sophie’s agency or I am going to give them a little tweak. Here’s the list I’m working from:

The servants push Sophie to attend the ball where she meets her Prince Charming AKA Benedict Bridgerton.

2. Benedict saves Sophie from her would-be-rapists.  

3.a Posy Reiling swoops in and unlocks the door for Sophie’s freedom-> twice.     

3.b The Bridgertons save Sophie from jail. (Particularly Benedict and Violet)

1)The servants push Sophie to attend the ball where she meets her Prince Charming AKA Benedict Bridgerton.

Now, JQ does not make it explicit, but she does mention that Sophie has a good bond with the servants throughout her childhood, often seen helping in the kitchen. However, JQ also writes that as she grew up, the servants distanced themselves.

So, on the one hand, Sophie’s own actions and bond with the servants set up their motivation to get Sophie to the ball... Once again, her kindness and her ability to form friendships, enable her to step closer to freedom. However, I feel the motivation for Sophie to attend the ball could be stronger. So…

CHANGE: Sophie Beckett goes to the ball, because of her friendship with Genevieve Delacroix.

Firstly, I think that Sophie needs more characters to interact with and Genevieve Delacroix is a character that could easily be orchestrated with.

So, according to this change, Sophie Beckett and Genevieve Delacroix are good friends, and Sophie Beckett’s infamous silver dress—is one of Genevieve Delacroix’s designs.

Now, my book lovers. We can still have the servants and housekeeper Mrs Gibbons help Sophie to the ball. But I want the main reason Sophie goes to the ball, not because she deserves one night to ‘be who she was meant to be’, but because Genevieve asks her to.

Picture the scene. Genevieve and Sophie have been friends ever since Sophie was relegated to servitude. Over the years, the pair have gained a deep friendship through sharing dreams, pasts and storms of life. So, Sophie obviously knows of Genevieve’s talents as a designer. One night there is a masquerade ball, the biggest party of the season, and Genevieve turns up in the servant’s quarters of Penwood Place with a silver dress in hand. She’s finally ready to show her design to the ton but she needs someone to model it, someone who has the right accent, the right upbringing… someone like Sophie.

Now, Sophie is hesitant; by going to the ball Sophie would be risking the wrath of her abuser—Araminta. I can only imagine that this would create great anxiety for Sophie. But after a moment of hesitation, Sophie looks at her best friend who is ever so close to attaining her lifelong dream. So, Sophie accepts the silver dress. Sophie’s choice to put her friendship with Genevieve over the toxic & abusive relationship with Araminta enables Sophie to meet her Prince Charming.

Personally, I feel this is a greater motivation for Sophie to go to the ball than in the book. Also, if the show does not want to do a ‘fancy dress’ masquerade but a normal one, then Genevieve’s dress can facilitate this.

 2)Benedict saves Sophie from her would-be-rapists.

The problem I have with this scene is that, (like the trope in general), it draws focus away from the woman and onto the man. Scenes like this are commonly used to show how good the guy/romantic lead is, rather than anything about the situation the woman is in. 

Due to the show, we already know that Benedict would never dream of conducting himself like Philip Cavender. Further, in prior seasons we see Benedict's respect for working-class women (another post I could do). So, this scene is kinda redundant, but it can easily be adapted for a more modern audience.

CHANGE: Sophie is the one who frees herself.

The scene goes as normal, Sophie is running away and gets caught. Benedict is exiting the party and comes up to Cavender’s crew. But instead of intimidating Cavender into letting Sophie go, he merely distracts Cavender (with the intention to free Sophie). Sophie uses Benedict’s distraction to punch her way out of the men’s clutches and runoff. (Benedict standing for a couple of seconds utterly stunned at this very pretty woman who just felled three men in one swoop).

We still get a Benedict and Sophie reunification and Benedict still aids Sophie, but I feel this tweak gives a bit more power into Sophie’s hands. Once again, Sophie saves herself—a little more obvious than her other times.

3.a) Posy Reiling swoops in and unlocks the door for Sophie’s freedom-> twice.     

The first incident I refer to occurs at the beginning of the book when Posy unlocks the cupboard door that Araminta locked Sophie in, thus allowing Sophie to escape. The second is her dramatic entrance into the jail at the climax of the book with the will that enables Sophie to be freed from her cell.

These events should stay the same. Because Posy is awesome, and Sophie is awesome.

As I mentioned before (and in a previous post), Posy is the main piece of evidence highlighting Sophie orchestrating her own emancipation.

Sophie did not have to be kind to Posy. I think it is reasonable that Sophie could have grown to resent Posy. Perhaps, due to Posy’s silence, Sophie could have seen Posy as an enabler of her abuse. (Especially because Sophie was a child and so, would have had a child-like mentality).

NOW. DON’T GO HATING POSY. I DO NOT STAND FOR POSY SLANDER IN THIS HOUSE.

It is not Posy’s fault that she did not stand up to her mother. Posy WAS A CHILD. A child should not be expected or responsible for standing up against abuse, let alone responsible for standing up against a narcissistic, let alone standing up to her mother. Think about your own relationship with your parents. As a child, were you confident in pointing out when your parents did something wrong?

And I am not blaming Posy, I am saying that it was a possibility that Sophie would perceive Posy like this. Or at best, distance herself from Posy due to Posy’s association with Araminta.

But Sophie doesn’t. JQ makes a point in the prologue of AOFAG to show that Sophie goes out of her way to help Posy and be kind to Posy.

It is because of Sophie's kindness towards Posy that establishes a bond between the girls. A bond that enables Posy to be incredibly brave and go against her abusive mother by unlocking the door for Sophie not once–but twice. Through being kind and empathetic, Sophie enabled herself to escape that jail cell. 

3.b)The Bridgertons save Sophie from jail. (Particularly Benedict and Violet).

Now the only reason Benedict Bridgerton is in that jail is because he has fallen in love with Sophie. Once again, by establishing a relationship, Benedict is willing to propose and get her out of jail.

But more importantly, (or what I wish to stress more), is the presence of Violet Bridgerton. Violet Bridgerton is the one to threaten Araminta; Violet Bridgerton is the one who manipulates Araminta into instating Sophie’s legitimacy and removing herself from Sophie’s life and future. Now, in this case, it seems that Sophie does not save herself, Violet does.

But why does Violet do this? Sophie is merely a maid, a hardworking maid, yes; a maid with a suspicious past, yes. But still a maid.

Violet is a Dowager Viscountess, many levels of nobility above Sophie the maid, levels above Sophie the ‘ward’ of Penwood, and levels above Sophie the illegitimate child of an Earl. So why does Violet bother?

Because Sophie and Violet have established a relationship—a friendship.

Once again it is Sophie’s ability to create a female relationship that helps her gain freedom.

But then again…

CHANGE: The show should show more of Violet and Sophie’s relationship.

I feel in the book Violet does the most work in establishing the bond between her and Sophie. Further, JQ presents Violet's motivations to be mainly ones of intrigue concerning Sophie’s identity rather than friendship.

Now, this can stay the same, Violet initially invites Sophie to tea because she is intrigued by the plot holes in Sophie’s backstory. However, due to Sophie's interactions with her daughters and her kindness—that is how the bond is established.

Due to the longer ‘content time’ the show has than a romance novel, I think the show can expand on the nice interactions JQ gave us concerning Sophie and the Bridgerton women. Instead of telling us how Sophie has fit into the family, the tv series could show us.

PS. I actually have the idea that there should be one scene/instance when Sophie connects with each Bridgerton female. Concerning Violet, this is a very sweet conversation about motherhood concerning Eloise. (I am still manifesting the fan theory that Sophie will end up as Eloise’s maid and I also might have that whole storyline planned out. Woopsie).

Apologies. Back to the main show.

Through establishing a female relationship Sophie enabled herself, and even Posy, to be freed from their abuser. Through her own actions, Sophie set up the potential for her own rescue. She is not passive; she is active in her emancipation.

So after all that let’s do a whistle-stop summary of points so far:

Sophie does have agency in AOFAG, however, with a few little tweaks, this could be expanded upon. 

The show could have Sophie being active from the very beginning of her story and in other places with a few little tweaks. 

Primarily, Sophie’s agency is manifested through her kindness/empathy, which establishes relationships, particularly those with women.

Okay, ok Hope you’ve babbled on long enough—what’s your point??

Well, with my little tweaks, the three people who ‘save’ Sophie would be:

1)      Genevieve who gives Sophie the opportunity to go to the ball and meet Benedict

2)      Violet Bridgerton, who helps blackmail Araminta into establishing Sophie's legitimacy, further legitimising her marriage to Benedict.

3)      Posy

 What do all these people have in common?

These three characters experience Sophie’s kindness.

These three characters have a friendship with Sophie.

These three characters are all women.

So, S4 could use Sophie to show that kindness and hope have real power in changing a woman’s circumstances, (while presenting a complex female character with agency to boot). But S4 could also show the power of female friendships.

Now, Benedict and Sophie’s relationship should be the centre of the series, I am not disputing that. And while Benedict does ‘help’ Sophie in the prison, I think Benedict’s role is to help Sophie emotionally break free. By loving Sophie, showing her how worthy she is to him, and giving her the opportunity to experience a life of love without Araminta’s shadow, Benedict ‘saves’ Sophie. (Although once again it is Sophie’s choice to eventually accept this, and it is Sophie’s actions that made Benedict fall in love with her).

But alongside this, I think the show should emphasise the idea of female friendships being able to instigate change in regency society, particularly because these women already had limitations on their agency.

Yes, these women do not topple the patriarchal pressures they were under, but they instigate change and freedom by supporting each other. And I think that is such an awesome lesson, such a wonderful story of female power to show on screen and is easily applicable to the 21st century.

And in the centre of this story is a woman whose strength isn’t in her fiery opinions or her vocal battle against the patriarchy; but a woman who saves herself through the bonds she establishes. What an amazing (and rarely told) example of a female character.

Sophie is not the antithesis of the typical ‘girl-bosses’ seen in Eloise Bridgerton or Kate Sharma but nor is she necessarily the maternal femininity seen in Daphne and Violet. Instead, she is a different kind of woman, her story showcasing yet another remarkable complexity of womanhood.

CONGRATULATIONS!! You made it to the end. Go grab a cuppa and a biscuit. 

 Thank you so much for reading the piece and I hope it was worth your time. 

Let me know your thoughts on whether you are in an agreement or not. Anything you want expansion on? Anything else you want to hear my over-analytical brain interrogate? 

Honestly, while I really didn’t like AOFAG as a book, (that’s for another post) there is so much potential to update it for S4–and not necessarily throw away the original story. 

Most importantly, I want to give a shout out to the wonderful @murielstacy who proof-read this post and gave me some great ideas. Please, please  go follow her. She has such a cool run of posts about Modern Bridgertons and royal fashion and so many other things (I know, sounds interesting, right? Go check it out!). 

Thanks once again.

Hope xx

[poohsxhunny]

I finally finished season 3 part 2 of bridgerton! I feel like I didn't hate this season like how everyone else was talking about it, but it def had its issues. I kind of just want to ramble about it just for myself (I've never read the books).

Pros:

I liked Penelope owning up to being Whistledown, taking pride in it, and her lowkey outsmarting the queen.

I appreciate Penelope and Portia bonding over the trauma of being a woman in society and the way they fixed their relationship

Love the queer rep this season!! I clocked Francesca as gay the second she showed little interest in marriage. I am sure she loves John as a friend but it'll be heartbreaking to see Francesca having to confront her realization that she's gay and has feelings for Michaela. Also, of course Benedict is bi but I'm also curious what they'll do with him. I still can't see him getting married ever! tbh he gives off aro vibes but I can also see him being poly - just can't picture him being happy in a monogamous relationship. And finally Eloise is 100% aroace and i hope she never marries.

Kate and Anthony's few moments were the highlight of the season. I was literally kicking my feet and giggling when Anthony was so concerned when Kate said their marriage isn't perfect while trying to comfort Colin lmao

Love the Featherington sisters, no notes

I did like Cressida this season and how she juxtaposed the Bridgertons and even Penelope. Similar to Penelope, she doesn't have the same privileges as the Bridgertons in terms of both money and family support, but Cressida takes that pain and bitterness and shows it very openly and is quick to be a mean girl/call people out as herself while Penelope is the same but just hides behind Whistledown. I liked how she called out both Eloise and Colin on their privilege!

Generally enjoyed the plots with Lady Danbury, her brother, and Violet!

Cons:

It took Penelope way too long to accept the part of herself that is Lady Whistledown. I thought most people loved Lady Whistledown?? And I actually think gossip is important!! I was surprised why Penelope was so ashamed of being known as Whistledown?? I get her not wanting Colin to know since he hates Whisteldown but I'm surprised it took her several episodes of her to be proud of that part of herself. Girl you are a published writer making BANK and are calling people out on their shit to the point where you are going toe-to-toe WITH THE QUEEN!! WEAR THAT NAME LIKE A BADGE OF HONOR! I wanted to slap Pen when she told the clothing store owner that she doesn't think she deserves Colin because she's whisteldown. GIRL YOU ARE THE PRIZE!! HE NEEDS TO GET ON HIS KNEES AND THANK THE LORD HE HAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL AND INTELLIGENT AND POWERFUL WIFE!

I dislike Colin and don't see what Penelope sees in him. I didn't hate him in the first half of the season except for his weird rake behavior. I did see him as the romantic sweetie in the first half of the season but that disappeared so fast in the second half. I get that he was mad about the Whistledown thing, but I hate that he immediately iced her out and for so long at that instead of trying to understand why she became Whistledown and what it means to her. He clearly doesn't understand Penelope or his own privilege as a man. In a society where women have little power, gossip is the only power they have! imo he should have been on his knees apologizing to her and begging her for forgiveness for that behavior the second he understood where she was coming from!!

And with all that being said, I didn't like Polin's story. I feel like Penelope and Colin's chemistry and tension fizzled in the second half of the season. After the carriage scene, I was excited but everything got stalled and awkward because of the Whisteldown reveal drama. By the end i was neutral about them getting together. Tbh I was more excited that Pen made up with Eloise and her mom and got the notice of Lady Danbury compared to her making up with Colin. IMO the whistledown reveal should have happened episode 5 itself and then they should have made up before the wedding and then worked together as a team to figure out what to do. I just can't believe THE QUEEN FORGAVE PENELOPE BEFORE COLIN!! THAT IS LOSER BEHAVIOR!! I just can't comprehend enjoying a romance plot where the man isn't simping over the woman for most of the story. We only really saw him simping for Penelope episodes 3-5. That's not enough!!

I hated Cressida's treatment by everyone else. WHY DID NO ONE HELP HER???? WHERE DID LORD DEBLING GO?? SOMEONE SAVE HER!! WHY DID ELOISE JUST ABANDON HER??? ELOISE YOU SHOULD HAVE TAKEN HER WITH YOU!!! FUCK YOU ELOISE!!!

I'm saying this again because I just am so annoyed by this, women will only enjoy a romance if the man is more in love with the woman and simps over her and is absolutely feral for her. Penelope clearly loved Colin more than he loved her and I just can't get behind that. COLIN IS A LOSER!!! I LITERALLY KEPT SCREAMING AT THE SCREEN IF HE DOESN'T WANT HER I WILL TAKE HER!!!

[devastatinglygreen]

My thought on Eloise is that, as she herself states in Season 3, it’s not confidence it’s just that she can’t understand why people do things they do. I think she is actually a really selfish character. Not in the typical sense though. I mean that in the sense that she likes doing what she does and that’s it. She values herself above all. She isn’t a selfish person necessarily cause she does share and care. But She just really holds her own value and time as her top priority. I think causes her to have a lack of empathy.

I haven’t read the books, so not sure how this changes. But I would really enjoy it if the show starts to explore that with her own love story. Like letting her learn to show appreciation and understanding for others. Cause she really has a hard time understanding people’s concerns but I think she is getting there. She is growing up a lot.

Where as Colin, per mama Bridgerton in season 3, has always been more empathic and emotional. I think that will really play a role in the whole LW reveal. So I agree with you.

ahh, see i wouldn't say selfish, i would say self-absorbed perhaps. a lack of self-awareness as well. she's really very sheltered and privileged and even when people try to communicate that, she doesn't really grasp it. i think she has empathy but only insomuch as the situation is understandable to her.

like she says, she doesn't get why people don't think like she does. you can only understand so much when you're not willing to see other perspectives. but i agree, i think she's growing up this season which tracks with her book, her catalyst comes from colin and penelope getting married.

i did read her book and like it a good bit. she's pretty impulsive and talks a lot, ha. i think what they're doing with her now is setting her up good for her season tbh. the show is dialing up her internal conflict to 100 for sure but i can see what they're doing there by sort of, essentially, taking polin away from her. especially since in the books, colin is her favorite.

penelope is a safety net for eloise. not the other way around i'd say. eloise being without that is making her grow up and i want her season sooner rather than later honestly, i just always liked eloise so much, even if she was a pain in the ass, that i read her book immediately after polin's.

and yeah, colin is very sensitive, especially to penelope in a way that eloise just is not. she's not bad for it but she's not ready to be where they are yet either.

[writingwhilecaffeinated]

Hi! I've been reading your fic for a while now, and I want to come here to just make my point that I love your writing and your fanfic (Unspooled Thread).

Can I just have this moment to say that I love how you're portraying Violet?

I mean, in the books that I read, I thought she was worse than in the TV show (I like Violet, I just mean that she's more insistent and stuff in the books). In the show, we can see she loves her family but is settled on marrying all of her children for love, because she wants them to have what she had. Which is beautiful because we're talking about love, but also too pressuring and kinda selfish, if you think about it. Because it's love, we don't see it as selfish, and because she's a mother, and a good one as they sell to us. But taking Eloise as an example, Eloise doesn't want any of this, or at least not in the way her mother wants it for her. And it's upsetting that she has to live in a certain way because society AND her mother demands her to (although Violet is very chill about it concerning Eloise. She doesn't force her to marry and all that)

EITHER WAY- MY POINT BEING:

I love that Violet is kind of a shell of what she once was. I don't know about the younger ones, but at least Anthony, Benedict, Daphne and Eloise have their problems with her. Anthony by being forced to deal with everything, Ben and Daphne kinda the same but in other aspects. And I love how you're always hinting at Benedict being fed up with it, wanting to be the child again and not the father of his siblings. Even if it's unfair, we know that Anthony already has this hole, and it's exhausting to know everyone else has to suffer the same fate, the older ones.

I loved how Daphne confronted Violet in this chapter. As a mother, Violet had failed her when she failed to prepare her for life. Of course, it's not Violet's fault. Daphne could simply not have gone with Simon into a bloody garden known to be a place where you're ravished SUHAHUSAHUSUAHHSUA She could have done it for her team. But once everything happened, Violet could have tried harder to explain things considering she was overly familiar with the notion, having EIGHT children. I know it's awkward, but good Lord, a bit more would suffice.

Also, I know Portia isn't a great mother to Penelope, but I like the TV version, and I also like that she showed concern for Marina in some extent. I like how Bridgertons and Featheringtons are opposite to each other in many aspects, and I think I really like how Portia is everything Violet can't be. She may not show affection as Violet does, but she is bloodthirsty for getting her daughters a better life. She does whatever she can, unashamedly.

I have much more to say, but I said quite a lot USHAHUSAHUSHUAHUSAHUSAUHSA So I'll apologize for this huge ask and go back to study.

First and foremost, thank you for reading!! I appreciate it immensely and I hope you will continue to like it! ♥️♥️♥️

Second, I have FEELINGS about Violet, all that you’ve seen by how well you dissected I’m portraying her in this fic and her children’s complicated feelings about her. @velvetcovered-brick and I discussed at length how do we portray this loving mother figure that also has flaws? How do we demonstrate the complicated emotions her older children might have about it?

You’ve nailed it on the head. Yes, she’s a loving mother but she cannot force her children to chase live in the way she wants them to. That’s a journey they must have on their own, it cannot be forced.

While Benedict’s character in the show hasn’t been explored via flashbacks like Anthony has, I have assumed that since Anthony has had to balance being a viscount and a father figure. When Anthony is consumed with the role of viscount, Benedict, and I have always assumed Daphne, took on parent roles.

This strikes me the most for Benedict in the way he checks on Eloise or how he wrangles the squabble between Gregory and Hyacinth at the breakfast table. For Daphne you see it in how she treats her sisters.

At the same time, I imagine they wish their mom would step up a bit more cause they want their own lives separate from the care of their siblings. They may love their family but that doesn’t change wanting to be an independent adult with your own identity.

Daphne’s bitterness needed to be… palpable. I always felt how it came through in the show, feeling so unprepared. And if I’m being honest… I have a similar feeling towards my own mother. My mom hated having tough conversations, whether it was about how my body worked or about emotions. So she preferred to never have them at all. So I identify with Daphne’s feelings deeply.

And while Portia is not my favorite character, I have no doubt she does love her daughters. Does she underestimate Penelope? Yes. Has she been a neglectful of her youngest? Yes. But I know she loves her and truly believes she is doing what’s best.

Phew, that was a lot of feelings. Anyways, thank you for reading and I hope you’ll continue to like the story!! ♥️♥️♥️