#ch: eloise bridgerton

[caracarnn]

The night bloomed something sweet around them and Rand enjoyed standing here breathing the mingled scents in. He often did this when the parties on the inside became too much. He much preferred time on his own, the quiet, moments where he could retreat into his own head. Of course, this new family was not one that he felt at home with. He would much rather be back with his father - the man who had raised him - but he supposed that all men had to follow their lot in life. Besides here was the only time that he could ever run into her. She was someone who he was intrigued by, enjoyed talking to, and given the buzz around the two of them whenever they were seen about: their families intended to make sure that they became something official. Although Rand was adamant that no one force her into this as she seemed reluctant.

He was watching her now. The night whispering its song down onto her and Rand was eager to go and talk to her. But when they had been talking near the drinks inside she had announced that she needed a turn about outside, that fresh air was something she craved. It had been sometime since then so maybe she wouldn't find him an intruder?

Crossing the lawn through the small throng of people still coming and going Rand stopped a few feet from where she was moving about in the night. "You asked for a turn about the garden." He offered as he made a small gesture back behind him. "Have you had enough time by yourself or should I come back?" - @inabcck

[inabcck]

@acourtcfmuses Anthony sent: ❛Can you ever just agree?❜

That was probably one of the dumbest questions that Anthony could ask her. Eloise had a habit of being the contrary one of her siblings on the grounds alone of being an individual. She had delayed her coming out because she wasn't ready to enter society and frankly had no interest in doing so even though she knew she would be forced to eventually. So for Anthony to ask such a thing she snorted. "Can you ever just accept that not everyone in this house agrees with you?"

[inabcck]

There was no secret that Eloise had harbored this feeling for Penelope for a long time. She had probably held it since she first met her it was hard to know for certain the exact moment, but it had only grown with time. To know that Penelope felt the same about her though made her heart sore and of course that brilliant mind went to work right away. That was part of why she loved her so much.

"Tis worth a shot. I'm certain that my Mama wouldn't turn you away for an extended stay." An extended stay in which Eloise would greatly enjoy all of the time that she could get with the other woman. "We could take our time and..." She flicked her eyes over her suggestively. "Explore."

The redhead thought on some level she had known it all along, that this was what she meant and how they were supposed to be. There had always been more than just friendship between them, more than they let on to others. . . Well other than her mother, she had her suspicions that Violet knew all too well what they were really up to and in her own, quiet way approved of their love. At the end of the day she was sure the older woman just wanted El to be happy.

"I think perhaps we could turn this into a few day affair-- I can tell my Mama that we are going to the Modist and to promenade for suiters, she will be thrilled to let me stay" she pondered out loud as she leaned into the dark haired beauty, soaking in the warmth she offered her.

[baddestbittyontheblock]

anthony bridgerton fic recs

you are responsible for the content you consume‼️

✧*:·˚ hi everyone!! here is a list of all the fics that are my favs with tagged writers/authors ✧*:·˚

✧*:·˚ remember to like and reblog the works you enjoy in order to support each writer!! ✧*:·˚

✧*:·˚ however, make sure you read the information on each story themselves such as triggers & warnings ✧*:·˚

✧*:·˚ also, if you'd like me to remove your fic from this list, message me! ✧*:·˚

°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。

⊱· bickering by @ijustwant2write anthony bridgerton x reader, eloise bridgerton x reader (platonic) | bullying, fluff 

-the reader uses a lot of sarcasm and it drives anthony crazy and he hates her/want to sweep her of her feet/is totally infatuated with her.

⊱· a potential scandal by @curseofaphrodite anthony bridgerton x fem!reader | fluff, fem!pronouns, anthony's a lil bit mean, suggestive language

-it was hate at first sight. or that's what he thought anyway.

⊱· sweet thing by @snvws anthony bridgerton x fem!reader | 18+ MDNI! in love!anthony. innocent!reader. lots of fluff. pet names. dialogue about sex. anthony is a lil fuckin tease… you’ve been warned. slight period language. no use of [y/n]. will be full on smut.

-anthony and you decide to take a stroll around your garden -- being your best friend, you can’t seem to keep anything from the man. before you know it, a burning question makes it’s way out of your mouth …unexpectedly. luckily for you, anthony takes mercy on you and decides to help you out… if only a little bit

⊱· with his head between her thighs by @gxtitobxby anthony bridgerton x fem!reader | 18+ MDNI innocent!reader, a sprinkle of period typical misoginy and a dash of slut shaming <3 oral (fem receiving), crying, reader calls anthony "my lord"

-“and he uses… his tongue?”

⊱· "with all due respect, i would rather face your wrath than my wife's." by @daydreams-magic01 anthony bridgerton x fem!reader | sexism, 1.6K

⊱· lover by @genyakosstyk anthony bridgerton x reader

-"this is a disaster."

⊱· art is to feel (ch:1) by @peterpparkrr anthony bridgerton x fem!reader | 2.2k

-anthony bridgerton has only one goal for this upcoming social season. to find a wife. what will he do when a young woman with no desire for marriage comes waltzing into his life? 

⊱· baby, baby sweet baby by @iliveiloveiwrite anthony bridgerton x fem!reader | pregnancy, marriage and children, female centric labels - mother, wife, 1.2k

-a snapshot into anthony’s life as a father.

⊱· evergreen by @curseofaphrodite anthony bridgerton x fem!reader | implied smut at the end, besties to lovers, cheesy asf.

-you were back after a long trip and your best friend was pissed - not the best combo

⊱· unexpected affections by @clints-lucky-arrow anthony bridgerton x fem!reader | marriage of convenience, fluff, love confessions, mentions of future children. allusions to hypothetical sex, 3.5k

-the last thing that you expect is to encounter your husband upon a midnight quest for a slice of apple pie. and, most certainly not when the man in question is readily equipped with a fumbling love confession.

[violeta223]

You're a Bridgerton, I presume? [Female Reader Insert] Ch. 1

The lively sounds of everyone rushing around downstairs filled the air as you calmly descended the stairs with your sisters. Eloise led the group, Francesca beside her, while Hyacinth walked closely beside you.

Eloise fidgeted in her dress, tugging at the fabric as discomfort spread across her face. “I'm already roasting!” she exclaimed.

Francesca huffed, amused at her sister. “Are you to complain the entire day, Eloise?” 

You couldn’t help but giggle and lean forward, ready to tease Eloise. “It is the only thing she knows how to do!”

Eloise turned and shot a sarcastic smile at you before addressing Francesca.

“Surely, I cannot be expected to bear these fashions the entire day.” Hyacinth rushed forward, leaving you behind as she moved next to Eloise.“I feel like a princess. Do I look like one?” Hyacinth’s infectious energy made you smile. Eloise attempted to suppress her sarcasm in response to her younger sister, but given her displeasure with the day, she struggled to hide her true feelings. You couldn’t help but think Eloise could never fully hold back her thoughts.

“Do you truly wish to know what I think you look like?”

“Eloise…” you said, your tone warning as she glanced behind you with an ‘I know, I know’ expression.

Hearing Rushing footsteps behind you, you smiled again, knowing that at the speed of those steps, it was always Hyacinth, Gregory, or both.

“On your left!”

Gregory rushed past you and your sisters, zooming past Hyacinth, where he suddenly snatched her hair ribbon.

“Gregory!!”

She shrieked before she started chasing after him. You don't know how he did it, but Hyacinth always saw a challenge in Gregory, even without saying a word, and he never grew tired of playing around with her.

Eventually, you turned your gaze away from them to see Benedict and Colin approaching you and your sisters. “Is our dear sister still not ready?” Benedict asked his expression a mix of confusion and concern. Francesca playfully raised her hands with a slight grin on her face. “She’s only been readying herself the entire night!” she exclaimed, her tone light and teasing. Eloise scoffed. “You mean her entire life?”

You chuckled while nodding along. Eloise looks around, confused, before asking,

“Where is Anthony?”

Suddenly realizing your elder brother was not there, you start looking around, as did your other siblings, except for a slightly grimacing Benedict, with Hyacinth and Gregory still chasing each other. You stilled, waiting to hear his fast steps storming down the hall, ready to command or brood, but you could find nothing.

Looking back at your siblings, specifically Benedict, you couldn’t help but worriedly exclaim,

“Where is he? Is he alright?”

Benedict didn’t look like he knew how to reply, only causing you to grow more anxious by the second, worrying something had happened to him. Colin, looking as if he did not worry about Anthony, at least to you, walked towards the stairs while talking about the special person of the day, the debutante.

“I shall run up and hasten her along.”

But you and Eloise were still focused on Anthony for very different reasons. Eloise leaned in, her brow furrowing. “Is he not attending?” 

Benedict swiftly turned his head to look away from you and Eloise, moving quickly toward Colin. He stretched out his arm to stop him, but he didn’t; he only slowed down. As you and Eloise moved toward them, leaving Francesca behind, neither of you finished asking your questions. “Colin, wait. I will do it.” 

Colin faced Benedict with a look that clearly said he did not think he would do as good of a job as he would. He turned back around with what you would call a slightly smug expression. Or maybe that was just what you thought; most of the faces you’ve seen on your brothers were smug and mischievous.  

“She likes me much better than you, Benedict.”

“Did she say that?”

Benedict couldn’t help but show a slightly confused and offended look. You reached behind him to give a slight pat on the back. He glanced at you before turning back toward Colin.

“Everyone says that.”  

“Aww.”  

You couldn’t help but tease your older brother, gently patting him on the back and offering mock sympathy.

Eloise only looked more and more done with everyone as the seconds passed and quickly spoke before someone else said another word.

“If our eldest brother is not bothering to attend, then why must I–”

You stopped teasing Benedict, looking back at Eloise with some sympathy as she crossed her arms. You were also an introvert, someone going out of your comfort zone, but the wish to support your eldest sister was too strong to argue with Eloise.

Benedict only knew that if Eloise continued, she might argue with everyone or worse—win. Quickly shutting her down with a knowing tone and a look that said, ‘You know we are going there to support our sister.’

“--ELOISE. Quiet.”

Throwing her head back in frustration, she grumbled.

“Oh, has that ever worked?” 

You giggled and looked at Colin, who looked at you, also looking amused. You moved forward to try and comfort your sister, but it was too late. Fed up with everyone, she unfolded her arms and marched past you and towards the stairs, yelling,

“DAPHNE! YOU MUST MAKE HASTE!!”

Her voice stopped everyone; you wouldn’t be surprised if even the flames of the candles stood still in shock.

She turned to her siblings, all staring at her with shock, then amusement.

“Should you think she heard me?”

You couldn’t help but laugh.

[kmomof4]

To Sir Graham, With Love Ch. 9

We made it, y'all!!! It's the FINAL CHAPTER!!!! Sorry, not sorry for the first several scenes of this chapter... but y'all know me, the happy ending is GUARANTEED, and I have to admit, I'm pretty proud of this one!!!!

Thank you once again to @jrob64 and @whimsicallyenchantedrose for their outstanding beta services and to @motherkatereloyshipper for her BEAUTIFUL artwork above. I really can't stop staring at it!! It's so perfect!!!!

And also happy happy happiest of birthday's @snowbellewells!!!!! I'm BEYOND THRILLED that you loved this fic so much!!!! I hope this last chapter is the proverbial cherry on top of a huge ice cream sundae!!! I'm posting this ch a little early because Marta is home sick today, so I'm hoping this will help her feel better by putting a huge smile on her face!!!

Summary: After a year long secret correspondence, twenty-eight year old spinster Ruby Jones decides to accept Sir Graham Humbert's offer of a visit to see if they might suit for marriage. Unfortunately, he failed to mention that he was the father of twins, and they are not thrilled with Ruby's appearance.

Rating: M (smut and mentions of physical abuse) There is a love scene in this ch, but according to @whimsicallyenchantedrose - who doesn't read or write smut - it's very mild, more smut adjacent than anything, so it is not sectioned off like the scenes in previous chs. If you still want to skip it, stop reading when Graham places Ruby on the bed and pick back up at the next scene change line.

Words: 8k of 68k

Tags: Red Hunter Fic, Birthday Fic, Inspired by Eloise Bridgerton's Story, Smut

On ao3 From Beginning / Current Ch

On Tumblr Prologue Ch1 Ch2 Ch3 Ch4 Ch5 Ch6 Ch7 Ch8

Tagging the usuals. Please let me know if you'd like to be added or removed.

@jrob64 @winterbaby89 @hollyethecurious @the-darkdragonfly @jennjenn615

@donteattheappleshook @undercaffinatednightmare @pirateherokillian @cocohook38 @qualitycoffeethings

@booksteaandtoomuchtv @superchocovian @motherkatereloyshipper @snowbellewells  @djlbg

@lfh1226-linda @xarandomdreamx @tiganasummertree @bluewildcatfanatic @anmylica

@laianely @resident-of-storybrooke @exhaustedpirate @gingerchangeling @caught-in-the-filter

@ultraluckycatnd @stahlop @darkshadow7 @fleurdepetite @captainswan-kellie

@soniccat @beckettj @teamhook @whimsicallyenchantedrose @thisonesatellite

@jonesfandomfanatic @elfiola @zaharadessert @ilovemesomekillianjones @mie779

@kymbersmith-90 @suwya @veryverynotgoodwrites @myfearless-love 

Under the cut, unless Tumblr ate it.

… I do not tell you often enough, dear Mother, how very grateful I am that I am yours. It is a rare parent who would offer a child such latitude and understanding. It is an even rarer one who calls a daughter friend. I do love you, dear Mama.

– from Ruby Jones to her mother, Alice, upon refusing her sixth offer of marriage

~*~*~*~*~*~

The ride to Killian and Emma’s was anything but comfortable and by the time Ruby arrived, her foul mood was even worse. And then when Graves opened the door and stared at her as if she was a madwoman, she nearly lost her temper completely. 

Until she noticed the look upon his face.

“Graves?” she asked, when it became clear that he was beyond speech.

“Are they expecting you?” he asked, finally gathering himself together.

“Uh, no,” she said, drawing out the final word. “But I hardly think…”

Graves stepped aside - belatedly remembering himself - finally allowing her entrance. “It’s Miss Alice,” he said, referring to Killian and Emma’s oldest child, only five years old. “She’s quite ill.”

Ruby gasped, something awful rising in her throat. “What is it?” she asked, not bothering to hide her urgency. “Is she…” She couldn’t get the rest of the question out, just letting the words dangle, her meaning quite clear.

“I’ll get Mrs. Jones,” he said, turning quickly and scurrying up the stairs.

“No, wait!” Ruby called, wanting to ask him more questions, but he was already gone.

She slumped into a chair, feeling positively sick with worry for her small niece but also rather disgusted with herself for coming here to complain to her sister-in-law about something that didn’t even signify when compared to this.

“Ruby!”

It was Killian, not Emma that came down the stairs. He looked awful - his eyes red-rimmed, his hair in complete disarray, his skin pale and pasty. Ruby didn’t bother asking how long it had been since he slept. The answer was blatantly obvious. He hadn’t closed his eyes in days.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“I just came for a visit,” she explained. “Just to say hello. I had no idea! What’s wrong with her? She was fine last week!”

Killian took several moments to answer. “She has a fever. She woke up fine on Saturday, but by luncheon…” He sagged against the wall, unable to go on. “I don’t know what to do, Ruby.”

“What did the doctor say?” she asked.

“Nothing,” he said, scrubbing his hand down his face. “Nothing useful anyway.”

“May I see her?”

Killian nodded, his eyes closed.

“You need to rest,” Ruby said.

“I can’t.”

“You must,” she insisted. “You’re no good to anyone like this. And I’d wager Emma is the same.”

“I made her sleep an hour ago,” he said. “She looked like death.”

“And you look no better,” Ruby said drily. She purposefully kept her tone no nonsense and business-like. Anything softer and Killian would break down completely. And if Killian broke down, she would break down and no one needed that at the moment. “You must go to bed,” she continued. “Now. I will care for Alice.”

He didn’t respond. He was literally asleep while still on his feet. Ruby took charge, directing Graves to get Killian into bed while she took over the sickroom, trying desperately to contain her gasp of dismay when she entered the room and saw her small niece. 

She was so tiny and pale on the bed, but her skin was flushed and her half-lidded eyes were glazed as she thrashed around, mumbling incoherently.

Ruby mopped her brow, turned her, and helped the maids change the sheets when they became drenched with sweat. So focussed was she on her charge, that she didn’t notice when the sun slipped below the horizon. She just thanked God that little Alice didn’t worsen under her care, because according to the servants, Killian and Emma hadn’t left her side for two days straight, and Ruby didn’t think she could survive having to wake them with bad news.

She sat next to the bed, read aloud from her niece's favorite book of Fairy Tales, and told her stories of when her father was a boy. She didn’t think Alice heard a word she said, but it kept her from sitting still and doing nothing. It wasn’t until Emma rose from her stupor around eight that evening and asked about Graham that it occurred to Ruby he might be worried about her. She immediately penned a hastily scribbled note and sent it on to Romney Hall before resuming her vigil. Graham would understand.

~*~*~

By eight o’clock, Graham was forced to the conclusion that one of two things had happened. Either his wife had left him, or she was dead on the side of the road in a carriage accident.

Neither prospect was terribly appealing.

He didn’t think she would leave him. The argument this afternoon notwithstanding, she seemed happy in their marriage and she hadn’t taken a bag with her, but then again, most of her belongings hadn’t yet arrived from London, so she wouldn’t be leaving much behind. Nothing but a husband and two children.

And good God, he’d just told them he thought she was here to stay.

No. She wouldn’t leave him. She didn’t possess a cowardly bone in her body and if she were truly unhappy in their marriage, she’d tell him to his face. Without mincing words and with great vehemence.

Which meant that he’d likely find her on the side of the road. It had been raining steadily all evening and the road between Romney Hall and My Cottage was not well tended to begin with.

Hell, it would be better if she had left him.

But as he strode up the front walk to the door of My Cottage, soaking wet and in a terrible mood, it was looking more like Ruby had decided to abandon him. Abandon them.

“Temper,” he mumbled to himself. Because he’d never been closer to losing his.

Perhaps there was a logical explanation, he thought as he slammed the knocker against the door. Maybe she hadn’t wanted to ride home in the rain. It wasn’t that bad, but it was more than a drizzle. 

Maybe her carriage had broken a wheel. No, Killian would have sent her home in his carriage then. He lifted the knocker again and banged it against the door multiple times.

Maybe…

Maybe…

He tried to think of something, anything, that might explain why Ruby was at the home of her brother instead of her own. He couldn’t think of a one. He reached for the knocker again, prepared to wrench it from the door and chuck it into the rain when the door finally opened. 

Graves stood there, his mouth hanging open in complete surprise.

“My wife,” Graham growled.

“Sir Graham!” Graves, exclaimed.

Graham didn’t move, simply wiped the rain from his face.

“My wife,” he ground out again.

“She’s here,” Graves informed him. “Come in.”

Graham finally stepped inside. “I want my wife,” he said again. “Now.”

“Let me take your coat.”

“I don’t give a damn about my coat!” Graham roared. “Get me my wife!”

“Did you not receive Lady Humbert’s note?” Graves asked.

“No,” Graham informed him. “I received no note.”

Graves nodded. “I thought you’d arrived rather quickly. You must have passed along the road. Let me take your coat,” he said again. “I believe you’ll be here for some time and you will want to be comfortable,” the man said softly. 

A fear he’d never known gripped Graham’s heart. Had something happened to Ruby? He’d just found his children, he couldn’t lose his wife. As he followed Graves up the stairs, his heart and lips murmured silent prayers.

~*~*~

Ruby sat by her niece’s beside, hands clutched in her lap, murmuring, “Please. Please.”

The doctor had left for the second time that day declaring it “in God’s hands.” And if He was the only One Who could do anything about this, then He was the One to Whom she would appeal. When she wasn’t placing cool cloths on Alice’s head, or spooning luke-warm broth between her niece’s lips, that was.

She heard a noise from the doorway and turned to see Graham. Her heart leapt to see him and she flung herself into his arms, heedless that he was soaked to the bone.

“Oh, Graham,” she sobbed, feeling his strong warm arms around her. She was safe and she could finally let go of all the emotions she’d bottled up inside in order to be the rock Killian and Emma needed.

“I thought it was you,” he whispered.

“What?” she asked, drawing back and looking him in the face.

“Graves,” he explained. “He didn’t tell me anything as I was coming up. I thought something had happened to you,” he said, drawing her close again and kissing the crown of her head. “How is she?”

Ruby pulled back and turned toward the sickbed. “Not good,” she murmured.

Graham glanced at Killian and Emma, who’d risen to greet him. They both looked rather not good themselves.

“How long has she been like this?” he asked.

“Since Saturday morning,” Emma replied. Graham approached the bed and placed his large hand on Alice’s forehead.

He shook his head. “I can’t tell. I’m too cold from the rain.”

“She’s feverish,” Killian confirmed.

“What’s been done for her?” Graham asked.

Emma’s eyes widened with a desperate hope. “Do you know something of medicine?” she asked.

“We’ve kept cool cloths on her forehead, fed her broth, and warmed her when she grew too cold. Nothing seems to help,” Killian said hopelessly. Suddenly, Emma collapsed, crumpling to the floor sobbing.

“Emma!” Killian cried, falling down next to her and holding her as she cried. Graham and Ruby both looked away when they realized Killian was crying too.

“Willow bark tea,” Graham whispered to Ruby. “Has she had any?”

“I don’t think so,” she replied. “Why?”

“It’s something I learned at Cambridge,” he said. “It used to be given for pain before laudanum became so popular, but one of my professors insisted that it also reduced fevers.”

Ruby nodded and turned to her brother and sister-in-law. She marched right over and shook Killian’s shoulder.

“Willow bark tea,” she said matter-of-factly. “Do you have any?”

Killian just stared at her blinking for a moment before answering. “I don’t know,” he stammered.

“Mrs. Miner might,” Emma said, referring to one half of the couple that had been caretakers of My Cottage for years. They had all but adopted her when she and Killian were here for nearly a fortnight while he recovered from his own fever after they’d been reunited. “She always has things like that. But they’re visiting their daughter and won’t be home for several more days.”

“Can you get into their house?” Graham asked. “I’ll recognize it if she has any. It won’t be a tea, just the bark. We’ll soak it in hot water. It might help bring down the fever.”

Emma wiped away her tears, her eyes bewildered. “You want to cure my daughter with the bark of a tree?” she asked.

“It certainly can’t hurt anything,” Killian said forcefully. “Come on, Humbert. I have a key to their house. I’ll take you myself.” Before they went out the front door, Killian stopped and looked hard at Graham. “Do you know what you’re about?” he asked quietly.

Graham looked him right in the eyes, and answered as honestly as he could. “I hope so.” He struggled not to squirm under Killian’s scrutiny. It was one thing to allow him to marry his sister, given the circumstances, but it was something altogether different to allow him to pour some concoction down his daughter’s throat.

But Graham understood. He had children, too.

Killian nodded decisively and led him out into the night. As they strode through the rain, Graham could only pray that Killian’s faith in him wasn’t misplaced. 

~*~*~

In the end, no one could really tell whether it was Ruby’s prayers, the willow bark tea, or just dumb luck, but by morning, little Alice’s fever had finally broken and while she was still pale and fatigued, she was without a doubt on the mend.

And by noon, it was clear that Ruby and Graham were no longer needed, and were in fact, just getting in the way, so they loaded into the carriage and began the journey home where they planned to fall into bed to simply sleep.

The first ten minutes of the ride was spent in silence. Surprisingly, Ruby found herself too exhausted to sleep and she couldn’t summon the energy to talk, so just looked out the window at the passing countryside.

It had finally stopped raining about the time Alice’s fever had broken, which may have spoken to the Divine intervention Ruby had prayed for, but as she looked at her husband, who sat with his back against the side of the carriage, his legs stretched out across the bench on the other side with his eyes closed - though Ruby was quite sure he wasn’t asleep - she knew without a doubt that it was the willow bark tea.

She didn’t know how she knew. But she did. And when she thought about the circumstances surrounding the entire situation - Ruby’s uneasiness about Nurse Ratched, the fight with Graham, her flight to My Cottage, Graham coming after her - young Alice Jones was quite the luckiest little girl in all of England.

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

“For what?” Graham said, his eyes remaining firmly closed.

“For Alice.”

Graham opened his eyes then and met hers. He shrugged. “There’s no way to know. It might not have been willow bark.”

“I know,” she said, with certainty. “You were an answer to my prayers.”

Graham’s lips lifted in a tired smile. “You always do know.”

Ruby smiled back and thought to herself how wonderful it was. Just this. The easy comfort and familiarity of being with someone, that one just knew was right. Right where one belonged.

Ruby reached across and placed her hand on his. “It was so awful,” she said, surprised when she realized there were tears in her eyes. “I can’t imagine what Emma and Killian were going through.”

“Nor can I,” Graham whispered, squeezing her hand.

“If it had been one of our children…” Her voice trailed away as she realized. It was the first time she’d referred to Ava and Nicholas as theirs. 

Graham was silent for a long time. When he finally spoke, he didn’t look at her but continued staring out the window. “The entire time with Alice,” he whispered, “all I could think of was how grateful I was that it wasn’t Nicholas or Ava.” He looked at her then, guilt written all over his face. “But it shouldn’t be any child.”

“There’s nothing wrong with such feelings,” she assured him. “They make you a good father. A very good father, I think.”

He looked at her oddly for a moment and then looked down at where their hands were still clasped. “No, I’m not,” he said gravely. “But I hope to be better.”

Ruby’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“You were right,” he said, looking back up at her. “About Nurse Ratched. I didn’t want anything to be wrong, so I paid no attention, but you were right. She was beating them.”

“WHAT?!”

“With a book,” he continued, his voice perfectly level. “I walked in and she was beating Ava across the back with a book. She’d already finished with Nicholas.”

Tears of sorrow and anger filled Ruby’s eyes. “I never dreamed. I should have seen. I should have known.”

Graham scoffed. “If I didn’t see in the months she was living with us, how could you have seen when you’d only been there a fortnight?” he asked.

Ruby was silent for a few moments. “I assume you dismissed her,” she said.

Graham nodded. “I nearly threw her out the door myself when she wasn’t moving fast enough.”

Ruby snorted. “If you hadn’t, I would have,” she said.

“I told the children you’d help find a replacement,” he said.

“Of course!” she exclaimed.

“And I…” His voice trailed away for a moment and he looked out the window before he continued speaking. “I’m going to be a better father,” he whispered. “I’ve spent years pushing them away. Always afraid of becoming like my father.”

“Graham,” Ruby cajoled. “You couldn’t possibly be. You are so different from your father.”

“Yes,” he agreed. “But I thought I could. I got a whip once. I went out to the stable, blindingly angry, and got a whip.” He dropped his head in his hands and Ruby’s heart broke for him. 

“But you didn’t use it,” she said with certainty.

“But I wanted to,” he confessed.

“But you didn’t,” she repeated.

“I was so angry,” he said again, as if he didn’t even hear her, too lost in his own memory. But then he looked at her and something in his eyes was shattered and Ruby wanted nothing more than to gather him close and heal all those jagged edges inside him. To make him see himself as she saw him - a flawed man, yes, but a good and honorable one, too, who’d never hurt his children the way he had been. “Do you understand what it means to be frightened by your own anger?”

Ruby shook her head.

“I’m not a small man, Ruby,” he said. “I could hurt someone.”

“So could I,” she reasoned with him. He sent her a dry look and she shrugged. “Well, maybe not you, but I’m certainly big enough to hurt a child.”

He snorted and turned back to the window. “You would never do that.”

“And neither would you.”

He was silent and understanding dawned on Ruby. “Graham,” she began. “You said you were angry, but… who were you angry with?”

He stared at her, slightly dazed. “Ruby,” he said. “They glued their governess’ hair to the sheets.”

“Oh, I know,” she assured him, “I’m quite certain I would have throttled them myself had I been around when it happened. But that wasn’t my question.” She stopped and waited for him to respond. When he didn’t, she clarified. “Were you angry with them about the glue? Or were you angry with yourself because you couldn’t make them mind?”

He didn’t say anything, but that silence told her more than any words could.

“Graham, you are nothing like your father.”

“I know that now,” he said softly. “When I discovered what Nurse Ratched had done, you have no idea how much I wanted to rip her limb from limb.”

Ruby snorted. “I can imagine,” she said. “I would have wanted to do the same.”

Graham felt his lips twitch. There was something comforting and almost funny about their similar thoughts and feelings about the matter. It felt quite good. 

“She deserved nothing less,” Ruby continued. “But you didn’t touch her, did you?” 

“No,” he replied slowly in realization. “And if I could keep control of my temper with her, I could certainly keep control of it with my children.”

“Of course,” Ruby agreed. She patted his hand and then sat back, looking out the window.

She had such belief in him. It was an utterly foreign concept. She truly had faith in his inner goodness, in the quality of his soul, when he’d been wracked with guilt and worry for so many years.

“I’d thought you left me,” he blurted out.

She turned back to him, surprise written all over her face. “What? Why would you think that?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” he shrugged, “Perhaps it was because you left and didn’t come back.”

Ruby rolled her eyes at him. “It’s perfectly clear now why I was delayed, and besides, I’d never leave you. You should know that.”

He raised a brow at her. “Should I?”

“Of course you should!” she exclaimed, her green eyes beginning to flash. “I made a vow on our wedding day, and I can assure you, I don’t take that lightly.” She was silent for just a moment before she continued, her tone and indignation ramping up with each sentence. “And the children! They’ve already lost one mother, through no fault of their own. Did you really think I’d make them go through all of that a second time? You know me better than that.” She turned to him with a supremely irritated expression on her face. “I cannot believe you thought that of me!”

Graham was beginning to think the same thing himself. How could he have thought that of Ruby? He’d only known her… Dear God. Had it really only been two weeks? In many ways, it felt like a lifetime. Because, he was quite convinced, he did know her. Inside and out. And he should have known better than to think she’d abandon their marriage.

It was the panic. That was all. Panic that she might really have been killed somewhere on the road. If that had truly been the case… He wasn’t prepared for the stab of agony in his heart at the thought.

When had that happened? When had she come to mean so much to him? He’d told himself, and her as well, over and over again that he married her to be a mother to his children. But when she’d mentioned the vow and that her commitment to the children was too strong, he’d felt a stab of jealousy.

Jealous. Of his own children. 

He wanted her to want him. Not because she’d made a vow, but because she couldn’t live without him. Perhaps because she loved him. 

Somewhere in the passion - in the intoxication of the pleasure of her touch, the sounds of her moans and gasps, in the force of his own pleasure when he exploded inside of her - she’d touched his heart. And changed it. 

Changed him.

He loved her.

He hadn’t been looking for love. Hadn’t even given a thought to it, but there it was. And it was the most beautiful and precious thing imaginable.

He was at the dawn of a new day. A new chapter in his life. It was both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. He did not want to fail. He couldn’t. Not when he’d just found everything he needed. Ruby. His children. Himself.

It had been years since he’d felt comfortable in his own skin. When he could trust his own instincts. When he could look at himself in the mirror and not avoid his own gaze.

They were pulling up at Romney Hall. A footman appeared to help Ruby down. She turned to him and smiled gently.

“I’m exhausted, and you look the same,” she observed. “Shall we go up and take a nap?”

Graham looked up to the third floor nursery for a moment before turning back to his bride. 

“You go on ahead,” he said. “I’ll be along in a bit. Right now, I think I want to go hug my children.”

Ruby smiled and turned to enter the house.

When she woke, many hours later, she was surprised to see that Graham’s side of the bed was undisturbed. He’d been just as exhausted as she was, but perhaps instead of sleep, he just needed time to himself to think after the difficulties of the last few days.

Just because she didn’t prefer solitude, didn’t mean that everyone agreed with her. It didn’t mean that Graham agreed with her. 

They were two very different people, and if she was going to live with him as his wife, she was going to have to make some concessions to his personality and temperament, just as he was doing the same for hers.

She didn’t see him the rest of the day. Not when she took tea in the afternoon, not when she tucked the twins into bed, not when she ate her lonely supper. After her obligatory two bites of pudding, she got up, not wishing to prolong her meal any longer, fully intending to retire to her bed. But as soon as she left the dining room, she knew she wasn’t ready to sleep yet. 

She walked, somewhat aimlessly, through the house until her feet carried her to the portrait gallery. She hadn’t been inside it since that first night after she’d arrived at Romney Hall. She opened the door and gasped in surprise to see Graham sitting in the chair, just staring up at the portrait of Jacinda with the children.

He gave no indication that he’d heard her. Just continued staring, the look on his face bleak and so full of sorrow that it nearly broke Ruby’s heart.

Had he lied to her when he said he’d never loved Jacinda? Never felt passion for her? No. He hadn’t lied. She knew it in her marrow. 

But what did it really matter? Jacinda was dead. She was in no way in competition for Graham’s affections. And it wasn’t as if Graham loved Ruby anyway. And she certainly didn’t lo…

But in one of those flashes of insight that might as well knock the breath out of one’s lungs, Ruby realized, she did. 

She thought back on the last two weeks - had it really only been two weeks? - wondering when it might have happened. Wondering how it happened. But this feeling she had for him, the affection and respect, had grown into something deeper. And oh, how she desperately wanted Graham to feel the same way.

He may need her - of that she was quite sure, both in the physical aspect of their marriage, but also in the caring for the household and the children - but she wanted him to love her the way she loved him.

She loved the way he smiled, the boyish grin that spoke of secrets and mischief, and as if he couldn’t quite believe in his own happiness. She loved the way he looked at her, as if she was the most beautiful woman in the world. She loved the way he actually listened to what she had to say and how he wouldn’t let her cow him. She even loved the way he told her she talked too much. Because he always said it with a smile on his face. And she loved the way he still listened to her after telling her she talked too much. 

She loved the way he loved his children. She loved his honor, his honesty, and his sly sense of humor. And she loved the way she fit into his life and the way he fit into hers.

It was comfortable. And it was right.

This was where she belonged.

She loved him. She needed him. Not a dead woman.

As she watched him looking at the portrait, his words from yesterday finally sank in. He’d said he hadn’t laid with a woman in eight years. 

Eight years.

Jacinda had only been gone fifteen months. If Graham had gone without a woman for eight years… Ruby did some mental math. They hadn’t shared any physical intimacy since the twins had been conceived. No, that wasn’t right. It would have been shortly after the twins were born. Just a little bit. 

It was possible that Graham was mistaken about the dates, but somehow, Ruby didn’t think so. She thought Graham knew exactly when the last time was, and now that she’d pinpointed it as well, she realized it must have been a terrible experience indeed. 

But he hadn’t betrayed her. Hadn’t betrayed her or his marriage vows. He’d remained faithful to a woman who’d banned him from her bed. Ruby wasn’t really surprised, given his honesty and integrity, but she wouldn’t have thought less of him for seeking physical comfort elsewhere.

But the fact that he hadn’t… It made her love him all the more.

Ruby stepped forward and cleared her throat. She was surprised when he quickly turned his attention upon her. She’d believed him so lost in thought that he wouldn’t realize he was no longer alone. He held out his hand to her and she stepped toward him and took it, turning with him to face Jacinda’s portrait.

“Did you love her?” she asked quietly.

“No.” And even though she’d asked the question before, and received the same answer, the relief she felt at the simple affirmation was profound.

“Do you miss her?”

“No.” He was silent for a few moments, just continued to stare at her portrait. “She was sad. Always so sad.” Another pause. “It was worse after the twins were born. The midwife said it was normal for women to cry after childbirth, but not to worry. It would disappear in a few weeks.”

“But it didn’t,” Ruby murmured. 

“It was like she sank even further into herself,” he said quietly. “Almost like she disappeared.” His throat worked and his eyes blinked rapidly as he tried to formulate the words he wanted - no, needed - to say. “She rarely left her bed. She never smiled. And she cried. A great deal.” He finally turned to Ruby and looked her square in the eyes. “I tried everything to make her happy. Everything in my power. Everything I knew. But it wasn’t enough.” His eyes filled with tears and Ruby cupped his jaw with her other hand. “It wasn’t enough,” he whispered.

“It wasn’t your fault,” Ruby said. She may not have known Jacinda as an adult, but she knew Graham and she knew her words were true.

“Eventually I just gave up,” he admitted, a single tear rolling down his cheek. “I was so sick and tired of beating my head against a wall. All I could do was try to keep the children away from her when she was really bad. They loved her so much.”

“I know,” she assured him.

“She was their mother. And she didn’t… she couldn’t…”

“But you were there,” Ruby said fervently. 

A bitter laugh escaped his lips. “And a fat lot of good it did them. How terrible is it to have one bad parent? And my children were born with two…”

“You are not a bad father,” Ruby said, the vehemence in her words surprising even her.

“It hurt so much,” he whispered.

“What did?” 

“When she died,” he explained. “To try so damned hard for so many years and never succeed. To never be able to break through to her.” He turned and looked at her again. “I just needed someone who was happy. Who would be there for the children. Someone who wouldn’t…” He cut himself off and turned away.

“Someone who wouldn’t what?” she asked, sensing that his answer was very important, indeed.

“She didn’t fall in the lake by accident,” Graham whispered. Ruby gasped. He’d told her Jacinda had died in the lake, but she assumed it was an accident. She never thought that her cousin might take her own life. “She walked straight into the water. And I didn’t reach her in time.”

“Oh, Graham,” Ruby breathed. “I’m so sorry.” She was truly, even if Jacinda’s death had made her own happiness possible.

“You don’t understand,” Graham snapped. “That’s not what I meant. You don’t know what it’s like to feel trapped. Hopeless. Stuck. To try so hard and never, ever, break through. I tried. Every single day, I tried. I tried for me. I tried for her. I especially tried for Nicholas and Ava. Everything I knew. Everything everyone told me to do. Nothing worked. I’d try, and she’d cry. I’d try again and she’d do nothing but dig herself deeper into her damned bed and pull the covers over her head. She lived in complete darkness with her curtains drawn and then on the first sunny day in weeks,” he turned to her, eyes blazing, “she goes and kills herself.” He laughed, a short bitter thing. “After all of that, she had to ruin sunny days for me too.” He rose from the chair and looked at the portrait again. “I tried so hard,” his voice, filled with resignation and regret, trailed away for a moment. “And still, every day, I wished I was married to someone else. Anyone else.”

He turned to look at her again, and the tears were gone, replaced with a vehement passion that took Ruby’s breath away. 

“Yesterday you said we had a problem,” he said, taking her hand.

“No, that’s not what I meant…” she tried to interrupt, but he kept speaking as if he didn’t hear her.

“You said we have a problem,” he repeated. “But until you’ve lived through what I’ve lived through - until you’ve been trapped in a hopeless marriage, with a hopeless spouse, until you’ve gone to bed for years wanting nothing more than the touch of another human being…” He looked down at their joined hands and gently rubbed Ruby’s knuckles with his thumb. “Do not tell me that we have a problem. Because to me,” he choked on his words but kept on going, “to me, what we have, this - us, - is heaven.”

“Oh, Graham,” she breathed and threw herself into his arms, her own tears soaking his shirt.

“I don’t want to fail again,” he choked out, burying his face in her neck. “I can’t. I won’t.”

“No, you won’t,” she assured him. “We won’t.”

“You have to be happy,” he said. “Please tell me…”

“I am. I promise,” she vowed.

He pulled back, cupping her chin with his hands and looked deeply into her eyes. Looking for the truth of her words.

“I am happy, Graham,” she repeated, covering his hands with her own. “More than I ever thought possible. And I am proud to be your wife.”

Graham’s lower lip began to tremble and the tears reappeared in his eyes again before they began streaming down his face.

“I love you, Ruby,” he breathed. “And I don’t even care that you don’t feel the same…”

“Oh, Graham,” she cried, cutting him off, and wiping his tears away, even as her own continued to fall. “I love you, too.”

Graham crushed Ruby to him, his lips meeting hers in a passionate dance of love felt and reciprocated. He picked her up, bridal style, his lips never leaving hers and carried her through the halls to their bedchamber.

He lowered her to the bed and pulled back, pulling off his clothes in haste as Ruby did the same.

“I need you, Ruby,” he said, laying down beside her. “I need you like I need to breathe. Like I need food, water.”

“Yes,” Ruby moaned. “I need you, too.” All she could do was reach for him and give herself to him with all that she was. She couldn’t speak, could barely breathe as he touched her, kissed her, sending her higher and higher until her tears couldn’t be held back any longer.

“Don’t cry,” he soothed, brushing one away.

“I can’t help it,” she cried, her voice shaking. “I just love you so much. I didn’t think… I’d hoped… but…”

“I know,” he assured her. “I never thought it would happen to me. I think I’ve waited my entire life for you.”

“I know I’ve waited my entire life for you,” she said cheekily. She rolled on her back, drawing her with him until he was nestled between her legs. “Don’t go slowly,” she urged.

“I wasn’t planning on it,” he said as he surged into her, filling her completely.

They moved together, but it wasn’t easy. It wasn’t gentle. It was fire. And a tempest. And total reckless abandon. Both of them reaching for that peak that seemed just out of reach, until they reached it together in a cascade of ecstasy that made Ruby arch, lifting them both from the bed with the power of her completion and Graham roar her name as he emptied himself into her.

Ruby collapsed back to the mattress, Graham’s weight pinning her down. Not that she minded in the least. She loved these moments, when they were both too spent to move. She loved the weight of him, the smell and taste of the sweat on his skin after their lovemaking. 

She loved him. 

It was that simple. She loved him and he loved her. And it was all she needed.

~*~*~

The next week would forever be remembered by Ruby as the most magical of her life. Nothing special happened - no birthdays, no unexpected guests, no extravagant gifts. 

But on the inside, everything changed.

The well of happiness was overflowing and seemingly without end. And she could sense the same thing inside of Graham as well. 

She woke one morning, pleasantly sore in all the right places, to see Graham, fully dressed, sitting at the foot of the bed simply watching her.

“Good morning,” she said, sitting up and tucking the sheet around her naked breasts. “What are you doing there?”

“Watching you,” he said, an indulgent smile on his face.

Her mouth dropped open in surprise, and she felt her cheeks heat. “That can’t possibly be very interesting.”

“On the contrary,” he replied, “I can’t think of anything that would hold my attention for so long.”

Her blush intensified and she wondered if perhaps she’d be able to convince him to join her in the bed again. But then she remembered he was already dressed and had probably done so for a reason.

“I brought you a muffin,” he said, holding it out to her. She thanked him and began eating when he spoke again. “I thought we might go on an outing today.”

“Really?” she asked in surprise. “You and me?”

“Actually, I thought maybe the four of us.”

Ruby froze, the muffin halfway to her mouth. To her knowledge, this was the first time Graham was reaching out to his children, rather than setting them aside and hoping someone else would see to them.

“I think that’s a lovely idea,” she breathed. 

“Good,” he said, rising to his feet. “I’ll leave you to your morning routine and inform that poor housemaid that you bullied into being their nurse that we’ll be taking them for the day.”

“I didn’t bully her… exactly,” Ruby protested feebly. Mary hadn’t wanted to take the position of nursemaid, even on a temporary basis, none of the servants had. Ruby couldn’t really blame them after the debacle with their former governess, but for that reason, Ruby had extracted a promise from the twins that they would treat Mary with the respect due to the Queen, and so far they’d held up their side of the bargain. 

Ruby glanced up and saw Graham just standing in the doorway, not moving.

“Graham?” she asked. “What is it?”

He turned to her, his eyes a bit bewildered. “I don’t know what to do. There’s nothing going on in the village today, no fairs or events, I mean. What should we do?”

Ruby smiled gently at him. “Anything at all, Graham. All they want is you.”

Two hours later, Graham and Nicholas were standing outside the Larkin’s Fine Tailor and Dressmaker in the village of Tetbury, waiting somewhat impatiently while Ruby and Ava finalized their purchases inside.

“Did we have to go shopping?” Nicholas whined.

Graham chuckled. “It was what your mother wanted to do.”

“Next time, the men get to choose,” he grumbled. “If I’d known having a mother meant this…”

“We men must make sacrifices for the women we love,” his father informed him, patting him on the shoulder. He looked inside the shop window and saw that the ladies didn’t appear to be anywhere near finished. “But as to our next outing,” he whispered conspiratorially to his son, “I agree whole-heartedly.”

Just then, Ruby poked her head out. “Nicholas, would you like to come in?”

“No!” he said vehemently, shaking his head for emphasis.

“Allow me to rephrase,” Ruby replied, not missing a beat. “Nicholas, I would like you to come in please.”

Nicholas turned pleading eyes upon his father, making Graham chuckle. “I’m afraid you must do as she says.”

Nicholas grumbled under his breath as he climbed the steps, but just before he entered the door, he turned back to his father. “Aren’t you coming?”

Hell no, Graham almost said, but he bit his tongue just in time. “No,” he said instead, “I need to stay out here and watch the carriage.”

Nicholas’ eyes narrowed. “Why does the carriage need watching?”

“Yes, you need to come in as well, Graham,” Ruby said sweetly. Graham groaned. “You need new shirts.”

“Can’t the tailor just come out to the house?”

“Don’t you want to pick the fabric?” she asked.

“I trust you implicitly,” he said. Ruby frowned at him, and Graham sighed. “Very well, I’ll come in.”

“Thank you,” she said, leading them both inside. 

Graham found himself on the ladies side surrounded by bolts and yards of frilly and lacey, sparkly and shiny. He felt about as comfortable there as he did in formal wear.

Ruby kissed him on the cheek and whispered in his ear. “When Ava comes out, make a fuss.”

“I’m not very good at that sort of thing,” he said quietly.

She smiled up at him. “Learn,” she said just as quietly, then turned her attention to Nicholas. “And now for you, Master Humbert. Mrs. Larkin…”

“I want Mr. Larkin, like Father,” Nicholas protested. 

Ruby looked at him, surprised. “You want Mr. Larkin? The tailor?” she asked. Nicholas nodded. Ruby was silent for a moment, pondering his request and Graham could see Nicholas start to squirm with impatience and anxiety that she might deny him. “Very well then, off you go.”

Nicholas wasted no time at all and all but ran into the other side of the shop. Graham leaned over to his wife.

“You are good,” he praised, whispering in her ear.

A small smile pricked the corners of her lips. “Yes, I am,” she agreed.

Not a moment later, a blood curdling howl reached them and Nicholas ran back in. Straight to Ruby, which left Graham feeling a bit bereft. He wanted his children to run to him.

“He stuck me with a pin!” 

“Were you squirming?” Ruby asked, not bothered in the least.

“No!”

“Not even a little bit?”

“Maybe just a tiny bit,” he said, sheepishly.

“Right then. Don’t move next time,” Ruby said briskly. “I can assure you Mr. Larkin is very good at his job and if you don’t move, you won’t get stuck with a pin. It’s as simple as that.”

Nicholas looked up at his father with pleading eyes, and as nice as it was to be seen as an ally, he couldn’t contradict Ruby in front of his son like that. But then Nicholas surprised him. He walked back toward the other side without complaint and then turned back toward them for a moment.

“Father, will you come with me? Please?”

Graham opened his mouth to reply, but then had to stop, his eyes stinging with unshed tears. He couldn’t speak. He was, quite simply, overcome. 

It wasn’t just the moment - the fact that his son wanted him to accompany him in this male right of passage - but it was the absolute confidence and assurance that if he followed his son to the other side, he’d know the exact right thing to say and do when they got there. He wasn’t his own father. He could never be. And with Ruby by his side, he knew he could do anything. Even manage the twins.

Graham laid his hand on his son’s shoulder. “I’d be proud to go with you, son.” He cleared his throat of the hoarseness that had crept in, then bent down to his son’s ear. “The last thing we need is women on the men’s side.” Nicholas nodded in agreement. 

Graham rose back up, but before he could take a step, he heard Ruby clearing her throat behind him. He turned toward her, but his gaze came to a stop and his eyes widened as he saw his little girl all dressed up in a lovely lavender frock, showing just a hint of the woman she’d one day become.

For the second time in as many minutes, Graham’s eyes filled with tears. This is what he’d been missing. In his fear, in his self-doubt, he’d been missing this. His children, growing up without him.

Graham patted Nicholas’ shoulder, letting him know he’d be right back, and walked to Ava’s side. Without a word, he took her hand and lifted it to his lips. 

“You, Miss Ava Humbert,” he said, his heart in his words, in his smile, in his eyes, “are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen.”

Ava gasped in surprise and blushed under his praise. “But what about Mother?” she asked.

Graham knelt by her side and looked over at his bride, whose own eyes were filled with tears. “I’ll tell you what,” he said, quietly. “We’ll say that your mother is the most beautiful woman in the world, and you are the most beautiful girl. And someday, when you’re all grown up, you can believe that your mother is the most beautiful woman, and I’ll still say that you are.”

And later that night, when he kissed the children on their foreheads and tucked them into their beds, Ava whispered.

“Father?”

“Yes, Ava?”

“This was the best day ever.”

“Ever,” agreed Nicholas.

Graham smiled down at them. “For me as well.”

~*~*~

It started with a note.

Later that night, as Ruby finished her supper and her plate was cleared away, she realized there was a small folded note underneath. Graham had excused himself a few minutes earlier, claiming that he needed to locate a book of poetry they’d been discussing during the meal. So once she was alone, she unfolded the note and read the words contained within.

I have never been good with words.

And then, at the bottom of the paper,

Proceed to your office.

Puzzled, but intrigued, she rose and made her way to her office. There, she found another note in the center of her desk.

But it all started with a letter, did it not?

Then followed instructions to take herself to the sitting room, which she followed, being very conscious to keep a sedate pace instead of breaking into a thoroughly inelegant run. The next note was found on the center of the sofa.

And so if it started with words, it ought to continue with them, too.

This time she was directed to the front hall.

But there are no words to thank you for all you have given me, so I will use the only ones at my disposal, and I will tell you the only way I know how.

This time, she was to proceed to her bedchamber.

Ruby headed up the stairs, her heart thumping in excitement and anticipation. This was her final destination, she was sure. Graham would be waiting for her, to take her hand and lead her into their future.

It had all started with a note. A short, but heartfelt note of condolence, that had led her here. To a love so full and all-encompassing, Ruby had trouble containing it. She reached the upstairs hall and stepped forward toward her room, where the door was just slightly ajar.

She pushed it open with shaking hands and gasped.

For covering the bed were flowers. Hundreds and hundreds of blooms of every variety and color, some clearly out of season, from Graham’s special collection. And written in blossoms of red, against the backdrop of white and pink petals…

I Love You

“Words aren’t enough,” Graham said softly, stepping out of the shadows.

She turned to him, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Speechless?” he asked, with a smirk. “You? I must be better at this than I thought.”

“I love you,” she whispered, choking on the words. “I love you so much.”

His arms came around her, and as she rested her head on his chest, his heart beating under her cheek, he rested his chin on the top of her head.

“Tonight the twins said that today was the best day ever,” he said softly. “And I realized they were right.”

Ruby nodded in agreement.

“But then I realized they were wrong.”

Ruby pulled back, a question in her eyes.

“I couldn’t choose a day,” he said, looking down into her eyes. “Any day with you, Ruby. Any week, any month, any hour.” He tilted her chin up and brushed her lips with his gently, but with all the love in his soul. “Any moment,” he whispered. “As long as I’m with you.”

The End

~*~*~

Thank you all for coming along on this journey with me!!! I so hope you enjoyed it and would love to hear what you thought!!! Happy birthday, Marta!! Love you!!!

[crescentcampbell]

Wouldn't You Like to Know, Ch. 15

AO3 LINK HERE| WATTPAD LINK HERE

Fifteen

There were times where Penelope still felt like a seventeen-year-old girl. Her last years of high school had been particularly rough. First, because of her father stealing money, and then because of Eloise finding out about the Whistledown Blast account. Her senior year was also the same time Colin started acting, going on auditions, and met Marina.

She still remembered when he got his first movie with her. The two of them had gone out to a club to celebrate. Penelope wasn’t really a clubbing kind of girl, but they were teenagers in New York and it was the practically a staple of their social life at the time. “I don’t dance,” she remembered telling him for the millionth time in the back of an Uber.

“Oh, come on, Pen! You’re my oldest friend. I just got offered a part in a big, fucking movie. You’ve got to celebrate with me.”

Penelope winced. “People are going to stare.”

“Of course they’re going to stare,” he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, making her blush, “we’re hot.”

She laughed nervously. What was it about Colin Bridgerton that made her feel so unraveled? He was handsome and had the kind of smile that made you want to smile too, and had perfect hair. If she had been smart, she would have hated him. But the Bridgerton’s had that special shine of wealth and celebrity that made people want to be around them and want them to like them.

Penelope’s family had money, but not Bridgerton money. That didn’t even include Violet Bridgerton’s YouTube empire. The homemaker had become the modern Martha Stewart that everyone wanted to know every detail about the lives of the eight siblings and always had.

Daphne dating a prince had only escalated things this past year, and now, Colin was going to be in the movies. He had the whole future for.

They got into the club without even waiting, and when they were inside, Benedict Bridgerton was waiting for them in the VIP area with Eloise. “There you two are!” Eloise said. “Honestly, what took you so long?”

“Colin insisted on getting food,” said Penelope.

Colin grinned at his sister. “I can’t very well consume alcohol on an empty stomach, can I?”

Penelope rolled her eyes. “You just like watching girls lick their fingers after they eat.”

He smirked. “I’m a man with very particular tastes.”

Benedict snorted. “Brother, you are hardly a man. Although, you are going to be a movie star from what I’ve heard. You got the part?”

Colin nodded. “I’ll start filming this summer, but my agent says there’s some promotional stuff that they want me to do.”

“What, like fake dating your co-star?” Eloise joked.

Colin laughed. “Not a chance. I’m not that desperate for fame. I’m going to do this the honest way.”

“Through nepotism and Mommy’s fame?” his sister said.

Penelope laughed. “Come on. He has talent.”

Eloise rolled her eyes. “You always say that about him, because he’s your favorite Bridgerton. Even compared to me.”

Benedict shot a look over his shoulder at Penelope. “Oh Pen, I’m hurt. I thought I was your favorite.”

The redhead blushed, and Colin took her hand in his.

“Benedict, she likes me better. Always has, always will,” he said, “come on Pen, let’s go dance.”

He dragged her out onto the floor and Penelope was aware of how short the dress she’d put on was. It kept riding up as she moved. They got to the center of the dance floor where a fast song was playing. Colin came up behind her and placed his hands on either side of her hips. “I don’t know what I’m doing!” she shouted over the music.

Colin laughed. “I do!” he shouted back.

He gripped her hips and moved her from side to side against him. Penelope found herself getting more into it, swaying along side of him. She felt something hard, pressing against her backside, and she realized that it was Colin’s cock. Penelope kept on swaying, trying hard not to think about it. But then one of Colin’s hands was on her left breast, and the other was inching its way up the skirt of her dress.

One finger went inside of her, stroking her, and Penelope found herself holding onto Colin around his neck as she was unable to focus. She was lost in the feeling of him touching her in the most intimate of places, something she had never expected to have Colin Bridgerton of all people, do.

Colin Bridgerton was finger fucking her in the middle of a night club, and his cock was hard against her ass. Colin Bridgerton was desperate for her. “Penelope,” he murmured, his face close to her ear so she could hear him.

His fingers hit at exactly the right spot and he covered her mouth to keep anyone from hearing the little noises that she was making. When he pulled his hand out, he turned her around and looked at her, his gaze darkening.

Penelope’s heart pounded against her chest.

“Come on,” he said, “let’s go.”

They snuck out of the club, and neither one of them told Benedict or Eloise they had left.

[604to647]

WIP Wednesday

Thank you for the tag @mermaidgirl30 @djarins-cyare @aurorawritestoescape 😘 Will takes this as another opportunity to use these gorgeous Bridgerton inspired dividers by @saradika-graphics

Some 18+ content below (MDNI pls)

Thank you for the kind reception to the first part of Barón Tovar Takes a Wife 🥹 The entire series has been written and just needs a good edit before the second part is posted on Friday. Little peek at the Second Movement (Allegretto):

“Wait, wait!” laughs Colin, “You mean to tell us that you were actually there when our good Barón got his scar?  Please, pray tell, how did it happen?  I have tried in vain to get Tovar to reveal his dark secret!”

Pero catches your eye and you see his own twinkle in mischief.  “I’m afraid my lips are sealed,” you proclaim, falling easily into conspiracy with your friend, “and on any account, the tale is not suitable for polite society.” Eloise, Colin and Benedict all groan and try various tactics to convince you to give up your story, but to no avail. 

And because Third Movement (Presto agitato) clocks in at 11K 😭😭😭, here is a little bit too:

Willing yourself to breathe through your nose as evenly as you can, you focus your eyes on the soprano singing her last aria before the ensemble gathers for the finale; just as she crescendos and hits the high note of her solo, Pero pushes a finger straight into your heat and you whine in harmony with her song. 

A comment on Ao3 had me feeling a little guilty about neglecting our Safest with You couple (I know I shouldn't but I do 🥺), so I pushed to complete the first drafts of Ch. 15-17 so they're ready for editing and posting after we finish our Regency mini-series. Here's a little snippet from Ch. 17 - The Preparations, which takes place right before The Wedding:

Sighing now from the tingle of Din’s lips on your decolletage, you say, resigned, “This thing is like, a bajillion sizes too small.  I can’t believe I even had to try it on.  It’s too short.  Too low cut.”

“Too slutty,” Din murmurs behind your ear as he starts to push the hem of the dress up your thighs.

NPT @nerdieforpedro @drewharrisonwriter @inept-the-magnificent and anyone else who wants to! 🥰 Happy Wednesday, loves!

[cvldbones]

where the light comes through (ch. 4/?)

So, because Viscount Anthony Bridgerton does not have much else to do with his time, he decides that he simply must figure out Miss Kate Sharma. or: the Bridgerton children cannot seem to keep a governess at bay, until one Miss Kate Sharma enters the picture

When she was a child, Kate’s father used to say she must have had wings in her feet.

She could not help it. The moment her father’s hand left her own, she would take off, entranced by something she had seen out of the corner of her eye: a particularly pretty bloom or a cat sunbathing or fellow children playing in the river, or, simply, an empty gap through which her small body could slip unnoticed. She had always been quick, lithe on her feet, and she would run and run and run and run until her lungs burned and her cheeks were flushed and her father nearly wrenched her shoulder out of its socket yanking her back to his side.

When she tells Edwina and Mary that she has found a job, that Lady Danbury has procured her a governess position with an esteemed family in London, that she is leaving – for them, always for them – she wonders if they are thinking about those wings on her feet, again. If they are wishing someone had clipped them, when they had the chance.

But of course – it is too late.

•

After three days in the Bridgerton house, the ache of leaving has not yet settled. It is still burning, deep in her sternum; sometimes Eloise will turn her head in a particular way and she will swear it is Edwina sitting in front of her, curious and attentive. Or at tea, Lady Bridgerton will laugh at a joke, and the noise is not her own but Mary’s, instead. At night, her eyelids flash with the image of them waiting on the dock, tear-stained cheeks and her little sister begging her to stay, please, don’t go, just – and she wakes with her heart in her throat, a raw scream begging to explode from within her.

This was the best way forward, she knows. There will come a day, perhaps, when they know it too; when they no longer resent her for the act of leaving, when they recognize that she did not do so out of want or desire but out of pure necessity. Her father’s funeral was over a year ago, and yet she remembers that day as if it were just yesterday, standing in the rain as the casket was lowered into the damp earth, puddles forming around her feet as though the ground itself knew she wished to bolt from that spot. It was an unexpected rainfall, and yet Kate had not been surprised when she had opened her eyes that morning.

At least the heavens knew to weep, too.

Read more on AO3!

[drvcxrys]

hello guys! i'm going to post this starter call and also a plot call for the event. feel free to ask the starters that you like or just like to plot, for the starter call, there is no cap. i'm going to put under this read more who is there willingly and who is there not and also the ones that are open for death has an asterisk so you can see &lt;3

willingly went in:

alice cullen

edward cullen (characters encounter a pit trap, so obvious they almost want to explore) kaiden (monster: werewolf)carlisle cullen (monster: masked murderer wearing the Ghostface mask)laurent da revin (monster: minotaur) kate denali (characters enter a portion of the maze to find it completely dark.)

*anna of arendelle

*betty cooper

*beverly marsh

*buffy summer

*caitlin snow

*caroline forbes

enzo st. john (though relatively empty the plant life whispers threats and warnings to people in this portion of the maze. It tells them to give up on their progress)

claudia

emma swan

patia por´co (monster: masked murderer wearing the ghostface mask) killian jones (monster: giant spiders)

*hermione granger

hagrid (though relatively empty the plant life whispers threats and warnings to people in this portion of the maze. It tells them to give up on their progress) harvey hufflepuff (the area is just absolutely full of croaking frogs. they aren’t dangerous but they are loud and difficult to step around) james potter (monster: a hoard of geese)

*hope mikaelson

rebekah mikaelson (monster: living scarecrow) klaus mikaelson (characters wander in to a giant feast, long empty tables piled high with food, with chairs much too high for anyone human to sit in.) josie saltzman (monster: skeletons)

*isabelle lightwood

max lightwood (monster: ghosts) leia organa (monster: skeletons)

jill roberts

tatum riley (the area is just absolutely full of croaking frogs. they aren’t dangerous but they are loud and difficult to step around.) stu macher (characters wander in to a giant feast, long empty tables piled high with food, with chairs much too high for anyone human to sit in.)

kara danvers

lexie grey (characters are greeted by two beings the size of children but with pumpkins for heads arrive with a cart, gesturing for characters to get in) alex danvers (monster: living corn attempting to eat characters. It is still the size of regular corn.)

katara

korra (characters enter a mud filled portion of the maze, where their footsteps feel heavy, and every push further seems to sink them farther and farther into the mud.)

lila pitts

diego hargreeves (monster: a swarm of bats)

*lissa dragomir

isaac lahey (monster: ghosts)

*nancy wheeler

rapunzel corona

*samanha carpenter

kirby reed (monster: gelatinous cube) billy loomis (monster: masked murderer wearing the ghostface mask) feng xing (monster: stormtroopers)

sara lance

sheila hammond

kevin snipe (monster: minotaur)bloo regard (monster: a rat with a gun)marco del rossi (monster: murderous clown)

usagi tsukino

madoka kaname (characters walk into this portion of the maze to immediately be caught in a giant spider web, trapping them.)

wednesday addams

dragged in:

*annabeth chase

*annie cresta

*bianca di angelo

bree tanner

choi nam ra

*daenerys targaryen

drogon (monster: dementors) aelin (the husks of corn emit a poisonous gas, making characters weaker the longer they breath it in)

daphne bridgerton

eloise bridgerton (monster: a rat with a gun) edmun bridgerton (monster: living corn attempting to eat characters. It is still the size of regular corn.)

*effy stonem

*elizabeth midford

*hanna marin

heidi volturi

yoon chi woo (monster: a hoard of geese) victoria sutherland (characters encounter a pit trap, so obvious they almost want to explore)

intouch chatpokin

*jane

*jean grey

jessica riley

malia tate

peter hale (the area exists as a zone of truth, making characters incapable of lying. characters are aware of this when they enter the space)

*manaow

team siriyothin (characters reach a dead end, full of pollen spores, which when inhaled make characters feel drunk for the next hour)

*mary stuart

lola fleming narcisse (characters enter a mud filled portion of the maze, where their footsteps feel heavy, and every push further seems to sink them farther and farther into the mud)

*melinda halliwell

piper halliwell (monster: living scarecrow)

myrcella baratheon

*narcissa black

rabastan lestrange (monster: skeletons) lily evans (characters encounter a pit trap, so obvious they almost want to explore)

*rhaena targaryen

lucerys valeryon (monster: a rat with a gun)

sharon carter

daisy johnson (characters walk into this portion of the maze to immediately be caught in a giant spider web, trapping them) peggy carter (the area is just absolutely full of croaking frogs. they aren’t dangerous but they are loud and difficult to step around.)

*victoire weasley

fred weasley (monster: minotaur) fleur delacour (characters enter a portion of the maze to find it completely dark) teddy lupin (monster: dementors)

win wanichakarnjonkul

*yelena belova

[baronvonsheerio]

[CHAPTER UPDATE] The Mysterious Disappearance of Lady Whistledown

What might have happened if Colin Bridgerton had not seen through the new Lord Featherington’s lies?

This fic is an AU that takes place after the end of season two and follows the characters as they deal with the aftermath of Eloise and Penelope’s fallout, Colin Bridgerton’s new business venture, the instability of the Featherington family fortune, and unexpected romance amongst all the chaos of the 1815 social season. These authors hope you enjoy, dearest readers.

Chapter 4: Trolley Problem

Penelope slipped into her room, hoping to make the most of the unexpected break she’d just been gifted. Quickly, she lifted the corner of her mattress and withdrew several sheets of fine parchment. Her Whistledown drafts were also stowed away below the mattress, on the other side of the bed. It wasn’t a particularly clever hiding spot, she had to admit, but it worked. It was difficult to come up with a new system after Eloise’s discovery. The floorboards had worked so well for her. No one ever thought to check under the floorboards.

Just another casualty in the ongoing war between herself and Eloise Bridgerton.

Read Ch. 4 now on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/40281783/chapters/135709198

Or start from the beginning: https://archiveofourown.org/works/40281783/chapters/100898343

[fanaticfangirl001]

Tolerable, Dutiful and Half A Brain

Ch 2: The Interview of Miss Ottoline Greggett

Author's note: Fun fact: Ottoline means "Prospers in battle" in French. I picked it because I saw it in a Bridgerton themed baby name inspo video on tiktok.

Chapter 2 

Dearest Gentle Reader, 

There is of course another unknown identity at present.Though this one you  will be able to unearth.I speak of the season’s diamond wherever she may be. 

Your Move, Your Majesty. 

Eloise’s torment begins right after her attempted presentation. She didn't even get a chance to speak to Ottoline. The two typically chatted about their favorite authors during dull moments at balls. She practices dancing with her youngest brother as Benedict pokes fun from the settee.

Her dance lessons are interrupted by Anthony announcing he needs his father’s betrothal ring. 

“Did someone catch your eye at the presentation brother?” Benedict asks. 

“I thought all of the young ladies looked beautiful.” Franchesca says. 

“Not particularly and all the young ladies looked the same. Like young ladies. I’d simply like to be prepared for when the opportunity presents itself.” Anthony answers. 

“The opportunity?” Violet asks. 

“I’ve compiled an index of the season’s eligible misses and arranged interviews.” Anthony nods confidently in his interview system 

“Interviews, Dearest, I shall be more than happy to give you my ring when you find someone with whom you are very much in love. Besides, it is safe keeping at Aubrey Hall.” Violet answers as she walks over to Benedict and says to him  “See that he is quite well.” 

“Me?” Benedict asks. 

“I’m not in need of coddling. I assure you all everything is in order.” With a check of his watch Anthony leaves the house to begin his interviews. 

Within the weeks, Anthony has crossed off many young ladies, for either being immature, naive, foolhardy or simply giving the wrong answer. He checked the list for the last of the ladies on his list, the forgettable and boring Miss Ottoline Greggett. He had heard very little about Miss Greggett, just that she is intelligent but fretfully boring to speak to. She is well acquainted with Eloise and Penelope. Boring could be good, thought Anthony, it would help him know that will never fall in love with her throughout the marriage. All he needs is a tolerable, dutiful, suitable enough hips for childbearing and a brain. That of which Ottoline had several of. Her older brothers are quite the bunch taking up a full table at the Gentlemen’s club. None of them scamps or rakes. Anthony takes a deep breath as he knocks on the door for his late interview of the day. A butler answers the door and takes Anthony into a drawing room with Ottoline and Arabella. 

“Ah Viscount Bridgerton nice to meet you. I’m Arabella and this is Ottoline. We have some tea and cakes prepared.” Arabella introduces. 

Ottoline closes the book and pushes it to the side. “Hello Viscount.” 

“Hello Ottoline, you have a lovely home.Rather a big home to fit you and your brothers in your childhoods.” Anthony sits down. 

“Thank you, yes it is. We have always been quite tight knit, my brothers and I.” Ottoline pours the tea.

“Would you like to have multiple sons?” Anthony takes his teacup. 

“I hadn’t put a number on my future but I’d rather have more daughters than sons.” Ottoline passes a tea cup to her sister-in-law.

“Why is that?” Anthony asks. 

“My father explained that every man’s daughters are diamonds and that daughters are an expression of wealth. Not monetary wealth but the wealth of life. Love and sorrow, everything that makes life worth living.Daughters are a celebration of life itself. I would love to bless a man with many diamonds.” 

“I have never heard of fatherhood quite explained like that. It’s a rather unique perspective.” Anthony says a bit bewildered by the unexpected answer. 

“May I ask you a question, since you have turned this visit into an interview.” Ottoline smiles disarmingly. 

“Of course.” Anthony says a bit taken back. 

“How many children were you in want of? What subjects are expected of them in their education? How would you like them disciplined? If one child or many had the new condition asthma  could we buy a second home near the seaside. The salty air does wonders for the lungs.” Ottoline asks in one breath. 

“At Least four. Literature, Languages, Mathematics, Sciences, Art. I’d like them to be well-behaved. Yes we could have a house on the seaside.” Anthony answers. 

“I’d like to see all my children have lessons in several subjects: rhetoric, horticulture,astronomy, and what of dogs? Do you like them? Could we get several for the children to play with? I grew up with plenty of dogs, mostly schnauzers due to my uncle's penchant for travel. He would bring us puppies from Germany after a Botanist conference. What if our sons have a penchant for travel?” 

“I do see the logic of rhetoric for young men but why ladies? And yes I do like dogs, and a penchant for travel is no problem, my brother Colin already has one.” 

“If a young lady is to stand a chance at arguing with her husband within the first few years she needs some lessons in crafting an argument. And good,the boys can accompany Colin on his travels to Greece and Venice.” Ottoline trails off sipping tea. 

“Young ladies should not argue with their husbands in the first place and I do not believe our sons should travel with their Uncle Colin, he is still young.” Anthony demands. 

“If you do not believe in arguing with a spouse than why are you indulging me in this fictitious debate about our children. 

“I’ve had enough of this conversation. Good day Miss Ottoline, Miss Arabella.” Anthony abruptly stands and storms out of the house. 

Arabella shakes her head at Ottoline. “Why did you have to do that?” 

“Do what?” Ottoline asks. “He’s the one who went straight into these invasive interview questions. Like he needs to be wed tomorrow. We are both trying to find a spouse. Why does he get to interrogate people.I only had my own questions.” 

“Fine, we will practice questions for the next suitors.” Arabella sighs. Getting Ottoline married would be harder than she thought. 

Anthony returns home frustrated. His family seemed to notice over dinner. 

“How did the interviews go, brother?” Benedict laughs. 

“Rather uneventful except for the last. I thought Eloise’s friend Ottoline Greggett would be the most welcoming and most forgettable but she was the opposite.” Anthony vents. 

“Oh and what did she say? I haven’t spoken to her in ages.” Eloise perks up. 

“She said that all daughters are diamonds to fathers, and that daughters are expressions of the wealth of life. Love and sorrows and everything that makes life worth living. Anthony says angrily stabbing chicken with his fork. 

“Oh that’s beautiful Anthony. She seems wonderful.” Violet muses. 

“There’s more of her radical beliefs.” Anthony starts up again “ She wants all the children educated in subjects beyond the general education. She wants lessons in horticulture, astronomy and rhetoric, so our daughters can stand a chance arguing with their husbands within the first few years of marriage.” 

“Quite smart.” Violet can’t help but laugh at the marriage argument lessons and her son’s growing anger by the answers he pursued with his interviews. His other siblings are just as amused at Anthony’s frustrations. 

“She wants dogs too, schnauzers, a seaside house on the off chance one of our broods has this new condition called asthma, and our sons to go on adventures with Uncle Colin to who knows where.” Anthony finishes. 

“I’ve heard the sea air is good for any lung conditions.” Violet pipes in. 

“I’m sure Colin would love to be a fun traveling uncle.” Benedict adds. 

“That is not the problem, Ottoline Greggett is .” 

“Why does she bother you so much, you just met her?” Eloise asks.

“Her reputation is that she is boring and too intelligent to be a wife. I was expecting a dull conversation, not a lively debate about fictitious children.”  

Anthony sulks off into the study after dinner like he has for weeks now after the various interviews. 

[inabcck]

@socialseasons sent: ❛  will you please tell me what happened?  ❜

Her little sister wanting to know what was happening was almost worst than Hyacinth sneaking around and eavesdropping on people. She didn't want to talk about what had transpired, but something told her that her sister would not simply let the subject drop either. The latest issue of Lady Whistledown was twisted in her hands because she both didn't care for what was written there about her, but also due to the fact she thought she almost had her and once more she had slipped through her fingers. It was nothing to trouble the youngers with though.

"Nothing you need to trouble yourself with, Frannie." She tossed the twisted paper aside nothing like she usually would do with the pamphlets she treated better than a bible. "What do you want anyways?"

[inabcck]

"How horrible it will be to live with my best friend for the rest of my days reading and gossiping about the new seasons to come." The sarcasm was thick on her voice and the smirk on her lips suggested she would like that. Even if Eloise would love to spend the rest of her days growing old with Penelope she knew that she had dreams of her own to marry for love. All of the fuss over finding a man felt like a waste of time to her and she made sure people knew that too even if she humored her mother by going to the balls. "Why Penelope Featherington if I didn't know better I would think you were trying to sabotage us both." She giggled shaking her head. "It would be worth it to see all of the mamas faint at the mere thought we did it on purpose."

"I wouldn't hold my breath on that, El-- I get the feeling we will yet be spinsters together" she replied with a laugh, she wanted a new dress for herself. Finding a husband would be lovely-- but she knew good and well it was unlikely and the idea of growing old with Eloise no longer sounded like a terrible idea. "Come now-- we could match and scandalize all the other ladies of the ton" it was all but faint worthy to have a similar dress to someone else at a ball and to purposefully match, well that would indeed be a scandal.

[ao3feed-kathony]

don't call just text me

read it on AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/56108635 by unsavorablefavors If there's one thing the Bridgerton family and friends will do, it's start a group chat.   ...or a collection of one-shot text threads between the Bridgertons, their partners, and between friends ch.1: The ladies dating Bridgerton Brothers get together to get drunk and talk about how their partners fuck Words: 3589, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Fandoms: Bridgerton (TV), Bridgerton Series - Julia Quinn Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: F/M Characters: Anthony Bridgerton, Benedict Bridgerton, Colin Bridgerton, Kate Sheffield | Kate Sharma, Sophie Beckett, Penelope Featherington, Eloise Bridgerton, Gregory Bridgerton Relationships: Anthony Bridgerton/Kate Sheffield | Kate Sharma, Colin Bridgerton/Penelope Featherington, Sophie Beckett/Benedict Bridgerton Additional Tags: Texting, Drunk Texting, Modern Era, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Sexting, text fic, Alcohol, Slut behavior, Horning texts, Smut, Fluff and Smut, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, other pairing to be added, On-going one shot text fic read it on AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/56108635

[violeta223]

You're a Bridgerton, I presume? [Female Reader Insert] Ch. 2

This story and title were inspired by the 'You're the Ninth Bridgerton, I Presume?' playlist by Sonder on YouTube.

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

Exiting the house in a rush with your family, servants, and all the noise, you barely noticed the Featherington Family exiting their home, only giving them a glance and well wishes to Penelope. You could not tell where everyone was, only Daphne. Most everyone circled her, rearranging her tiara and adjusting her hair and gloves while one of the maids held her train. You wanted to help but didn’t want to make a mistake or accidentally overwhelm your sister; you only stuck by her side, more like beside the head maid who was adjusting her hair, as a sign of support, ready to help if she called to you. As your sisters and mother climb into the carriage, with your mother and Daphne entering last, you couldn’t help but feel slightly anxious for her—not wanting your shoes to touch her train accidentally and for her introduction to the queen or why your mother looked slightly peeved when she entered the carriage but returned to smiling when she saw you looking at her, or where on earth Anthony was. While Daphne looked a bit nervous, she still looked confident and ready. You don’t know how she made it look easy, even though you knew of the years she prepared for this moment; she made it look effortless, and she would make it look effortless; you just knew it. That’s why you thought it best not to voice your worries; while you did not have confidence in yourself, you did in your sister. Unfortunately, that confidence did not come with the confidence of a comfortable ride. You were surprised Eloise was not saying something about feeling cramped and how we had not yet gotten a slightly larger carriage after all these years. But when you turned to look at her, you saw her reading something; you think you saw a few names but moved on in case you were invading her privacy. You did not even know where she had picked up the pamphlet. You decided to wait until she told you or someone asked, typically by lovely but nosy Hyacinth, but she was too giddy about seeing the ladies' debut even to notice. Francesca was enjoying her moment of peace.

You looked at Daphne, and as if sensing your stare, she looked up at you with a small smile and softened eyes. You felt yourself giving a small smile back to her, worries slowly fading away and being overturned by pride when you looked at her.

“How are you feeling?” “I’m alright. Anxious as any other debutante, but that is normal. Do not worry for me, [name].” She gently knocked her foot against yours to assure and calm you. You thought it funny that she was calming you down when it should have been the other way around, but she knew you were always more anxious than the rest of the family. Your mother gave a gentle smile at the moment between you and Daphne before speaking. “Yes, do not worry, [name],” she said as she leaned over, touching your hand and the other over Daphne’s. “You have seen how ready Daphne is. She will do exceptionally well.” Then, turning her head to look only at Daphne, “But no matter what happens, know I will always be proud of you,” She moves her head to look at all of us, “All of you.” It made you feel nice, and you could see it did the same with your sisters, except for Eloise, who still focused on reading the pamphlet. When your mother saw this, she couldn’t help but furrow her brows. Not wanting a tense atmosphere to appear, you did what Bridgertons did best: make fun. "Well, after all the practice I've given you, Daphne, I trust you won't be as clumsy as our brothers when they think they’re charming!” Daphne smiled, a knowing glint in her eye as she continued, “Certainly not, with how much practice I’ve had with Your Majesty.” Your other sisters giggled, and your mother began to smile again at what Daphne was referring to.

During Daphne’s practice sessions, Mother thought it was best to recreate what a debut would look like, which meant she needed a queen. Francesca often helped as a stand-in but couldn’t replicate the queen’s commanding presence. Francesca was too gentle for that, while Mother was either too gentle or too afraid to be more specific. Either way, Francesca eventually wanted to return to her music. Hyacinth played the role of the queen for a while; she had the confidence, loved the spotlight, had no problem commanding, and enjoyed anything about the debutantes and royalty. However, she was still a child and often got bored when the rehearsals became too serious for her. So, it was Eloise’s turn—or, she would put it, the new victim. She certainly had no problem speaking her thoughts or giving a poker face, or maybe it was just her off in her thoughts. Her sharp wit often made Daphne laugh and relieved the stress of preparing for the debut. But, as we all suspected, it lasted the shortest with Eloise. She already disliked the idea of the debut, and her frustration toward it led her to make snippy remarks; she was quickly removed from her duty to avoid further tension. That’s when it became your turn. You did not think you could act as the queen; instead, you chose to help Daphne in other ways, like helping her select her dress and hairstyle. Otherwise, you tried to avoid the rehearsals with your studies when they were looking for their new queen. The thought of embarrassing yourself in front of your family was too daunting, even though a part of you knew that your mother nor Daphne would tease you when they saw how anxious you were. That is why, when Eloise saw how you were, she offered herself up for the role because she enjoyed the idea of ordering Daphne around. The temporary replacement was Hycainth’s old plush toy, and while Daphne was doing a good job, not even she could take the plush seriously. That was when you offered yourself before they could ask. Once you saw how funny it was to see Daphne bowing to an animal plush, you decided to read stories about queens and articles about Queen Charlotte. She was certainly something. Regardless, you felt prepared for your role. To the surprise of Daphne and your mother, you were immersed in your role, even with your shaky start. It was the only time you saw Daphne stumble when she witnessed your confidence. You quickly fell out of character, worried about your sister and embarrassed by yourself. She rushed toward you, followed closely by your mother when they showered you with compliments. Word quickly spread around the house about your performance. Everyone teasingly called you “Your Majesty” or quipped, “Move out of the way for her Majesty.” Even Anthony once bowed and called you “Your Majesty,” joking that perhaps you should be the head of the household instead of him.

Your sisters began teasing you in the carriage, and Eloise finally looked up, joining the conversation. She was always ready to make fun of a sibling, and she and your sisters joked, “Oh, I’m sorry I forgot I was in the queen's presence,” or with an exaggerated, “Youurrr Majesty.”

When the teasing began to quiet down, we neared the castle, and everyone except Mother was leaning forward in awe. As the carriage came to a stop, everyone moved out with the help of the footmen. Looking around, you suddenly felt overwhelmed by how large everything was, the sheer number of people, and how much noise there was. You turned around, quickly moving toward Francesca and wrapping your arm around hers. She looked at you, placed a comforting hand atop yours, and gave a reassuring nod and smile. You knew she understood what you were feeling; she was one of the best people to comfort you in moments like this.

As your family paused, waiting for everyone to gather and to move only when Daphne would, you heard her exclaim in surprise, “Anthony! You are here.” You looked over to see a breathless Anthony approach everyone. Finally! You were relieved he was alright and would be at this special moment. You hoped to move closer to him in the castle for a comforting arm. While Francesca provided understanding and comfort, if you wanted to leave, you knew your brother would be there to help, defend you from any whispering voices, and do his best to comfort you even if he didn’t fully understand. You always felt more confident when Anthony was by your side.

“Of course, I’m here, sister. I would never miss such an important day for you and our family,” He replied. Mother hummed with a look that was ready to scold. “No, you would just be late for it.” While Benedict and Colin snickered at their brother being scolded, Anthony and Mother exchanged glances, having a conversation you didn’t understand. Only knowing it was causing tension, you quickly moved close to them, whispering and shaking your head, slightly frantic. Your voice tinged slightly with nerves, worried they would attract negative attention on Daphne’s big day. “Uh... Not the time.” They glanced at you before turning back to the front. Anthony offered his arm to Daphne to hold. “Shall we?” She nodded, and as they began to walk forward, she looked back at you, giving a kind smile to thank you and reassure you of the day ahead.