#springtime in the rockies

[sumbluespruce]

Snow squall dropping off the east slope of the Big Horns

[incognito-princess]

My chicken chili is chillin' (the secret is a cinnamon stick) waitin' to see how long it takes school district to close tomorrow... (Out of 10 major school districts in the Pikes Peak region, 5 have already called it as of 5 p.m., plus a couple of small outlying districts in the plains).

[inherentparasite]

[photosofsouthwestmt]

Tortoiseshell On a Buttercup

Took Lilly Up the BDC Road mid-April for a hike and to check out the buttercups. I drove a lot farther up the road than I planned and there were few buttercups. Here is one of the few buttercups I found with a tortoiseshell feeding from it.

Nikon D500, Manual Mode, Tamron 150-600mm VC G2, F/6.3, ISO Auto (180), ET 1/800, Focal Length 600mm, Handheld, Vibration Control on

[warnersister]

Chapter 1 - The Return to Miramar

The Highwayman Series | Prologue | Chapter 2

‘No Entry – Construction (TRANSATLANTIC RAILWAY DUE TO FINISH 1869)’ the sign read and the frontman on his horse creased his brows into a tight and questioning line. “1869? But its 1863.” He said, voice in a questioning tone. “haven’t you heard?” his companion asked “east and west are racing to see who can build the most. Gonna be shut a while” he said matter of factly, while straightening out his mustache from where the Tennessee heat had frazzled it. The former grunted in response “this is our way though” “well were gonna have to go a different way hangman, don’t fancy getting Spitfire killed by a train” the other told him, motioning to the fine mare he was riding on. He nodded “yeah hornets too young for that, rooster you’re right. You know a different way?” hangman asked. Rooster thought for a minute, straightening out his mustache again, already bunching up under the springtime humidity – but this time, more in thought than in maintenance as he turned to look at his surroundings “already crossed Mississippi” he said, remembering when they’d crossed the mighty river – not wishing to back track on that path. “were gonna have to go the whole way round, through missouri – Kansas, take a left at colorado” “could we not go trough Texas?” Hangman asked, thinking of a shorter route they used to traverse a decade prior. Rooster raised his brows “aint Sherrif Simpson still after us?” he asked and his friend shrugged. “Already told the rest of ‘em to meet us in Louisiana and it’ll take weeks, months to get there if not, were good as dead if the Indians aint as hospitable again” there was silence for a minute “plus you’ve got a stache now and I’ve got this sweet bod, he wont recognise us” Hangman said, flexing while Rooster threw his head back and laughed loudly “bod ain’t as good as mine, bagman” Rooster said and the other shook his head “c’mon. Texas it is."

This route was fresh, recognisable but still; new-(ish). There were plenty of structures that were erected since they’d last abided there, especially in the Plains – a substantially belittled number of natives and much more Easterns who you could tell had no business being in Western heat – searching for green grass but getting tumble weeds in lieu. They’d reached their meeting point but a week later, reconsiliating with Coyote and Bob who’d been engaging in business up in the rockies, taking the strongest horses but only returning with one. “Hercules?” Hangman asked and bob shook his head “struggled all the way up, slipped, poor boy couldn’t handle it. Was cryin’ in the night he was. Had’a put him out o’ his misery” the four all bowed their heads and shook them in remembrance for their fallen companion. “damn” rooster said. “Well there's no way the two of ya can manage all the way to New Mexico on Chinook, let alone California” Hangman said. “we passed a ranch on the way down here in northern Texas, town called Miramar” Bob told him as Rooster and Hangman shared a look. “Ain’t that where we nearly got hung?” Rooster asked “sure is Brad.” Hangman thought for a moment “Good mares?” Hangman asked “the best” coyote said “young lady an’all. Mighty fine on the eyes” “guess we’re heading up North.”

The ride was slightly awkward with Coyote and Bob both on one horse, they changed primary rider every hundred or so miles – and it made it easier to travel at night, but still; a man wanted his own horse and Coyote was proud of Chinook, but the horse was starting to weary with some three hundred pounds on his back. But eventually they saw the sign. White lettering and red background, carved so deeply into old mahogany and almost illegible, but it was undeniably so: Miramar. So close you could almost make out Oklahoma, but far enough away and enough Stetsons present to recognise the contrast between what was and what wasn’t Texan territory. “where’s this ranch of yours, Bob?” Jake asked, swallowing harshly as he eyed the infamous town over his sunglasses; Bob pointed straight ahead, and adjacent to the Sheriff’s office, was an unassuming parlour attacked to a decently sized acreage of farm, a good seven or eight horses feeding off their dinner. “alright. Let’s get in and get out.” Jake said, instructing his horse to move forward as he did so. “you guys got history here or something?” Javy asked and rooster snorted “yeah something like that” “what happened?” Bob asked “lets just say he had a thing for the Sherrif’s daughter and he organised to hang him if he didn’t get out of town.” Rooster explained, recalling the events from what seemed like yesterday. Jake cleared his way as a way to get the lot of them to shut up. He still had the ring he was going to give her in his breast pocket.

They drew a lot of attention as they rode through town – strangers clearly dressed in travelling attire. But they were the Highwaymen, not pilgrims. Coyote hopped off the back of Chinook and Bob followed suit, heading to the girl who had their back turned to them, currently attending to a young pony who seemed to refuse to leave the refuge of her stables. “Excuse me, ma’am – any of these horses for sale?” “Uh huh the lot of ‘em” she’d replied, turning to the strangers to greet them as customers. Jake felt like the air had been knocked out of his lungs. “jake?” “hey, petal” he replied, unable to muster anything else as he looked at you, still as mighty fine if not more gorgeous than he day he’d hit the road with rooster. You looked to his left and nodded “Brad” “hey pretty” after the short and unsweetened reunion. “Y’all should get off my ranch. My daddy still has a right mind lynchin’ the two of ya” you say smally, turning to reattend to the horse. “Still?” Rooster asked with a smirk but Jake was taking it more seriously as you nodded your head to the stocks “meaner than the day you left” “sweetheart-“ “I aint talkin to you, Jake” you say and look at your feet “look, my horse passed in the rockies; was hopin’ I could but a new ‘un to get us to California. Got any up for the job?” Bob asked and you looked at him. “Uh, we got a few. Albatros is gorgeous and strong, but I don’t think she’ll last ‘till Cali.” You place your hands on your hips, surverying the pack “Falcon, he’ll get you there but no further.” You say “that there” you point at the strong, pale coloured horse in the back of the field “Lightning. God he can ride, got the strength of Zeus. He’ll get you there, hell he’ll get you through Mexico and back. But he’s my favourite, he’s gonna cost ya” Jake smiled “God he was just a young’un a few years back. My, he's grown” he says, recalling the day he’d gifted you the horse. He’d saved up all his money, didn’t even steal him, brought him all the way from New Mexico. Didn’t even ride him, he walked on foot – made sure the mare had his breaks and god your smile when you accepted him. His hair matched Jakes, so he’d always be there when he wasn’t. “You’re willing to sell him? After all this time?” you finally look at him, pain apparent in your eyes “you left, Seresin” that hurt “you bought him as a reminder. Don’t need no reminder of you, boy” you say “well ‘m here now-“ “exactly.” You cut him off and there is a silence.

“How much for Lightning?” Bob asked after a while. “Make me an offer.”

Prologue | Chapter 2

[all-the-things-2020]

Rocky Mountain Ride

Pairing: Joel Miller x gender neutral Reader

Rating: R for some vague smut near the end

Word Count: 3800

This was supposed to be a quick drabble for the Pedro Scouts Summer Camp Talent Show, but of course, I had to create a backstory and add some feels because I’m me. I did my best to make Reader generic. No gender is implied, no physical characteristics are described (except that it’s made clear that Joel is bigger and broader than Reader but that’s pretty much a given, lol). Even the smutty bit at the end is pretty vague … this is about YOU so let your imagination fill in the blanks however you like.

@goodwithcheese

The first thing you had noticed when you arrived at Jackson was the horses. A horseback patrol had picked you up and brought you into town and your relief at being safe had run a very close race with your elation at being able to touch a horse. You’d loved them all your life but never had much chance to be around them.

The second thing you had noticed was Joel Miller. His brother’s wife was sort of the de facto mayor of the community, so you’d met him right away. He looked somber but damn was he handsome! Everyone had told you he had a reputation for “having done some stuff” in the past, but you saw the way he watched over his adopted daughter Ellie, and how he doted on his brother’s baby when he thought no one was looking. Plus, he knew how to rock a flannel shirt.

All winter, you’d admired Joel from afar. You had plenty on your plate getting settled into the Jackson community. Everyone had a role to play and it took some time to find your ideal niche. Of course, you’d volunteered to help at the stables, and no one would ever turn down an offer to muck stalls, so that was one of your assigned chores. 

Lots of people came by the stables. Some to get a horse to take out on patrol, but others just for the soothing presence of the animals. There were chickens and goats and cows and sheep and assorted other barnyard critters in town, but the horses were a focal point. You got to know Ellie, who liked to visit the foal who was quickly growing up and getting more mischievous every day. And you saw Joel and his brother Tommy quite often, since they rode patrol on a regular basis. 

You loved all the horses, but the two draft/Quarter cross geldings Chester and Arthur were your favorites. They were brothers, Chester the elder by one year. Stout, kind-hearted chestnuts, they always welcomed you to the barn with a whicker and a nudge of their muzzle as they gently begged for treats.

Winter was tough. Mud everywhere, winter coats that needed to be brushed out, hay running low, but you had made it through and now it was springtime. There was fresh grass in the pastures, the horses were glossy and fat, and the days were longer.

One morning, as you were brushing Chester, you felt a presence behind you. A quick glance confirmed it was Joel. You could always tell when he was near, because of that embarrassing fluttery feeling deep in your stomach.

”He’s lookin’ good,” Joel said. 

“He is,” you replied. “Getting back that weight he lost over the winter.”

”You ride?”

”No,” you admitted. “Always wanted to learn but we lived in the city and I could never afford lessons or anything. I got to ride a few times, on vacation, but that’s all. Other than pony rides when I was a little kid.” You knew you were babbling but you couldn’t help yourself. Joel’s brown eyes were focused on you as you spoke and you didn’t want him to stop looking at you.

”There’s a place Tommy and Maria want scouted out,” he said. “Not too far up in the mountains. Might be a nice place to take the kids in summer, get them out of town for a bit. Sort of a summer camp.” He shuffled his feet in the dirt. “Thought you might like to ride up there with me tomorrow. Kind of a reward for working so hard all winter keeping these critters clean and healthy.”

”I’d love to! But I’ll have to see if I can get someone to cover for me … I work in the dining hall during lunch.”

Joel smiled softly. “I already talked to Maria about it. She’s got you covered.”

”Okay, then,” you said, hoping you weren’t smiling too broadly.

”See you tomorrow mornin’, eight o’clock sharp,” Joel said with a nod of his head. If he’d been wearing a cowboy hat, he’d have tipped it to you. Say what you would about his past, the man was polite.

****************************************

You had hardly slept a wink and you were yawning your head off the next morning. “Why don’t you go back to bed and hit the late seating of breakfast?,” your roommate said.

”Can’t,” you replied. “I’ve got to meet someone.”

”Someone with the initials JM?”

”Shut up. And yes. But it’s business.”

”Sure it is.”

At seven forty-five, you were already outside the stable. The early patrol had ridden out just after dawn and the remaining horses were enjoying their morning hay. The air was brisk but there was a promise of warmth to come.

”Ready?” Joel was wearing your favorite green flannel shirt under his suede jacket. There was lots of Western wear available in Jackson, a legacy of its life as a tourist destination before the outbreak.

”Yes.” You couldn’t trust yourself to say much more than that, since the sight of Joel all cowboyed up took your breath away.

You pulled Chester and Arthur out of their stalls and groomed them while Joel assembled the tack. He was much faster than you at saddling and bridling the horses, so you stood back and admired him as he worked. All too soon, both horses were ready to go.

”I’ll help you up,” Joel said, holding Arthur’s stirrup steady. “Need to adjust the leathers for you anyway. Got my saddle already set.”

Even with the mounting block, getting into the saddle was awkward for you, and it didn’t help that Joel put his hands on your hips to give you a boost. You hoped the burning feeling in your face didn’t show as he casually moved your leg out of the way so he could shorten the stirrup leather a notch. When he grabbed your ankle to put your foot into the stirrup, you had to look away. His hands were so big, so strong …

”There you go,” he said, patting your calf as he fixed the other stirrup. “All set. Just give me a second and we’ll head out.”

He swung easily into the saddle and you must have made a noise, because he smiled at you. “It just takes practice, darlin’. You’ll get there.” You smiled nervously, happy that he’d misunderstood your little yelp as a sign of envy at his ease in mounting the horse and not an appreciation of his ass in those jeans.

The horses walked slowly through town, Chester and Joel leading the way. Heads swiveled as you passed by and you were careful to sit up straight and look like you knew what you were doing. 

“Have fun!” Ellie yelled, waving her hand at you and giggling to her friends as they walked to school. 

“We’re workin’, kid,” Joel yelled back. 

“Yeah, work it, old man!” There were some hoots and hollers and Joel shook his head, muttering something you couldn’t hear. Your face went hot again but fortunately Joel couldn’t see you.

The clip clop of hooves on pavement softened to the gentle thump of hooves on dirt as you left town. The guards on the wall gave you a mock salute as you passed through the gates and for the first time in a long while, you were outside the perimeter.

”We’re perfectly safe,” Joel said, turning in his saddle. “Patrol is out and there are lookouts on the outer boundary. Ain’t nothing out here scarier than a grizzly bear.” He patted the rifle that was sheathed on his saddle. 

“There was a time the prospect of a bear would have scared the shit out of me,” you said.

Joel laughed, reining Chester back so he could ride side by side with you. “All a bear can do is eat you,” he said. His face fell. “Who’d have thought there was something worse than getting eaten by a wild animal?”

You rode in silence for a while, only the plodding of the horses’ hooves and the occasional snort as they cleared dust from their nostrils. “So, how far is this meadow?,” you asked when the silence had stretched too thin.

”About an hour’s ride,” Joel said. “We follow that creek up.” He pointed toward a line of trees just ahead. “Not too far but the trail gets a bit steep. Hang onto that saddle horn once we head up.” He winked and you had to look away for a moment. 

Joel wasn’t much of a talker, but he kept up a leisurely commentary on the landscape, pointing out spots where deer came down to feed, a stretch of open land where you couldn’t let your horse gallop because of all the squirrel holes, and areas where it might be possible to expand the town. “Maria’s got plans,” he said as the horses waded the creek to reach the trail on the far side. “But she’s cautious. Takin’ things slow. We need more folks to do a lot of it, and she ain’t letting anyone in without checking them out first.”

”I’m glad I passed muster,” you said.

”So am I.”

************************************************

Joel hadn’t been kidding about the trail getting steep. You had managed to stay in the saddle but you’d had a death grip on the horn and almost had to hug Arthur’s neck a couple of times as he charged uphill. 

“You still with me?” Joel chuckled as Arthur heaved himself up a particularly steep pitch.

”Yeah,” you said. “Barely.”

”Good, ‘cause your reward is in sight.” He pulled Chester off the trail so you could see past him.

The meadow opened up ahead of you. Flat as a pancake except where it gently sloped up on the sides, the floor of the little valley was emerald green with fresh grass. A few yellow flowers were scattered around and there was a patch of something purple off to one side.

”Still a bit early for flowers,” Joel said. “Tommy said come June or July this place will look like heaven.” He tapped Chester with his heels and rode into the meadow. “It’s wet along the creek but up on that bench it’s drier. Our job is to find a spot where we can build a cabin.”

”It’s beautiful,” you said. Arthur took advantage of your distraction to snatch a mouthful of grass.

”Keep his head up,” Joel said. “We’ll let them graze soon enough. It’s bad manners for him to eat with a bit in his mouth.”

You rode toward the bench, a slightly higher area on the south side of the meadow. Joel slid easily out of the saddle and dropped Chester’s reins. “Be careful getting down,” he said as he walked toward you. “You’re gonna feel about two feet tall when your boots hit the ground.”

You did your best to emulate his dismount, but almost fell as you dropped from Arthur’s back. Fortunately, Joel was there to steady you, his broad hands against your shoulders. “Not too bad for a beginner,” he said.

He was right about feeling short; after an hour looking at the world from the saddle, suddenly everything felt much taller to you. Joel quickly untacked both horses and they wandered into the meadow in search of the juiciest grazing.

”Won’t they run away?,” you asked.

Joel shook his head. “They know they’ve got it good with us. Besides, they ain’t leaving this meadow. Green grass, fresh water, and clear sight lines. This place is horse heaven.”

He pulled a small notebook and pencil out of his jacket pocket. “I gotta take some notes, but you can just relax, stretch out those stiff muscles.” He strolled slowly along the bench, scribbling in the notebook that looked ridiculously tiny in his big hands. “I was a contractor … before.” He said, his voice falling on the last word. Most people did that when they said that word. Before. So much was contained in one little word.

”So you’re going to be in charge of building this cabin?” You followed him, partly because walking did help ease the muscles that had stiffened while you were riding, partly because you just liked being near him.

”Guess so,” he said with a shrug. “Never built a log house before, but Tommy said there’s a couple of folks who’ve worked on them before so it shouldn’t be too hard.” He squinted at the ground and jotted something down. “I’m gonna be a while. You don’t have to follow me around. You’ll get bored.”

”I’ll get bored just sitting,” you reply. “Tell me about what you’re doing. I’ve never known a contractor before.”

He laughed and started explaining what he was looking for. Your mind tried to wrap around drainage and slopes and substrate and other terms you’d heard before but had always taken for granted. At one point, Joel shed his jacket, then unbuttoned his flannel shirt to reveal a faded grey t-shirt beneath. “Gettin’ warm,” he commented as he hung his jacket on a tree limb.

”Yeah,” you said, taking off your own jacket. It wasn’t just the sun and the exercise that was warming you up, though. It was Joel. His broad shoulders and tight ass were constantly in front of you as you followed him like a duckling. 

“That’s about all I can do right now,” he said after a good hour or more of criss-crossing the bench. “But it looks feasible. Next time, I’ll bring up a crew and we can do some measuring.”

”Can I ask you something?,” you said as he headed back toward where you’d left the tack. He nodded. “Why’d you bring me? You could have done this alone, or brought one of the building crew with you.”

He stopped walking and turned to you, one hip cocked out. “Two reasons,” he said. “First, Tommy’d kill me if I went out by myself. And then when he was done, Maria’d kill me all over again. And Ellie would take care of anything that’s left.” He paused, his head tilted to the side as he cooly appraised you.

”That explains why you didn’t come alone,” you said. “But why me?”

He dropped his eyes a bit. “I asked you because … I didn’t want any witnesses.”

Instantly, you remembered every rumor you’d heard about him, how he was ruthless, a killer, had done bad things back in the QZ and even before that. “Um … witnesses?,” you managed to squeak

”In case you rejected me,” he said, ducking his head and scratching at the back of his neck. “Look, it’s been a long time since I … not much dating going on when you’re trying to survive … I’m a bit rusty.”

”Are you trying to ask me out on a date?” Relief flooded your body and you had to try very hard not to laugh. Joel would definitely take it the wrong way.

”Um, yeah,” he said with a sheepish grin. “But you know how it is back in town. Everyone all up in everyone else’s business. If I’d asked you there and you said no, word would get round.”

”Well, the answer is yes,” you said. “So you didn’t have to haul me all the way up the side of a mountain. Although the view is very nice.”

”It certainly is,” he said softly, his eyes on you. 

“And a horseback ride is a very romantic first date,” you said, letting your eyes roam over his body. 

He took a step closer. “So if this is officially a date, does that mean I can kiss you?”

”Since the date’s going well, absolutely.” 

He closed the gap between you and slid his hand to the back of your head. You both hesitated a second before leaning in. Your eyes closed as his lips met yours, and for a long moment there was nothing else in the world but the two of you. One kiss led to another and then your hand crept under the back of his t-shirt.

”Whoa, slow down, darlin’,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “We can’t be doing that out here. It’s not safe. Gotta keep our wits about us.”

”Sorry,” you said, smoothing his t-shirt back down. “But … it’s safe back in Jackson, right?”

His eyes widened in surprise and his face broke into a genuine smile. “That’s very true,” he said. “So what say we have some lunch and then head back to town?”

You sat on the grass and ate the sandwiches and dried fruit from your saddlebags, then Joel whistled for the horses, who came ambling across the meadow. While he tacked them back up, you gathered a small bouquet of flowers. “For Ellie,” you said when you presented them to him. “You can’t come back empty handed.”

”She’s not exactly the flowers type of girl,” he said skeptically.

”I know,” you said with a laugh. “That’s why it’s so funny.”

The ride back was leisurely. The horses had full bellies and so did you and Joel. No one was in a hurry to get back to reality, although the idea of getting your hands under Joel’s shirt again kept you from feeling too dismayed as the walls of Jackson came into view. 

“I’ll see you at dinner tonight,” Joel promised as he left the stable to report to Maria, the limp bouquet of wildflowers in his hand. You helped untack and groom the horses before heading to your afternoon stint in the garden. You barely had time before dinner to wash all the dirt off your hands and change into clean pants.

Joel was sitting at a table with Ellie, Tommy and Maria. Ellie was squinting suspiciously at the little vase in front of her, where the flowers you’d gathered that morning sprawled awkwardly. “You did this, didn’t you?,” she said, pointing toward the vase as you sat down.

”I might have suggested it,” you said.

The girl muttered something unintelligible but there was a hint of a smile in her eyes. 

“So, how’d you like riding a horse instead of just cleaning up after one?” Tommy asked. His eyes flicked between you and Joel and his eyes sparkled with delight. He knew.

”It was fun,” you said. “Arthur’s a good horse. He took care of me.”

”Hope my brother took care of you, too.” Maria shushed him and Tommy gave her a wide-eyed innocent look.

“He took care of me just fine,” you replied. “And I’m sure he’ll take even better care of me tonight.”

Joel nearly choked on his food and Ellie spat out a mouthful of water. “Holy shit, he asked you out,” she said as she mopped up the table with her napkin. “I didn’t think he would.”

”I did,” Joel said once he could talk properly. “And not that it’s any of your business what goes on between two consenting adults but …” He didn’t get any farther than that because Ellie whooped and started laughing her head off. 

“Oh, you’ve got it bad, old man,” she said once she could breathe properly again. “You, too,” she added, nodding in your direction. “Should I clear out tonight so you two can have some privacy?”

You were about to say “Absolutely not” when Joel beat you to the punch. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea,” he said, which made everyone at the table — including you — gape in astonishment. Joel laid his fork down. “It’s not Movie Night, and the bar isn’t open on weeknights, so it’s not like there’s anywhere to go on a date except out to the hayloft like the kids do.” He raised an eyebrow and Ellie ducked her head. ”Thought maybe we could go old school and listen to some records, just hang out.”

”More like make out,” Tommy said to Maria, who immediately hushed him, although she looked like she was trying not to laugh.

”Maybe,” Joel said defiantly. “Like I said, ain’t nobody’s business except ours.” He gestured at you with his fork, then went back to eating.

*******************************************

Tommy had been right. After Joel put an old LP on the record player, the two of you had settled on the couch and picked up where you’d left off in the meadow. 

“We can go slow if you want, darlin’,” Joel said during a pause in the kissing.

”If you count the ride as our first date and dinner as the second, that makes this our third date,” you replied. 

“You sure?”

”I’m sure.”

It wasn’t long before both of your shirts were on the floor and you were straddling Joel’s lap. “Might be more comfortable up in the bedroom,” Joel mumbled against your throat. 

“Let’s go.”

Joel Miller was a man of few words, but he used them well. His hunger was as keen as your own, but he made sure to ask permission before he touched you, and he was not shy about asking for what he needed. Your arms were around his broad shoulders as the weight of him pinned you to the bed, his hands busy roaming your body. And it wasn’t just his hands that were big — when you took him inside you, you gasped at the size of him.

”Easy, darlin’,” he said, talking you through it like you were a skittish horse. “I ain’t gonna hurt you. Just relax. I know you can take me. Been begging for this all day.”

It was true. Ever since that first kiss in the meadow, you’d wanted him inside you, filling you up. Now he was there and moving at a steady pace, pounding against the spot deep inside that hadn’t been touched in years. Ever since the outbreak, sex had become just another tool of survival, a commodity that could be used to bargain for safety, food, simply living another day. You hadn’t been with anyone like this — both of you wanting each other just for the simple pleasure of it — since the before times. This wasn’t transactional, this was sharing. You were sharing your bodies with each other and that simple fact was enough to bring you to a climax that shuddered you from head to toes.

”I’m right behind you,” Joel huffed, his rhythm starting to get sloppy as he neared his own orgasm. “Ahh, fuck!” He shuddered against you and then went limp, catching his breath.

”Damn right,” you said, stroking his hair as he came back to himself. 

“Ellie’ll never let us live this down,” he said as he gently pulled out of you. 

“Ellie can mind her own business,” you said. “So can Tommy and Maria and everyone else in town.” You cupped his face in your hands and kissed his swollen lips. “This is just between you and me.”

“Ain’t nothing gonna come between you and me, darlin’,” he said. “Not anymore.”

[inkspottie]

Spottie, I call upon thee at the search of inspiration to throw the writer block that got my ass out the window What is everyone favorite kind of scenery? What would be the perfect date to each of them?

I shall help thee friend!

Let us see

1. Scenery huh 🤔

Sebastian: I’d say before Urbanshade it used to be a sunny day on the beach buut he’s not too fond of that nowadays lol He probably would like a very quiet open field. Someplace where he can just sit and feel the breeze on his face and just relax

Gabriel: Gabe definitely is a summer type of guy, he probably loves a good mountain view where you can see a beautiful landscape below. Feel the crisp air tickling your lungs.

Sadao: I imagine he enjoys a good street view. People bustling and having a good time. Especially in the springtime where the flowers are blooming and he can sit in a cafe by himself and just people watch while he cradles a good coffee

Anzu: Snow. She loves a good snowy winter. One where it’s cold and desolate. Just loves the isolated feel of it.

Painter: Anything that’s colorful. Be it a beautiful meadow, a field of flowers, a lake. He loves all the colors earth has to offer and tries to scribble all down like he’ll forget it despite being an advanced computer.

2. The perfect date

Sebastian: I imagine he’s not the biggest fan of crowds, even with being a giant sea serpent. Probably would love just a dinner and a movie, or just hanging out in the house snuggled against each other.

Gabriel: Anything outdoorsy. He’d love to take you on a hike, or go to the beach for a day. Have a picnic on some rocky hill and just enjoy nature. Either that or go to some fair where he can win you all the stuffed animals you can carry and then some.

Sadao: He’s a museum type of guy, takes you to someplace that has fascinating and cool exhibits, get some coffee later and jab about what you all learned.

Anzu: She prefers a fun time. Her ideal date is taking you paintballing or some bar with axe throwing so she can wipe the floor with you.

[revelisms]

Some (mostly angsty, somewhat wholesome?) Ghost headcanons that have been sitting on the back-burner of my writing recently.

AKA—I'm thinking about these four too much. Please send aid.

CWs: Dysfunctional family dynamics/power imbalance, sibling rivalry, weed, anger issues, parentification, smoking, self-worth issues, implied self-destructive behavior, light NSFW/sexual themes, misuse of magic(?), emotional manipulation(?), withheld birth information(??). Also silliness!

(...They're complicated, okay?)

Primo

Nihil's first child, born from a mother he never met. Sister entered the picture soon after, but was largely standoffish to him at first.

His early years were spent in the back of touring vans or nosing through books on horticulture and spells. He's the most magically-adept of the brothers, having a natural inclination for the craft, which has earned him (somewhat fittingly) a wizard-ish reputation. Since his retirement, he is quite literally the Ministry's ornamental hermit, in more ways than one; if he's not tending to the grounds, he's mulling away on herbal concoctions.

He's a kind man, but can be unsettlingly intimidating. There's an edge to his character that makes one question if a joke about bloodying a rival isn't much of a joke, at all. (The Ministry staff have gossip galore, which most take with a grain of salt...but, like. He definitely killed someone at some point. Maybe.)

As he grew up in the church, he gradually appealed to Sister's favor, becoming the "star child" of the family and leading by example: not only for getting the so-called "Unholy Cause" on its feet, but earning the initial stamp of approval for Nihil's Ghost project.

Secondo and Terzo have grown up in the shadow of this success, frequently being compared to him, and both have varying levels of resentment for it. Primo has always been aware of this; despite playing along with the demands placed on him, he has frequently tried to be more of a source of reassurance for the other brothers, and at times takes on an almost maternal role with them.

Dubbed "the mountain goat" by Secondo, and "the bat-eared one" by one of Terzo's many nicknames. Copia is somewhat skittish around him; from his side, it's strictly "brother" or bust.

He likes cats, springtime, and a nice joint now and then (the touring days left a definite mark). He also grows his own weed that an exclusive few are given access too—absolutely least of all, Terzo, due to an unnamed Incident in the past.

(The fool locked him into the greenhouse for hours once, as a prank. Primo had to occupy himself, somehow...needless to say, it led to the worst crossfade of his life.)

Secondo

Nihil and Sister's first child together, and Nihil's second son. He's the tallest of the brothers, and built like a deadweight champion, which leaves him (often humorously) looming over any eyes in sight.

Major middle child syndrome, and notorious anger management issues. He grew up dead-center in Nihil and Sister's rocky-at-best relationship days, often taking the brunt of their arguing when Primo was out for shows and Terzo was still young. He and Sister can't keep the peace to save their lives, and him and Nihil aren't much better off—but he did his best with the hand he was dealt, and largely won over Nihil's respect by carrying on the prestige of the Cause and generating wider global support for the tours.

This upbringing gave him a fairly wide threshold of annoyances he'll endure, particularly due to the insufferable antics he put up with from a wildly rebellious teenage Terzo (which has, to his utter chagrin, never changed; he can't stand the imbecile). But like anything, he has his limits. Eventually, his frustrations will hit a volcanic peak—once he's turned that corner, run.

Very close to Primo, often almost acting twin-like with him. They both dealt with a similar level of expectation, and both succeeded well in their roles. There's a bit of an older brothers vs. younger brothers separation they've fostered, by nature of this, and the two have found a mutual understanding that the others are more-or-less (and often begrudgingly) their responsibility. The self-appointed "Father" to Primo's "Mother."

Despite his bullish exterior, he's actually the most traditionally romantic of the brothers—sunset drives, candles, flowers, old cinematic jazz, the whole shebang. This tends to get overlooked for Terzo's Casanovian reputation, but there's a handful of those in the church who've had the privilege to see his softer side.

Was a fairly poor student; he dicked around his classes even more-so than Terzo, which is saying something. As a jab to get back at him for this, Nihil frequently assigned him lecture duty for the new siblings—something he unexpectedly found himself enjoying. He's since become a headmaster of sorts in the realm of the Ministry's academics, particularly around the history of the faith and, as a bit of an odd niche, the importance and use of magic objects across various practices in the church.

Despite being a strong performer, he's a brick wall during mass, which all the brothers hold over him like a plague. (He detests the church pulpit, and tends to deliver his sermons like the drier of his lectures; true "preaching" was never his strong suit). During his papal reign, he collected his bounty of masstime regulars, nonetheless, who seemed intent on showing up just to make him blush.

He's actually a very sheepish fellow, and it doesn't take much to have him in a panic (which many find adorable...but wouldn't dare say to his face). Absolutely the most easily flustered of the brothers, and will let you know it, loudly.

Is very particular about his silk ties: he has them all shipped in from one designer on the coast who specializes in the patterns he favors. Also has a collection of worry stones from all the beaches they've visited on tour, and smokes, to some detriment, like a chimney.

He's always been a lover of the sea: some future years in retirement could easily find him putting away as a charter captain for those who want to tour the chapels on the outer islands.

Terzo

Nihil and Sister's second child together, and Nihil's third son. Largely seen as the baby of the family, despite Copia being the youngest, and the shortest of the litter. As one would expect, also tends to claim the loudest personality; it's nigh-impossible to ignore him in a room.

Has a strained relationship with both Nihil and Sister, to a similar but different degree from Secondo. Nihil views him as his last "true" son and final heir to the Bloodline, which has put significant pressure on him to prove himself worthy of the mantle Primo and Secondo have left behind. He's also the most similar to Nihil out of the brothers, particularly in the traits their All-Father detests about himself (aka: KTGG-era recklessness, vanity, etc.), which has earned him some nasty moments on the back-end of Nihil's own narcissism and self-loathing.

Sister is fairly critical and unaffectionate towards him, as she feels he's squandered away much of his potential, and views him as largely uncommitted to the traditions of the church (which, fairly, he is—he's always been vocal on his call for modernization/reform) and his role (which he despises on a bureaucratic level, but genuinely enjoys as an opportunity to mentor the flock—i.e., get praise/attention). He's toed the line of her approval, for years: denying it as much as he craves it. A lot of his (egregious) issues with communication and vulnerability are, to no surprise, rooted from that.

Has been infamously, thanks to Nihil's vocal intervention, involved with ghouls—Omega, in particular—which is a big no-no for a host of legitimate magic-related concerns (and some wholly unwarranted superstitions from the church). Omega was perhaps his first "real" connection, so this is a deeply bitter wound for him. In general, any attempts at long-terms relationships have fallen through (out of his own self-sabotage, or disapproval from the family), so he has largely given up on them, even though he aches for that stability and companionship.

For that reason, despite being the most (in every sense) "open" of the brothers, he is, somewhat paradoxically, also the most guarded. Within the family, his emotions are known to be highly erratic, with a quick-draw inclination for angry meltdowns that rival Secondo's own. He's fairly quiet and anxious underneath the suave exterior.

Has tastes in music, film and literature most would find perplexing at face value (i.e., girlypop meets philosophy-of-death dronings meets eroticism even his idols would blush at). While he's not the sharpest tool in the box, get a few drinks in him and he'll give you a flawless dissertation on the history of European kink and fetish culture. (He's 100% the kinkiest of the group, and the most overtly experimental—both with his own identity and sexual partners.)

Hates winter. Absolutely hates it with his guts. (He slips too much.) Also occasionally smokes; he picked up a liking for the cigarettes Sister would import when he was younger.

The most musically-inclined of the brothers, and a natural charmer at the piano, though he plays it less often now than he did in his earlier/pre-Cardinal days.

Copia

Sister's son, more than likely born from a different father—though, for reasons none of the brothers have been made aware of, he's never been told of either, and any attempts to dig further into that has been dissuaded.

(The abridged version: he's a product of some deeply archaic ritual magic that Sister engaged in, without Nihil's awareness or permission, to extend the Bloodline to its "true" end. He is, by design, meant to be the Antichrist-incarnate, and any accidental explorations he's taken into spellcasting has only kept this hidden by a thread; his magic is extremely powerful—and deadly. He has a bone-deep suspicion that he is part of some predestined Thing, in that vein, and is very disturbed by it; it's information he doesn't feel like he can share with anyone.)

He was adopted into the family from a young age, and faced quite a bit of difficulty transitioning in. Although he immediately created a spike of jealousy in Terzo, it was actually him who took Copia under his wing the most, and the two remain relatively close, despite ongoing tensions between them (particularly due to Sister, who is openly and frequently affectionate towards Copia, and behaves the most "motherly" with him).

Has a lot of bottled frustrations with not understanding who or what he is, or the purpose he feels he is meant to deliver on—both from Sister's vagueness around his origins and Nihil's complete dismissal of him being part of the Bloodline. He's spent much of his adult life working to prove that he is good enough to belong to both: hence, his frequently high performance reviews in the church.

Has a very wry sense of humor once one cracks through his awkwardness, and a giant heart. He does, however, have the capacity to let an ugly streak sail out now and then (and has)—particularly when he feels he is being lied to, or having his agency pulled away from him.

The most cinematically-engaged of the brothers, particularly for classic films. One of his prime night routines is holing up with a plate of comfort food and throwing on a dismal black-and-white romantic drama that'll make him cry. (He's incredibly lonely. Terzo gets that, more than he realizes.)

Surprisingly, has a innate fashionability, but often doesn't have the chance to really flaunt this (until his papal ascension, at least). He loves vintage suits and blazers, and has a collection of antique cufflinks.

Has named every single rat and mouse in the Ministry, and explicitly banned pest control. Also drinks the most grotesquely sweet cocktail-adjacent mixtures one can make; Secondo calls his version of tinto de verano "bird nectar."

[paulzizkaphoto]

"Signs of Life" Springtime is at our doors in the Canadian Rockies. So good to be home! Castle Mountain, Banff National Park. — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/61nkcNw

[sumbluespruce]

On the edge

4/12/23

[incognito-princess]

Exciting news! My lilac bush bloomed for the first time!!! My house smells amazing!!

[tinybrightthings]

24 Classic Films to Give You Vintage Springtime Vibes

Baseball, blooming flowers, warmer weather - and a collection of older films to enjoy as the world wakes up once more.

*I went for anything pre-1980 for those who were looking for something more on the vintage/retro side. I also tried to pick from a selection of different genres to suit whatever mood you might be in.

——–

Animated:

The Aristocats (1970)

The Goddess of Spring (1934)

It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown! (1974)

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Thumbelina/おやゆび姫 (1978)

Comedy:

It Happened in Flatbush (1942)

It Happens Every Spring (1949)

Spring in Park Lane (1948)

Documentary:

Journey Into Spring (1958)

Drama:

Come Next Spring (1956)

Late Spring/晩春 (1949)

Maytime (1937)

Pride and Prejudice (1940)

The Secret Garden (1949)

Spring/Kevade (1969)

A Walk in the Spring Rain (1970)

Musical:

An American in Paris (1951)

April in Paris (1952)

Damn Yankees (1958)

Easter Parade (1948)

Mary Poppins (1964)

Maytime in Mayfair (1949)

Springtime in the Rockies (1942)

Take Me Out to the Ballgame (1949)

[citizenscreen]

With Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, Polly Rowles, and directed by Joseph Kane it’s SPRINGTIME IN THE ROCKIES (1937)

[photosofsouthwestmt]

Shooting Star

A shooting star in Fox Park. The entirety of Fox Park was covered with them.

Nikon D500, Manual Mode, Nikkor 85mm Micro Lens, R1C1 Close-up flash kit, F/36, ISO 50, ET 1/250, Focal Length 85mm, Handheld, Vibration Reduction on

[citrinedecades]

1314 - A Shocking Loss

As the year begins and springtime returns, Sir Amis arranges for his son Tobias to be engaged to a rich heiress from Willow Creek, Marie Moreau. She visits the Verviers manor with her mother to meet Tobias, but neither of them are impressed with the other, and the betrothal is off to a rocky start.

To complicate matters, Lucan discovers that his father has cut him out of his will and only plans to leave the bare minimum to Gemma to allow her to survive with her two sons after his death. Lucan suspects that this means his father is on to them or may even already know of their affair, and so he pressures Gemma to speak to Tobias and convince him to break off his engagement to Marie.

Lucan believes that if Tobias is married and their father passes away, Tobias will claim the land and manor to raise his family there, and Gemma and Lucan will be left penniless. If he remains unmarried, however, he might yet allow Gemma and Lucan to stay at the manor with him after his father's passing.

Gemma, knowing that Tobias is her best chance at being taken care of as long as he is in love with her, seduces him and convinces him to speak to his father about the engagement. Tobias, completely in love with Gemma, gets into an argument with his father over the betrothal. Before they can speak to Marie and her mother to officially break things off, however, several people in the household fall ill and are bedridden for days.

Lucan and Tobias both pull through, but Gemma passes away, leaving everyone shocked and her sons inconsolable. Heartbroken, Tobias ultimately consents to marrying Marie and moves to Willow Creek, while Lucan remains at his father's side, secretly unsure whether Gemma's sons might be his.

Amis, who had begun to doubt Gemma's loyalty, regrets not trusting her and has difficulty accepting that his much younger wife has passed away before he did. He resolves to care and provide for their two sons as well as he can, but given his advancing age, he begins to worry about who their guardian will be once he is gone, unsure he can trust Lucan with the task. With Gemma's death having given him a new perspective on things, he attempts to reconcile with Lucan, with whom he has always had a rocky relationship.

In Windenburg, the Barrow family celebrates Stefanie and Adrianna's birthdays and the birth of another child, Alyson. Frederik and Rosemary agree that this will be their last child, and thank the Watcher for a home full of healthy children. News of Gemma's death reaches them, and Frederik mourns the passing of his little sister with Cecilia.

As the year ends, Frederik sits with Rosemary and admits that he is worried about the state of the farm. After the torrential rains and cold weather of the past year, barely anything has grown, and from what he has heard from their neighbours, they have been struggling as well. With a home full of children to feed, Rosemary and Frederik cannot help worrying about what the future holds.

Births: Alyson Barrow

Deaths: Gemma Barrow aka Emma Verviers • 1284-1314 (30 years old) • Influenza

[burnthoneydrops]

What Time Has Done (Part IV) Benedict Bridgerton x Original Character Series

Synopsis: Emmeline Castillon has been invited to tea by none other than Eloise Bridgerton. When she somehow gets roped into tutoring Hyacinth, the youngest Bridgerton, with the literature skills she studied for, she finds herself wrapped into more than she accounted for. 

Requested: No

Word Count: 2548

Warnings: none!

A/N: here’s part four! thank you for all the love thus far and I hope you enjoy! 

Masterlist

The morning was usually my favourite time of the day. Only this morning, I could not help but feel as though I had made a dreadful mistake. Having returned home from University, the last thing I had wanted to do was draw more attention to myself than my debut already forced. Why, in God’s name, did I accept an invitation for afternoon tea from none other than Eloise Bridgerton? It is not as if I do not like the girl, as I have a feeling we are to be fast friends, I just think that maybe a few more days at home would have done me more good. Although, I’m sure Andrew will tell you that those days would have turned into weeks, into months and I would never have a hope of finding a suitor that way. My dreams of delaying the inevitable are crumbling down around me much sooner than I would like. 

Oh, what am I saying? It is a simple afternoon tea. I am never usually one for theatrics but my anxiety makes my mind a one-woman opera from time to time. Mama insists I take the carriage, even though I would much prefer the walk in the open air. As with the rest of our family, it is often difficult to persuade her one way or another once her mind is made up and therefore she will hear no more on the matter; I am to take the carriage. I tug at the sleeve of my dress as I stand in the entryway, waiting for the carriage to be brought around and Mama taps me on the back, telling me, without words, to stop my fussing. 

“This is a splendid opportunity for you my dear, and you must tell me all about it upon your return,” she smiles at me. 

“I imagine I wouldn’t be allowed past the door if I did not relay every detail to you first Mama,” I tease, hoping she catches onto my sarcastic commentary. 

“Your imagination would be correct,” she responds, and I know she took it in the way that I meant her to. With children like us, it would be hard to take everything seriously. 

The carriage finally arrives and I step into it, waving my mother goodbye as it pulls away. Even if I wanted to step back now, I physically cannot. That is, unless I wanted to end up ripping my dress on the rocky roads beneath us. I stare out the window, convincing my heart via my mind that it didn’t need to be beating so fast and that all my illusions about how horribly this could go were entirely fiction. I do not know why I am so nervous, as my family has been invited to many afternoon teas before, but this one feels different. It is not simply Mama’s friends who just happened to invite the whole family along; this is just me. Before, I could allow Andrew and Mama to take over the conversation, uttering a few affirmatives or negatives here and there. This time, however, I was to be fully engaged in the conversation, as Eloise had made it quite clear that she had a myriad of questions for me about my time studying abroad. 

The carriage rolls in front of the Bridgerton residence and I gasp. The house is absolutely beautiful and the flowers growing outside it are some of the most beautiful I have seen since my return home. English springtime really does wonders for the senses, and this is no exception. A butler walks up to the carriage door, offering me his hand as I step out. Upon my arrival at the front door, he walks speedily to where I am assuming Eloise is and announces my arrival. I hear a squeal and quickened footsteps when suddenly Eloise is standing in front of me, the biggest smile on her face. 

“Oh I’m so glad you could make it!” She exclaims, “Come! We’re just upstairs”. She grabs my arms and all but tears it out of its socket as she pulls me towards the intended room. 

I want to pause at her use of the word “we” but am not given the time to ask before we are already in the room. Her mother sits on one of the couches, smiling up at me upon my arrival. I give her a nervous smile back, not having expected her to be present. 

“You already know my mama,” Eloise comments. 

“Lovely to see you again Mrs. Bridgerton,” I greet her, feeling as though I should curtsey or something. Eloise is however still gripping my arm. 

“How wonderful that you could join us this afternoon dear. We just rang for tea, it should be here any minute,” Lady Bridgerton says, gesturing for the two of us to sit down. 

I take a seat in one of the couches on the other side of the small table, and Eloise goes to sit by her mother. Having both pairs of eyes on me makes this suddenly all too real, and I feel my heart rate begin to quicken. 

“Are you alright dear? You seem tense,” Lady Bridgerton comments. I want to chuck it up to a mother’s intuition but I doubt I’m hiding anything that well. 

“Hm? Oh, yes I am fine. Just a bit stressed,” I laugh, trying to cover it up, rather unsuccessfully I think. 

“Stressed? There is no need to be stressed. It is just us,” she responds and Eloise nods, the both of them trying to put me at ease. 

I nod, exhaling a deep sigh and running my hands along my dress. The tea is quick to follow, although the butler does not appear alone. A smaller girl with the same chestnut hair as everyone else in the family, who I remember to be Hyacinth, follows him in. Lady Bridgerton turns at the sound of another pair of footsteps and rolls her eyes. 

“Hyacinth Bridgerton, what do you think you are doing?” 

“Oh hi Mother. Are you three having tea here?” She asks innocently. 

“As if you didn’t already know,” Eloise retorts, scrunching her nose and shaking her head when Hyacinth gives her an annoyed look. 

“Enough! Before the both of you scare away our guest,” Lady Bridgerton says to the two of them, causing them both to stall in their tracks, “Hyacinth, you are to exit this room and go bother your brothers or something”. 

“But Mama! I have so many questions and seeing as Ms. Castillon is here, I figured it was the perfect time to ask them,” she proclaims. 

“Really it is not a bother to me at all if she wishes to stay,” I butt in, having been silent during this whole exchange. 

Hyacinth’s eyes light up and she smiles, running over to sit in the open spot next to me before her mother can object. “Ms. Castillon says I can stay, so I can stay”. 

“Alright, as long as you do not cause too much trouble,” her mother warns her before muttering, “you children will be the death of me,” in a loud whisper.

Eloise begins pouring herself a cup of tea before offering one to me, which I gladly take, happy to have something to do with my hands. Lady Bridgerton clears her throat before looking over at me. 

“So, I have heard many times that you have just returned to us from France, did you not?”

“Indeed I did. I was finishing up my studies over there”.

“What were you studying?” Hyacinth asks. 

“Literature and artistry mostly. I tried my hand at a few science classes but realised I wasn’t very good so my teaching skills would in turn never stretch to those subjects”. 

“You had originally planned to be a governess?” Lady Bridgerton questions. 

“Oh yes. I hadn’t necessarily seen myself being put out into the marriage mart, so I planned to be a governess. Who knows, maybe if things had panned out differently, I would be teaching Gregory and Hyacinth how to analyse literature”. I smile. 

“Oh I would love that! Can she, Mother?” Hyacinth asks, bouncing up and down slightly in her seat. 

“Well I am not actually a governess Hyacinth,” I clarify. 

“I do not care! Most of my tutors are stuffy and boring anyway. You seem like you would make it much more fun”. This time, I’m not entirely sure how to respond. 

“We did not invite our guest over so you could corner her into teaching you about books Hyacinth,” Eloise covers for me. 

“Well it is not as if you ever want to do it,” Hyacinth fires back.

“Do you read Eloise?” I ask, trying to change the conversation. 

“Fervently it seems at times,” Lady Bridgerton adds. 

“I am a lover of literature, yes,” Eloise clarifies, trying to paint a better picture for herself. 

“And yet you never want to save me from my Latin tutor when I would much prefer to read something else instead,” Hyacinth remarks, dramatically displaying her sorrow in the whole matter. “Hence why I think Ms. Castillon would be excellent”. 

“Well I suppose I could put my skills to good use. Though it wouldn’t be much of an education, more of a hobby or something along those lines,” I try, looking between Hyacinth and Lady Bridgerton for some sense of approval or disapproval. 

“It could prove quite useful. An impressive set of skills is most valuable come the social seasons. Who am I to deny my children something they love?” She finally decides. 

“So is that a yes Mama?” Hyacinth begs, once again bouncing with excitement. 

“If Ms. Castillon is alright with it, we could make some arrangements,” Lady Bridgerton looks at me. 

“I suppose if it’s alright by you all, I would be delighted,” I smile; Hyacinth’s energy is infectious. 

“Yay!” she cheers, wrapping me in a hug before sprinting off in excitement. 

“My apologies if I overstepped Lady Bridgerton. I didn’t mean-” 

“Nonsense dear, it would do dear Hyacinth well to have something intellectually challenging for her to focus on. I just hope you are ready for her”. 

“I will certainly try my best,” I nod as the sound of another pair of footsteps signals someone walking close by. 

“Mother, do I dare ask why Hyacinth-” it is Benedict. He stops as he notices his mother is not alone. “Pardon the interruption ladies”. 

“Benedict, you remember Ms. Castillon,” Lady Bridgerton motions to me and I stand, suddenly uncomfortably warm with his gaze upon me. 

“Yes I do. How nice to see you again,” he nods, his chin quickly dipping down and back up. 

“You as well,” I respond, bowing slightly. 

“She has just kindly agreed to tutor Hyacinth in literature,” Lady Bridgerton comments. 

“Ah, so that is why she is squealing like a madman and running throughout the house. You seem to have made quite the impression already Ms. Castillon,” Benedict smiles. I notice it is a more boyish smile, one that I’m sure has charmed many ladies before me. 

“Well, I shall try my hardest to live up to it then,” I chuckle lightly, feeling awkward once again. 

Something about his stare takes me out of the room entirely, and it is once again like it was at the park. Simply him and I together in a room, Lady Bridgerton and Eloise completely forgotten. His eyes reflect the water in the lake that I had so desperately wished to capture, and now I feel as though I may not need to. The perfect view is standing right in front of me. There seems to be a distant calling, sounding as if underwater. 

“Emmeline, can you hear me?” Eloise pulls me back to reality. 

“Hm? Oh yes, my apologies,” I turn to face the two ladies once again. 

“You faded out on me again,” Eloise teases, a light smile on her face. 

“It was not my intention I can assure you”. I catch Lady Bridgerton looking happily between me and her second eldest son, but I brush it past. 

“Mother, would you mind if Emmeline and I were to walk in the gardens?” Eloise asks, changing the subject. 

“I see no reason why not,” Lady Bridgerton responds, “it is a wonderful day after all”. 

I steal a quick glance at Benedict as Eloise takes my arm once again, “Wonderful! We shall return later”. 

She pulls me along through the house and toward the garden and suddenly I can breathe again. 

Back at the Castillon Household 

“Remember our deal Emmeline!” Mama calls as I step back into the house, trying my hardest to walk straight past anyone. 

“As I recall, it was more of a comment on your parenting style than it was a deal,” I respond, standing on the bottom of the staircase. 

 “Nevertheless, I would never let you attend something alone without telling me the details of the whole affair”. 

“Calling it an affair makes it sound much too nefarious Mama,” I point out, “There is no scandal to be had in this household yet”. 

“Never mind that, tell me now”. 

“I simply had tea with Eloise and Lady Bridgerton”. 

“Is that all?” she persists. 

“I might have also agreed to tutor their youngest girl in literature,” I continue, a little quieter than my previous volume. 

“You did what?” I do not look up. 

“Hyacinth seemed so interested in my literature studies and asked if I would share my knowledge with her,” I explain. 

“You agreed to be her tutor?” 

“Not as a full time position. I am not doing it for pay either. I am simply putting my skills to use”. 

My mother takes a moment to think. “Well, I suppose I should be proud that you made such an impression on one of the most influential families in London”. She gets a mischievous glint in her eye. 

“What is that look for?”

“Perhaps I am aware of the ulterior motives behind your plan,” she smirks, leaving me utterly confused. 

“The what?” 

“You wish to spend more time at their house so you agreed to tutor young Hyacinth,” she begins. 

“Yes and that is all I-”

“But really, you intend to spend more time at their house and with their family because you are smitten with Colin Bridgerton!” She exclaims, quite convinced this is the truth.

“Oh no that is not at all why-” I try my best to dissuade her. 

“Oh do not try to deny it now! I’m just curious how I did not come up with the plan myself,” my mother is absolutely beaming. 

I can hear the wedding bells chiming in her mind. I cannot think of anything else to say as she nearly skips into the kitchen, quite overjoyed with our conversation. I knew I had a reason to be anxious this morning but this was surely not it. Mama is now convinced that I am set on getting Colin Bridgerton to court me and I feel as though I cannot stop her. Realising she is probably retelling the plan to my siblings this very moment, I hurry up the stairs, wanting at least a moment to myself before I try and deal with the myriad of questions they are sure to have. 

What have I gotten myself into?