Chapter Text
Dearest readers,
With another season upon us, it is this author’s duty to remind you all that while you do not know me, I certainly know you. It has been quiet in the ton, but with a new season comes new gossip. And hopefully new scandals. The Queen’s introduction to this season’s debutants is just around the corner, and that means our Diamond is hidden amongst the fray.
It this in author’s humble opinion that there are many prospects for this season’s Diamond, but we all do know how the Queen and I rarely share the same opinion. Perhaps our Diamond this year will be Miss Eloise Bridgerton, who is making her debut this season. She does have the Duchess of Hastings’ excellent example to follow. Or perhaps Miss Cressida Cowper, who is in her second season. Perhaps her second time's the charm?
In more important news, this author has it under excellent authority to say that the Viscount Bridgerton is looking to marry this season. Whoever our Diamond may be, surely they will be happily matched soon enough.
We shall see.
Yours Truly,
Lady Whistledown
She rolled her eyes at the scandal sheet, tossing it onto the table in front of her. The society papers of Whistledown’s were delivered early that morning, left with the maid, and then promptly given to her when she sat for breakfast. Her mother, Lady Priscilla Everly, mentioned that the very least the woman could do was publish new names and not the same ones always mentioned.
“Perhaps I don’t want her to mention my name, mother,” she pointed out, pushing the strawberry around her plate absently. “I would very much prefer if Lady Whistledown never knows who I am.”
“Oh hush,” Lady Everly said, waving her hand dismissively. “Any attention is good attention, darling. Do you not wish to be noticed?”
She shrugged in response.
Truthfully, she did want to be noticed. But not the way her mother meant. What she wanted was to be noticed for her writing; for her ability to tell a story and paint a picture in the mind. But, even if she did manage to get her writing to a publishing house, the likelihood of someone wanting to publish her work was unlikely; especially if she wanted her name on the spine.
“The Queen’s ceremony is at the end of the week,” her mother continued, as if the conversation hadn’t ended. It never did when it came to Lady Everly. “We will need to go to the modiste and get you new dresses for the season. Are there any colors you’d prefer this year?”
She looked up from her breakfast, surprised her mother asked for an opinion. Those were few and far between. A smile spread across her cheeks. “I do very much like purples; any shade, really. I also like green —dark greens, though. Like the grass.”
Lady Everly hummed, sipping her tea as she nodded. “I think you would look lovely in lavender, dear.”
“Good morning,” Lord Kenneth Everly announced, smiling brightly at his daughter as he walked in.
Lady Everly and her stood, both smiling politely as Lord Everly kissed her temple and sat down. Both ladies returned to their seats.
“And what are we chatting about today?” He asked, picking up the scandal sheet and looking it over with feigned disinterest. Her father was far more interested in the scandals than any one in the house, though.
“The dresses that we will be getting from Madame Delacroix for the ceremony,” Lady Everly explained, giving her husband a sweet smile.
Sometimes she wondered how her parents did it. Her mother wasn’t necessarily a cold woman; she was kind when she wanted or needed to be. But Lady Everly didn’t seem to care one way or another about what her daughter did, so long as it didn’t disparage the Everly name. While Lady Everly was very prim and proper, with all her ducks in a row and followed society’s rules with ease, Lord Everly was the opposite. While he followed social norms, he was very much involved in his daughter’s life. He asked about her days, talked to her about the books she read and the lessons she took. He insisted she be educated, as she was his only child. And he was simply a happy gentleman; content with life and all it had given him.
She often wondered why they married; but then she would remember when she was young. When she had very bluntly asked why her father loved her mother; and Lord Everly explained that Lady Everly balanced him out very well. That they had grown to love one another over time, and while he wasn’t the picture of perfect society, Lady Everly was. And so their family was perfectly balanced.
She quite liked that explanation. Marriage was about balance.
“Are you excited about your debut this year, love?” He asked, leaning close to his daughter.
She glanced between her mother and father, and simply nodded. “Of course, father. I cannot wait to find my match.”
But he gave her a knowing look, picking up a blackberry from her plate. “I’m quite sure you’ll find a lovely husband; does the Duke have a brother?” He joked.
Lady Everly rolled her eyes. “No, he does not. However, if Lady Whistledown is correct —“
“She usually is,” she interrupted.
Her mother gave her a warning look, causing her to shrink back into her chair. “The Viscount is looking to marry. Perhaps you could woo him.”
“Lord Bridgerton is a rake, mother,” she reminded Lady Everly, brow raised as she took a bite of her eggs.
“A rake can make a fine husband; look at me!” Lord Everly argued, grinning deviously at his wife.
Lady Everly choked on her tea, turning red as she coughed. “Kenneth! You were certainly no rake!”
She laughed at her father though, covering her mouth as she did. Lord Everly just smiled and leaned back in his chair, resting his hands behind his head. “My dear wife, you know very well that I was a terrible rake before we wed. You told me yourself. ‘I would be a fool to marry a man such as yourself.’” He quoted.
Lady Everly gave him a pointed look, brow raised. “And what else did I say?”
He grinned at his wife. “I do believe you said, ‘And yet, I would love nothing more.’”
She looked between her parents, realizing suddenly she was no longer in the room with them as they gazed at one another. It wasn’t often the two shared moments like this in front of her, but when they did —it was a wonderful reminder of what she wanted one day.
After a few moments, though, she cleared her throat. And the two finally returned to the dining room, looking to her. Lady Everly looked away, blushing as she stood but Lord Everly just grinned brightly, standing as well.
“We will go to the modiste this morning, then after, why don’t we meet in the park to promenade?” Lady Everly asked, looking between her husband and daughter now.
“An excellent idea,” he responded, looking to his daughter now. “I will see you two around one, then? I am quite sure that is more than enough time to get fitted.”
“It is; thank you, father.”
Lord Everly bowed his head, taking his leave. Lady Everly glanced at her daughter, giving her a smile that she had never seen before. Like it was a secret.
“I hope you find a husband like your father, darling.”
So did she.
*****
Spring in London was a lovely sight, especially at the start of it. Everything was in bloom, the sun was out, and the rain stayed at bay more days than not. It was her favorite time of year, even if this year would be spent trying to find a husband and parading herself in front of the entire ton. The air always felt crisper in the spring, and it smelled of the flowers that bloomed in the park and around the house’s gardens when she returned. It was wonderful.
She held her father’s arm as they walked, listening idly as he talked about the meeting he had with Lord Featherington and a few other members of the ton. Lord Everly was very open about his business pursuits; he felt that she and her mother needed to be aware since they all benefited. It was a big reason he kept her lessons going, even after she grew out of them. He provided her education from then on, two nights a week until she was sixteen.
It was what started her love of writing.
Lord Everly insisted she was a natural talent, and encouraged her to write whenever she could. He even went as far to buy her a journal and a set of pencils so that she could write whenever she truly felt the urge. ‘For when you feel inspired, no matter where you may find yourself,’ he wrote on the first page. She read over it each time she wrote, simply for the reminder.
“Lord Bridgerton!” Her father called out, smiling brightly as the Viscount walked with his family towards them. Her father leaned over, whispering to her, “May as well make introductions, hm?”
“Father!” She exclaimed, hitting his arm as she flushed.
“Kenneth, dear, she hasn’t even debuted yet,” Lady Everly scolded, but it was too late as the Bridgerton family stopped before them. “Lady Bridgerton,” she greeted, bowing her head.
The families exchanged their greetings, all smiling and bowing their heads to one another. Lord Everly shook the Viscount’s hand, expressing his delight in seeing his family out and about.
“This is my daughter,” Lord Everly introduced, motioning to her at his side. “She is making her debut this year.”
The Viscount nodded in greeting, though he and her father returned to their conversation about business. Her mother was speaking to Lady Bridgerton, and the two youngest children were chasing each other around. Eloise was chatting with Penelope Featherington, though both girls waved happily at her. She stepped away from her parents, moving towards the ladies.
“Miss Bridgerton, Miss Featherington,” she greeted, smiling softly at the two. “It’s lovely to see you both; I’m sorry for interrupting your walk though.”
“Oh please; anything that distracts my mother long enough to let us a bit of reprieve is wonderful,” Eloise insisted, waving her hand at her.
“Are you excited to come out this year?” Penelope asked, voice soft as she smiled.
She shrugged much like she did this morning at breakfast. Then she glanced at her mother, ensuring she wasn’t listening. “Truthfully, not at all. As much as I do wish to marry one day, I am not terribly fond of the attention.”
“Pen and I are going to be spinsters; you may join us, if you’d like,” Eloise teased. Or, she thought Eloise was teasing. Something told her the Bridgerton may not have been though.
“If I don’t find a suitable husband, I may take you up on your offer,” she said, smiling at them.
“Oh, excuse me,” Penelope murmured, stepping away as Collin and Benedict Bridgerton joined the group.
Penelope and Collin broke away to speak as Benedict replaced her at Eloise’s side.
“Hello sister,” he greeted, grinning down at her as he offered his arm. Then he turned to Miss Everly, bowing his head. “Good afternoon, miss. Excuse my interruption.”
She waved off his apology, smiling at him politely. “There’s no need to apologize, Mr. Bridgerton. This is your sister, after all.”
“Benedict, have you met Miss Everly?” Eloise asked, looking up at her brother.
He shook his head, “No, I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.”
She introduced herself properly, bowing her head once. Benedict motioned for her hand, and she lifted it carefully as he took it and kissed the top of her glove. Her breath hitched in her throat as she looked up at him, unable to do anything other than smile at him. He had a crooked grin on his face, boyish and charming, as he released her hand. It was an odd moment; as if she could focus on nothing but him. Words had escaped her.
“It is very nice to meet you, then,” he concluded, hand resting at his side once more.
“She debuts this year with me,” Eloise explained, glancing between the two with a wicked grin on her face.
Benedict’s grin only grew as he looked at his sister then back at her. “Well, I do hope you’ll save me a dance this season.”
She nodded a little too quickly, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks. “Of course, Mr. Bridgerton.”
“Benedict!” One of the children called out, taking his hand and dragging him away. Benedict laughed, waving goodbye as he took off with the children. She watched as he ran off, as Eloise linked arms with her as their families started to walk together, still chatting idly.
“You know, he is available,” Eloise whispered to her.
“Miss Eloise,” she scolded playfully, looking over at her. “I thought we were to be spinsters together with Miss Featherington.”
“If Benedict married before Anthony, I’m quite sure my mother would have a fit anyway.”
She watched as Benedict chased his younger sister and brother, picking them both up and laughing. Her head tilted to the side as she followed their movements, unable to help herself. Marriage was, of course, on her mind. It had to be. But she had never really interacted with Benedict Bridgerton prior to today. And his sudden introduction to her life shouldn’t have been unexpected, but with Eloise on her arm, teasing her about her brother…
Well, he was very handsome.