Chapter Text
Concept
After 21 years of marriage, Colin and Penelope Bridgerton have happily been living a modern (well, for 1838) life with their four daughters Isla, Jane, Kesmée and Lydia. They have worked as writers for most of their marriage, with Colin now writing children’s books, Penelope as his editor and they made sure all their daughters receive an education in school.
The four girls have always been the apple of their father’s eye and he has always been their hero (with some stiff competition from Uncle Anthony when is come to Isla). However, after avoiding society for so long, Colin’s world is turned upside down when his oldest daughters come out to society and suddenly, he is no longer the only man in their lives.
Independent, strong-willed Isla Agatha Bridgerton, 20, has always struggled being a lady in a man’s world; frustrated that her male cousins will be in charge of the family’s financial future while all she can do is assist in the background as Uncle Anthony’s secretary. She has never felt the need to come out in society; she has no intentions of marrying and relinquishing her savings to her husband; she wants to go to America. However, she knows her sisters will not be allowed to come out in society until so does so she gives in for their sake. Then she meets her cousin August, the new Duke of Hasting’s good friend Nicholas Davenport, the Earl of Surrey, and he’s one of the ‘ton’s biggest rakes…
Sociable, fun-loving twin Jane Eloise Bridgerton, 17, has always envied the lives of her cousins, the children of the Duke of Hastings and Viscount Bridgerton. She has always known she was meant to be more than the daughter of a 3rd son and has always rebelled against her parents’ message of education and hard work; she’s a lady after all. She has been desperately waiting for her moment to come out in society. She knows she needs to marry well to keep the lifestyle the Bridgerton name provides; unfortunately, she’s drawn to her little sister’s school teacher Mr James Latimer…
Charming, thoughtful twin Kesmée Genevieve Bridgerton, 17, has developed her parents’ skill for writing and if her uncle Theo had his way, her work would be published for all to read. But Kesmée does not desire the spotlight, that is where her twin sister Jane belongs; she would rather just help out at her aunt Eloise’s school for girls. She has no desire to enter society yet as she has already met her match; her neighbour and childhood friend Matthew. Unfortunately, Matthew’s mother is determined that her son will become a doctor before he marries and well, someone has to accompany Jane in society to keep her out of trouble…
Shy, quiet Lydia Antonia Bridgerton, 12, is in no rush to grow up and is in no rush for her sisters to become married ladies either. She just wants to read her books and work on her drawings. However, her best friend and cousin Georgiana Sharpe always pulls her into her schemes and games.
Prologue
Colin Bridgerton sat at the head of the breakfast table, a newspaper in one hand while the other hand nursed his cup of tea. The years had been kind to him, he was still very handsome, with minimal aging on his skin, only a few grey hairs giving away his age.
On his left sits Jane, the elder twin by 3 minutes. Her long dark hair pinned up with curls capturing her sun-kissed oval face and her forest green day dress on her lean, straight figure only emphasising her green sparkling eyes more. There is no denying she is a Bridgerton.
On his right sits Kesmée, the younger twin. Like her sister, she has long dark hair but she wears it down, in loose bouncy waves with a simple silver head band keeping the hair back out her cream, porcelain heart shaped face; her large sparkling blue eyes complimenting her sage green dress that disguises her womanly curves on her lean frame. Her hair colour was the only physical marking she seemed to take from her father.
Beside Kesmée is Lydia, the baby of the house. There is no denying it; she is a copy of Penelope with her long flowing red hair, tied in a neat plait, and blue eyes sunken into her round, cream porcelain face.
Jane pushed the scrambled eggs around her plate, looking at the food in disgust. “Why does Mrs Fields not provide us with French toast?” She muttered. “All the households in Mayfair have French toast.”
“Because thankfully, we are not a household in Mayfair.” Kesmée replied, popping a blackberry in her mouth.
“Why would you want French toast anyway?” Lydia shot back. “We are English…there is nothing wrong with our toast.”
“I will ask your mother to ask Mrs Fields to provide French toast on Sunday.” Colin said as he turned the page of his paper.
“What do you need to ask me?” Penelope stated as she entered the breakfast room. She gave Colin a quick kiss on the cheek and then headed to the opposite end on the dining table. Like Colin, the years had been kind to her and she had barely aged.
“Jane wants French toast.” Kesmée answered.
“Oh yes, the new breakfast sensation in Mayfair.” Penelope said, rolling her eyes as she began spreading some jam on her toast. “I will ask Mrs Fields to make it on Sunday as a treat. Her eyes fell on the empty seat beside Jane. “Where is Isla?”
“She has not come down yet.” Colin replied before taking a sip of his tea.
“But her room is empty.” Penelope retorted.
“Maybe she has already gone to Anthony’s office.” Colin replied. “He is due to return from Aubrey Hall today.”
“No, she stayed late yesterday to ensure everything was ready for his return.” Kesmée said.
“She promised me she would stay for breakfast.” Penelope muttered.
“Pen, it is not the first time she headed into the office without breakfast.” Colin reassured his wife. “She will get something to eat at Bridgerton House.”
“She probably just wanted to be there to welcome Uncle Anthony back home. He is her favourite after all.” Jane said. Then she noticed the look on her father’s face. “After you of course, father.
Suddenly the door burst open and in rushed Isla, dressed in her fencing outfit. Her long red hair pinned up in a neat bun; showing the outline of her heart shaped face and large green eyes; her sun kissed, lightly freckled skin glowing from the exercise.
“Sorry I am late.” She apologised, looking at her mother as she slipped into her seat.
“Isla, you need to stop with the fencing…it is so un-lady like.” Jane hissed.
“Why? Father thinks it is ok or he would not have taught us.” Isla replied, scooping some fruit onto her plate.
“When we were children…we are ladies now.” Jane argued back.
“Isla, it is un-lady like.” Kesmée agreed. “You could end up hurt.”
“Maybe you should only fence with your father?” Penelope added, raising her eyebrow towards her oldest daughter. “You are a lady now.”
“Pen, I am sure she was only fencing with her cousins and she is more than capable of taking them on.” Colin argued. He looked at Isla. “You did, did you not?”
“Of course, it was only Auggie…he never blocks his left.” Isla replied with a shrug while Colin smiled with pride.
“How are things now in Hasting House?” Penelope asked, her eyes filled with concern. “I am sure Daphne is pleased August has returned to town to finalise things for Belinda’s wedding.”
“He said Aunt Daphne did not get out of bed yesterday.” Isla replied, her eyes also full of concern. “Belinda is beside herself as the wedding is only one month away.”
Penelope shot Colin a look. “I will visit her after breakfast.” Colin reassured his wife. Penelope nodded. He knew his younger sister was struggling after her husband Simon had passed away at the end of the last season from a bad dose of the flu; mere weeks after his oldest daughter secured a marriage proposal from the new Viscount Wilshire.
“So, did you tell them?” Isla asked, looking at her mother, hoping to change the conversation.
“I was waiting until you arrived.” Penelope replied.
“Tell us what?” Lydia queried, her eyes widening. She hated change.
“Oh please do not tell us you are with child!” Jane exclaimed. “There is no room…Kes and I are already sharing. This is why you should not be sharing a bedroom. All our friends’ parents have separate bed chambers. The only way to make space is to get us married and we are not allowed because Isla will not join society…”
“Actually, that is what we were going to tell you all…” Penelope said.
“What? That you are with child?” Colin croaked, dropping his paper; the colour draining from his face. “Surely you should tell me that in private…and our daughter should not know first.”
Penelope and Isla laughed.
“Do not be silly Colin…I am not with child.” Penelope reassured her husband. The colour slowly began to return to his face.
“I have actually decided that this year, I will come out to society.” Isla added.
“What?” Colin, Jane, Kesmée and Lydia exclaimed in unison but only Jane seemed full of glee.
“Well, I realise I am being unfair to Jane and Kesmée by not being out because that means they cannot join society either.” Isla explained.
“I think I preferred the idea of you being with child.” Colin stated, looking at Penelope.
“Me too.” Lydia muttered.
“It does not mean that I suddenly want a husband. My plans have not changed.” Isla reassured her father. “But it would be nice to attend the balls and garden parties outside of our family circle before all our cousins become boring wives and husbands.”
“You are now officially my favourite!” Jane exclaimed, side hugging Isla.
“So, what does that mean for us?” Kesmée asked. “Are we expected to come out next year?”
“Wait! We have to wait a year?” Jane cried. “Why can we not come out with Isla? We are of age…”
“Hang on Jane…” Colin began to say, a bead of sweat appearing above his brow.
“You are right Jane; you are of age and should come out with Isla if you wish.” Penelope responded.
“Now hang on Pen…” Colin began to say.
“Aah!” Jane squealed, jumping up from her seat and rushing over to pull Kesmée out of her seat to join her in her celebration, cutting off her father. “How fabulous Kes!”
“Yes, how fabulous.” Kesmée agreed, laughing nervously as Penelope smiled happily at her girls.
As the girls and Penelope began to talk about making arrangements to visit Genevieve, Colin slid further into his seat; his head in his hands; he was not prepared for one daughter entering the marriage mart, never mind three. This was his worst nightmare…and it was only just beginning.
To be continued…